Do you see anything in that tall tree to
the east of the palisade?"
"Something appears to be moving up the trunk, but as it's on the far
side, I catch only a glimpse of it."
"That's an Indian warrior, seeking a place for a shot at us. He'll
reach the high fork, but he'll always keep well behind the body of the
tree. It's really too far for a bullet, but I think it would be wise
for us to slip back under cover."
The sharpshooter reached his desired station and fired, but his bullet
fell short. He tried three more, all without avail, and then Willet
picked him off with his long and deadly rifle. Robert shut his eyes
when he saw the body begin its fall, but his vivid imagination, so
easily excited, made him hear its thump when it struck the earth.
"And so ends that attempt!" he said.
An hour later he saw a white flag among the trees, and when Willet
mounted the palisade two French officers came forward. Robert saw at
once that they were De Courcelles and Jumonville, and his heart beat
hard. They linked him with Quebec, in which he had spent some
momentous days, and despite their treachery to him he did not feel
hatred of them at that moment.
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