emaou within the next few
hours I should never be one with the loveliness of nature again.

I held my way due west to the Malhominis. I could secure their
cooperation, if nothing more. Pierre followed at a canoe length, and
we traveled unbrokenly. It was an hour short of midnight when we saw
the west shore. I could take no bearings in the dim light, so we nosed
along, uncertain whether to go north or south to find the mouth of the
Wild Rice River where the Malhominis had their home. We held a short
colloquy and started northward. Suddenly Pierre shot his canoe beside
my own.

"A camp!" he breathed in a giant whisper.

I suspended my paddle. On the shore to the north of us were lights.
It could not be the Malhominis, for they lived inland; it was not
Pemaou, for the camp was many times larger than his would be. It was
probably a hunting party. All the western tribes were friendly; more,
they were my allies. I saw no necessity for caution. I raised a long
halloo, and our canoes raced toward the lights.

We landed in a medley. Indians sprang from the squatting groups around
the fire and ran to meet us. They were black shapes that I could not
recognize. I leaped from my canoe and held up my hand in greeting.
But an arm reached out and tore my musket from me. I looked up. A
leering Iroquois stood over me.

I dropped my arms and stood passive. A look over my shoulder told me
that Pierre and Starling had been seized and were fighting well.

"Caution!" I called. "Do not resist. Watch me."

"Where are we? What does it mean?" Starling called back. His voice
was shaking.

I held out my arms to be bound. "The Iroquois!" I shouted to Pierre in
dialect. "I did not know there were any within a thousand miles. Keep
steady. Follow me. We may find Pemaou here."

The Indians bound us systematically, but without undue elation, so that
I judged that they had many captives. They were Senecas and had the
look of picked men. I understood their speech, but beyond ribald jests
at our expense they said nothing. It was all swift, unreal. Owls
hooted in the woods and dogs snarled at us. The groups that remained
by the fire peered in our direction, but were too lethargic to come
near. I tried for a word with Starling. I feared for his spirit.

"They are Senecas," I managed to say to him; "the most diplomatic
nation of the Iroquois league. They will not butcher us without
consideration. Keep cool."

He