Tayoga relieved Willet about two o'clock in the morning, but they did
not awaken Robert at all in the course of the night. They knew that he
would upbraid them for not summoning him to do his share, but there
would be abundant chance for him to serve later on as a sentinel.

The Onondaga did not arouse his comrades until long past daylight, and
then they opened their eyes to a white world, clear and cold. The snow
had ceased falling, but it lay several inches deep on the ground, and
all the leaves had been stripped from the trees, on the high point
where they lay. The coals still glowed, and they heated over them
the last of their venison and bear meat, which they ate with keen
appetite, and then considered what they must do, concluding at last to
descend into the lower country and hunt game.

"We can do nothing at present so far as the war is concerned," said
Willet. "An army must eat before it can fight, but it's likely that
the snow and cold will stop the operations of the French and Indians
also. While we're saving our own lives other operations will be
delayed, and later on we may find Garay going back."

"It is best to go down the mountain and to the south," said Tayoga, in
his precise school English. "It may be that the snow has fallen only
on the high peaks and ridges. Then we'll be sure to find game, and
perhaps other food which we can procure without bullets."

"Do you think we'd better move now?" asked Robert.

"We must send out a scout first," said Willet.