aer, and that Corlaer bids the Iroquois to bring in all
the prisoners they have taken. Tell him that the French are going to
give up all their prisoners to us, and that the Iroquois must leave the
war path, or my Lord Bellomont will take the war trail and wipe their
villages off the earth."

Something in this speech as conveyed to the savage seemed to give him a
certain concern. He retired, and presently his place was taken by a tall
and stately figure, dressed in the full habiliments of an Iroquois
chieftain. He came on calmly and proudly, his head erect, and in his
extended hand the long-stemmed pipe of peace. Pierre Noir heaved a deep
sigh of relief.

"Unless my eyes deceive me," said he, "'tis old Teganisoris himself, one
of the head men of the Onondagos. If so, there is some hope, for
Teganisoris is wise enough to know when peace is best."

It was, indeed, that noted chieftain of the Iroquois who now advanced
close up to the wall. Law and Pembroke stepped out to meet him beyond
the palisade, the old _voyageur_ still serving as interpreter from the
platform at their back.

"He says--listen, Messieurs!--he says he knows there is going to be a
big peace; that the Iroquois are tired of fighting and that their
hearts are sore. He says--a most manifest lie, I beg you to observe,
Messieurs--that he loves the English, and that, although he ought to
kill the Frenchmen of our garrison, he will, since some of us are
English, and hence his friends, spare us all if we will cease to fight."

Pembroke turned to Law with question in his eye.

"There must be something done," said the latter in a low tone. "We were
short enough of ammunition here even before Du Mesne left for the
settlements, and your own men have none too much left."

"'Reflect! Bethink yourselves, Englishmen!' he says to us," continued
Pierre Noir. "'We came to make war upon the Illini. Our work here is
done. 'Tis time now that we went back to our villages. If there is to be
a big peace, the Iroquois must be there; for unless the Iroquois demand
it, there can be no peace at all.' And, gentlemen, I beg you to remember
it is an Iroquois who is talking, and that the truth is not in the
tongue of an Iroquois."

"'Tis a desperate chance, Mr. Law," said Pembroke. "Yet if we keep up
the fight here, there can be but one end."

"'Tis true," said Law; "and there are others to be considered."

It was hurriedly thus concluded. Law finally advanced toward the tall