Father Jogues spread the remnant of his hands, but Antonia did not hear a word he breathed. She was again in Fort Orange. The Iroquois stalked up hilly paths and swarmed around the plank huts of Dutch traders. With the savages walked this very priest, their patient drudge until some of them blasphemed, when he sternly and fearlessly denounced the sinners.
Supper was scarcely begun when the Swiss lieutenant came again into the hall and saluted his lady.
"What troubles us, Klussman?" she demanded.
"There is a stranger outside."
"What does he want?"
"Madame, he asks to be admitted to Fort St. John."
"Is he alone? Hath he a suspicious look?"
"No, madame. He bears himself openly and like a man of consequence."
"How many followers has he?"
"A dozen, counting Indians. But all of them he sends back to camp with our Etchemins."