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diff --git a/30319-0.txt b/30319-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b831abf --- /dev/null +++ b/30319-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,10721 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 30319 *** +BEYOND THE FRONTIER + + +[Illustration: "You kiss me! Try it, Monsieur, if you doubt how my race +repays insult". Page 80. Beyond the Frontier.] + + + + +BEYOND THE FRONTIER + +A Romance of Early Days in the Middle West + +By RANDALL PARRISH + +Author of + +"When Wilderness was King," "The Maid of the Forest," Etc. + +With Frontispiece + +By THE KINNEYS + +A. L. BURT COMPANY + +Publishers--New York + +Published by Arrangements with A. C. McCLURG & Co. + + + + +Copyright + +A. C. McClurg & Co. + +1915 + +Published October, 1915 + +Copyrighted in Great Britain + +W. F. HALL PRINTING COMPANY, CHICAGO + + + + +CONTENTS + + CHAPTER PAGE + I At the Home of Hugo Chevet 1 + II The Choice of a Husband 16 + III I Appeal for Aid 28 + IV In the Palace of the Intendant 45 + V The Order of La Barre 61 + VI The Wife of Francois Cassion 76 + VII The Two Men Meet 87 + VIII I Defy Cassion 101 + IX The Flames of Jealousy 115 + X We Attain the Ottawa 126 + XI I Gain Speech With De Artigny 136 + XII On the Summit of the Bluff 148 + XIII We Reach the Lake 158 + XIV At St. Ignace 170 + XV The Murder of Chevet 181 + XVI My Pledge Saves De Artigny 192 + XVII The Break of Storm 200 + XVIII Alone With De Artigny 211 + XIX We Exchange Confidences 223 + XX I Choose My Duty 234 + XXI We Decide Our Course 244 + XXII We Meet With Danger 254 + XXIII The Words of Love 267 + XXIV We Attack the Savages 278 + XXV Within the Fort 289 + XXVI In De Baugis' Quarters 299 + XXVII I Send for De Tonty 309 + XXVIII The Court Martial 319 + XXIX Condemned 330 + XXX I Choose My Future 341 + XXXI We Reach the River 350 + XXXII We Meet Surprise 361 + XXXIII Warriors of the Illini 371 + XXXIV We Wait in Ambush 380 + XXXV The Charge of the Illini 390 + XXXVI The Clearing of Mystery 399 + + + + +BEYOND THE FRONTIER + +CHAPTER I + +AT THE HOME OF HUGO CHEVET + + +It was early autumn, for the clusters of grapes above me were already +purple, and the forest leaves were tinged with red. And yet the air +was soft, and the golden bars of sun flickered down on the work in my +lap through the laced branches of the trellis. The work was but a +pretense, for I had fled the house to escape the voice of Monsieur +Cassion who was still urging my uncle to accompany him on his journey +into the wilderness. They sat in the great room before the fireplace, +drinking, and I had heard enough already to tell me there was +treachery on foot against the Sieur de la Salle. To be sure it was +nothing to me, a girl knowing naught of such intrigue, yet I had not +forgotten the day, three years before, when this La Salle, with others +of his company, had halted before the Ursuline convent, and the +sisters bade them welcome for the night. 'Twas my part to help serve, +and he had stroked my hair in tenderness. I had sung to them, and +watched his face in the firelight as he listened. Never would I forget +that face, nor believe evil of such a man. No! not from the lips of +Cassion nor even from the governor, La Barre. + +I recalled it all now, as I sat there in the silence, pretending to +work, how we watched them embark in their canoes and disappear, the +Indian paddlers bending to their task, and Monsieur la Salle, +standing, bareheaded as he waved farewell. Beyond him was the dark +face of one they called De Tonty, and in the first boat a mere boy +lifted his ragged hat. I know not why, but the memory of that lad was +clearer than all those others, for he had met me in the hall and we +had talked long in the great window ere the sister came, and took me +away. So I remembered him, and his name, Rene de Artigny. And in all +those years I heard no more. Into the black wilderness they swept and +were lost to those of us at home in New France. + +No doubt there were those who knew--Frontenac, Bigot, those who ruled +over us at Quebec--but 'twas not a matter supposed to interest a girl, +and so no word came to me. Once I asked my Uncle Chevet, and he +replied in anger with only a few sentences, bidding me hold my tongue; +yet he said enough so that I knew the Sieur de la Salle lived and had +built a fort far away, and was buying furs of the Indians. It was this +that brought jealousy, and hatred. Once Monsieur Cassion came and +stopped with us, and, as I waited on him and Uncle Chevet, I caught +words which told me that Frontenac was La Salle's friend, and would +listen to no charges brought against him. They talked of a new +governor; yet I learned but little, for Cassion attempted to kiss me, +and I would wait on him no more. + +Then Frontenac was recalled to France, and La Barre was governor. How +pleased my Uncle Chevet was when the news came, and he rapped the +table with his glass and exclaimed: "Ah! but now we will pluck out the +claws of this Sieur de la Salle, and send him where he belongs." But +he would explain nothing, until a week later. Cassion came up the +river in his canoe with Indian paddlers, and stopped to hold +conference. The man treated me with much gallantry, so that I +questioned him, and he seemed happy to answer that La Barre had +already dispatched a party under Chevalier de Baugis, of the King's +Dragoons to take command of La Salle's Fort St. Louis in the Illinois +country. La Salle had returned, and was already at Quebec, but Cassion +grinned as he boasted that the new governor would not even give him +audience. Bah! I despised the man, yet I lingered beside him, and thus +learned that La Salle's party consisted of but two _voyageurs_, and +the young Sieur de Artigny. I was glad enough when he went away, +though I gave him my hand to kiss, and waved to him bravely at the +landing. And now he was back again, bearing a message from La Barre, +and seeking volunteers for some western voyage of profit. 'Twas of no +interest to me unless my uncle joined in the enterprise, yet I was +kind enough, for he brought with him word of the governor's ball at +Quebec, and had won the pledge of Chevet to take me there with him. I +could be gracious to him for that and it was on my gown I worked, as +the two planned and talked in secret. What they did was nothing to me +now--all my thought was on the ball. What would you? I was seventeen. + +The grape trellis ran down toward the river landing, and from where I +sat in the cool shadow, I could see the broad water gleaming in the +sun. Suddenly, as my eyes uplifted, the dark outline of a canoe swept +into the vista, and the splashing paddles turned the prow inward +toward our landing. I did not move, although I watched with interest, +for it was not the time of year for Indian traders, and these were +white men. I could see those at the paddles, voyageurs, with gay +cloths about their heads; but the one in the stern wore a hat, the +brim concealing his face, and a blue coat. I knew not who it could be +until the prow touched the bank, and he stepped ashore. Then I knew, +and bent low over my sewing, as though I had seen nothing, although my +heart beat fast. Through lowered lashes I saw him give brief order to +the men, and then advance toward the house alone. Ah! but this was not +the slender, laughing-eyed boy of three years before. The wilderness +had made of him a man--a soldier. He paused an instant to gaze about, +and held his hat in his hand, the sun touching his tanned cheeks, and +flecking the long, light-colored hair. He looked strong and manly in +his tightly buttoned jacket, a knife at his belt, a rifle grasped +within one hand. There was a sternness to his face too, although it +lit up in a smile, as the searching eyes caught glimpse of my white +dress in the cool shade of the grape arbor. Hat still in hand he came +toward me, but I only bent the lower, as though I knew nothing of his +approach, and had no interest other than my work. + +"Mademoiselle," he said gently, "pardon me, but is not this the home +of Hugo Chevet, the fur trader?" + +I looked up into his face, and bowed, as he swept the earth with his +hat, seeing at a glance that he had no remembrance of me. + +"Yes," I answered. "If you seek him, rap on the door beyond." + +"'Tis not so much Chevet I seek," he said, showing no inclination to +pass me, "but one whom I understood was his guest--Monsieur Francois +Cassion." + +"The man is here," I answered