“Then there is no hope? nothing we can do?”
“No, Madame; not now. I shall not be consulted, nor asked to be present. I am under strict order from La Salle not to oppose La Barre’s officers, and, even if I were disposed to disobey my chief, I possess no force with which to act. I have but ten men on whom I could rely, while they number over forty.” He leaned closer, whispering, “Our policy is to wait, and act after the prisoner has been condemned.”
“How? You mean a rescue?”
“Ay, there lies the only hope. There is one man here who can turn the trick. He is De Artigny’s comrade 322 and friend. Already he has outlined a plan to me, but I gave no encouragement. Yet, now, that I know the truth, I shall not oppose. Have you courage, Madame, to give him your assistance? ’Tis like to be a desperate venture.”
I drew a deep breath, but with no sense of fear.
“Yes, Monsieur. Who is the man I am to trust?”
“Francois de Boisrondet, the one who led the rescue party last night.”
“A gallant lad.”
“Ay, a gentleman of France, a daring heart. Tonight––”
The door opened, and the figure of a man stood outlined against the brighter glow without. De Tonty was on his feet fronting the newcomer, ere I even realized it was Cassion who stood there, glaring at us. Behind him two soldiers waited in the sunshine.