Priest as he was,
it is possible that De Casson shared the young man's feeling, though
chastening years had overcome impulses of youth. It was impossible for
the French leaders to guess how this strange parley would end, and when
many more Indians suddenly showed on the banks they saw that they might
have tough work.
"What do you think of it, Iberville?" said De Troyes. "A juggler's
puzzle--let us ask Perrot," was the reply.
Perrot confessed that he knew nothing of this tribe of Indians. The
French leaders, who had never heard of Indians who would fight in the
open, were, in spite of great opposing numbers, in warrior mood.
Presently all the canoes were got to land, and without any hostile sign
the Indians filed out on the centre of the plateau, where were pitched a
number of tents. The tents were in a circle, surrounding a clear space
of ground, and the chief halted in the middle of this. He and his men
had scarcely noticed the Frenchmen as they followed, seemingly trusting
the honour of the invaders that they would not attack from behind. It
was these Indians who had been seen in the mirage. They had followed the
Frenchmen, had gone parallel with them for scores of miles, and had at
last at this strategic point waylaid them.
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