I think that by the next sunset we'll be meeting French, not the Canadian French that they call _habitants_, but outposts made up mostly of officers and soldiers from France.

They'll be very curious about us, naturally so, and since your new friend Dayohogo has announced that you are a great orator, you can do most of the talking and explaining, Robert." "I'll talk my best," replied young Lennox.

"Nobody can do more." As agreed, they drew the canoe into the bushes shortly before daylight, and slept several hours.

Then they returned to the river and resumed their journey.

By the middle of the afternoon they saw signs of habitation, or at least of the presence of human beings.