woods into one wide oratory. But unconverted savages, tearing with their
teeth the hands lifted up in supplication for them, had scarcely taxed
his heart as heretics and sinful believers taxed it now. The soldiers,
having finished, took up their tools, and Van Corlaer joined Father
Jogues as the party came out of the cemetery.

The day was brightening. Some sea-birds were spreading their white
breasts and wing-linings like flashes of silver against shifting vapor.
The party descended to a wrinkle in the land which would be dry at
ebb-tide. Now it held a stream flowing inland upon grass--unshriveled
long grass bowed flat and sleeked to this daily service. It gave
beholders a delicious sensation to see the clean water rushing up so
verdant a course. A log which would seem a misplaced and useless
foot-bridge when the tide was out, was crossed by one after another; and
as Van Corlaer fell back to step beside Father Jogues, he said:--

"The Abenakis take to the woods and desert their fishing, and these
Etchemins leave the woods and take to the coast. You never know where to
have your savage. Did you note that the village was moving?"

"Yes, I saw that, Monsieur Corlaer; and I must now take leave of the
lady of the fort and join myself to them."

"If you do you will give deep offense to La Tour," said the Dutchman,
pushing back some strands of light hair which had fallen over his
forehead, and turning his great near-sighted eyes on his friend. "These
Indians are called Protestant. They are in La Tour's grant. Thou knowest
that he and D'Aulnay de Charnisay have enough to quarrel about without
drawing churchmen into their broil."