If I may judge by appearances your journey has been attended by some hardships." "You infer correctly," replied Robert, "and we shall be glad indeed to share your fire and food with you." De Courcelles and Jumonville led the way to a large camp fire around which at least fifty French, Canadians and Indians were seated.

All the French and Canadians were in uniform, and the Canadians, although living in a colder climate, had become much darker than the parent stock.

In truth, many of them were quite as dark as the Indians.
These Canadians of the French stock were, for the present, silent men, and Robert regarded them with the deepest interest.

Those who were not in uniform wore long frock coats of dark gray or dark brown, belted at the waist with a woolen sash of bright colors, decorated heavily with beads.

Trousers and waistcoats were of the same material as the coats, but their feet were inclosed in Indian moccasins, also adorned profusely with beads.