A few times John Conrad spoke to his son.
"Pray God that this strange way may lead to the new land."
With heads erect the chiefs went on as though they trod the leafy paths of their own forests. Presently they came out upon the river-bank once more, traveled upon it for a short distance, then turned aside. The crowd about them had changed its character. Here were fine gentlemen and ladies on foot and in richly decked sedan chairs. A gentleman came forward with a sharp exclamation and pointed questioningly at the Weisers. One of the Indians answered by gestures and a few incomprehensible words, and the gentleman looked as though he were considering some strange thing. When the Indians walked on without waiting for his answer, Conrad began to be frightened.
"They are taking us into the Queen's palace," said he.
At the door of St. James's Palace all but a few of the throng which followed the Indian chiefs and the Weisers were denied entrance. The finely dressed gentleman who had spoken to the Indians, and who evidently knew their own language, was allowed to pass under the stone archway and into the court and thence into the palace itself. The Indians still led the way, traveling quietly along through intricate passages and tapestry-hung halls. Courtiers passed them with curious stares.
Still they kept the two Weisers behind the leader. Presently they halted in a room where there was a fire blazing on the hearth and where fine ladies laughed and talked. On the opposite side from the entrance a thick curtain hung over a doorway. The leading chief walked directly toward it and there paused, the procession behind him coming to a stop. A little lady sitting by the fire accepted a challenge from her companions to salute the strangers, and came across the floor, her high heels tapping as she walked.
"O great King of Rivers," said she to the foremost Indian, "who are these your companions?"
The Indian's answer was interpreted by the gayly dressed gentleman who understood his tongue.
"The King of Rivers says that these are his friends."
"Thank you, Colonel Schuyler. Tell the King of Rivers that his friends need a red blanket like his own and--"
What else they needed Conrad and his father were not to hear. The curtain before them was lifted, and from the other side a high, clear voice announced,--