He knew what an impression the early French successes would make on the Indian tribes, and he knew, too, as he heard the wind rustling through the dry leaves, that there would be no English campaign that year.

One might lead an army in winter on the good roads and through the open fields of Europe, but then only borderers could make way through the vast North American wilderness in the deep snows and bitter cold, where Indian trails alone existed.

The hunter foresaw a long delay before the British and Colonial forces moved, and meanwhile the French and Indians would be more strongly planted in the territory claimed by the rival nations, and, while in law possession was often nine points, it seemed in war to be ten points and all.
As he walked back and forth Black Rifle touched him on the arm.
"I'm going, Dave," he said.

"They don't need me here any longer.

Daganoweda and his Mohawks, likely enough, will follow the French and Indians, and have another brush with 'em.