Black Robe

Neehatin sees Daniel paddling to catch up with the Algonkin. He asks his wife what to do. She tells him to send the boy back to the other Blackrobe. Neehatin signals for the canoes to make land. The Algonkin prepare to walk through disputed territory to the winter hunting ground. As they walk, he asks his wife again. She says that she has seen a vision of Daniel “with blood on his face” (101); Neehatin should send Daniel back. Neehatin calls a council while the Algonkin set up camp. The council fear that Daniel will tell the Commandant that they betrayed Laforgue; they also want to send Daniel back to the other priest. Eventually, Chomina—Annuka’s father—agrees to lead Daniel back to Laforgue with his family, whereupon he will leave Daniel with the priest and he and his family will return to the Algonkin. Annuka watches Daniel prepare the habitation. She knows that she cannot “give him up” (103). Later, she learns about the council’s plan. She goes to sit beside Daniel, who is happy with the news. Once he has gone to the top of the rapids, he believes that he is free to return.