“Well,” said he, “if you have learned to turn an evil omen into a good sign, you know more than some generals. What ails you now?”
“There's a pirogue, sir,” I cried, staring and pointing.
“Where?” said he, alert all at once. “Here, McChesney, take a crew and put out after them.”
He had scarcely spoken ere Tom and his men were rowing into the sunset, the whole of our little army watching from the bank. Presently the other boat was seen coming back with ours, and five strange woodsmen stepped ashore, our men pressing around them. But Clark flew to the spot, the men giving back.
“Who's the leader here?” he demanded.
A tall man stepped forward.
“I am,” said he, bewildered but defiant.
“Your name?”
“John Duff,” he answered, as though against his will.
“Your business?”