"We'll be there in ample time to see the result, whatever it is," said Willet.
"And we may find the trail of Sharp Sword and Tandakora who go ahead of us," said Tayoga.
"But the Ojibway turned away at Ticonderoga," said Robert. "Why do you think he'll go to Quebec?"
"Because he thinks he will get profit out of it, whatever the event. If our army is defeated, he may have a great scalping, such as there was at Fort William Henry; if the French are beaten, it will be easy enough for him to get away in time. But as long as the issue hangs in the balance, Tandakora means to be present."
"Sound reasoning," said the hunter, "and we'll watch for the trail of both St. Luc and the Ojibway. And now, lads, with eyes and ears open, we'll make speed."
And northward they went at a great rate, watching on all sides for the perils that were never absent from the woods and peaks.
CHAPTER XIV
BEFORE QUEBEC
True to the predictions of Tayoga, they struck the trail of St. Luc and Tandakora far up in the province of New York and west of Lake Champlain. Ever since the white man came, hostile forces had been going north or south along well-defined passes in these regions, and, doubtless, bands of Indians had been traveling the same course from time immemorial; so it was not hard for them to come upon the traces of French and Indians going to Quebec to make the great stand against Wolfe and his fleet.