then drew near. All was going
as we planned, till Pemaou and a band of his Hurons came around the
corner of the house.

I had done Pemaou the justice to hate him when I first saw him. And
one does not hate an inferior. He had as keen a mind as I have ever
known, and he was not hampered by any of the scruples and decencies
that interfere with a white man. So he was my superior in resource. I
knew, as I saw him look at me now, that my share in the game was over.
He had seen me listening to Longuant. Where had my wits been lagging
that I had not foreseen that he would have spies watching me, and would
trace some connection between the prisoner and myself? Well, there was
nothing left me but to stroll away. I did not dare go in the direction
of the canoes; it would be unwise to seek Cadillac; so I turned boldly
to the Ottawa camp. Hardly knowing what I planned, I asked for
Longuant.

Somewhat to my surprise, the Ottawas listened with respect. I had
apparently won some reputation among them, and without demur they took
me to the chief.

Longuant was squatting before his lodge. A piece of wood was laid
across his lap, and he was chopping rank tobacco with a scalping knife.
He smelled of oil, and smoke, and half-cured hides; yet he met me as a
ruler meets an ambassador. As I stumbled after him into his dark
lodge, I saw that he was preparing to greet me with all the silence and
circumlocution of a state messenger. I had no time for that,--though
it gratified me. I tramped my way through all ceremony and plunged at
my point.

"I am no envoy," I began, shaking my head in refusal of the proffered
seat upon the mat beside him. "I am only a voice. A bird that calls
'beware' from the branches, and then flits away. Why watch the old
wolf, and let the cub play free? Would you make yourself a
laughing-stock among your people, by letting the Englishman escape into
the Baron's hands? Pemaou, son of the Baron, stands with his followers
outside the Englishman's window. What does he seek? I am no Ottawa.
I am a free man, bound to no clan, and to no covenant, and friend to
the Ottawas and Hurons alike. But I do not like to see a wise man
tricked by a boy. I have spoken."

Longuant rose. "My brother's voice speaks the truth," he said,
gathering his robes to leave me. "My brother sent his words, even as
he flung his spear at Pemaou, straight at the mark. Only one word goes
astray. My brother is not the free m