“Our good friend, Tandakora, despite his wound seems to have arrived ahead of us,” said Willet to Robert.

“Yes, and he shows very clearly that he would like to give Tayoga to the torture with himself as torturer, and yet he must know that it was you who put the bullet through his shoulder.”

“Quite true, Robert, but he resents the Onondaga more than he does us.  We are strangers, aliens to him, and he makes no comparisons with us, but Tayoga is an Indian like himself, whom he has fought against, and against whom he has failed.  Watch us pass.  For Tayoga, Tandakora will not exist, and it will instill more poison into the heart of the Ojibway.”

Willet was a good prophet.  The Onondaga walked within five feet of the Ojibway, but he did not show by the slightest sign that he was aware of the existence of Tandakora.  The entire little drama, played by the children of the forest, was perfectly clear.  Tandakora was dirt under the feet of Tayoga, and Tandakora felt that it was so.  His heart burned within him and a twinge through his shoulder added to his anger.  Yet he was powerless there in Montreal with the French troops about, and he could merely glare impotently while the three walked by ignoring his existence.  But they did not forget him, and each in his heart resolved to be on watch against treacherous attack.

They found on the slope of a high hill the inn to which de Galisonniere had recommended them, and obtained quarters for the night.  Monsieur Jolivet, the proprietor, had lodged Indians before, great chiefs treating with the French Government, and he did not think it strange that Tayoga should come there.  In truth, Monsieur Jolivet was a thrifty man who despised no patronage for which the pay was assured, and since peace still existed between France and Great Britain he was quite willing to entertain any number of Bostonnais at his most excellent inn on the slope of a high hill overlooking the St. Lawrence.  Willet had shown him the color of gold, and from natural ability and long experience as an innkeeper being a shrewd reader of faces he was sure that his three unusual guests could be trusted.

Willet knew Canada better than Robert, and now he acted as spokesman.

“We will sleep here only one night,” he said, “because early tomorrow morning we take boat for Quebec.  We three will occupy one large room.  You have such a room with three beds, have you not?”

“I have the room,” responded Monsieur Jolivet promptly, “and the beds can be put in it at once.  Then all will be arranged quickly by Lizette and Marie, the maids.  Will you permit my man, Francois, to carry your weapons to the chamber now?”

“I think not,” replied Willet, giving his rifle an affectionate look.  “I’ve lived so long with this good old rifle of mine that we hate to be parted even for an hour.  Tayoga and Mr. Lennox are younger than I am, but they’re beginning to feel the same way about their arms.  If you don’t mind, Monsieur Jolivet, we’ll keep our weapons with us.”