There were several sheds and in one of these a most abundant breakfast was served to them, including coffee and white bread, neither of which they had seen in a long time, and which were most welcome.  While they ate, they saw the young Pennsylvania officers arranging their forces with skill and rapidity.

“They’ve learned a lot since we were with ’em that time at Fort Refuge,” said Robert.

“They’ve had to learn,” said Willet.  “The forests in these times are a hard teacher, but they’re bright and good boys, just the same.  Nobody would learn faster.”

“Even as Red Coat has learned to be a scout and to know the trail,” said Tayoga, “but he is not sorry to come among white men and to have good food once more.”

“No, I’m not,” said Grosvenor emphatically.  “My ambition to be a fine trailer was high last night, and it’s still with me, but I had enough of creeping and crawling to last me a long time, and if we have to fight again I think I can fight better standing up.”

“We will have to fight again.  Be sure of that,” said Tayoga decisively.

Before breakfast was over Colden came to them, and Robert told, in detail and with great vividness, all they had seen.  The young Philadelphia captain’s face became very grave.

“It was you who warned us before Fort Refuge,” he said, “and now you come again.  You helped us to success then, and you’ll help us now.  Even if your coming does bring news of danger I’ll consider it a good omen.”

“We’ll be proud to stand in line with you once more,” said Robert, although he felt that, with St. Luc in command, the attack of the French and Indians would be formidable.  Colden would have available for battle between one hundred and fifty and two hundred men, about fifty of whom were soldiers.  But all the others, the boat builders and the rest, were capable fighters too.  They could certainly make a powerful resistance even to the daring and skillful French Chevalier, and, with a certain number of boats finished, the lake also was open to them, in case retreat became necessary.  Luckily, too, St. Luc had no cannon.  Courageous Captain Colden considered their situation far from desperate.  There was hope too that Daganoweda and his Mohawks might come, not only those he had with him in the night battle, but others as well.  The Mohawks, loving a combat, would not let go by such a one as that now threatening.

Willet rose from his breakfast and surveyed the position.  There were no real buildings, only sheds, the largest covering the saw mill, and the others used for the protection of tools and of the men, when they slept, against the weather.  All the trees for a distance well beyond rifle shot had been cut away for timber, a lucky fact, as the hostile Indians could not now use them for ambush.  Stout arms were throwing the fallen trees into a long line of breastworks, and the place already began to look like a fortified point.  Willet’s eyes glistened.