"But they will come back?"

"Some time, though no man at Penobscot would be able to say when."

Father Jogues' perplexed brows drew together. Wanderings, hunger, and
imprisonment he could bear serenely as incidents of his journey. But to
have his flock scattered before he could reach it was real calamity.

"We must make shift to follow them," he said.

"How will you follow them without supplies, and without knowing where
they may turn in the woods?"

"I see we shall have to wait for them at Penobscot," said Father Jogues.

"Take a heretic's advice instead. For I speak not as the enemy of your
religion when I urge you to journey with me back to Montreal. You can
make another and better start to establish this mission."

The priest shook his head.

"I do not see my way. But my way will be shown to me, or word will come
sending me back."

Some sign from the lady of the fortress recalled Van Corlaer to his duty
as a guest. The supper grew cold while he parleyed. So he turned quickly
to take the chair she had set for him, and saw that Antonia was gone.

"Madame Bronck will return," said Marie, pitying his chagrin, and
searching her own mind for Antonia's excuse. "We brought a half-starved