"Is he the great player you describe him?" "He is. I can think of none better." "Well--saucy as he is, I must meet him." "You permitted me to arrange for it, to-night. I had your consent to bring some amateurs." "Yes, I _do_ recollect something of it--Le Moyne and--" "Challus." "Very well--let them come; but they must be patient. If Marchand is such a player, I must be cool and cautious. I must beat him." "You will, but you will work for it. Marchand will keep you busy. And now, sir, there is another matter which I beg leave to bring to your remembrance. You remember the cypress canoe that lies upon the river banks, three miles or more above. It was claimed by the old chief Satouriova. We shall want it here for various, and, perhaps, important uses, when the ship sails. She will take most of your boats with her. Let me recommend that you send a detachment for this boat to-day. It should be an armed detachment, for the old chief is most certainly our enemy, and may be in the neighborhood. I would send Lieutenant Le Genré, as he lacks employment. I would give him his choice of six or eight companions, as, if he does not choose his own men, he might be apt to tyrannize over those who are friendly to you. Perhaps it would be better to give your orders early, that he should start at noon, as, at mid-day, the tide will serve for bringing the boat up without toil." "Why, Alphonse, you are very nice in your details. But, you are right, and the arrangement is a good one." "The sooner Le Genré receives his orders the more time for preparations;" said the youth indifferently. "He shall have them as soon as I go below." By this time Laudonniere was dressed and they descended the court together. "Has he drunk," asked Le Genré anxiously, with Forneaux and La Roquette on each side, as they beheld Bon Pre descending from the chamber of Laudonniere with the vessel in his hand. The old man raised the silver lid of the coffee-pot, and showed the contents. "Diable!" was the half-suppressed exclamation of La Roquette. "Enough, comrade!" said Le Genré, in a whisper--"it remains for me." They separated, and entered, from different points, the area where Laudonniere stood. "Lieutenant;" said the latter, as Le Genré appeared in sight--"Take six men at noon and go up to the bluff of the old chief Satouriova and bring away the cypress canoe of which we took possession some time since. Launch her and bring her up. The tide will serve at that hour. Let your men be armed to the teeth, and keep on your guard, for you may meet the old savage on your way." Le Genré touched his hat and retired. "It is well," said he to Fourneaux, whom he had chosen as one of his companions, "that the commission did not send me off at once. I must make my preparation quickly and before I go."