"The one from the west will not have as far to travel as we do. The other does not make so much difference, for if the Iroquois break they will come in this direction--the other side of the trail is sheer rock." "True; and what about the lady?" "I shall go with you, Messieurs," I said quietly. "There will be no more danger there than here; besides you would not leave me alone without a guard, and you will need every fighting man." I felt the grip of Rene's hand but it was La Forest's voice that spoke. "The right ring to that, hey, De Artigny! Madame answers my last argument. But first, let us have word with the chief." He addressed a word into the crowd of indistinguishable figures, and an Indian came forward. Dim as the light was I was impressed with the dignity of his carriage, the firm character of his facial outline. "I am Sequitah, Chief of the Mascoutins," he said gravely, "for whom the white chief sent." De Artigny stepped forth, standing as erect as the other. "Sequitah is great chief," he said quietly, "a warrior of many battles, the friend of La Salle. We have smoked the peace-pipe together, and walked side by side on the war-trail. Sequitah knows who speaks?" "The French warrior they call De Artigny." "Right; 'tis not the first time you and I have met the Iroquois! The wolves are here again; they have burned the villages of the Illini, and killed your women and children. The valley is black with smoke, and red with blood. What says the war chief of the Mascoutins--will his warriors fight? Will they strike with us a blow against the beasts?" The chief swept his hand in wide circle. "We are warriors; we have tasted blood. What are the white man's words of wisdom?" Briefly, in quick, ringing sentences, De Artigny outlined his plan. Sequitah listened motionless, his face unexpressive of emotion. Twice, confused by some French phrase, he asked grave questions, and once a _courier de bois_ spoke up in his own tongue, to make the meaning clear. As De Artigny ceased the chief stood for a moment silent. "We leap upon them from cover?" he asked calmly, "and the white men will sally forth to aid us?" "'Tis so we expect--M. de Tonty is never averse to a fight." "I believe in the Iron Hand; but 'tis told me others command now. If they fail we are but few against many." "They will not fail, Sequitah; they are Frenchmen." The Indian folded his hands across his breast, his eyes on the two men facing him. There was silence, but for the slight rustle of moving bodies in the darkness. "Sequitah hears the voice of his friend," he announced at last, "and his words sound wise. The warriors of the Illini will fight beside the white men."