When a score of questions had tumbled out one after the other, the deputies began to answer. Schoharie was beautiful and fertile beyond all their dreams. The Indians were not only willing to let them have the land, but offered to help them. They had seen nothing of the King of Rivers, but had heard of him.
"They have houses of bark in which they seem to be comfortable, but better houses can easily be made."
"They are satisfied with what they have; therefore Fate has no power over them. If their property is destroyed, they have a great storehouse to draw from for more."
"They made a feast for us and gave us food."
Conrad's blue eyes sought his father's.
"When will we start?"
For an instant John Conrad rowed in silence. His plans would not suit Conrad, the lad who was so young and who thought himself so old, who felt that so little time was still his, and who had a lifetime before him.
"Some will start at once, Conrad. But we will stay in Schenectady until the winter is over. There I have made arrangements with John Meyndert to keep us, and there we will try to earn a little."
Conrad made no answer. He had already seen himself the first of the pilgrims to burst into the quiet valley.
"We shall find peace at last," went on John Conrad. "This Quagnant said no one should molest us, that the land is ours."