They had followed the Frenchmen, had gone parallel with them for scores of miles, and had at last at this strategic point waylaid them.
The conference was short.

The French ranged in column on one side, the Indians on the other, and then the chief stepped forward.

De Troyes did the same and not far behind him were Iberville, the other officers, and Perrot.

Behind the chief was the champion, then, a little distance away, on either side, the Indian councillors.
The chief waved his hand proudly towards the armed warriors behind him, as if showing their strength, speaking meanwhile, and then with effective gesture, remarking the handful of French.

Presently, pointing to his fighting man, he seemed to ask that the matter be settled by single combat.
The French leaders understood: Goliath would have his David.