The chiefs had
come to me with their hands out, and I had thrown water in their faces.
They had reason for their anger. Cadillac saw the pantomime and
lumbered from his seat. He seized my arm.
"Montlivet, you are insane! You are insane!"
I pointed him to the woods. "Monsieur, I have dropped my sword. I
shall go into the forest for a time."
He shook me as if I were in a torpor. "Your wife"----
"I shall search for her. I am going out now with Indian trailers. I
shall not leave this country till all hope is past,--then I shall go
west."
For a moment suspicion clutched him. "Oh, you would form your union
without me! You are planning a dictatorship."
I took him by the arm and begged him to understand. "I have dropped my
sword," I reiterated. "I am going on alone. I have skins and
provisions cached at Sturgeon Cove--enough for barter. I am not
insane. I shall go prudently. There are lands and peoples to be
explored in the west."
The clamor grew. Dubisson and others of the French came nearer.
"Speak to the chiefs now. Speak to them now," they begged. "You can
save the situation yet."
I watched the Indians. "They are departing peacefully."
"But they are departing!"
I looked at Cadillac.
Pages:
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409