I have looked upon Sharp Sword's footprints so often that I know them at a glance.

He and Tandakora stood here, facing each other, and talked.

Neither moved from his tracks while he spoke, and so I think it was not a friendly conference.

It is likely that the Ojibway spoke of the defeat of the French, and Sharp Sword replied that in defeat as well as victory true allies stand together.

Moreover, he said that defeat might be followed by victory and one must always hope.