"
The news hit me like a bullet, and I must have whitened, but I kept on
singing. I nodded at Labarthe, and sang, I think, of spring and
running brooks. Then I flung a jeer at him and ate my breakfast. I
ate it systematically and stolidly, though it would not have tempted
any but a starving man. I was a fool and a dullard. I had slept away
my opportunities, and I could not see that my strength was important to
any one. But I determined to preserve it.
If I kept up jest and laughter for the next hours--and I have some
memory that I did--it was automatic. For I more nearly touched despair
than ever before. I did not need the sentences that I picked up
further among the Indians to tell me what had happened. The Senecas,
under Pemaou's guidance, had gone to Michillimackinac; had put their
heads into the bear's mouth, and yet were as safe as in their own
village, for the bear's teeth were drawn, and the Senecas were armored.
They traveled with Pemaou, and they had two English prisoners. That
insured them protection from the Hurons, who desired the English
alliance and had leanings toward the Iroquois. As to the
Ottawas,--there was Singing Arrow as hostage. It was significant that
the Senecas had allowed Singing Arrow to go unbound.
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