quickly, yet unable to conceal my +surprise, "but you will find him no friend to Sieur de la Salle." + +"Ah!" and he stared at me intently. "In the name of the saints, what +is the meaning of this? You know me then?" + +I bowed, yet my eyes remained hidden. + +"I knew you once as Monsieur's friend," I said, almost regretting my +indiscretion, "and have been told you travel in his company." + +"You knew me once!" he laughed. "Surely that cannot be, for never +would I be likely to forget. I challenge you, Mademoiselle to speak my +name." + +"The Sieur Rene de Artigny, Monsieur." + +"By my faith, the witch is right, and yet in all this New France I +know scarce a maid. Nay look up; there is naught to fear from me, and +I would see if memory be not new born. Saint Giles! surely 'tis true; +I have seen those eyes before; why, the name is on my tongue, yet +fails me, lost in the wilderness. I pray you mercy, Mademoiselle!" + +"You have memory of the face you say?" + +"Ay! the witchery of it; 'tis like a haunting spirit." + +"Which did not haunt long, I warrant. I am Adele la Chesnayne, +Monsieur." + +He stepped back, his eyes on mine, questioningly. For an instant I +believed the name even brought no familiar sound; then his face +brightened, and his eyes smiled, as his lips echoed the words. + +"Adele la Chesnayne! Ay! now I know. Why 'tis no less than a miracle. +It was a child I thought of under that name--a slender, brown-eyed +girl, as blithesome as a bird. No, I had not forgotten; only the magic +of three years has made of you a woman. Again and again have I +questioned in Montreal and Quebec, but no one seemed to know. At the +convent they said your father fell in Indian skirmish." + +"Yes; ever since then I have lived here, with my uncle, Hugo Chevet." + +"Here!" he looked about, as though the dreariness of it was first +noticed. "Alone? Is there no other woman?" + +I shook my head, but no longer looked at him, for fear he might see +the tears in my eyes. + +"I am the housekeeper, Monsieur. There was nothing else for me. In +France, I am told, my father's people were well born, but this is not +France, and there was no choice. Besides I was but a child of +fourteen." + +"And seventeen, now, Mademoiselle," and he took my hand gallantly. +"Pardon if I have asked questions which bring pain. I can understand +much, for in Montreal I heard tales of this Hugo Chevet." + +"He is rough, a woodsman," I defended, "yet not unkind to me. You will +speak him fair?" + +He laughed, his eyes sparkling with merriment. + +"No fear of my neglecting all courtesy, for I come beseeching a favor. +I have learned the lesson of when the soft speech wins more than the +iron hand. And this other, the Commissaire Cassion--is he a bird of +the same plumage?" + +I made a little gesture, and glanced back at the closed door. + +"Oh, no; he is the court courtier, to stab with words, not deeds. +Chevet is rough of speech, and hard of hand, but he fights in the +open; Cassion has a double tongue, and one never knows him." I glanced +up into his sobered face. "He is a friend of La Barre." + +"So 'tis said, and has been chosen by the governor to bear message to +De Baugis in the Illinois country. I seek passage in his company." + +"You! I thought you were of the party of Sieur de la Salle?" + +"I am," he answered honestly, "yet Cassion will need a guide, and +there is none save myself in all New France who has ever made that +journey. 'Twill be well for him to listen to my plan. And why not? We +do not fight the orders of the governor: we obey, and wait. Monsieur +de la Salle will tell his story to the King." + +"The King! to Louis?" + +"Ay, 'twill not be the first time he has had audience, and already he +is at sea. We can wait, and laugh at this Cassion over his useless +journey." + +"But he--he is treacherous, Monsieur." + +He laughed, as though the words amused. + +"To one who has lived, as I, amid savages, treachery is an old story. +The Commissaire will not find me asleep. We will serve each other, and +let it go at that. Ah! we are to be interrupted." + +He straightened up facing the door, and I turned, confronting my uncle +as he emerged in advance. He was a burly man, with iron-gray hair, and +face reddened by out-of-doors; and he stopped in surprise at sight of +a stranger, his eyes hardening with suspicion. + +"And who is this with whom you converse so privately, Adele?" he +questioned brusquely, "a young popinjay new to these parts I +venture." + +De Artigny stepped between us, smiling in good humor. + +"My call was upon you, Monsieur Chevet, and not the young lady," he +said quietly enough, yet with a tone to the voice. "I merely asked her +if I had found the right place, and if, Monsieur, the Commissaire +Cassion was still your guest." + +"And what may I ask might be your business with the Commissaire +Cassion?" asked the latter, pressing past Chevet, yet bowing with a +semblance of politeness, scarcely in accord with the studied insolence +of his words. "I have no remembrance of your face." + +"Then, Monsieur Cassion is not observant," returned the younger man +pleasantly, "as I accompanied the Sieur de la Salle in his attempt to +have audience with the governor." + +"Ah!" the word of surprise exploded from the lips. "_Sacre!_ 'tis +true! My faith, what difference clothes make. I mistook you for a +_courier du bois_." + +"I am the Sieur Rene de Artigny." + +"Lieutenant of La Salle's?" + +"Scarcely that, Monsieur, but a comrade; for three years I have been +with his party, and was chosen by him for this mission." + +Cassion laughed, chucking the gloomy-faced Chevet in the side, as +though he would give point to a good joke. + +"And little the trip hither has profited either master or man, I +warrant. La Barre does not sell New France to every adventurer. +Monsieur de la Salle found different reception in Quebec than when +Frontenac ruled this colony. Where went the fur-stealer?" + +"To whom do you refer?" + +"To whom? Heaven help us, Chevet, the man would play nice with words. +Well, let it go, my young cock, and answer me." + +"You mean the Sieur de la Salle?" + +"To be sure; I called him no worse than I have heard La Barre speak. +They say he has left Quebec; what more know you?" + +"'Tis no secret, Monsieur," replied De Artigny quietly enough, +although there was a flash in his eyes, as they met mine. "The Sieur +de la Salle has sailed for France." + +"France! Bah! you jest; there has been no ship outward bound." + +"The _Breton_ paused at St. Roche, held by the fog. When the fog +lifted there was a new passenger aboard. By dawn the Indian paddlers +had me landed in Quebec." + +"Does La Barre know?" + +"Faith! I could not tell you that, as he has not honored me with +audience." + +Cassion strode back and forth, his face dark with passion. It was not +pleasant news he had been told, and it was plain enough he understood +the meaning. + +"By the saints!" he exclaimed. "'Tis a sly fox to break through our +guard so easily. Ay, and 'twill give him a month to whisper his lies +to Louis, before La Barre can forward a report. But, _sacre!_ my young +chanticleer, surely you are not here to bring me this bit of news. You +sought me, you said? Well, for what purpose?" + +"In peace, Monsieur. Because I have served Sieur de la Salle loyally +is no reason why we should be enemies. We are both the King's men, and +may work together. The word has come to me that you head a party for +the Illinois, with instructions for De Baugis at Fort St. Louis. Is +this true?" + +Cassion bowed coldly, waiting to discover how much more his questioner +knew. + +"Ah, then I am right thus far. Well, Monsieur, 'twas on that account I +came, to volunteer as guide." + +"You! 