Many boats were bringing supplies from further south, and others were being loaded with the goods of timid people, ready to flee from Montcalm and the French.
Albany caught new trade both coming and going.

The thrifty burghers profited by it and rejoiced.
"We've nothing to go on," said Robert, "and perhaps we couldn't tell the slaver's ship if we were looking squarely at it.

Still, it seems to me it ought to be a small craft, slim and low, built for speed and with a sneaky look." "Then we will seek such a vessel," said Tayoga.
Nothing answered the description.

The river people were quite willing to talk and, the two falling into conversation with them, as if by chance, were able to account for every craft of any size.

There was no strange ship that could be on any mysterious errand.
"It is in my mind, Dagaeoga," said Tayoga, "that this lies deeper than we had thought.