I watched the Indians. "They are departing peacefully."
"But they are departing!"
I looked at Cadillac. "And why not?"
He drew his sword. "Montlivet, have you turned priest—or coward? Do you dare to try and tell me that war is wrong?"
I looked at him, and left my own sword untouched. "I do not know what
I believe. I am going back in the woods. Perhaps I shall learn. But
now we have done all that we set out to do. We have destroyed the
Seneca war party. We shall be safe from the Iroquois for some time."
"But we are just ready to go on. Our men are ready."
His words seemed meaningless. "Ready! Are intoxicated men ready? We have drunk blood. Now we are drunk with words. I will not"——
A roar outside cut my words short. "The woman! The woman!" I heard the cry in several languages at once, but I could not comprehend it. I saw the crowd rise and surge toward me, making for the entrance of the tent. I turned and ran with them. Yet my mind was numb.
We reached the outside. I was in advance. A great canoe was at the shore and Onanguissé was directing his oarsmen. In the bow of the canoe sat the woman.
I reached her first; I caught her from the canoe. Yes, she was alive; she was unhurt. Her hands were warm. I heard her breathe. I dropped on my knees at her feet.