My people believed them children of the Sun, because of their white faces and light hair; they were made welcome, taken into the house of the altar, fed, warmed, and loved.

I know not who they were, or whence they came, yet they spoke this tongue, did point at themselves and say '_Francais_,' and told of a mighty King away off, and worshipped before a cross-piece of wood.

My people knew not what to make of them; yet they were not afraid, and treated the strangers with kindness, and there was no war between them.

He who seemed their leader had one hard hand of metal, and they named him 'Tonty.' Know you such a man of your color ?" "No," I answered, already deeply interested in his simple story.

"That was all before my time, nor do I even remember hearing the name till now, yet there were Frenchmen upon the great river full a hundred years ago, I have been told.