'Twould be treachery." + +"Oh, no; our interests are the same so far as the journey goes. I +would reach St. Louis; so would you. Because we may have different +ends in view, different causes to serve, has naught to do with the +trail thither. There is not a man who knows the way as well as I. Four +times have I traveled it, and I am not a savage, Monsieur--I am a +gentleman of France." + +"And you pledge your word?" + +"I pledge my word--to guide you safe to Fort St. Louis. Once there I +am comrade to Sieur de la Salle." + +"Bah! I care not who you comrade with, once you serve my purpose. I +take your offer, and if you play me false--" + +"Restrain your threats, Monsieur Cassion. A quarrel will get us +nowhere. You have my word of honor; 'tis enough. Who will compose the +party?" + +Cassion hesitated, yet seemed to realize the uselessness of deceit. + +"A dozen or more soldiers of the Regiment of Picardy, some _couriers +du bois_, and the Indian paddlers. There will be four boats." + +"You go by the Ottawa, and the lakes?" + +"Such were my orders." + +"'Tis less fatiguing, although a longer journey; and the time of +departure?" + +Cassion laughed, as he turned slightly, and bowed to me. + +"We leave Quebec before dawn Tuesday," he said gaily. "It is my wish +to enjoy once more the follies of civilization before plunging into +the wilderness. The Governor permits that we remain to his ball. +Mademoiselle la Chesnayne does me the honor of being my guest on that +occasion." + +"I, Monsieur!" I exclaimed in surprise at his boastful words. "'Twas +my uncle who proposed--" + +"Tut, tut, what of that?" he interrupted in no way discomposed. "It is +my request which opens the golden gates. The good Hugo here but looks +on at a frivolity for which he cares nothing. 'Tis the young who +dance. And you, Monsieur de Artigny, am I to meet you there also, or +perchance later at the boat landing?" + +The younger man seemed slow in response, but across Cassion's shoulder +our eyes met. I know not what he saw in the glance of mine, for I gave +no sign, yet his face brightened, and his words were carelessly +spoken. + +"At the ball, Monsieur. 'Tis three years since I have danced to +measure, but it will be a joy to look on, and thus keep company with +Monsieur Chevet. Nor shall I fail you at the boats: until then, +Messieurs," and he bowed hat in hand, "and to you, Mademoiselle, +adieu." + +We watched him go down the grape arbor to the canoe, and no one spoke +but Cassion. + +"_Pouf!_ he thinks well of himself, that young cockerel, and 'twill +likely be my part to clip his spurs. Still 'tis good policy to have +him with us, for 'tis a long journey. What say you, Chevet?" + +"That he is one to watch," answered my uncle gruffly. "I trust none of +La Salle's brood." + +"No, nor I, for the matter of that, but I am willing to pit my brains +against the best of them. Francois Cassion is not likely to be caught +asleep, my good Hugo." + +He turned about, and glanced questioningly into my face. + +"And so, Mademoiselle, it did not altogether please you to be my guest +at the ball? Perchance you preferred some other gallant?" + +The sunlight, flickering through the leaves, rested on his face, and +brought out the mottled skin of dissipation, the thin line of his +cruel lips, the insolent stare of his eyes. I felt myself shrink, +dreading he might touch me; yet dominating all else was the thought of +De Artigny--the message of his glance, the secret meaning of his +pledge--the knowledge that he would be there. So I smiled, and made +light of his suspicion. + +"It was but surprise, Monsieur," I said gaily "for I had not dreamed +of such an honor. 'Tis my wish to go; see, I have been working on a +new gown, and now I must work the faster." + +I swept him a curtsey, smiling to myself at the expression of his +face, and before he could speak had disappeared within. Bah! I would +escape those eyes and be alone to dream. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE CHOICE OF A HUSBAND + + +It was just before dark when Monsieur Cassion left us, and I watched +him go gladly enough, hidden behind the shade of my window. He had +been talking for an hour with Chevet in the room below; I could hear +the rattle of glasses, as though they drank, and the unpleasant +arrogance of his voice, although no words reached me clearly. I cared +little what he said, although I wondered at his purpose in being +there, and what object he might have in this long converse with my +uncle. Yet I was not sent for, and no doubt it was some conference +over furs, of no great interest. The two were in some scheme I knew to +gain advantage over Sieur de la Salle, and were much elated now that +La Barre held power; but that was nothing for a girl to understand, so +I worked on with busy fingers, my mind not forgetful of the young +Sieur de Artigny. + +It was not that I already loved him, yet ever since girlhood the +memory of him had remained in my thought, and in those years since I +had met so few young men that the image left on my imagination had +never faded. Indeed, it had been kept alive by the very animosity +which my uncle cherished against Monsieur de la Salle. The real cause +of his bitterness, outside of trade rivalry, I never clearly +understood, but he was ever seeking every breath of gossip from that +distant camp of adventurers, and angrily commenting thereon. Again and +again I overheard him conspiring with others in a vain effort to +influence Frontenac to withdraw his support of that distant +expedition, and it was this mutual enmity which first brought Cassion +to our cabin. + +With Frontenac's removal, and the appointment of La Barre as +Governor, the hopes of La Salle's enemies revived, and when +Cassion's smooth tongue won him a place as Commissaire, all concerned +became more bold and confident in their planning. I knew little of +it, yet sufficient to keep the remembrance of those adventures +fresh in my mind, and never did they recur to me without yielding me +vision of the ardent young face of De Artigny as he waved me adieu +from the canoe. Often in those years of silence did I dream of him +amid the far-off wilderness--the idle dreaming of a girl whose own +heart was yet a mystery--and many a night I sat at my window +gazing out upon the broad river shimmering in the moonlight, +wondering at those wilderness mysteries among which he lived. + +Yet only once in all those years had I heard mention of his name. +'Twas but a rumor floating back to us of how La Salle had reached the +mouth of a great river flowing into the South Sea, and among the few +who accompanied him was De Artigny. I remember yet how strangely my +heart throbbed as I heard the brief tale retold, and someone read the +names from a slip of paper. Chevet sat by the open fire listening, his +pipe in his mouth, his eyes scowling at the news; suddenly he blurted +out: "De Artigny, say you? In the name of the fiend! 'tis not the old +captain?" "No, no, Chevet," a voice answered testily, "Sieur Louis de +Artigny has not stepped foot on ground these ten years; 'tis his brat +Rene who serves this freebooter, though 'tis like enough the father +hath money in the venture." And they fell to discussing, sneering at +the value of the discovery, while I slipped unnoticed from the room. + +Chevet did not return to the house after Monsieur Cassion's canoe had +disappeared. I saw him walking back and forth along the river bank, +smoking, and seemingly thinking out some problem. Nor did he appear +until I had the evening meal ready, and called to him down the arbor. +He was always gruff and bearish enough when we were alone, seldom +speaking, indeed, except to give utterance to some order, but this +night he appeared even more morose and silent than his wont, not so +much as looking at me as he took seat, and began to eat. No doubt +Cassion had brought ill news, or else the appearance of De Artigny had +served to arouse all his old animosity toward La Salle. It was little +to me, however, and I had learned to ignore his moods, so I took my +own place silently, and paid no heed to the scowl with which he +surveyed me across the table. No doubt my very indifference fanned his +discontent, but I remained ignorant of it, until he burst out +savagely. + +"And so you know this young cockerel, do you? You know him, and never +told me?" + +I looked up in surprise, scarce comprehending the unexpected +outburst. + +"You mean the Sieur de Artigny?" + +"Ay! Don't play with me! I mean Louis de Artigny's brat. Bah! he may +fool Cassion with his soft words, but not Hugo Chevet. I know the lot +of them this many year, and no ward of mine will have aught to do with +the brood, either young or old. You hear that, Adele! When I hate, I +hate, and I have reason enough to hate that name, and all who bear it. +Where before did you ever meet this popinjay?" + +"At the convent three years ago. La Salle rested there overnight, and +young De Artigny was of the party. He was but a boy then." + +"He came here today to see you?" + +"No, never," I protested. "I doubt if he even had the memory of me +until I told him who I was. Surely he explained clearly why he came." + +He eyed me fiercely, his face full of suspicion, his great hand +gripping the knife. + +"'Tis well for you if that be true," he said gruffly, "but I have no +faith in the lad's words. He is here as La Salle's spy, and so I +told Cassion, though the only honor he did me was to laugh at my +warning. 