Then they bowed politely, though Robert fancied that he saw a trace of irony in their manner, and the elder said in good English: "Good evening, gentlemen." "Good evening, Messieurs," said Robert, remembering that he was to be spokesman.

"We are English." "I can see readily that two of you are." "The third, Tayoga, the son of a great Onondaga chief, is English also at heart." The lips of the Frenchman curled ever so little.

Robert saw at once that he challenged his assertion about Tayoga, but he did not seem to notice it, as he expected that his comrades and himself would be guests in the French camp.
"I have mentioned Tayoga," he said, "but I will introduce him again.

He is of the clan of the Bear, of the nation Onondaga, of the great League of the Hodenosaunee.

I also present Mr.David Willet, a famous scout and hunter, known to the Indians, and perhaps to some of the French, too, as the Great Bear.