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They divided the party, and sent one relay on ahead, to travel as fast as possible, with the good news, and relieve the famishing people. Quebec greeted them with the wildest joy. Savignon headed this party. They had two days' start, and though the ground was frozen, there had been no deep snow to prevent the others from a tolerably comfortable march. They would no doubt be in soon.
Rose went down to the plateau to see the start. "You are much interested, Mam'selle?" Savignon said. "Give us the charm of your thoughts and prayers." "You have both, most truly." What a fine, stalwart fellow Savignon was, lighter than the average, and picturesque in his Indian costume, though he often wore the garb of civilization. French had become to him almost a mother tongue.
They must fly at once, and return if they would save their lives. And what madness possessed them to bring women! "Wait!" commanded Savignon. "Let us go apart, De Loie, and consider the matter," and taking the man by the arm, he raised him and walked him a little distance. "Now tell me M. Destournier how did he progress?" "Well, indeed. We made him a crutch.
Savignon consented to accompany them, and several others who were weary of the suffering around them and preferred activity. They would be back before winter set in if they met with any success. Destournier planned that his wife should be made comfortable while he was gone. At first she protested, then she sank into a kind of sullen silence. She had seemed stronger for some weeks.
Emigrants came back and all was stir and activity in the little town. There came a letter to Rose, after a long delay. Savignon had joined a party of explorers, who were pushing westward, and marvelled at the wonderful country. He had pondered much over his desires, and while his love was still strong, he did not want an unwilling bride. He would give her a longer time to consider a year, perhaps.
How could she meet Savignon, who haunted the place hourly, to inquire, and begged to see her? One day she told Wanamee to send him in, and braced herself for the interview. Semi-famine had not told on him, unless it had added an air of refinement. That he was superior to most of his race, was evident.
"Rose," he began, then paused. She flushed, but made a little gesture, as if he might be seated beside her. "Rose," he said again, "in the winter you saved my life. I have known it for some time." Her breath came with a gasp. How had he learned this, unless Savignon had come before the time? "And you paid a great price for it." "Oh, oh!" she clasped her hands in distress. "How did you know it?"
He had brought with him the young Indian Savignon, while Etienne Brulé had wintered with the Ottawas, perfecting himself in their language. He was a fine specimen of his race, as far as physique went, and his winter in civilization had given him quite a polish. There was a great feast.
"It is repaid already," returned the Indian, glancing over at Rose. "To have rescued you " "What arts and incantations you used! I could not have believed it possible to move their stony hearts." "It was not their hearts." Savignon gave a grim smile. "It was their fears that were worked upon. I was afraid at one time that I would not succeed. But I had a reward before me."
Saved from this marriage she surely must be. In a short time Savignon would return. He had known of two women who had cast in their lots with the better-class Indians at Tadoussac, and were happy enough. But they were not Rose. He came slowly over to her now. She looked up and smiled. Much keeping indoors of late had made her skin fair and fine, but her soft hair had not shed all its gold.
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