'Let him spy,' he said, 'and I will play at the same +game; 'tis little enough he will learn, and we shall need his +guidance.' Ay! and he may be right, but I want nothing to do with +the fellow. Cassion may give him place in his boats, if he will, but +never again shall he set foot on my land, nor have speech with +you. You mark my words, Mademoiselle?" + +I felt the color flame into my cheeks, and knew my eyes darkened with +anger, yet made effort to control my speech. + +"Yes, Monsieur; I am your ward and have always been obedient, yet this +Sieur de Artigny seems a pleasant spoken young man, and surely 'tis no +crime that he serves the Sieur de la Salle." + +"Is it not!" he burst forth, striking the table with his fist. "Know +you not I would be rich, but for that fur stealer. By right those +should be my furs he sends here in trade. There will be another tale +to tell soon, now that La Barre hath the reins of power; and this De +Artigny--bah! What care I for that young cockerel--but I hate the +brood. Listen, girl, I pay my debts; it was this hand that broke Louis +de Artigny, and has kept him to his bed for ten years past. Yet even +that does not wipe out the score between us. 'Tis no odds to you what +was the cause, but while I live I hate. So you have my orders; you +will speak no more with this De Artigny." + +"'Tis not like I shall have opportunity." + +"I will see to that. The fool looked at you in a way that made me long +to grip his throat; nor do I like your answer, yet 'twill be well for +you to mark my words." + +"Yes, Monsieur." + +"Oh, you're sweet enough with words. I have heard you before, and +found you a sly minx--when my back was turned--but this time it is not +I alone who will watch your actions. I have pledged you a husband." + +I got to my feet, staring at him, the indignant words stifled in my +throat. He laughed coarsely, and resumed his meal. + +"A husband, Monsieur? You have pledged me?" + +"Ay! why not? You are seventeen, and 'tis my place to see you well +settled." + +"But I have no wish to marry, Monsieur," I protested. "There is no man +for whom I care." + +He shrugged his shoulders indifferently, and laughed. + +"Pooh! if I waited for that no doubt you would pick out some cockerel +without so much as a spur to his heel. 'Tis my choice, not yours, for +I know the world, and the man you need. Monsieur Cassion has asked me +to favor him, and I think well of it." + +"Cassion! Surely, you would not wed me to that creature?" + +He pushed back his chair, regarding me with scowling eyes. + +"And where is there a better? _Sacre_! do you think yourself a queen +to choose? 'Tis rare luck you have such an offer. Monsieur Cassion is +going to be a great man in this New France; already he has the +Governor's ear, and a commission, with a tidy sum to his credit in +Quebec. What more could any girl desire in a husband?" + +"But, Monsieur, I do not love him; I do not trust the man." + +"Pah!" He burst into a laugh, rising from the table. Before I could +draw back he had gripped me by the arm. "Enough of that, young lady. +He is my choice, and that settles it. Love! who ever heard of love +nowadays? Ah, I see, you dream already of the young gallant De +Artigny. Well, little good that will do you. Why what is he? a mere +ragged adventurer, without a sou to his name, a prowling wolf of the +forest, the follower of a discredited fur thief. But enough of this; I +have told you my will, and you obey. Tomorrow we go to Quebec, to the +Governor's ball, and when Monsieur Cassion returns from his mission +you will marry him--you understand?" + +The tears were in my eyes, blotting out his threatening face, yet +there was naught to do but answer. + +"Yes, Monsieur." + +"And this De Artigny; if the fellow ever dares come near you again +I'll crush his white throat between my fingers." + +"Yes, Monsieur." + +"To your room then, and think over all I have said. You have never +found me full of idle threats I warrant." + +"No, Monsieur." + +I drew my arm from his grasp, feeling it tingle with pain where his +fingers had crushed the flesh, and crept up the narrow stairs, glad +enough to get away and be alone. I had never loved Chevet, but he had +taught me to fear him, for more than once had I experienced his +brutality and physical power. To him I was but a chattel, an +incumbrance. He had assumed charge of me because the law so ordained, +but I had found nothing in his nature on which I could rely for +sympathy. I was his sister's child, yet no more to him than some +Indian waif. More, he was honest about it. To his mind he did well by +me in thus finding me a husband. I sank on my knees, and hid my face, +shuddering at the thought of the sacrifice demanded. Cassion! never +before had the man appeared so despicable. His face, his manner, swept +through my memory in review. I had scarcely considered him before, +except as a disagreeable presence to be avoided as much as possible. +But now, in the silence, the growing darkness of that little chamber, +with Chevet's threat echoing in my ears, he came to me in clear +vision--I saw his dull-blue, cowardly eyes, his little waxed mustache, +his insolent swagger, and heard his harsh, bragging voice. + +Ay! he would get on; there was no doubt of that, for he would worm his +way through where only a snake could crawl. A snake! that was what he +was, and I shuddered at thought of the slimy touch of his hand. I +despised, hated him; yet what could I do? It was useless to appeal to +Chevet, and the Governor, La Barre, would give small heed to a girl +objecting to one of his henchmen. De Artigny! The name was on my lips +before I realized I had spoken it, and brought a throb of hope. I +arose to my feet, and stared out of the window into the dark night. My +pulses throbbed. If he cared; if I only knew he cared, I would fly +with him anywhere, into the wilderness depths, to escape Cassion. I +could think of no other way, no other hope. If he cared! It seemed to +me my very breath stopped as this daring conception, this mad +possibility, swept across my mind. + +I was a girl, inexperienced, innocent of coquetry, and yet I possessed +all the instincts of a woman. I had seen that in his eyes which gave +me faith--he remembered the past; he had found me attractive; he felt +a desire to meet me again. I knew all this--but was that all? Was it a +mere passing fervor, a fleeting admiration, to be forgotten in the +presence of the next pretty face? Would he dare danger to serve me? to +save me from the clutches of Cassion? A smile, a flash of the eyes, is +small foundation to build upon, yet it was all I had. Perchance he +gave the same encouragement to others, with no serious thought. The +doubt assailed me, yet there was no one else in all New France to whom +I could appeal. + +But how could I reach him with my tale? There was but one opportunity--the +Governor's ball. He would be there; he had said so, laughingly glancing +toward me as he spoke the words, the flash of his eyes a challenge. But it +would be difficult. Chevet, Cassion, not for a moment would they take +eyes from me, and if I failed to treat him coldly an open quarrel must +result. Chevet would be glad of an excuse, and Cassion's jealousy would +spur him on. Yet I must try, and, in truth, I trusted not so much in +Monsieur de Artigny's interest in me, as in his reckless love of +adventure. 'Twould please him to play an audacious trick on La Salle's +enemies, and make Cassion the butt of laughter. + +Once he understood, the game would prove much to his liking, and I +could count on his aid, while the greater the danger the stronger it +would appeal to such a nature as his. Even though he cared little for +me he was a gallant to respond gladly to a maid in distress. Ay, if I +might once bring him word, I could rely on his response; but how could +that be done? I must trust fortune, attend the ball, and be ready; +there was no other choice. + +'Tis strange how this vague plan heartened me, and gave new courage. +Scarce more than a dream, yet I dwelt upon it, imagining what I would +say, and how escape surveillance long enough to make my plea for +assistance. Today, as I write, it seems strange that I should ever +have dared such a project, yet at the time not a thought of its +immodesty ever assailed me. To my mind Rene de Artigny was no +stranger; as a memory he had lived, and been portion of my life for +three lonely years. To appeal to him now, to trust him, appeared the +most natural thing in the world. The desperation of my situation +obscured all else, and I turned to him as the only friend I knew in +time of need. And my confidence in his fidelity, his careless +audacity, brought instantly a measure of peace. I crept back and lay +down upon the bed. The tears dried upon my lashes, and I fell asleep +as quietly as a tired child. