"We are a brave people," cried the stranger. "I am sure of it," responded Oliver. "Thank you," replied the stranger, "you cause me great pleasure." "Now that we know one another as countrymen, suppose we make more intimate acquaintance?" "I ask nothing better. If you like, I will tell you my history as briefly as possible." "I am attention," said Oliver. "My father was a baby when Canada was definitively abandoned in 1758 by the French, an act which was perpetrated without consulting the population of New France. Had the mother country have done so, it would have been met by a flat refusal. But I will avoid politics, and speak only of my family." "Good. I hate politics." "So do I. Well, one day my grandfather Berger, after being absent a week, came to his home in Québec in company with an Indian in his full war paint. The first thing he saw, standing by the side of the cradle in which lay my father, was my grandmother, her arms raised in the air, with a heavy iron-dog, with which she was menacing an English soldier; my grandmother was a brave and courageous woman." "So it seems." "A true daughter of Caudebec, handsome, attractive, and good, adored by her husband, and respected by all who knew her. It appears that the English soldier had seen her through the open door. He at once entered with a conquering air, and began to make love to the pretty young person he had noticed performing her maternal office. It was an unfortunate idea for him. My grandfather lifted him up and threw him through the window on to the stones outside. He was dead. My grandfather then turned round and spoke of something else." "A tough old gentleman!" "Pretty solid. He even had Indian blood--" "You spoke of Domfront." "Yes; but his father, having come to America with Comtesse de Villiers, married in Canada. He shortly after returned to France with his wife. There she died, unable to bear the climate!" "Very natural," said Oliver. "Before dying she made her husband promise to send his son to Canada." "But," continued Oliver, "the finale of your history." "As soon as that matter was settled, my grandfather embraced his wife, offered the Indian a seat, and began smoking his pipe. He then explained that he meant to leave Canada." "'This,' he said, 'is Kouha-hande, my mother's brother, the first sachem of his nation. He has offered me a shelter with his warriors, and has come with some of his warriors to escort us. Will you remain a Frenchwoman and follow me, or will you stay here and become an Englishwoman?'" "'I am your wife, and shall follow you wherever you go, with my little one on my back,' she answered." "'My sister will be loved and respected in our tribe as she deserves to be,' remarked the Indian, who had hitherto smoked his pipe in silence." "'I know it, my cousin,' she said."