"And he will not listen to reason. He is so conceited with himself because he has been charged with all the works of fortification in Canada."
"Are there others then, monsieur?" I asked casually, burying my nose in the wine-mug.
"Aye, to be sure. He is to build a wall around Montreal, and to strengthen the enceinte of Quebec."
"But we are at peace with these sacré English," I objected.
Joncaire, now thoroughly convivial, winked at me over the rim of his mug.
"For the present, yes. But how long, Jean? Ah, my lad, you are young, and I can see you have the brains to carry you far. Here in Canada family counts for less than in Paris. But after all you are not of those who know the high politics of the day—not yet."
"I am a poor, ignorant youth whom monsieur is pleased to honor," I said humbly.
"And monsieur is pleased to instruct you," he answered. "Yes, we can not go on as we have been, Jean. Every year that passes the English grow in strength, and we become weaker; I speak now in matters of trade; for after all, lad, the country which obtains the mastery in trade must be the military master of any contending nation. I may be only a simple soldier, but so much I have learned."
"Ah, but monsieur is pleased to be down-hearted!" I cried. "'Tis plain we are stronger than the English. Are not our posts stretched thousands of miles beyond theirs?"
"Pouf! What of that? We are a colony of soldiers and traders, well armed and disciplined. They are an infinitely larger group of colonies with only a few soldiers and traders, but many husbandmen. Give them time, and they will obtain such a grip on the soil of the wilderness that they can not be pried loose. But if we use our temporary advantage, and keep them from winning supremacy in the trade with the savages, then, my Jean, we may force a war upon them at an early day, and we shall win."