"They say also," Menehwehna announced later, "that Stadacona has
fallen."

"Stadacona?"

"The great fortress--Quebec."

John mused for a while. "I had a dear friend once," he said, "and he
laid me a wager that he would enter Quebec before me. It appears
that he has won."

"A friend, did my brother say?"

"And a kinsman," John answered, recognising the old note of jealousy
in Menehwehna's voice. "But there's no likeness between us; for he
is one that always goes straight to his mark."

"There was a name brought me with the news. Your chief was the Wolf,
they said; but whether it be his own name or that of his _manitou_,
I know not."

CHAPTER XX.

THE REVEILLE.

A band of five-and-twenty Ojibways came filing down through the woods
to the shore of Lake Ontario, at the point where the City of Toronto
now stands. Back beyond the Lake aux Claies they had passed many
lodges inhabited by women and children only, and had heard everywhere
the same story: the men were all gone southward to Fort Niagara to
take counsel with the English. This, too, was the goal of the
Ojibways' journey, and Menehwehna hurried them forward.

Fort Rouille by the waterside stood deserted and half ruined.
They had hoped to find canoes here to carry them across the lake to
Niagara; but here, too, all the male population had stampeded a week
ago for the south, and those who wanted canoes must make them.
This meant two days' delay but it could not be helped. They fell to
work at once, cutting down elm-trees by the shore and stripping off
their bark, while the children gathered from the lodges and stood at
a little distance, watching.

It was by no desire of his own that John made one of the embassage.
As rumour after rumour of British successes came westward to
Michilimackinac, and the Indians held long and anxious councils, he
had grown aware that Menehwehna was watching him furtively, as if for
a sign which could not be demanded in words.

"Menehwehna," said he at length, "what is all this talk of English
vengeance? It is not the way of my countrymen to remember wrongs
after they have won the battle."

"But who will assure my people of that?" asked Menehwehna.
"They have heard that certain things were done in the south, and that
toll will be taken."

"What matters that to your people, though it be true? They were not
at Fort William Henry."

"But again, how shall they tell this to the English and hope to be
belie