Willet and Tayoga, with their wonderful knowledge of the forest, estimated that about thirty warriors made one trail, about twenty another, and fifteen the smallest.
"They're going fast, too," said the hunter, "but we must go faster." "They will see our traces," said Tayoga, "and by signaling to one another they will tell all that we are in the woods.

Then they will set a force to destroy us, while the greater bands go on to take the fort." "But we'll pass 'em," said Robert confidently.

"They can't stop us!" Tayoga and the hunter glanced at him.

Then they looked at each other and smiled.

They knew Robert thoroughly, they understood his vivid and enthusiastic nature which, looking forward with so much confidence to success, was apt to consider it already won, a fact that perhaps contributed in no small measure to the triumph wished so ardently.