La Chesnaye said these boded ill weather.
Sea-birds caught the first breath of storm and wheeled landward with
shrill calls, and once La Chesnaye and I made out through the ship's
glass a vast herd of caribou running to sniff the gale from the crest
of an inland hill.
"If Radisson comes not back soon we are storm-bound here for the
winter. As you live, we are," grumbled the merchant.
But prompt as the ring of a bell to the clapper came Pierre Radisson on
the third day, well pleased with what he had done and alert to keep two
of us outside the fort in spite of Ben's urgings to bring the French in
for refreshments.
The wind was shifting in a way that portended a nor'easter, and the
weather would presently be too inclement for us to remain outside.
That hastened M. Radisson's departure, though sun-dogs and the long,
shrill whistling of contrary winds foretold what was brewing.
"Sink me, after such kindness, I'll see you part way home! By the Lord
Harry, I will!" swore Ben.
M. Radisson screwed his eyes nigh shut and protested he could not
permit young Captain Gillam to take such trouble.
"The young villain," mutters La Chesnaye, "he wants to spy which way we
go."
"Come! Come!" cries Ben. "If you say another word I go all the way
with you!"
"To spy on our fort," whispers La Chesnaye.
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