France.
As to La Salle, I know nothing of him save what any man might hear. Is
it strange that I should be interested in him now that I find myself
following in his steps? Why do you always see a double meaning in my
words, monsieur?"

I filled my pipe, and answered truthfully, "I do not know."

But here he began to laugh. "Monsieur, forgive me, but truly I forget
at times that I am a spy, that you distrust me. You are kind and I am
interested, and so I grow careless of the fact that I am in a land
where no speech is idle, where every glance is weighed. This life must
unfit one for court talk, monsieur."

What was he after? I eyed him over my pipe bowl, but said nothing. I
was minded to tell him to clean the whitefish for our supper, but
reflected in time that he would undoubtedly do it badly, so I spoke to
Francois instead. But when I would have gone away the Englishman
followed. He clapped me lightly on the shoulder, a familiarity he had
not ventured before, and he put his head on one side with a little
bantam swagger.

"If I am an enemy, I am an enemy," he bowed. "Yet one question,
please, and I swear in the name of our joint father Noah that I ask it
with the fairest motives in mind. Tell me something of what we are
going to do. Is today a sample?"

I could not hold my ill-temper. He must have led a psalm-singing youth
that every attempt at rakishness should make him as piquant as a figure
at a masque.

"Yes," I replied. "To-day is a sample except that we have been
indolent this afternoon. I made this a semi-holiday as a sop to the
men for the added burden I have laid on them. I wish to do some
exploring along the coast here, and we shall have to spend some time
hunting. If you show yourself capable I shall leave you in charge of
the camp while we are away."

This time he bowed gravely. "Thank you, monsieur. I have not been
blind to the way you have spared me hardship, but when I said that I
would do whatever you would teach me, I meant it. I think that I shall
make a good woodsman in time."

But I laughed. "You wash yourself too much ever to make a good
woodsman," I told him, and I set him to measuring the meal for our
supper, for indeed his hands were well kept, and it was pleasant to see
him handle the food.

CHAPTER X

I WAKE A SLEEPER

What enchantment came upon the weather for the next week I do not know.
May is often somewhat sour of visage, but now she smiled from d