"There is something up, and that gun-shot we heard awhile ago may have a good deal to do with it.

At any rate, you'll find kindness your best card to play with Alice Roussillon just at the present stage of the game." Of course they knew nothing of what had happened to Farnsworth; but they had been discussing the strained relations between the garrison and the French inhabitants when the roar of Alice's big-mouthed pistol startled them.

Helm was slyly beating about to try to make Hamilton lose sight of the danger from Clark's direction.

To do this he artfully magnified the insidious work that might be done by the French and their Indian friends should they be driven to desperation by oppressive or exasperating action on the part of the English.
Hamilton felt the dangerous uncertainty upon which the situation rested; but, like many another vigorously self-reliant man, he could not subordinate his passions to the dictates of policy.

When Alice was conducted into his presence he instantly swelled with anger.