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +I APPEAL FOR AID + + +It had been two years since I was at Quebec, and it was with new eyes +of appreciation that I watched the great bristling cliffs as our boat +glided silently past the shore and headed in toward the landing. There +were two ships anchored in the river, one a great war vessel with many +sailors hanging over the rail and watching us curiously. The streets +leading back from the water front were filled with a jostling throng, +while up the steep hillside beyond a constant stream of moving +figures, looking scarcely larger than ants, were ascending and +descending. We were in our large canoe, with five Indian paddlers, its +bow piled deep with bales of fur to be sold in the market, and I had +been sleeping in the stern. It was the sun which awoke me, and I sat +up close beside Chevet's knee, eagerly interested in the scene. Once I +spoke, pointing to the grim guns on the summit of the crest above, but +he answered so harshly as to compel silence. It was thus we swept up +to the edge of the landing, and made fast. Cassion met us, attired so +gaily in rich vestments that I scarcely recognized the man, whom I had +always seen before in dull forest garb, yet I permitted him to take my +hand and assist me gallantly to the shore. Faith, but he appeared like +a new person with his embroidered coat, buckled shoes and powdered +hair, smiling and debonair, whispering compliments to me, as he helped +me across a strip of mud to the drier ground beyond. But I liked him +none the better, for there was the same cold stare to his eyes, and a +cruel sting to his words which he could not hide. The man was the same +whatever the cut of his clothes, and I was not slow in removing my +hand from his grasp, once I felt my feet on firm earth. + +Yet naught I might do would stifle his complacency, and he talked on, +seeking to be entertaining, no doubt, and pointing out the things of +interest on every hand. And I enjoyed the scene, finding enough to +view to make me indifferent to his posturing. Scarcely did I even note +what he said, although I must have answered in a fashion, for he stuck +at my side, and guided me through the crowd, and up the hill. Chevet +walked behind us, gloomy and silent, having left the Indians with the +furs until I was safely housed. It was evidently a gala day, for flags +and streamers were flying from every window of the Lower Town, and the +narrow, crooked streets were filled with wanderers having no apparent +business but enjoyment. Never had I viewed so motley a throng, and I +could but gaze about with wide-opened eyes on the strange passing +figures. + +It was easy enough to distinguish the citizens of Quebec, moving +soberly about upon ordinary affairs of trade, and those others idly +jostling their way from point to point of interest--hunters from the +far West, bearded and rough, fur clad, and never without a long rifle; +sailors from the warship in the river; Indians silent and watchful, +staring gravely at every new sight; settlers from the St. Lawrence and +the Richelieu, great seigniors on vast estates, but like children in +the streets of the town; fishermen from Cap St. Roche; _couriers du +bois_, and _voyageurs_ in picturesque costumes; officers of the +garrison, resplendent in blue and gold; with here and there a column +of marching soldiers, or statuesque guard. And there were women too, +a-plenty--laughing girls, grouped together, ready for any frolic; +housewives on way to market; and occasionally a dainty dame, with +high-heeled shoe and flounced petticoat, picking her way through the +throng, disdainful of the glances of those about. Everywhere there was +a new face, a strange costume, a glimpse of unknown life. + +It was all of such interest I was sorry when we came to the gray walls +of the convent. I had actually forgotten Cassion, yet I was glad +enough to be finally rid of him, and be greeted so kindly by Sister +Celeste. In my excitement I scarcely knew what it was the bowing +Commissaire said as he turned away, or paid heed to Chevet's final +growl, but I know the sister gently answered them, and drew me within, +closing the door softly, and shutting out every sound. It was so quiet +in the stone passageway as to almost frighten me, but she took me in +her arms, and looked searchingly into my face. + +"The three years have changed you greatly, my child," she said gently, +touching my cheeks with her soft hands; "but bright as your eyes are, +it is not all pleasure I see in them. You must tell me of your life. +The older man, I take it, was your uncle, Monsieur Chevet." + +"Yes," I answered, but hesitated to add more. + +"He is much as I had pictured him, a bear of the woods." + +"He is rough," I protested, "for his life has been hard, yet has given +me no reason to complain. 'Tis because the life is lonely that I grow +old." + +"No doubt, and the younger gallant? He is not of the forest school?" + +"'Twas Monsieur Cassion, Commissaire for the Governor." + +"Ah! 'tis through him you have invitation to the great ball?" + +I bowed my head, wondering at the kind questioning in the sister's +eyes. Could she have heard the truth? Perchance she might tell me +something of the man. + +"He has been selected by Monsieur Chevet as my husband," I explained +doubtfully. "Know you aught of the man, sister?" + +Her hand closed gently on mine. + +"No, only that he has been chosen by La Barre to carry special message +to the Chevalier de Baugis in the Illinois country. He hath an evil, +sneering face, and an insolent manner, even as described to me by the +Sieur de Artigny." + +I caught my breath quickly, and my hand grasp tightened. + +"The Sieur de Artigny!" I echoed, startled into revealing the truth. +"He has been here? has talked with you?" + +"Surely, my dear girl. He was here with La Salle before his chief +sailed for France, and yesterday he came again, and questioned me." + +"Questioned you?" + +"Yes; he sought knowledge of you, and of why you were in the household +of Chevet. I liked the young man, and told him all I knew, of your +father's death and the decree of the court, and of how Chevet +compelled you to leave the convent. I felt him to be honest and true, +and that his purpose was worthy." + +"And he mentioned Cassion?" + +"Only that he had arranged to guide him into the wilderness. But I +knew he thought ill of the man." + +I hesitated, for as a child I had felt awe of Sister Celeste, yet her +questioning eyes were kind, and we were alone. Here was my chance, my +only chance, and I dare not lose it. Her face appeared before me misty +through tears, yet words came bravely enough to my lips. + +"Sister, you must hear me," I began bewildered, "I have no mother, no +friend even to whom to appeal; I am just a girl all alone. I despise +this man Cassion; I do not know why, but he seems to be like a snake, +and I cannot bear his presence. I would rather die than marry him. I +do not think Chevet trusts him, either, but he has some hold, and +compels him to sell me as though I was a slave in the market. I am to +be made to marry him. I pray you let me see this Sieur de Artigny that +I may tell him all, and beseech his aid." + +"But why De Artigny, my girl? What is the boy to you?" + +"Nothing--absolutely nothing," I confessed frankly. "We have scarcely +spoken together, but he is a gallant of true heart; he will never +refuse aid to a maid like me. It will be joy for him to outwit this +enemy of La Salle's. All I ask is that I be permitted to tell him my +story." + +Celeste sat silent, her white hands clasped, her eyes on the +stained-glass window. It was so still I could hear my own quick +breathing. At last she spoke, her voice still soft and kindly. + +"I scarcely think you realize what you ask, my child. 