"Their camp, too, shows increasing signs of permanency. They've built a dozen bark huts in which all the French, all the chiefs and some of the warriors sleep, and there are skin lodges for the rest. Oh, it's quite a village! And they've accumulated game, too, for a long time." Colden looked depressed. "We're not fulfilling our mission," he said. "We've come out here to protect the settlers on the border, and give them a place of refuge. Instead, it looks as if we'd pass the winter fighting for our own lives." "I think I have a plan," said Robert, who had been very thoughtful. "What is it?" asked Colden. "I remember something I read in our Roman history in the school at Albany. It was an event that happened a tremendously long time ago, but I fancy it's still useful as an example. Scipio took his army over to Africa to meet Hannibal, and one night his men set fire to the tents of the Carthaginians. They destroyed their camp, created a terrible tumult, and inflicted great losses." Tayoga's eyes glistened. "Then you mean," he said, "that we are to burn the camp of the French and their allies?" "No less." "It is a good plan. If Great Bear and the captain agree to it we will do it." "It's fearfully risky," said Colden. "If Great Bear and I can go out once and come back safely," said Tayoga, "we can do it twice." The young captain looked at Willet. "It's the best plan," said the hunter. "Robert hasn't read his Roman history in vain." "Then it's agreed," said Colden, "and as soon as another night as dark as this comes we'll try it." The plan being formed, they waited a week before a night, pitchy black, arrived. CHAPTER VII THE RED WEAPON The night was admirably suited to their purpose--otherwise they would not have dared to leave Fort Refuge--and Willet, Tayoga and Robert alone undertook the task. Wilton, Carson and others were anxious to go, but, as an enterprise of such great danger required surpassing skill, the three promptly ruled them out. The hunter and young Lennox would have disguised themselves as Indians, but as they did not have any paint in the fort they were compelled to go forth in their own garb. The cold had softened greatly, and, as heavy clouds had come with it, there was promise of snow, which in truth the three hoped would fall, since it would be an admirable cloak for their purpose. But in any event theirs was to be a perilous path, and Colden shook hands with the three as they lowered themselves softly from the palisade. "Come back," he whispered. "If you find the task too dangerous let it go and return at once. We need you here in the fort."