He shook hands with them both and the Onondaga gravely asked: 

“What news of my people, Waraiyageh?”

Colonel Johnson’s face clouded.

“Things do not go well between us and the vale of Onondaga,” he replied.  “The Hodenosaunee complain of the Indian commissioners at Albany, and with justice.  Moreover, the French advance and the superior French vigor create a fear that the British and Americans may lose.  Then the Hodenosaunee will be left alone to fight the French and all the hostile tribes.  Father Drouillard has come back and is working with his converts.”

“The nations of the Hodenosaunee will never go with the French,” declared Tayoga with emphasis.  “Although the times seem dark, and men’s minds may waver for a while, they will remain loyal to their ancient allies.  Their doubts will cease, Waraiyageh, when the king across the sea takes away the power of dealing with us from the Dutch commissioners at Albany, and gives it to you, you who know us so well and who have always been our friend.”

Colonel Johnson’s face flushed with pleasure.

“Your opinion of me is too high, Tayoga,” he said, “but I’ll not deny that it gratifies me to hear it.”

“Have you heard anything from Fort Refuge, and Colden and Wilton and the others?” asked Robert.

“An Oneida runner brought a letter just before I left Mount Johnson.  The brave Philadelphia lads still hold the little fortress, and have occasional skirmishes with wandering bands.  Theirs has been a good work, well done.”

But while Colonel Johnson was not a member of the council and could not sit with it, he had a great reputation with all the governors, and the next day he was asked to appear before them and General Braddock, where he was treated with the consideration due to a man of his achievements, and where the council, without waiting for the authority of the English king, gave him full and complete powers to treat with the Hodenosaunee, and to heal the wounds inflicted upon the pride of the nations by the commissioners at Albany.  He was thus made superintendent of Indian affairs in North America, and he was also as he had said to lead the expedition against Crown Point.  He came forth from the council exultant, his eyes glowing.

“’Tis even more than I had hoped,” he said to Willet, “and now I must say farewell to you and the brave lads with you.  We have come to the edge of great things, and there is no time to waste.”

He hastened northward, the council broke up the next day, and the visiting governors hurried back to their respective provinces to prepare for the campaigns, leaving Braddock to strike the first blow.

CHAPTER XV

THE FOREST FIGHT

Robert thought they would march at once, but annoying delays occurred.  He had noticed that Hamilton, the governor of the great neighboring province of Pennsylvania, was not present at the council, but he did not know the cause of it until Stuart, the young Virginian, told him.