But he saw Elihu Strong walking back and forth near one of the fires, and in the glow his thin face still reflected an iron resolution.

Satisfied that the camp was in no danger of being frightened, young Lennox went back to sleep.
A gray, chilly morning came, and soon after dawn Elihu Strong began to prepare his men for their perilous progress, serving first an ample hot breakfast with plenty of tea and coffee.
"Open Eyes not only watches but he knows much," said Tayoga.

"He has learned that an army marches better on a full stomach." Strong then asked Robert and Tayoga to serve in a way as guides, and he made his dispositions, sending his scouts in advance, putting his most experienced soldiers on the flanks and heading his main column with the two brass cannon.

The strictest injunctions that nobody straggle were given, and then the force took up its march.
They had not been molested while at breakfast, and when making the preparations, but as soon as they left the fire and entered the deep forest, the terrifying turmoil burst forth again, fierce whoops resounding on every side and bullets pattering on the leaves or bark.
Colonel Strong left his scouts and flankers to deal with the ambushed warriors, and the main column, face to the front, marched steadily toward Colden's camp.

It was to be a trial of nerves, and Robert was quite confident that the stern New England leader would win.
"The savages make a tremendous tumult," he said to young Lennox, "but their bullets are not reaching us.