"
Cadillac looked at the horizon. "Montlivet, I have bad news. Pemaou
has gone."
"Gone! Where?"
"I don't know. To the Seneca camp, probably. His canoes have just
left."
I tapped the ground. I was tired and angry. "You should have
prevented such a possibility," I let myself say.
But he kept his temper. "What could I have done?" he asked quietly.
"I have no authority in my garrison."
I regretted my outburst. "You could not have done anything," I
hastened. "And if Pemaou has indeed gone to the Senecas, it is good
news for me. I am impatient for a meeting with him that I did not dare
have here for fear of entangling myself and losing time. I shall hope
for an encounter in the west. And now I am away, monsieur."
I wished to leave with as little stir as possible, so Pierre took the
canoe around the point, and I joined him there. To reach the
rendezvous I walked through the old maize field where I had met the
English captive. It had been moonlight then. Now it was hot noon, and
the waves of light made me faint. I had forgotten breakfast. I cursed
myself at the omission, for I needed strength.
But I was not to leave quite unattended. When I reached the canoe, I
found Father Carheil talking to Singing Arrow.
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