to cover. The air was surfeiting with the steam of food. Dog-meat
bubbled in great caldrons, and maize cakes crackled on hot stones. A
bear had been brought in, and was being hacked in pieces to add to the
broth. The women did this, and as I passed them they stopped, with
their hands dripping red, and shook their wampum necklaces at me, and
pointed meaningly toward a neighboring hut, where I had been told that
rum could be bought if you were discreet in choosing your occasion. I
tossed them a handful of small coins, and warned them in Huron that if
they molested my men I should report them to the commandant. I felt
yet more haste to see my canoes under way.

I was plunging on in this fashion when Father Carheil plucked at my
sleeve. "Do you think you are running from the Iroquois?" he grumbled,
and he pushed his irritable, brilliant face close to mine. It was an
old face, lined and withered, and the hair above it was scanty and
gray, but never have I met a look that showed more fire and
unconquerable will. "The commandant wishes you," he went on. "He
asked me to fetch you. I should not have complied--it is I who should
ask services of him--but I wished to speak to you on my own account.
Monsieur, do you know these men that you have in your employ?"

I nodded. "As well as I know my own heart. They are my habitants."

"Your habitants! Then you have a seigniory? Why do you not stay there
as the king wishes?"

I shook my head at him. "We use large words in this new land, father.
Yes, I have a seigniory. That is, I own some barren acres near
Montreal that I can occupy only at risk of my scalp. As to the king, I
think he wishes me to trade,--at least I carry his license to that