Crawford stared at them. “A journey before the rivers were open—why, it was madness! What caused your trip? What is Sieur Perrot doing in this country?”
The two Mohegans glanced at each other, exchanged a nod, and Le Talon continued. In the brown faces was a quiet excitement, an air of keen suspense.
“Long years ago, before my father Metaminens carried a grey scalplock, he met a woman in the lodges of the Dacotah. In those days Metaminens was Commandant of the West, and ruled for Onontio. Also, he was a chief among the Dacotah; he was the first white man to visit them and bring them trade. Now Metaminens is old, and his scalplock is grey. His manitou has whispered to him that he must seek this woman again. We, his children, came with him. That is all.”
Crawford frowned, guessing that the chief was leading up to some surprise.
“A woman? But the lodges of the Dacotah are not in this direction!”
“Metaminens seeks the Star Woman,” said Le Talon bluntly.
A sardonic smile touched the lips of Frontin. Crawford, after a slight start of surprise, regarded the Mohegans; in their intent gaze he read a vivid eagerness, a breathless suspense—for they were waiting to see how this tale would affect him.
That they told the truth was indubitable. He could not question the fact, incredible as it seemed—Perrot, like himself, had come seeking this Star Woman! More, it appeared that Sieur Perrot had actually known her in days past. Well, that was possible enough; he knew that this explorer had been the one to tell Iberville about the Star Woman. And at this, a sudden wonder seized upon him.
“Metaminens told about this Star Woman to Pierre le Moyne d’Iberville,” he said slowly. “And Iberville told me—hence I am here. A strange business, a strange business!”
The Indians stared at him in awe, knowing well the name of Iberville and the man himself; but Frontin laughed softly, thinly.