On  the  appointed  day  Robert  returned  to  the
chateau  in  accord  with  the  Governor's  instruc-
tions. The  two  men,  though  widely  separated
in  years,  found  much  in  common,  and  at  this
interview  were  sown  the  seeds  of  a  friendship
which  lasted  as  long  as  Frontenac  remained  in
New  France.  The  Governor  rejoiced  to  find  a
man  in  whom  he  could  repose  full  confidence
and  to  whom  he  could  unburden  his  mind  with
[136]


FINDS    NOT    WHAT    HE    SEEKS

absolute  safety.  He  needed  Robert  fully  as
much  as  Robert  needed  him.  When  once  pos-
sessed of  the  story  of  Robert's  life,  he  did  not
hesitate  to  announce  his  own  antipathy  to  the
Jesuits  and  his  fixed  determination  that  while
he  remained  governor,  he  and  not  they  should
rule  New  France.
As  time  went  on,  and  Frontenac  became
familiar  with  Robert's  knowledge  of  Indian  life
and  warfare,  the  Governor  placed  him  in  com-
mand of  the  military  company  of  Quebec.
Robert  accepted  the  post  eagerly,  as  it  gave
him  a  definite  channel  into  which  to  divert  the
growing  impatience  over  his  separation  from
Anne,  besides  placing  him  among  the  most  im-
portant personages  of  the  colony.  The  Indians
were  sufficiently  restless  at  this  time  to  require
frequent  incursions  into  the  forests  in  order  to
impress  them  with  the  superior  strength  of  the
white  man,  thus  preventing  serious  outbreaks.
