"Why this delay, Francois? why not start directly?" urged
the taller officer; "we shall never clear the river in
time; and if the dawn catches us in the waters of the
Detroit, we are lost for ever."

"But you see I am not quite prepare yet," was the answer.
"I have many tings to get ready for de canoe, which I
have not use for a long times. But you shall not wait
ten minute, if you do not like. Dere is a good fire, and
Babette shall give you some ting to eat while I get it
all ready."

The young men hesitated. The delay of the Canadian, who
had so repeatedly urged the necessity for expedition
while in the fort, had, to say the least of it, an
appearance of incongruity. Still it was evident, if
disposed to harm them, he had full opportunity to do so
without much risk of effectual opposition from themselves.
Under all circumstances, therefore, it was advisable
rather to appear to confide implicitly in his truth,
than, by manifesting suspicion, to pique his self-love,
and neutralize whatever favourable intentions he might
cherish in their behalf. In this mode of conduct they
were confirmed, by a recollection of the sacredness
attached by the religion of their conductor to the oath
so solemnly pledged on the symbol of the cross, and by
a conviction of the danger of observation to which they
stood exposed, if, as they had apprehended, it was actually
a human footstep they had heard in the orchard. This
last recollection suggested a remark.