Robert laughed, and it was probably a nervous laugh of relief at having arrived, through countless dangers, upon an errand of such huge importance.

“Both of you look worn out,” said Wilton.  “I dare say you’ve been up all night, walking through the interminable forest.  Come, have a good, fat breakfast, then roll between the blankets and sleep all day long.”

Robert laughed again.  How little the young Quaker knew or suspected!

“We neither eat nor sleep yet, Will,” he said.  “Where is Colonel Johnson?  You must take us to him at once!”

“The colonel himself, doubtless, has not had his breakfast.  But why this feverish haste?  You talk as if you and Tayoga carried the fate of a nation on your shoulders.”

“That’s just what we do carry.  And, in truth, the fate of more than one, perhaps.  Lead on, Will!  Every second is precious!”

Wilton looked at him again, and, seeing the intense earnestness in the blue eyes of young Lennox, gave a command to his little troop, starting without another word across the clearing, Robert and Tayoga following close behind.  The two lads were ragged, unkempt, and bore all the signs of war, but they were unconscious of their dilapidated appearance, although many of the young soldiers stared at them as they went by.  They passed New England and New York troops cooking their breakfast, and on a low hill a number of Mohawks were still sleeping.

They approached the tent of Colonel Johnson and were fortunate enough to find him standing in the doorway, talking with Colonel Ephraim Williams and Colonel Whiting.  But he was so engrossed in the conversation that he did not see them until Wilton saluted and spoke.

“Messengers, sir!” he said.

Colonel Johnson looked up, and then he started.

“Robert and Tayoga!” he exclaimed.  “I see by your faces that you have word of importance!  What is it?”

“Dieskau’s whole army is advancing,” said Robert.  “It long since left Crown Point, put a garrison in Ticonderoga, and is coming along Lake George to fall on you by surprise, and destroy you.”

Waraiyageh’s face paled a little, and then a spark leaped up in his eye.

“How do you know this?” he asked.

“I have seen it with my own eyes.  I looked upon Dieskau’s marching army, and so did Tayoga.  St. Luc was thrown across our path to stop us, and we left Willet, Rogers and Daganoweda in battle with him, while we fled, according to instructions, to you.”

“Then you have done well.  Go now and seek rest and refreshment.  You are good and brave lads.  Our army will be made ready at once.  We’ll not wait for Dieskau.  We’ll go to meet him.  What say you, Williams, and you, Whiting?”.

“Forward, sir!  The troops would welcome the order!” replied Colonel Williams, and Whiting nodded assent.

Johnson was now all activity and energy and so were his officers.  He seemed not at all daunted by the news of Dieskau’s rapid advance.  Rather he welcomed it as an end to his army’s doubts and delays, and as a strong incentive to the spirits of the men.