At the same time he swept the fragments of paper together and clutched them hard in his right hand.

"Yes, yes, my son--yes I am going, but the time has not yet come for it, has it ?" he stammered.

"Is it late ?" He sprang to his feet and appeared confused, as if caught in doing something very improper.
Rene wondered at this unusual behavior, but merely said: "I beg pardon, Father Beret, I did not mean to disturb you," and went his way.
Father Beret stood for some minutes as if dazed, then squeezed the paper fragments into a tight ball, just as they were when he took them from under the floor some time before Rene came in, and put it in his pocket.

A little later he was kneeling, as we have seen him once before, in silent yet fervent prayer, his clasped hands lifted toward the crucifix on the wall.
"Jesus, give me strength to hold on and do my work," he murmured beseechingly, "and oh, free thy poor servant from bitter temptation." Father Gibault had come prepared to use his eloquence upon the excitable Creoles, and with considerable cunning he addressed a motley audience at the church, telling them that an American force had taken Kaskaskia and would henceforth hold it; that France had joined hands with the Americans against the British, and that it was the duty of all Frenchmen to help uphold the cause of freedom and independence.
"I come," said he, "directly from Colonel George Rogers Clark, a noble and brave officer of the American army, who told me the news that I have brought to you.

He sent me here to say to you that if you will give allegiance to his government you shall be protected against all enemies and have the full freedom of citizens.