e heard by the governor and his
friend. The governor turned sharply on him. He had caught the ring
in the voice, that rash enthusiasm of eager youth, and, taking a step
towards Iberville, Count Frontenac's letter still poised in his hand:
"Were your words meant for my hearing, monsieur?" he said. "Were you
speaking of me or of your governor?"

"I was thinking of one Radisson a traitor, and I was speaking of
yourself, your excellency."

The governor had asked his question in French, in French the reply was
given. Both the girl and Councillor Drayton followed with difficulty.
Jessica looked a message to her comrade in ignorance. The old man
touched the governor's arm. "Let it be in English if monsieur is
willing. He speaks it well."

The governor was at work to hide his anger: he wished good greeting to
Count Frontenac's envoy, and it seemed not fitting to be touched by
the charges of a boy. "I must tell you frankly, Monsieur Iberville," he
said, "that I do not choose to find a sort of challenge in your words;
and I doubt that your father, had he been here, would have spoke quite
so roundly. But I am for peace and happy temper when I can. I may not
help it if your people, tired of the governance of Louis of France, come
into the good ruling of King Charles. As for this man Radisson: what is
it you would have?"

Iberville was now well settled back upon his native courage. He
swallowed the rebuke with grace, and replied with frankness: "Radisson
is an outlaw. Once he attempted Count Frontenac's life. He sold a band
of our traders to the Iroquois. He led your Hollanders stealthily to cut
off the Indians of the west, who were coming with their year's furs to
our merchants. There is peace between your colony and ours--is it fair
to harbour such a wretch in your court-yard? It was said up in Quebec,
your excellency, that such men have eaten at your table."

During this speech the governor seemed choleric, but a change passed
over him, and he fell to admiring the lad's boldness. "Upon my soul,
monsieur," he said, "you are council, judge, and jury all in one; but I
think I need not weigh the thing with you, for his excellency, from whom
you come, has set forth this same charge,"--he tapped the paper,--"and
we will not spoil good-fellowship by threshing it now." He laughed a
little ironically. "And I promise you," he added, "that your Radisson
shall neither drink wine nor eat bread with you at my table. And now,
come, let us