lumets in hand and were preparing for the
council. I saw that for a few hours at least I should have life and
semi-liberty. There was no possibility of my escape, so, bound as I
was, I was free to wander within limits. I would keep as near the
women as possible and try and herd my faction together.

I had been too absorbed to use my eyes, but now I saw that a captive
was lying near my feet. He was closely tied on two pieces of rough
wood shaped like a St. Andrew's cross, and was a hideous sight with his
tongue protruding and his eyes beginning to glaze. Dogs were
scrambling and tearing at him, and I edged nearer and tried to drive
them away. I examined him as closely as I dared, and judged by the
dressing of his long hair that he was a Miami. In that case the war
party must have come from the south by way of the Ohio and the Illinois
country, and they were probably working their way north to reach
Michillimackinac on its unguarded side. I saw it was a war party, for
there were no women with them, and the Iroquois carry their families on
all hunting trips.

I looked at the dying man and wished for my knife. So they tortured
Indian captives while they let me, a Frenchman, go lightly bound.
Well, my turn was yet to come. My white skin probably gave me
importance enough so that I would be referred to the council. I would
not look ahead. I would plan for the moment, and open eyes and ears.

There were many captives, I saw now, and my anxiety for Leclerc and
Labarthe grew keen. I made my slow way around the bound figures. Some
were pegged to the ground by their out-stretched hands and feet, and
some were stretched on crosses. But all were Indians. I saw more
Miamis, a few Kickapoos, and some whom I did not know; I learned later
that they were Mascoutens. And then I saw Labarthe. He was tied to a
tree, Leclerc beside him. Leclerc, who was ever a fool, would have
motioned to me, but Labarthe struck down his arm and gave a blank
stare. So I was able to get near them. They looked blood-stained and
jaded, but practically unhurt, and I saw a half-eaten chunk of meat in
Leclerc's hand. They had been fed and reasonably well treated. But
that meant nothing as guide to what might come.

I had not made my way alone. Starling was the chief attraction, but I,
too, was the centre of a curious, chaffering crowd. The braves were
unwontedly good-humored, childishly pleased with the evening's
excitement, and I amus