him to put on the waistcoat and coat, as a group of men, Bigot, Cadet,
and Pean at their head, invaded the garden.

"What's this! What's this!" exclaimed Bigot, staring at the motionless
prostrate figure with the closed eyes.

Then de Galisonniere spoke up, and Robert was very grateful to him.

"It was done by Mr. Willet, as you see, sir, and if ever a man had
justification he has it. The quarrel was forced upon him, and, during a
pause, Boucher struck a foul blow, which, had it not been for Mr.
Willet's surpassing skill, would have proved mortal and would have
stained the honor of all Frenchmen in Quebec. Colonel de Courcelles will
bear witness to the truth of all that I have said, will you not, de
Courcelles?"

"Yes," said de Courcelles, though he shook in his uniform with anger.

"And so will Count Jean de Mezy. He too is eager to give testimony and
support me in what I say. Is it not so, de Mezy?"

"Yes," said de Mezy, the purple spots in his face deepening.

"Then," said the Intendant, "I see nothing left to do but bury Boucher.
He was but a quarrelsome fellow with none too good a record in France.
And keep it from the ladies at present."

He returned with his courtiers to the house, and the dancing continued,
but Robert felt that he could not stay any longer. Such cynicism shocked
him, and paying his respects to Bigot and his friends, he left with
Tayoga and the hunter for the Inn of the Eagle.

"It was a great fight," said Tayoga, as they stood outside and breathed
the cool, welcome air again. "What Hayowentha was with the bow and arrow
the Great Bear is with the sword."

"I don't like to take human life," said the hunter, "and it scarcely
seems to me that I've done it now. I feel as if I had been an instrument
in the hands of others, giving to Boucher the punishment deferred so
long."

"There will be no trouble about it," said Tayoga. "I read the face of
Bigot and no anger was there. It may be that he was glad to get rid of
the man Boucher. The assassin becomes at times a burden."

But Willet remained silent and thoughtful.

"I've a feeling, Robert," he said, "that our mission to Quebec will
fail. We've passed through too much, and all the signs are against us.
As for me, I'm going to get ready for war."

"Maybe the Governor General will arrive tomorrow," said Robert, "and if
so we can give him our letters and go. I was glad to come to Quebec, and
I'll be equally glad to leave."

"And we can se