"Off it?" I repeated.
"Off it," he replied impatiently. "Since his Most Catholic Majesty hath a just claim to all lands in these parts—on this side of Hudson's River, at any rate."
"To be sure, to be sure," I assented quickly. "But, Monsieur de Joncaire, you will be interested to know there is an accursed tribe of savages who do not believe as you do."
"Is that so, Jean? And who may they be?"
"The Messesagues."
His face lighted up.
"They are in de Tonty's country. And how is the dear Alphonse?"
"Fleeing for his life, no less."
"Fleeing? How is it he has not come here?"
"Those same accursed Messesagues, monsieur. They rose up against us, and Monsieur de Tonty must flee to the northward and make the journey through the country of the Hurons."