. Whether it says much,--that is a different matter. Can the
Frenchman tell me why he wishes to go to Michillimackinac? Can he tell
me why he spends time from the moon of breaking ice to the moon of
strawberries building a lodge of promises, and then when he is just
ready to use the lodge blows it down with a breath?"

What could I tell him? That I was following a woman? That I had given
her my name, and that I must protect her? It would sound to him like a
parrot's laughter. This was no court of love. It was war. A
troubadour's lute would tinkle emptily in these woods that had seen
massacre and knew the shriek of the death cry. Again I set my teeth
and rose.

"Outchipouac, war is secret. I cannot tell you why I go to
Michillimackinac. But trust me. I go on business; I shall return at
once, within ten days, unless the wind be foul. Will you furnish me a
canoe and a man to paddle?" I stooped and pulled rushes from my
pallet, plaited them, and bound them in a ring. "Take this ring; keep
it. It is firm, like my purpose, and unending, like my endeavor. I
shall replace it with a chain of bright silver when I come to you
again. I give it to you in pledge of my friendship."

The chief took the ring and handled it loosely. I thought he was about
to throw it away, but he did not. He put it in his blanket.

"It is well," he said, and left the lodge. I was held on probation.

I had a good night and woke with new sinews. I saw that the sun was
shining and the sky untroubled. A squaw brought me broth, and I drank
it hungrily and tried to see no evil augury in the fact that I was
served by a woman. I flattered her, and asked her to summon Pierre.

She brought him at once. He thrust himself into the entrance, and I
saw dismay written large upon him.

"There is a canoe waiting to take the master away," he cried. "I am
going, too."

Now I was prepared for this battle. "Pierre, you are to stay here.
You are to keep near the Seneca camp to help Labarthe and Leclerc. If
they escape, go, all of you, to our camp on Sturgeon Cove and guard the
stores till I send you word. You understand?"

"But the master is sick. I go with him."

"You stay here."

"I go with the master."

"I will not allow it."

"Then I follow behind."

"You have no canoe, no provision."

"I have legs. I can walk. I can eat tripe de roche."

The giant was trembling. I could not but respect this rebellion. He
had broken