“What Sioux?”
“The Indian our commandant sent after me. Speak low. He may be listening outside.”
They themselves listened.
“If Indians have come on the island they will kill all the cattle.”
“There are the women and children and men—even poor voyageurs—for them to kill first.”
She gasped, “Is it war?”
“Yes, it is war.”
“I never have seen war. Why did you come here?”
“I did not want to, mademoiselle, and I deserted. That is why the Indian was sent after me.”