“For the present?”
“Yes.”
“I have none.”
“Your personal affairs, I mean. Have you any matters to hold your attention here for the next few weeks?”
“None.”
Major Provost fingered his quill.
“I don’t know, of course, how your own feelings stand, Menard. You’ve been worked hard for three years, and I suppose you want rest. But somebody must go to Fort Frontenac, and the Governor thinks you are the man.” 22
Menard made a gesture of impatience.
“There are a dozen men here with little to do.”
“I know it. But this matter is of some importance, and it may call for delicate work before you are through with it. It isn’t much in itself,––merely to bear orders to d’Orvilliers,––but the Governor thinks that the right man may be able to do strong work before the campaign opens. You probably know that we are to move against the Senecas alone, and that we must treat with the other nations to keep them from aiding the Senecas. No one can say just how this can be done. Even Father de Lamberville has come back, you know, from the Mohawks; but the Governor thinks that if we send a good man, he may be able to see a way, once he gets on the ground, and can advise with d’Orvilliers. Now, you are a good man, Menard; and you can influence the Indians if anyone can.”