"We better go in closer to the shore," said Tayoga. "A wind is coming and on so big a river big waves will rise." "That's so, Tayoga," said Willet. "A little bark canoe like ours wasn't made to fight with billows." They paddled near to the southern shore, and, being protected by the high banks, the chief force of the wind passed over their heads. In the center of the stream the water rose in long combers like those of the sea, and a distant boat with oarsmen rocked violently. "Hugging the land will be good for us until the wind passes," said Willet. "Suppose we draw in among those bushes growing in the edge of the water and stop entirely." "A good idea," said Robert, who did not relish a swamping of the canoe in the cold St. Lawrence. A few strokes of the paddle and they were in the haven, but the three still watched the distant boat, which seemed to be of large size, and which still kept in the middle of the stream. "It has a mast and can carry a sail when it wishes," said Willet, after a long examination. "French officers are in it," said Tayoga. "I believe you are right, boy. I think I caught the glitter of a uniform." "And the boat has steered about and is coming this way, Great Bear. The French officers no doubt have the glasses that magnify, and, having seen us, are coming to discover what we are." "Correct again, Tayoga. They've turned their prow toward us, and, as we don't want to have even the appearance of hiding, I think we'd better paddle out of the bushes and make way slowly again close to the shore." A few sweeps of the paddle and the canoe was proceeding once more down the St. Lawrence, keeping in comparatively quiet waters near the southern side. The large boat was approaching them fast, but they pretended not to have seen it. "Probably it comes from Hochelaga," said Tayoga. "And your Hochelaga, which is the French Montreal, was Iroquois once, also," said Robert. "Our fathers and grandfathers are not sure," replied Tayoga. "Cartier found there a great village surrounded by a palisade, and many of our people think that a nation of the Hodenosaunee, perhaps the Mohawks, lived in it, but other of our old men say it was a Huron town. It is certain though that the Hodenosaunee lived at Stadacona." "In any event, most of this country was yours or races kindred to yours owned it. So, Tayoga, you are traveling on lands and waters that once belonged to your people. But we're right in believing that boat has come to spy us out. I can see an officer standing up and watching us with glasses." "Let 'em come," said Willet. "There's no war--at least, not yet--and there's plenty of water in the St. Lawrence for all the canoes, boats and ships that England and France have." "If they hail us," said Robert, "and demand, as they probably will, what we're about, I shall tell them that we're going to the Marquis Duquesne at Quebec and show our credentials."