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Chapter 4
KnowyouthedistancetoapostofthecrowncalledWilliamHenry?"
"Hoot!"shoutedthescout,whodidnotsparehisopenlaughter,though,instantlycheckingthedangeroussounds,heindulgedhismerrimentatlessriskofbeingoverheardbyanylurkingenemies."Youareasmuchoffthescentasahoundwouldbe,withHoricanatwixthimandthedeer!WilliamHenry,man!ifyouarefriendstotheking,andhavebusinesswiththearmy,yourbetterwaywouldbetofollowtheriverdowntoEdward,andlaythematterbeforeWebb;whotarriesthere,insteadofpushingintothedefiles,anddrivingthissaucyFrenchmanbackacrossChamplain,intohisdenagain."
Beforethestrangercouldmakeanyreplytothisunexpectedproposition,anotherhorsemandashedthebushesaside,andleapedhischargerintothepathway,infrontofhiscompanion.
"What,then,maybeourdistancefromFortEdward?"demandedanewspeaker;"theplaceyouadviseustoseekweleftthismorning,andourdestinationistheheadofthelake."
"Thenyoumusthavelostyoureyesightaforelosingyourway,fortheroadacrosstheportageiscuttoagoodtworods,andisasgrandapath,Icalculate,asanythatrunsintoLondon,orevenbeforethepalaceofthekinghimself."
"Wewillnotdisputeconcerningtheexcellenceofthepassage,"returnedHeyward,smiling;for,asthereaderhasanticipated,itwashe."Itisenough,forthepresent,thatwetrustedtoanIndianguidetotakeusbyanearer,thoughblinderpath,andthatwearedeceivedinhisknowledge.
