"True, only too true," murmured Colden.
"Yes," assented Corlaer; "you haf der right of it, gofernor. What is your plan?"
"I shall send this young man"—he laid his hand on my arm—"with you and Ta-wan-ne-ars to spy out the ground at Jagara, to search the wilderness for signs of the Trail, to work upon the Iroquois in our interest. Master Ormerod knows naught of forest warfare, but he hath had experience with the French and he knows de Veulle of old."
"When do we start?" replied Corlaer simply.
"So soon as may be. I must see Ta-wan-ne-ars again and concert certain matters with Master Ormerod. But within the week you must leave for Albany. You need spare no expense, Peter. My own funds are pledged to this, and Master Juggins, too, is offering his aid."
Corlaer deliberately donned his cap of fur.
"It will not be money, but friendship andt hate will serfe your turn, gofernor," he said.
"You have not yet read the letter from Juggins," I reminded him as he walked toward the door.
"So I haf not," he admitted, and took the letter from me and slipped it inside his leather shirt.
"Will you have it read?" asked Colden.