essaries of life than mere comforts or
luxuries. Here, however, the guide again relentlessly interfered,
declaring it to be worse than useless. "A light load makes a quick
journey," said he; "monsieur would be glad enough to get rid of it
before the end of the first day's march. My game-bag will suffice for
both, and I have taken care to stock it with all that monsieur can want
on such a journey." Isidore gave way, perhaps not very graciously, but
a glance at the figure and equipments of Boulanger made him feel that
he was in the presence of an unquestionable authority in such matters.
He had indeed some slight misgivings that he had been rather hasty in
the affair of the boots, and that he was likely enough ere long to envy
the guide his light and roomy moccasins, to say nothing of his loose
leggings and the well-worn frock of grey homespun that had evidently
seen service in the woods. Even the gay wampum belt spoke of an ease
and comfort to which the young French soldier's stiff sword-belt could
not pretend. In fact Jean Baptiste Boulanger, or "J'n B'tiste" as he
was familiarly called, with his leathern game-bag slung over one
shoulder, his long rifle over the other, and his Indian knife, with its
gaudy sheath, hanging at his side was the very beau-ideal of a Canadian
forester of those days, and if his features did not just then give
evidence of his natural _bonhomie_ and kindliness of heart there was
that in his sunburnt face and keen dark eyes that inspired confidence
at the first glance.

These important preliminaries were scarcely settled when a hue-and-cry
was heard, and no little commotion arose. It turned out that an Indian
had been found huddled up, apparently asleep, in a corner of the room
adjoining the one occupied by the Marquis de Montcalm himself. He
proved to be not one of those acting with the French troops, but an
Iroquois, and on being detected had darted through the open window, and
though the alarm was instantly raised, had succeeded in baffling his
pursuers and making his escape. Such incidents, however, were not so
uncommon as to excite more than a passing notice, and as soon as the
outcry had subsided the baron took an affectionate leave of the young
envoy, who, accompanied by his guide, forthwith set out upon his
journey.

The circumstances under which the travellers had commenced their
acquaintance were not calculated to produce very quickly a good
understanding between them. The w