"But you escaped?" he pressed.
"Verily, monsieur; and 'tis this good savage who walks beside me who did it. He has a kindness for me, and when we were out hunting informed me of the rising against Monsieur de Tonty and escorted me here."
A look of grave concern overspread Joncaire's face.
"Are you certain of this, Jean?"
"Beyond doubt, monsieur; for my friend, the Wolf here, smuggled a message from me to Monsieur de Tonty, who bade me come at once to you that you might hold up all west-bound canoes."
"Aye, Alphonse would have done so," approved Joncaire. "Well, I always told him he would have trouble with the Messesagues. He was too easy with them. They are used to the heavy rule of the Iroquois, and they misunderstand kindness. Ma foi! This is bad news you bring, Jean. Was there much loss in furs?"
"Sad! 'Tis very sad!" I said ambiguously. "All gone!"
"And that reminds me," he went on, "you have not shown me your trading-permit."
"Trading-permit, monsieur?" I said. "Why—why—monsieur forgets that I am not a free-trader. I was in Monsieur de Tonty's employ. I had no permit. Nor, indeed, monsieur, have I any furs. Therefore what need would Jean Courbevoir have for a trading-permit?"
"Humph!" he growled. "Have you been long in Canada, Jean!"