All the wilderness seemed to have become the country of the enemy.

When they looked once more from the lofty shores upon the vivid waters of George, they beheld canoes, but as they watched they discovered that they were those of the foe.

A terrible fear clutched at their hearts, a fear that Montcalm, like St.Luc, had struck already.
"The tide of battle has flowed south of us," said Tayoga.

"All that we find in the forest proclaims it." "I would you were not right, Tayoga," said the hunter, "but I fear you are." They came the next day to the trail of a great army, soldiers and cannon.
Night overtook them while they were still near the shores of Lake George, following the road, left by the French and Indian host as it had advanced south, and the three, wearied by their long flight, drew back into the dense thickets for rest.

The darkness had come on thicker and heavier than usual, and they were glad of it, as they were well hidden in its dusky folds, and they wished to rest without apprehension.
They had food with them which they ate, and then they wrapped their blankets about their bodies, because a wind was coming from the lake, and its touch was damp.