" And I left her in her red blanket and went away.
CHAPTER XIII
WE REACH THE ISLANDS
The dawn came with an uprush of unclouded light showing burnished green
leaves and dancing water. I bowed my head to the woman's hand to bid
her good-morning, and I served her with meal cakes and sweet water from
a maple tree. I was reckless of Pierre's eyes, though I knew them to
be weasel sharp for certain sides of life. The woman answered me but
scantily, and when we were embarked sat quiet in the bottom of the
canoe. I forbore to look at her.
The men feared my mood that day, so paddled well. I charged them not
to speak nor sing, for I would have no wasted breath, and the sombre
shore, pine and tamarack and savage rock, passed before us like
pictures dropping from a roll. Toward sunset I sighted a canoe full of
warriors, and when we drew near I saw that they were Pottawatamies.
"Are we near your islands?" I hailed.
The men bowed toward the southwest. "The space of the star rising, and
you will reach them if you travel," spoke the tallest. "You ride fast.
I have seen you come like the white squall on the water."
I called again. "Does Father Nouvel tarry with you?" I cried.
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