outwit them. I cannot
overlook the fact that the first Englishman was brought here by the
Baron's band of Hurons, and that this man selects his messengers from
the same dirty clan. I have reason to think he was in communication
with them before he came,--which is no credit to a white man.
Dubisson, my lieutenant, tells me that a Huron told his Indian servant
that pictures of the prisoner drawn on bark had been scattered among
the Indians for a fortnight past. The story was roundabout, and I
could not run it down. But it makes me watchful.

"So this is where we stand. I must give this man Starling a letter to
you. The letter will be official, and will direct you to deliver your
prisoner into Starling's hands. If he finds you, you have no choice
but to obey; so, if you think from your further knowledge of your
prisoner that it is unwise for these two men to meet, it is your cue
not to be found. I leave it with you.

"There is, of course, great doubt whether this will find you. You
asked me about Onanguissee so I infer that you will stop at the islands
at the mouth of La Baye, and I shall send the Indian girl directly
there. I shall suggest to Starling that he hug the coast line, and
search each bay, and if he listens to me, the girl should reach you
well in advance. But it is all guess-work. Starling may have spies
among the Indians, and know exactly where you are. I wish he were out
of the way. Granted that his errand is fair, he will still see too
much. For all men, in whatever state they are born, lack neither
vanity nor ambition, and this man is accustomed to command. It is a
crack in the dike, and I do not like it.

"But enough. I hear that you trussed Father Blackgown like a pigeon
for the spit the night that you went away. I would have given my best
tobacco box to have seen it. There was some excitement here over the
loss of the prisoner, but no talk of pursuit. Indeed, the Hurons
seemed relieved to have him spirited out of the way. Which is odd, for
they took great pains to obtain him. But I am wonted to the
unexpected; it is the usual that finds me unprepared. Even Father
Blackgown surprises me. He has not complained to me of you, though
heretofore I have found him as ready to shout his wrongs as a crow in a
cornfield. But again, enough.

"And I have the honor to be, with great respect, monsieur,

"Your very obedient servant,

"ANTOINE DE LA MOTHE-CADILLAC."

I read the letter