The vicomte's broad back
was toward him, proving his contempt of fear. They were both brave men.
"Follow the ripple, Monsieur," said Pauquet; "that is the way Monsieur
le Chevalier has gone."
It was all very foolhardy, this expedition of untried men against
Indian cunning; but it was also very gallant: the woman they loved was
in peril.
So the two canoes stole away upon the broad bosom of the river and
presently disappeared in the pearly moon-mists, the one always hugging
the wake of the other. The weird call of the loon sometimes sounded
close by. The air was heavy with the smell of water, of earth, and of
resin.
Three of these men had taken the way from which no man returns.
CHAPTER XXVII
ONONDAGA
The Oneida village lay under the grey haze of a chill September night.
Once or twice a meteor flashed across the vault of heaven; and the
sharp, clear stars lighted with magic fires the pure crystals of the
first frost. The hoot of an owl rang out mournfully in answer to the
plaintive whine of the skulking panther. A large hut stood in the
center of the clearing. The panther whined again and the owl hooted.
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