me before. I had a long title signifying Tree-Cutter, which belonged to
every chief of our family. But that word---"Sire!"--and her deep
reverence seemed to atone in some way for what I had lost. I sat up,
quieting myself, still moved as water heaves. She put the missal on the
lap of my single garment, and drew back a step, formally standing. My
scarred ankles, at which the Indian children used to point, were exposed
to her gaze, for I never would sit on them after the manner of the
tribe. There was no restraining the tears that ran down my face. She
might have mocked me, but she remained white and quiet; while I sat as
dumb as a dog, and as full of unuttered speech. Looking back now I can
see what passionate necessity shook me with throbs to be the equal of
her who had received me as a superior.

De Chaumont's manor house, facing a winding avenue, could be seen from
where we were. It was of stone, built to enclose a court on three sides,
in the form that I afterwards recognized as that of French palaces.
There were a great many flowers in the court, and vines covered the ends
of the wings. All those misty half remembered hunting seasons that I had
spent on Lake George were not without some knowledge. The chimneys and
roofs of Le Ray de Chaumont's manor often looked at me through trees as
I steered my boat among the islands. He was a great land owner, having
more than three hundred thousand acres of wilderness. And he was
friendly with both Indians and Americans. His figure did not mean much
to me when I saw it, being merely a type of wealth, and wealth extends
little power into the wilderness.

The poppet of a child climbed up and held to the girl's dress. She
stooped over and kissed it, saying, "Sit down, Paul." The toy human
being seemed full of intelligence, and after the first protest examined
me fearlessly, with enchanting smiles about the mouth and eyes. I