The half-breed, standing in young dignity, threw a dark-eyed side-glance at this perfect lily of French civilization. She was not yet prepared to be used as an answer to the prayers of any French woman.
“Did you know that an expedition started yesterday to the Ottawa River?” inquired Claire.
Massawippa shook her head.
“But your father, also—he is going to fight the Iroquois?”
“I know not where they are, but I shall find out,” said Massawippa.
“I know,” said Claire. “The Iroquois are coming down the Ottawa.”
“From their winter trapping,” the girl assented with a nod.
“Your father, therefore, will follow Dollard’s expedition.”
“My father has but forty-three men,” Massawippa said gloomily.
“Child,” said Claire, “Dollard has only sixteen!”