Mr. Willet, I am sorry that a sword
such as yours is not French."

Willet bowed, and so did Robert. Then the three withdrew, receiving
their safe conducts as they went. At the inn they made hurried
preparations for departure, deciding that they would cross at once to
the south side of the St. Lawrence and travel on foot through the woods
until they reached the Richelieu, where in a secret cove a canoe
belonging to Willet lay hidden. The canoe would take them into Lake
Champlain and then they could proceed by water to the point they wished.

Robert wrote a note of thanks to the Intendant for his courtesy,
expressing their united regrets that the brevity of time would not
permit them to pay a formal call, and as it departed in the hands of a
messenger, de Galisonniere came to say farewell.

"It's likely," he said, "that if we meet again it will be on the
battlefield. I see nothing for it but a war, but if we do meet, Mr.
Willet, you must promise that you will not use that sword against me."

"I promise, Captain de Galisonniere," said Willet, smiling, "but if the
war does come, and I hope it may not, it will be fought chiefly in the
woods, and there will be little need for swords. And now we wish to
thank you for your great kindness and help."

He shook hands with them all, showing some emotion, and then left
hastily. The three deferred their departure, concluding to spend the
night at the inn, but before dawn the next morning they crossed the St.
Lawrence and began their journey.

CHAPTER XIII

THE BOWMEN

Robert looked back and saw the roofs and spires of Quebec sitting on its
mighty rock, and he remembered how much had happened during their short
stay there. He could recall the whole time, hour by hour, and he knew
that he would never forget any part of it. The town was intense,
glowing, vivid in the clear northern sunlight, and he had seen it, as he
so often had longed to do. A quality in his nature had responded to it,
but at the last his heart had turned against it. The splendor of that
city into which he had enjoyed such a remarkable introduction had in it
something hot and feverish.

"You're thinking a farewell to Quebec, Robert," said the hunter. "It
looks grand and strong up there, but I've an idea there'll be a day when
we'll come again."

"Americans and English have besieged it before," said Robert, "but
they've never taken it."

"Which proves nothing, but we'll turn our minds now to our