Robert agreed promptly.  He wished to make a good impression upon de Galisonniere, and, since the big boat was now far safer and more comfortable than the canoe, two ends would be served at the same time.  Willet and the Onondaga also nodded in acquiescence, and a mile or two farther on they and the canoe too went aboard de Galisonniere’s stout craft.  Then the sail was set again, they steered to the center of the stream and made speed for Montreal.

CHAPTER VIII

GUESTS OF THE ENEMY

Captain Louis de Galisonniere proved to be a genial host, pleased with his guests, pleased with himself, and pleased with the situation.  Brave and alert, he had also a certain amount of vanity which Robert had tickled.  It was not for nothing that he was a nephew of Count de Galisonniere, once Governor General of Canada, rank and birth counting for so much then with the French nation, and it was not for nothing, either, that he had won his captaincy by valiant and diligent service of his own.  So it afforded him great satisfaction to be hospitable now, and also to patronize slightly these men from the south, with whom in all probability New France would be at war before another year had passed.  It was well also to impress the Onondaga, whom his vigilant mind recognized at once as a youth of station.  None knew better than de Galisonniere the power and importance of the Iroquois, and how they might tip the scale in a great war between the French and British colonies.

His boat, which he proudly called the Frontenac, after the early and great Governor General of Canada, was equipped with supplies needed on trips between ports on the St. Lawrence.  After providing stools for his guests, he offered them the light wine of France, even as de Courcelles had done, but Robert and Tayoga declined, although Willet accepted a glass.

“We appreciate your courtesy,” said Robert, “but we descendants of the English in America do not take much to wine.  I find that my head is much better without it.”

“The intoxicating drinks of the white men are not good for the red race,” said Tayoga gravely.  “The warriors of the Hodenosaunee are able to fight anything else, but strong liquors take away their brains and make them like little children who fly into passions over trifles.”

De Galisonniere looked with great interest at the young Onondaga, being impressed by the dignity of his manner and the soberness of his speech.

“You speak perfect English,” he observed.

“I learned it in a white man’s school at Albany,” said Tayoga.  “Lennox was my comrade there, just as he has been in the woods.”

“You will see a much greater town than Albany when you arrive at Quebec.  You will see a noble city, on a noble site, an impregnable fortress, guarded by the most valiant troops in the world.  For its like you would have to cross the sea to our old land of France.”