"There was a name brought me with the news. Your chief was the Wolf, they said; but whether it be his own name or that of his _manitou_, I know not." CHAPTER XX. THE REVEILLE. A band of five-and-twenty Ojibways came filing down through the woods to the shore of Lake Ontario, at the point where the City of Toronto now stands. Back beyond the Lake aux Claies they had passed many lodges inhabited by women and children only, and had heard everywhere the same story: the men were all gone southward to Fort Niagara to take counsel with the English. This, too, was the goal of the Ojibways' journey, and Menehwehna hurried them forward. Fort Rouille by the waterside stood deserted and half ruined. They had hoped to find canoes here to carry them across the lake to Niagara; but here, too, all the male population had stampeded a week ago for the south, and those who wanted canoes must make them. This meant two days' delay but it could not be helped. They fell to work at once, cutting down elm-trees by the shore and stripping off their bark, while the children gathered from the lodges and stood at a little distance, watching. It was by no desire of his own that John made one of the embassage. As rumour after rumour of British successes came westward to Michilimackinac, and the Indians held long and anxious councils, he had grown aware that Menehwehna was watching him furtively, as if for a sign which could not be demanded in words. "Menehwehna," said he at length, "what is all this talk of English vengeance? It is not the way of my countrymen to remember wrongs after they have won the battle." "But who will assure my people of that?" asked Menehwehna. "They have heard that certain things were done in the south, and that toll will be taken." "What matters that to your people, though it be true? They were not at Fort William Henry." "But again, how shall they tell this to the English and hope to be believed?" "You cannot hide your heart from me, Menehwehna. You wish two things of me, and the first is my leave to tell your people that I am English." "Without your leave I will never tell them, my brother." "Did I ever suppose that you would? Well, as soon as you have told them, they will clamour for me to go to Fort Niagara, and at need to entreat for them. Now I say that there will be no need; but they will compel me to go, and you too will wish it. Have I not guessed?" Menehwehna was silent a while. "For my people I wish it," he said at length; "but for my own part I fear more than I wish." "You fear it because I go into great danger. By my countrymen I shall be rightly held a deserter; and, among them, for an officer to desert is above all things shameful."