He knew Angelique's
passionate impulses, and he thought that no woman could resist such
devotion as that of Le Gardeur.
He kept down his feelings, however. He saw that Le Gardeur was ripe
for ruin. They returned to the table and drank still more freely.
Dice and cards were resumed; fresh challenges were thrown out;
Emeric and Le Mercier were already deep in a game; money was pushed
to and fro. The contagion fastened like a plague upon Le Gardeur,
who sat down at the table, drew forth a full purse, and pulling up
every anchor of restraint, set sail on the flood-tide of drinking
and gaming which lasted without ceasing until break of day.
De Pean never for a moment lost sight of his scheme for the
abduction of Le Gardeur. He got ready for departure, and with a
drunken rush and a broken song the four gallants, with unwashed
faces and disordered clothes, staggered into their canoe and with a
shout bade the boatmen start.
The hardy canotiers were ready for departure. They headed their
long canoes down the flowing river, dashed their paddles into the
water just silvered with the rays of the rising sun, and shot down
stream towards the city of Quebec.
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