"How made you the journey in so short a time?"
"Overland from Detroit, the same trail you traveled with La Salle; 'tis much the shorter."
"With two _courier de bois_; they are with me now. But what is this De Artigny you have with you--a woman?"
"Yes, M. de la Forest," I said, stepping forward to save Rene from a question which would embarrass him. "I am the daughter of Captain la Chesnayne, whom the Sieur de Artigny hath taken under his protection."
"La Chesnayne's daughter! Ah, I heard the story told in Quebec--'twas La Barre's aid who gave me the facts with many a chuckle as though he held it an excellent joke. But why are you here, Madame? Is not M. Cassion in the fort yonder?"
"'Tis a long tale, La Forest," broke in De Artigny, laying his hand on the other's shoulder, "and will bide a better time for telling. I am a soldier, and you may trust my word. We are La Salle's men; let it go at that, for there is graver duty fronting us now than the retelling of camp gossip. Madame is my friend, and my hand will defend her reputation. Is that enough, comrade?"
"Ay, enough. My best regards, Madame," and he bowed low before me, his words ringing true. "Whoever Sieur de la Salle has learned to trust hath my faith also. You have come from the fort I take it, De Artigny? How are matters there?"
"Ill enough; the officers at swords' points, and the men divided into three camps, for where De la Durantaye stands there is no evidence. M. Cassion holds command by virtue of La Barre's commission, and knows no more of Indian war than a Quebec storekeeper. The garrison numbers fifty men all told; two-thirds soldiers, and a poor lot."
"Ample to eat, so far as I know, but Boisrondet tells me with scarce a dozen rounds per man. The Iroquois are at the gates, and will attack at daylight."
"The signs are plain. We passed one party clambering up the cliff--no less than fifty warriors, naked and painted for war. Tuscaroras, Madame said from the words she overheard as they slipped past where we hid. 'Tis not likely they made reconnoissance alone. The fiends have been a week in this valley, and have swept all clear of our Indian allies; now they can bring their full force against the fort."
"'Twas my judgment, at least, and we sought help when we ran into you. What Indians have you?"
