“Only a few weeks,” Late answered. “We met him first up at Lake Champlain, while he was waitin’ for the army to arrive.”
“We work under him,” Joe added. Then a bright thought came to his mind. “He carries an iron cross that can be taken apart, so he can hide his papers in it,” he continued. “He shows it to the Indians, an’ they let him come an go ’mong them.”
“I know now that you are indeed his friends,” she cried joyously, “for I gave him that cross myself. It is an heirloom in our family. But how do you happen to be here? Cæsar said you were capsized on the river.”
“We would not tell every one, good Mistress Le Geyt,” Late said in a low but significant tone, “but we do not mind tellin’ you that we are sent up country on a special mission.”
She nodded her head in a way that indicated she understood him, and said:
“Please come with me.”
She led them out into a great hall, where on a rack of deer horns were several rifles and fowling-pieces. Seeing that her visitors noticed the arms, she said as they passed:
“We have quite an arsenal. It is because all our men folks are fond of gunning; my husband, Ira, grandpa, and even the younger boys have their own favorite weapons.”
Coming to the great staircase, they ascended and entered a large chamber, where, spread out on the bed, were two costly hunting suits, and beside it two pairs of hunting boots, scarcely worn.
“I must apologize for sending those old garments out to you,” she said. “They might do for strangers, but not for friends of my boy’s. Those on the bed are much more suitable, and by the time you have put them on, breakfast will be ready,” and she left them to themselves.