The Onondaga was silent, but Robert saw that he did not unbend, and de Galisonnière, feeling that it was unwise to pursue the topic, turned his attention to the mighty river and its lofty wooded banks.
"I don't believe there's another river in the world the equal of this giant French stream of ours," he said.
"Our noble British river, the Hudson, has much to say for itself," said
Robert.
"A grand river, in truth. I have seen it, but large and splendid as it is it lacks the length and size of the St. Lawrence."
"It is beyond question a noble stream to travel on. One makes greater speed here and suffers less hardship than in the forest."
"I am glad that I can take you to Montreal."
"Your hospitality to us, Captain de Galisonnière, is appreciated. I have found French officers courteous and ready to share with us all they had. You are not the first whom we have met on this journey. We encountered far down in our province of New York the Chevalier Raymond de St. Luc."
"St. Luc! St. Luc! The very flower of French chivalry! He is a relative of the famous La Corne de St. Luc, of whom you have doubtless heard, and at Quebec he is considered a model of all the qualities that make a soldier and a gentleman."
"He made a like impression upon me. Farther north we were so fortunate as to meet more of your countrymen, Colonel de Courcelles and Captain de Jumonville."
"I know them both! Brave officers!" said de Galisonnière.