The young warrior could feel to the full the splendors of the great forests, rivers and lakes of his native land.
"I too shall be glad to see Stadacona," he said, "the mighty rock that once belonged to a nation of the Hodenosaunee, the Mohawks, the Keepers of the Eastern Gate." "It is the French who have pressed upon you and who have driven you from some of your old homes, but it is the English who have respected all your rights," said Robert, not wishing Tayoga to forget who were the friends of the Hodenosaunee.
"It is so," said the Onondaga.
Taking full advantage of the current, and sparing the paddles as much as they could, they went down the stream, which was not bare of life.

They saw two great canoes, each containing a dozen Indians, who looked curiously at them, but who showed no hostility.
"It's likely they take us for French," said Willet.

"Of what tribe are these men, Tayoga ?" "I cannot tell precisely," replied the Onondaga, "but they belong to the wild tribes that live in the regions north of the Great Lakes.

They bring furs either to Montreal or Quebec, and they will carry back blankets and beads and guns and ammunition.

Above the Great Lakes and running on, no man knows how far, are many other vast lakes.