of the strangers stayed drawn, awaiting word from the leader. Near
the chief stood a man seven feet in height, a kind of bodyguard, who
presently said something in his ear. He frowned, then seemed to debate,
and his face cleared at last. Raising a spear, he saluted the French
leaders, and then pointed towards the shore, where there was a space
clear of trees, a kind of plateau. De Troyes and Iberville, thinking
that a truce and parley were meant, returned the salute with their
swords, and presently the canoes of both parties made over to the shore.
It was a striking sight: the grave, watchful faces of the Indians, who
showed up grandly in the sun, their skin like fine rippling bronze as
they moved; their tall feathers tossing, rude bracelets on their wrists,
while some wore necklets of brass or copper. The chief was a stalwart
savage with a cruel eye, but the most striking figure of all--either
French or Indian--was that of the chief's body guard. He was, indeed,
the Goliath of the tribe, who, after the manner of other champions, was
ever ready for challenge in the name of his master. He was massively
built, with long sinewy arms; but Iberville noticed that he was not
powerful at the waist in proportion to the rest of his body, and that
his neck was thinner than it should be. But these were items, for in
all he was a fine piece of humanity, and Iberville said as much to De
Casson, involuntarily stretching up as he did so. Tall and athletic
himself, he never saw a man of calibre but he felt a wish to measure
strength with him, not from vanity, but through the mere instincts of
the warrior. Priest as he was, it is possible that De Casson shared the
young man's feeling, though chastening years had overcome impulses
of youth. It was impossible for the French leaders to guess how this
strange parley would end, and when many more Indians suddenly showed on
the banks they saw that they might have tough work.

"What do you think of it, Iberville?" said De Troyes. "A juggler's
puzzle--let us ask Perrot," was the reply.

Perrot confessed that he knew nothing of this tribe of Indians. The
French leaders, who had never heard of Indians who would fight in
the open, were, in spite of great opposing numbers, in warrior mood.
Presently all the canoes were got to land, and without any hostile sign
the Indians filed out on the centre of the plateau, where were pitched
a number of tents. The tents were in a circle, surrounding a clear s