Once in sight it came
fast, fast, fast,--faster than I could prepare my courage for what
might meet me. What should I find?
We reached the beach where I had tied Father Carheil. We rounded the
point. The garrison, the board roofs of the Jesuit houses, the Indian
camps,--all were as usual. They were peaceful, untouched. I
swallowed, for my throat and tongue were dry.
CHAPTER XXIV
I MEET VARIOUS WELCOMES
It was Father Carheil who first sighted us. He sounded the cry of our
arrival, and came skurrying like a sandpiper, his scant gown tripping
him, his cap askew.
I leaped from the canoe and hurried to him. The man must hate me, but
he could not refuse me news. I stretched out my hand.
"Is all well here, father? Is all well?"
He disdained my hand, and held his arms wide. "All is well with us.
But you---- We feared the Iroquois wolf had devoured you."
And I had thought the man capable of petty spite. I dropped on my
knees to him. "Father Carheil, I grieve for what I did, yet I could
not have done otherwise."
He drew back a little and rumpled his thin hair with a bloodless hand.
His face was frowning, but his restless, brilliant eyes were full of
amusement.
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