“In that case, Father, I look for a delay. Unless his heart has hardened rapidly, he still thinks of me. Together we will go to him, and ask a hearing in the war council.”
“Oratory will not release us, I fear, M’sieu.”
“We shall not ask to be released, Father. 194 Don’t you understand? It is more than that we shall demand,––it is peace with New France, the safety of the column––”
The priest’s eyes lighted. “Do you think, M’sieu––”
“We can do it. They have not heard all the truth. They do not want a long war which will kill their braves and destroy their homes and their corn. It is this attack on the Senecas that has drawn them out.”
“You will tell them that the Governor fights only the Senecas?”
“More than that. The La Grange affair has stirred them up. It has weakened their faith in the Governor,––it has as good as undone all the work of twenty years past. Our only hope is to reestablish that faith.”
“I hope that we may,” said the priest, slowly. “But they have reached a state now where words alone will hardly suffice. I have tried it, M’sieu. Since we came, I have talked and reasoned with them.”
“Well, Father, I am going to try it. The question is, will the Governor make good what I shall have to promise? It may be that he will. If not,––then my life will not be worth a box of tinder if I stray a league from Quebec 195 without a guard.” He looked down at the daisy on his coat. “But the maid will be safe, Father. She will be safe.”
“I do not believe that they would harm her, even as it is.”