“We shall remain friends, Roger, for ever and for ever; my going will make no difference between us?”
“How can you imagine that should be possible?” answered Roger sombrely. “You are going where I neither can nor will follow you. When the sun rises to-morrow morning we shall bid each other farewell; you will go your way, I shall go mine, and in all probability we shall not meet again, except it be as enemies in the fray.”
“Let us hope not that,” answered Charles, with a touch of sadness in his voice; “and yet it is this pending conflict which must break out before long which has in a great measure constrained me to take my present step. I cannot bear arms against France; I hold they have the right of precedence in Canada.”
“What is that to you ?” said Roger harshly. “You have been born under British rule; if need be, it is your duty to fight for England, to protect your home against the invader. That is all we ask you to do.”
Charles Langlade shook his head.
“You know as well as I do, Roger, that before long there will be a great and mighty struggle between France and England; it is no fault of mine, but I honestly tell you that all my instincts, all my feelings, are with the Canadians. I believe they will defend the colony to their very uttermost; and if only France send them help, they will probably be successful.”
“Why then do you not join the Canadians openly, instead of allying yourself to the Indians who are devoted to the French interests?” said Roger.
“Because I will not give up my liberty,” answered Charles. “By remaining with the Indians, and becoming probably in time a chief amongst them, I am free. I trust to attain great influence in their councils, and perhaps prevent much cruelty. If I offered myself for service to the present Government of Canada, I should have to wink at much of which I disapprove. Peculation and robbery are the order of the day. Vaudreuil is a fool, and Bigot, his Controller of Finance, a knave. No, thank you; I prefer my savage chiefs to such civilised rascals. You know I went to both Quebec and Montreal to see for myself how matters stood, and I came away disgusted. If France loses Canada, it will be through the incapacity of the men she has placed at the helm.”
“And you will marry Ominipeg’s daughter?” said Roger.
“Yes, such is my intention,” answered Charles. “The Indian maiden is gentle and possessed of all good instincts, and she loves me. She will become a Christian, and I shall wed her. She knows no will but mine; surely she will make me happier than any other girl, who might worry me with her humours. I know all you have to say against it—the fate of the children who may be born to me; but that is a matter for after consideration.”