But ours was a
mock marriage, and we had not found peace. My breath choked me. I
leaped to my feet, and begged Onanguisse to end the ceremony, and let
me do my share. I knew what was my part as bridegroom, and Pierre and
Labarthe were waiting with their arms laden. I distributed hatchets,
Brazil tobacco, and beads from Venice. Then I turned to Onanguisse.
"We go to the land of the Malhominis, to the wild rice people. They
live toward the south-west?"
He nodded. "Across La Baye des Puants as the wild goose flies. Then
down till you find the mouth of the wild rice river. But why go till
another sunrise?"
I hesitated. But I thought of the shadowing Huron, and decided that I
could elude him best at night. "We are in haste," I told Onanguisse,
and I pointed the men toward their work.
But before I myself had time to step toward the canoes, I felt the
woman's touch upon my arm. Though, in truth, it was odd that I felt
it, for the movement was light as the brushing of a grass stalk.
"Monsieur, do we go now?" she asked. "You have had no opportunity for
council with these Indians, yet I see that they are powerful."
She was watching my interests. I laid my fingers on hers, and looked
full at her as I had not done since we had been man and wife.
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