about ten to one
May we meet at the mouth of the creek as we have planned , and may we be four who meet there and not three ! '' `` May all the stars fight for us , '' said Robert with emotion , and then he and Willet moved away among the bushes , leaving Tayoga alone at the cliff 's rim . Young Lennox knew that theirs was a most perilous venture . Had he given himself time to think about it he would have seen that the chances were about ten to one against its success , but he resolutely closed his mind against that phase of it and insisted upon hope . His was the spirit that leads to success in the face of overwhelming odds . Willet was first , and Robert was close behind . Neither looked back , but they knew that Tayoga would not move , until the alarm was given , and they could flee away with the pursuit hot upon their heels .