I threw a stick forward. It struck hard stone. At the same instant was a sibilant, human—distinctly human—"Hss-h," and the sound had ceased.
That was no laving of inland pond against pebbles. Make of it what you will—there were voices, smothered but talking. "No-no-no"~.~.~. then the warning~.~.~. "Hush!"~.~.~. then the wind and the river and~.~.~. "No—no!" with words like oaths.~.~.~. "No—I say, no! Having come so far, no!—not if it were my own brother!"~.~.~. then the low "Hush!"~.~.~. and pleadings~.~.~. then—"Send Le Borgne!"
And an Indian had rushed past me in the dark with a pine fagot in his hand.
Rising, I stole after him. 'Twas the fellow who had been at the fire with that unknown assailant. He paused over the smouldering embers, searching the ground, found the hilt of the broken sword, lifted the severed blade, kicked leaves over all traces of conflict, and extinguishing the fire, carried off the broken weapon. An Indian can pick his way over known ground without a torch. What was this fellow doing with a torch? Had he been sent for me? I drew back in shadow to let him pass. Then I ran with all speed to the river.
Gray dawn came over the trees as I reached the swollen waters, and the sun was high in mid-heaven when I came to the gravel patch where M. de Radisson had camped. Round a sharp bend in the river a strange sight unfolded.
A score of crested savages with painted bodies sat on the ground. In the centre, clad like a king, with purple doublet and plumed hat and velvet waistcoat ablaze with medals of honour—was M. Radisson. One hand deftly held his scabbard forward so that the jewelled hilt shone against the velvet, and the other was raised impressively above the savages. How had he made the savages come to him? How are some men born to draw all others as the sea draws the streams?
The poor creatures had piled their robes at his feet as offerings to a god.
"What did he give for the pelts, Godefroy?" I asked.
"Words!" says Godefroy, with a grin, "gab and a drop o' rum diluted in a pot o' water!"
"What is he saying to them now?"