"Then it's almost sure that he's at the head of the lake and we'll turn our course toward that point. What do you say, Tayoga?"
"Waraiyageh is the man to have the letter, Great Bear. If it becomes necessary for him to march to the defense of Albany he will do it."
"Then the three of us are in unanimity and Lake George it is instead of Albany."
They started in an hour, and changing their course somewhat, began a journey across the maze of mountains toward Andiatarocte, the lake that men now call George, and Robert's heart throbbed at the thought that he would soon see it again in all its splendor and beauty. He had passed so much of his life near them that his fortunes seemed to him to be interwoven inseparably with George and Champlain.
They thought they would reach the lake in a few days, but in a wilderness and in war the plans of men often come to naught. Before the close of the day they came upon traces of a numerous band traveling on the great trail between east and west, and they also found among them footprints that turned out. These Willet and Tayoga examined with the greatest care and interest and they lingered longest over a pair uncommonly long and slender.
"I think they're his," the hunter finally said.
"So do I," said the Onondaga.
"Those long, slim feet could belong to nobody but the Owl."
"It can be only the Owl."
"Now, who under the sun is the Owl?" asked Robert, mystified.