What would you do with me?"
"Detain you and your shallop for the services of my master, the
King of England, soon to be the master of your master, if the signs
are right."
"All signs fail with the blind, monsieur."
"I will give you good reading of those
signs in due course," retorted I.
"Monsieur," he added, with great, almost too great dignity, "I am
of the family of the Duc de Mirepoix. The whole Kamaraska Isles are
mine, and the best gentlemen in this province do me vassalage. I
make war on none, I have stepped aside from all affairs of state, I
am a simple gentleman. I have been a great way down this river, at
large expense and toil, to purchase wheat, for all the corn of
these counties goes to Quebec to store the King's magazine, the
adored La Friponne. I know not your purposes, but I trust you will
not push your advantage"--he waved towards our muskets--"against a
private gentleman."
"You forget, Chevalier," said I, "that you gave verdict for my
death."
"Upon the evidence," he replied. "And I have no doubt you
deserve hanging a thousand times.
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