'Tis a strange +task for a sister of the Ursulines, and I would learn more before I +answer. Is there understanding between you and this Sieur de +Artigny?" + +"We have met but twice; here at this convent three years ago, when we +were boy and girl, and he went westward with La Salle. You know the +time, and that we talked together on the bench in the garden. Then it +was three days since that he came to our house on the river, seeking +Cassion that he might volunteer as guide. He had no thought of me, nor +did he know me when we first met. There was no word spoken other than +that of mere friendship, nor did I know then that Chevet had arranged +my marriage to the Commissaire. We did no more than laugh and make +merry over the past until the others came and demanded the purpose of +his visit. It was not his words, Sister, but the expression of his +face, the glance of his eye, which gave me courage. I think he likes +me, and his nature is without fear. He will have some plan--and there +is no one else." + +I caught her hands in mine, but she did not look at me, or answer. She +was silent and motionless so long that I lost hope, yet ventured to +say no more in urging. + +"You think me immodest, indiscreet?" + +"I fear you know little of the world, my child, yet, I confess this +young Sieur made good impression upon me. I know not what to advise, +for it may have been but idle curiosity which brought him here with +his questioning. 'Tis not safe to trust men, but I can see no harm in +his knowing all you have told me. There might be opportunity for him +to be of service. He travels with Cassion, you say?" + +"Yes, Sister." + +"And their departure is soon?" + +"Before daylight tomorrow. When the Commissaire returns we are to be +married. So Chevet explained to me; Monsieur Cassion has not spoken. +You will give me audience with the Sieur de Artigny?" + +"I have no power, child, but I will speak with the Mother Superior, +and repeat to her all I have learned. It shall be as she wills. Wait +here, and you may trust me to plead for you." + +She seemed to fade from the room, and I glanced about, seeing no +change since I was there before--the same bare walls and floor, the +rude settee, the crucifix above the door, and the one partially open +window, set deep in the stone wall. Outside I could hear voices, and +the shuffling of feet on the stone slabs, but within all was silence. +I had been away from this emotionless cloister life so long, out in +the open air, that I felt oppressed; the profound stillness was a +weight on my nerves. Would the sister be successful in her mission? +Would the Mother Superior, whose stern rule I knew so well, feel +slightest sympathy with my need? And if she did, would De Artigny care +enough to come? Perchance it would have been better to have made the +plea myself rather than trust all to the gentle lips of Celeste. +Perhaps I might even yet be given that privilege, for surely the +Mother would feel it best to question me before she rendered +decision. + +I crossed to the window and leaned out, seeking to divert my mind by +view of the scene below, yet the stone walls were so thick that only a +tantalizing glimpse was afforded of the pavement opposite. There were +lines of people there, pressed against the side of a great building, +and I knew from their gestures that troops were marching by. Once I +had view of a horseman, gaily uniformed, his frightened animal rearing +just at the edge of the crowd, which scattered like a flock of sheep +before the danger of pawing hoofs. The man must have gained glimpse of +me also, for he waved one hand and smiled even as he brought the beast +under control. Then a band played, and I perceived the shiny top of a +carriage moving slowly up the hill, the people cheering as it passed. +No doubt it was Governor la Barre, on his way to the citadel for some +ceremony of the day. + +Cassion would be somewhere in the procession, for he was one to keep +in the glare, and be seen, but there would be no place for a +lieutenant of La Salle's. I leaned out farther, risking a fall, but +saw nothing to reward the effort, except a line of marching men, a +mere bobbing mass of heads. I drew back flushed with exertion, dimly +aware that someone had entered the apartment. It was the Mother +Superior, looking smaller than ever in the gloom, and behind her +framed in the narrow doorway, his eyes smiling as though in enjoyment +of my confusion, stood De Artigny. I climbed down from the bench, +feeling my cheeks burn hotly, and made obeisance. The Mother's soft +hand rested on my hair, and there was silence, so deep I heard the +pounding of my heart. + +"Child," said the Mother, her voice low but clear. "Rise that I may +see your face. Ah! it has not so greatly changed in the years, save +that the eyes hold knowledge of sorrow. Sister Celeste hath told me +your story, and if it be sin for me to grant your request then must I +abide the penance, for it is in my heart to do so. Until I send the +sister you may speak alone with Monsieur de Artigny." + +She drew slightly aside, and the young man bowed low, hat in hand, +then stood erect, facing me, the light from the window on his face. + +"At your command, Mademoiselle," he said quietly. "The Mother tells me +you have need of my services." + +I hesitated, feeling the embarrassment of the other presence, and +scarce knowing how best to describe my case. It seemed simple enough +when I was alone, but now all my thoughts fled in confusion, and I +realized how little call I had to ask assistance. My eyes fell, and +the words trembled unspoken on my lips. When I dared glance up again +the Mother had slipped silently from the room, leaving us alone. No +doubt he felt the difference also, for he stepped forward and caught +my hand in his, his whole manner changing, as he thus assumed +leadership. 'Twas so natural, so confidently done, that I felt a +sudden wave of hope overcome my timidity. + +"Come, Mademoiselle," he said, almost eagerly. "There is no reason for +you to fear confiding in me. Surely I was never sent for without just +reason. Let us sit here while you retell the story. Perchance we will +play boy and girl again." + +"You remember that?" + +"Do I not!" he laughed pleasantly. "There were few pleasant memories I +took with me into the wilderness, yet that was one. Ay, but we talked +freely enough then, and there is naught since in my life to bring loss +of faith. 'Tis my wish to serve you, be it with wit or blade." He bent +lower, seeking the expression in my eyes. "This Hugo Chevet--he is a +brute. I know--is his abuse beyond endurance?" + +"No, no," I hastened to explain. "In his way he is not unkind. The +truth is he has lived so long in the woods alone, he scarcely speaks. +He--he would marry me to Monsieur Cassion." + +Never will I forget the look of sheer delight on his face as these +words burst from me. His hand struck the bench, and he tossed back the +long hair from his forehead, his eyes merry with enjoyment. + +"Ah, good! By all the saints, 'tis even as I hoped. Then have no fear +of my sympathy, Mademoiselle. Nothing could please me like a clash +with that perfumed gallant. He doth persecute you with his wooing?" + +"He has not spoken, save to Chevet; yet it is seemingly all arranged +without my being approached." + +"A coward's way. Chevet told you?" + +"Three days ago, Monsieur, after you were there, and Cassion had +departed. It may have been that your being seen with me hastened the +plan. I know not, yet the two talked together long, and privately, and +when the Commissaire finally went away, Chevet called me in, and told +me what had been decided." + +"That you were to marry that coxcomb?" + +"Yes; he did not ask me if I would; it was a command. When I protested +my lack of love, saying even that I despised the man, he answered me +with a laugh, insisting it was his choice, not mine, and that love had +naught to do with such matters. Think you this Cassion has some hold +on Hugo Chevet to make him so harsh?" + +"No doubt, they are hand in glove in the fur trade, and the +Commissaire has La Barre's ear just now. He rode by yonder in the +carriage a moment since, and you might think from his bows he was the +Governor. And this marriage? when does it take place?" + +"On Monsieur's safe return from the great West." + +The smile came back to his face. + +"Not so bad that, for 'tis a long journey, and might be delayed. I +travel with him, you know, and we depart at daybreak. What else did +this Chevet have to say?" + +"Only a threat that if ever you came near me again his fingers would +feel your throat, Monsieur. He spoke of hate between himself and your +father." + +The eyes upon mine lost their tolerant smile, and grew darker, and I +marked the fingers of his hand clinch. + +"That was like enough, for my father was little averse to a quarrel, +although he seldom made boast of it afterwards. And so this Hugo +Chevet threatened me! I am not of the blood, Mademoiselle, to take +such things lightly. Yet wait--why came you to me with such a tale? +Have you no friends?" + +"None, Monsieur," I answered gravely, and regretfully, "other than the +nuns to whom I went to school, and they are useless in such a case. I +am an orphan under guardianship, and my whole life has been passed in +this convent, and Chevet's cabin on the river. My mother died at my +birth, my father was a soldier on the frontier, and I grew up alone +among strangers. Scarcely have I met any save the rough boatmen, and +those _couriers du bois_ in my uncle's employ. There was no one else +but you, Monsieur--no one. 