close to the
welcome warmth of the fire. He noticed a pistol and a rifle mounted on
brackets over the mantel, with two powder horns hanging beside them.
Guichard filled three small glasses with an inch of brandy apiece,
drained one quickly and left the other two and the decanter on a small
table within easy reach.

"I felt ten years younger when I saw Raoul's face turn purple when he
came into court with his rogues and heard that you had been spirited
away." Elysee wiped his wet cheeks with a blue kerchief. "I cry so
easily. I _am_ getting old."

"I am crying, too, Grandpapa."

Elysee turned a stern but still moist eye on him. "Enough crying, then.
Tell me everything you have seen and done since the trial."

Auguste described his journey to Washington City and the meeting with
Andrew Jackson.

Woodrow, dressed now for riding, lingered to listen as Auguste repeated
Black Hawk's speech to Jackson. Then he solemnly shook hands with
Auguste and left.

"Be careful out there," Auguste called after him.

Elysee said, "President Jackson, what sort of man is he?"

"His nickname, Old Hickory, is apt. He's hard, very hard."

Auguste told about his refusal of Jackson's offer of a post and being
cut out of Black Hawk's touring party.

Elysee shook his head doubtfully. "To take a position in the government
might have opened up an excellent career for you."

Auguste shook his head. "I knew what Jackson wanted to use me for. The
Bear spirit would tear my heart out if I ever consented."

Elysee raised an eyebrow. "You still believe in such things--bear
spirits and all that?"

Auguste thought of his resolve to succeed as a white man. Even so, the
Bear spirit was as real as his grandfather.

"I don't just believe, Grandpapa. I know."

Elysee's reply was cut off when a weeping Nicole pushed the door open,
followed by Frank and Guichard. Auguste held his aunt in his arms,
rejoicing in the strength he felt in her ample body. Guichard brought
more chairs from a rear room and set them close to the fire. They sat in
a circle, their backs to the dark outside.

"All this going from house to house isn't safe," said Nicole. "Raoul is
probably having all of us watched. He won't feel he really owns Victoire
as long as Auguste is alive."

Frank said, "He might know that President Jackson sent you back from
Washington City. We've been getting regular reports from back East about
Chief Black Hawk's tour, and your name wasn't menti