He knew that it was best to assume a careless and indifferent tone.
"I'm not ready to leave you now," he said, "but I shall go later." Langlade laughed again, and then directed two of the Indians to hunt more wood.

They obeyed.

Robert saw that they never questioned his leadership, and he saw anew how the French partisans established themselves so thoroughly in the Indian confidence.

The others threw away more snow, making a comparatively large area of cleared ground, and, when the wood was brought, they built a great fire, around which all of them sat and ate heartily from their packs.
Langlade gave Robert food which he forced himself to eat, although he was not hungry.

He judged that the French partisan, who could be cruel enough on occasion, had some object in treating him well for the present, and he was not one to disturb such a welcome frame of mind.
His weapons and the extra rifle of Garay that they had brought with them, had already been divided among the warriors, who, pleased with the reward, were content to wait.
The night was spent at the captured camp, and in the morning the entire party, Robert included, started on snowshoes almost due north.
The young prisoner felt a sinking of the heart, when his face was turned away from his own people, and he began an unknown captivity.