'Twas not immodesty which caused me to make +this appeal, but a dire need. I am a helpless, friendless girl." + +"You trust me then?" + +"Yes, Monsieur; I believe you a man of honor." + +He walked across the room, once, twice, his head bent in thought, and +I watched him, half frightened lest I had angered him. + +"Have I done very wrong, Monsieur?" + +He stopped, his eyes on my face. He must have perceived my perplexity, +for he smiled again, and pressed my hand gently. + +"If so, the angels must judge," he answered stoutly. "As for me, I am +very glad you do me this honor. I but seek the best plan of service, +Mademoiselle, for I stand between you and this sacrifice with much +pleasure. You shall not marry Cassion while I wear a sword; yet, +faith! I am so much a man of action that I see no way out but by the +strong arm. Is appeal to the Governor, to the judges impossible?" + +"He possesses influence now." + +"True enough; he is the kind La Barre finds useful, while I can scarce +keep my head upon my shoulders here in New France. To be follower of +La Salle is to be called traitor. It required the aid of every friend +I had in Quebec to secure me card of admission to the ball tonight." + +"You attend, Monsieur?" + +"Unless they bar me at the sword point. Know you why I made the +effort?" + +"No, Monsieur." + +"Your promise to be present. I had no wish otherwise." + +I felt the flush deepen on my cheeks and my eyes fell. + +"'Tis most kind of you to say so, Monsieur," was all I could falter. + +"Ay!" he interrupted, "we are both so alone in this New France 'tis well +we help each other. I will find you a way out, Mademoiselle--perhaps +this night; if not, then in the woods yonder. They are filled with +secrets, yet have room to hide another." + +"But not violence, Monsieur!" + +"Planning and scheming is not my way, nor am I good at it. A soldier +of La Salle needs more to understand action, and the De Artigny breed +has ever had faith in steel. I seek no quarrel, yet if occasion arise +this messenger of La Barre will find me quite ready. I know not what +may occur. Mademoiselle; I merely pledge you my word of honor that +Cassion will no longer seek your hand. The method you must trust to +me." + +Our eyes met, and his were kind and smiling, with a confidence in +their depths that strangely heartened me. Before I realized the action +I had given him my hand. + +"I do, Monsieur, and question no more, though I pray for peace between +you. Our time is up, Sister?" + +"Yes, my child," she stood in the doorway, appearing like some saintly +image. "The Mother sent me." + +De Artigny released my hand, and bowed low. + +"I still rely upon your attendance at the ball?" he asked, lingering +at the door. + +"Yes, Monsieur." + +"And may bespeak a dance?" + +"I cannot say no, although it may cost you dear." + +He laughed gaily, his eyes bright with merriment. + +"Faith! most pleasures do I find; the world would be dull enough +otherwise. Till then, Mademoiselle, adieu." + +We heard his quick step ring on the stone of the passage, and Celeste +smiled, her hand on mine. + +"A lad of spirit that. The Sieur de la Salle picks his followers well, +and knows loyal hearts. The De Artignys never fail." + +"You know of them, Sister?" + +"I knew his father," she answered, half ashamed already of her +impulse, "a gallant man. But come, the Mother would have you visit +her." + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +IN THE PALACE OF THE INTENDANT + + +The huge palace of the Intendant, between the bluff and the river, was +ablaze with lights, and already crowded with guests at our arrival. I +had seen nothing of Chevet since the morning, nor did he appear now; +but Monsieur Cassion was prompt enough, and congratulated me on my +appearance with bows, and words of praise which made me flush with +embarrassment. Yet I knew myself that I looked well in the new gown, +simple enough to be sure, yet prettily draped, for Sister Celeste had +helped me, and 'twas whispered she had seen fine things in Europe +before she donned the sober habit of a nun. She loved yet to dress +another, and her swift touches to my hair had worked a miracle. I read +admiration in Cassion's eyes, as I came forward from the shadows to +greet him, and was not unhappy to know he recognized my beauty, and +was moved by it. Yet it was not of him I thought, but Rene de +Artigny. + +There was a chair without, and bearers, while two soldiers of the +Regiment of Picardy, held torches to light the way, and open passage. +Cassion walked beside me, his tongue never still, yet I was too +greatly interested in the scene to care what he was saying, although I +knew it to be mostly compliment. It was a steep descent, the stones of +the roadway wet and glistening from a recent shower, and the ceaseless +stream of people, mostly denizens of Quebec, peered at us curiously as +we made slow progress. Great bonfires glowed from every high point of +the cliff, their red glare supplementing our torches, and bringing out +passing faces in odd distinctness. + +A spirit of carnival seemed to possess the crowd, and more than once +bits of green, and handfuls of sweets were tossed into my lap; while +laughter, and gay badinage greeted us from every side. Cassion took +this rather grimly, and gave stern word to the soldier escort, but I +found it all diverting enough, and had hard work to retain my dignity, +and not join in the merriment. It was darker at the foot of the hill, +yet the crowd did not diminish, although they stood in ankle deep mud, +and seemed less vivacious. Now and then I heard some voice name +Cassion as we passed, recognizing his face in the torch glow, but +there was no sign that he was popular. Once a man called out something +which caused him to stop, hand on sword, but he fronted so many faces +that he lost heart, and continued, laughing off the affront. Then we +came to the guard lines, and were beyond reach of the mob. + +An officer met us, pointing out the way, and, after he had assisted us +to descend from the chair, we advanced slowly over a carpet of clean +straw toward the gaily lighted entrance. Soldiers lined the walls on +either side, and overhead blazed a beacon suspended on a chain. It was +a scene rather grotesque and weird in the red glow, and I took +Cassion's arm gladly, feeling just a little frightened by the strange +surroundings. + +"Where is my Uncle Chevet?" I asked, more as a relief, than because I +cared, although I was glad of his absence because of De Artigny. + +"In faith, I know not," he answered lightly. "I won him a card, but he +was scarce gracious about it. In some wine shop likely with others of +his kind." + +There were servants at the door, and an officer, who scanned the cards +of those in advance of us, yet passed Cassion, with a glance at his +face, and word of recognition. I observed him turn and stare after me, +for our eyes met, but, almost before I knew what had occurred, I found +myself in a side room, with a maid helping to remove my wraps, and +arrange my hair. She was gracious and apt, with much to say in praise +of my appearance; and at my expression of doubt, brought a mirror and +held it before me. Then, for the first time, did I comprehend the +magic of Sister Celeste, and what had been accomplished by her deft +fingers. I was no longer a rustic maid, but really a quite grand lady, +so that I felt a thrill of pride as I went forth once more to join +Cassion in the hall. 