It was easier to reply in the affirmative rather than to try to describe his true profession, which would have no useful meaning to either of the men seated opposite him. In any case, his past life seemed to have developed the alarming knack of intruding upon his current vocation, so his answer wasn’t that far from the truth.

“You are here to make war on the Yan-kees?” Cageaga enquired.

“That was not my intention.”

Cageaga frowned. “I do not understand.”

Hawkwood thought for a few moments and then said, “I was sent by King George’s war chief to the land of les français to spy upon the enemy of the Great King. I was discovered and forced to flee. I hoped to find a ship to carry me back to England, but I was delivered here, to America – Anówarakowa Kawennote – instead. Now I am trying to get to Canada. From there I will find a ship to carry me back across the great water.”

“And your friend?” Tewanias asked. “He was sent to make war on les français too?”

“No. He was sent to America to make war against the Yankees. We were both captured and held prisoner in Senhahlone. We escaped and Yankee soldiers were killed. Now they hunt us. There is a price on our heads.”

“That is why the Stone People wanted your scalps?” Cageaga asked. “To sell to the Yan-kees for bounty?”

“Yes.”

It was safe to assume the Oneida had indeed been in the service of the Americans. Hawkwood recalled his visit to Colonel Pike’s hut, and the civilian who’d been lurking in the background with his Oneida companion. Their presence and the subsequent attack confirmed Lawrence’s testimony that the Americans employed native irregulars to carry out special tasks, including, it appeared, the chasing down of fugitives. Given the skills required to pick up a trail and follow it across inhospitable ground and through even more inhospitable weather, it made sense. Hawkwood thought of the signs he and Lawrence had left behind; not so obvious to white men, but as good as a map to the Oneida.

Had Quade dispatched them? With the colonel indisposed, it was possible Quade had given the order, just as he had given the order to the burial detail. Had it not been for Cageaga’s intervention, the corpses lying in the snow would have been his and Lawrence’s. Hopefully, the Oneida having failed in their mission, they would be safe now.

Or would they? Hawkwood turned to Tewanias. “Why do you fear an attack?”

There was a long silence. Tewanias drew his cloak closer about him. Smoke from the fire drifted in front of his face. “The Yan-kees say this is their land. We say it is not. They will send their soldiers to take it from us.”

“They will try,” Cageaga murmured ominously, “and they will fail.”

Hawkwood waited.