The great hand of Tandakora drifted down toward the handle of his tomahawk, but Tayoga apparently did not see him, his fathomless eyes again staring into the fire.

Robert looked at Willet, and he saw the hunter's eye also fall upon the handle of his tomahawk, a weapon which he knew the Great Bear could hurl with a swiftness and precision equal to those of any Indian.

He understood at once that Tayoga was protected by the hunter from any sudden movement by the Ojibway and his great strain relaxed.
De Courcelles frowned, but his face cleared in an instant.

Robert, watching him now, believed he was not at all averse to a quarrel between the Onondaga and the Ojibway.
"It is not a question for me to decide," he replied.

"The differences of the Hodenosaunee and the western tribes are not mine, though His Majesty, King Louis of France, wishes all his red brethren to dwell together in peace.