We dropped into chairs and sought our pipes.
But Cadillac's fingers were soon drumming. "It was odd that they did
not demand the English prisoners," he said.
I felt placid enough as regarded that point. "They did not dare. When
do the Senecas leave?"
"To-morrow morning. Oh, Montlivet, it grinds me to let them go!"
I shrugged at his choler. "We will follow," I comforted. "We will
overtake them at La Baye."
"But suppose they leave La Baye. They may break camp at once and push
on. We may miss them."
I smoked, and shook my head. "If they do, we cannot help it. But I
think there is no danger. They will want to halt some time at La Baye,
and try for terms with those tribes. My work there has been
secret,--even Pemaou does not seem to know of it,--and they do not
suspect a coalition. So they feel safe. I think that we shall find
them."
And then we sat for a time in silence. I stared at the future, and saw
a big decision beetling before me. When I dread a moment, I rush to
meet it, which is the behavior of a spoiled boy.
"You will get rid of Starling to-morrow?" I asked.
Cadillac nodded. "Yes. He is best out of the way, and, though I see
nothing to mistrust in the man, I shall feel better if he goes east
while the Senecas go west.
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