Farther north we were so fortunate as to meet more of your countrymen, Colonel de Courcelles and Captain de Jumonville." "I know them both! Brave officers!" said de Galisonniere.
But he turned away the conversation from the Frenchmen who had gone down into territory that Robert considered a portion of the Province of New York, and the lad surmised that, knowing a good deal about the nature of their errands, he feared lest he might reveal something through chance allusions.

Instead, he talked of the St.Lawrence, Montreal, and the glories of Quebec to which he hoped he might return soon.

He addressed most of his talk to Robert, but he spoke at times to Willet and Tayoga, both of whom responded briefly.

The wind meanwhile remained strong, and it was not necessary to use the oars, the large sail carrying them swiftly toward Montreal.

Robert, while talking with de Galisonniere, watched eagerly the two shores, seeing the smoke rise from the stout log houses of the Canadians, and once the tall steeple of a church dominating a little village, and seeming out of all proportion to the congregation that surrounded it.
"Yes, the church is very powerful with us," said de Galisonniere, following his eyes and noting his expression.