A long day began. Hours that seemed days in themselves passed, and
quiet prevailed in the forest, although the young soldiers no longer
had any belief that the warriors had gone away.
CHAPTER VI
THE RETURN
It was near the close of a day that had been marked by little
demonstration from the enemy, and the young officers, growing used to
the siege, attained a philosophical state of mind. They felt sure they
could hold the palisade against any number of enemies, and the
foresight of Willet, Robert and Tayoga had been so great that by no
possibility could they be starved out. They began now to have a
certain exultation. They were inside comfortable walls, with plenty
to eat and drink, while the enemy was outside and must forage for
game.
"If it were not for Tayoga," said Wilton to Robert, "I should feel
more than satisfied with the situation. But the fate of your Onondaga
friend sticks in my mind. Mr. Willet, who knows everything, says we're
surrounded completely, and I don't wish him to lose his life in an
attempt to get through at a certain time, merely on a point of honor."
"It's no point of honor, Will. It's just the completion of a plan at
the time and place chosen.
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