"Sit down, Mr. Ware," said de Peyster with a flourish of both hand and voice. Henry quietly took the seat indicated on the opposite side of the table, and then the commander took his own also, while the attendant brought the food and drink. Henry saw that de Peyster was in an uncommon mood, and he resolved to humor it to the full.
"I regret more than ever that you're not one of us, my young friend," said the commander, surveying his prisoner's splendid proportions. "Expert as you are in the woods, you could soon rise to high command."
"Having started in on one side," said Henry lightly, "I cannot change to the other."
"Wyatt, who I understand was a youthful comrade of yours, has done it."
"Pray do not ask me to imitate any example furnished by Braxton Wyatt."
"He is not an attractive youth, I confess," he said, "but you would count for much more than Braxton Wyatt with us."
"I shall never count at all," replied Henry. "I am for my own people always."
Colonel de Peyster, the Tory, flushed, but he continued:
"Think of the rewards under the King. This is a vast and fertile continent, and those who hold it for him will surely receive vast estates. Any one of us may be as great a feudal lord as Sir William Johnson has been."
"If you triumph," said Henry, although he spoke purposely in a light tone.
"There is no 'if'; we are bound to succeed, and now, sir, as we have eaten we shall drink to your escape."
The attendant poured two glasses of wine and Colonel de Peyster raised his, looking for a minute or two at the little bubbles as they broke.
"Here's to your escape," he said, casting an ironical glance over the edge.
"Here's to my escape," said Henry, meeting his gaze firmly and earnestly.
"Upon my word, I believe that you mean what you say."
"Come," he said, "we'll go outside. I think I'll keep my own eye on you for a little while."
When they emerged from the house a long plaintive howl came from the Canadian forest. A sort of shiver, as if he were looking into the future, ran through Henry's veins. All his premonitions were coming true.
"Did you hear that wolf?" asked de Peyster. "It is but a wilderness after all, and this is merely a point in it like a lighthouse in the sea. Come, we'll walk that way; it's about the only view we have."