country going to do for her Western children in their hour of need
and extremity? There were rumours afloat of a massing of Indian
tribes to be let loose upon the hapless settlers along the Indian
border; and although Sir William Johnson, that able agent of
England's with the natives, was hard at work seeking to oppose and
counteract French diplomacy amongst the savage tribes, there was
yet so much disunion and misunderstanding and jealousy amongst
English commanders and governors, that matters were constantly at a
deadlock; whilst France, with her centralized authority, moved on
towards her goal unimpeded and at ease (as it seemed to the
harassed English officials), although not without her internal
troubles also.

November brought about the usual breaking up of the camps on both
sides. The French soldiers were drafted back to Canada in great
companies, sorely beset and harassed at times by the action of the
Rangers; whilst Winslow drew off the bulk of his men to winter
quarters in the larger towns of New England and the adjacent
colonies, leaving Major Eyre in charge of the fort, with sufficient
men to hold it during the dead winter season.

Rogers' Rangers were independent of weather. They pursued their
hardy and adventurous calling as well through the ice-bound winter
months as during the genial season of summer. But from time to time
his followers liked to visit their homes and friends, and Winslow
was glad enough to have their company upon his march back upon
civilization; for the Rangers were masters of the art of woodcraft,
and were the most able allies when difficulties arose through the
rising of rivers or the intricacies of the forest paths.