Brother Jacques saw nothing in the velvet glooms but the figure of
Monsieur le Marquis as it lay that night after the duel.
Whenever the Senecas came to a habitation, they drew up the canoes and
carried them overland, far distant into the forest, making a
half-circuit of the point. During these portages the fatigue of the
women was great. Several times Anne broke down, unable to proceed.
Sometimes the savages waited patiently for her to recover, at other
times they were cruel in their determination to go on. Once Brother
Jacques took Anne's slight figure in his strong arms and carried her a
quarter of a mile. She hung upon his neck with the content of a weary
child, and the cool flesh of her cheek against his neck disturbed the
tranquillity of his dreams for many days to come.
Madame, on her part, struggled on without complaint. If she stumbled
and fell, no sound escaped her lips. She regained her feet without
assistance. Madame's was a great spirit; she knew the strength of
resignation.
It was after two o'clock when the Iroquois signified their intention of
pitching camp till dawn. They were far away from the common track now.
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