'Twas plain enough to be seen that my appearance +pleased him also, for appreciation was in his eyes, and he bowed low +over my hand, and lifted it gallantly to his lips. + +I will not describe the scene in the great ballroom, for now, as I +write, the brilliant pageant is but a dim memory, confused and +tantalizing. I recall the bright lights overhead, and along the walls, +the festooned banners, the raised dais at one end, carpeted with skins +of wild animals, where the Governor stood, the walls covered with arms +and trophies of the chase, the guard of soldiers at each entrance, and +the mass of people grouped about the room. + +It was an immense apartment, but so filled with guests as to leave +scarce space for dancing, and the company was a strange one; +representative, I thought, of each separate element which composed the +population of New France. Officers of the regiments in garrison were +everywhere, apparently in charge of the evening's pleasure, but their +uniforms bore evidence of service. The naval men were less numerous, +yet more brilliantly attired, and seemed fond of the dance, and were +favorites of the ladies. These were young, and many of them beautiful; +belles of Quebec mostly, and, although their gowns were not expensive, +becomingly attired. Yet from up and down the river the seigniors had +brought their wives and daughters to witness the event. Some of these +were uncouth enough, and oddly appareled; not a few among them plainly +exhibiting traces of Indian blood; and here and there, standing silent +and alone, could be noted a red chief from distant forest. Most of +those men I saw bore evidence in face and dress of the wild, rough +life they led--fur traders from far-off waterways, guardians of +wilderness forts, explorers and adventurers. + +Many a name reached my ears famous in those days, but forgotten long +since; and once or twice, as we slowly made our way through the +throng, Cassion pointed out to me some character of importance in the +province, or paused to present me with formality to certain officials +whom he knew. It was thus we approached the dais, and awaited our turn +to extend felicitations to the Governor. Just before us was Du L'Hut, +whose name Cassion whispered in my ear, a tall, slender man, attired +as a _courier du bois_, with long fair hair sweeping his shoulders. I +had heard of him as a daring explorer, but there was no premonition +that he would ever again come into my life, and I was more deeply +interested in the appearance of La Barre. + +He was a dark man, stern of face, and with strange, furtive eyes, +concealed behind long lashes and overhanging brows. Yet he was most +gracious to Du L'Hut, and when he turned, and perceived Monsieur +Cassion next in line, smiled and extended his hand cordially. + +"Ah, Francois, and so you are here at last, and ever welcome. And +this," he bowed low before me in excess of gallantry, "no doubt will +be the Mademoiselle la Chesnayne of whose charms I have heard so much +of late. By my faith, Cassion, even your eloquence hath done small +justice to the lady. Where, Mademoiselle, have you hidden yourself, to +remain unknown to us of Quebec?" + +"I have lived with my uncle, Hugo Chevet." + +"Ah, yes; I recall the circumstances now--a rough, yet loyal trader. +He was with me once on the Ottawa--and tonight?" + +"He accompanied me to the city, your excellency, but I have not seen +him since." + +"Small need, with Francois at your beck and call," and he patted me +playfully on the cheek. "I have already tested his faithfulness. Your +father, Mademoiselle?" + +"Captain Pierre la Chesnayne, sir." + +"Ah, yes; I knew him well; he fell on the Richelieu; a fine soldier." +He turned toward Cassion, the expression of his face changed. + +"You depart tonight?" + +"At daybreak, sir." + +"That is well; see to it that no time is lost on the journey. I have +it in my mind that De Baugis may need you, for, from all I hear Henri +de Tonty is not an easy man to handle." + +"De Tonty?" + +"Ay! the lieutenant Sieur de la Salle left in charge at St. Louis; an +Italian they tell me, and loyal to his master. 'Tis like he may resist +my orders, and De Baugis hath but a handful with which to uphold +authority. I am not sure I approve of your selecting this lad De +Artigny as a guide; he may play you false." + +"Small chance he'll have for any trick." + +"Perchance not, yet the way is long, and he knows the wilderness. I +advise you guard him well. I shall send to you for council in an hour; +there are papers yet unsigned." + +He turned away to greet those who followed us in line, while we moved +forward into the crowd about the walls. Cassion whispered in my ear, +telling me bits of gossip about this and that one who passed us, +seeking to exhibit his wit, and impress me with his wide acquaintance. +I must have made fit response, for his voice never ceased, yet I felt +no interest in the stories, and disliked the man more than ever for +his vapid boasting. The truth is my thought was principally concerned +with De Artigny, and whether he would really gain admission. Still of +this I had small doubt, for his was a daring to make light of guards, +or any threat of enemies, if desire urged him on. And I had his +pledge. + +My eyes watched every moving figure, but the man was not present, my +anxiety increasing as I realized his absence, and speculated as to its +cause. Could Cassion have interfered? Could he have learned of our +interview, and used his influence secretly to prevent our meeting +again? It was not impossible, for the man was seemingly in close touch +with Quebec, and undoubtedly possessed power. My desire to see De +Artigny was now for his own sake--to warn him of danger and treachery. +The few words I had caught passing between La Barre and Cassion had to +me a sinister meaning; they were a promise of protection from the +Governor to his lieutenant, and this officer of La Salle's should be +warned that he was suspected and watched. There was more to La Barre's +words than appeared openly; it would be later, when they were alone, +that he would give his real orders to Cassion. Yet I felt small doubt +as to what those orders would be, nor of the failure of the lieutenant +to execute them. The wilderness hid many a secret, and might well +conceal another. In some manner that night I must find De Artigny, and +whisper my warning. + +These were my thoughts, crystallizing into purpose, yet I managed to +smile cheerily into the face of the Commissaire and make such reply to +his badinage as gave him pleasure. Faith, the man loved himself so +greatly the trick was easy, the danger being that I yield too much to +his audacity. No doubt he deemed me a simple country maid, overawed by +his gallantries, nor did I seek to undeceive him, even permitting the +fool to press my hand, and whisper his soft nonsense. Yet he ventured +no further, seeing that in my eyes warning him of danger if he grew +insolent. I danced with him twice, pleased to know I had not forgotten +the step, and then, as he felt compelled to show attention to the +Governor's lady, he left me in charge of a tall, thin officer--a Major +Callons, I think--reluctantly, and disappeared in the crowd. Never did +I part with one more willingly, and as the Major spoke scarcely a +dozen words during our long dance together I found opportunity to +think, and decide upon a course of action. + +As the music ceased my only plan was to avoid Cassion as long as +possible, and, at my suggestion, the silent major conducted me to a +side room, and then disappeared seeking refreshments. I grasped the +opportunity to slip through the crowd, and find concealment in a quiet +corner. It was impossible for me to conceive that De Artigny would +fail to come. He had pledged his word, and there was that about the +man to give me faith. Ay! he would come, unless there had already been +treachery. My heart beat swiftly at the thought, my eyes eagerly +searching the moving figures in the ballroom. Yet there was nothing I +could do but wait, although fear was already tugging at my heart. + +I leaned forward scanning each passing face, my whole attention +concentrated on the discovery of De Artigny. Where he came from I knew +not, but his voice softly speaking at my very ear brought me to my +feet, with a little cry of relief. The joy of finding him must have +found expression in my eyes, in my eager clasping of his hand, for he +laughed. + +"'Tis as though I was truly welcomed, Mademoiselle," he said, and +gravely enough. "Could I hope that you were even seeking me yonder?" + +"It would be the truth, if you did," I responded frankly, "and I was +beginning to doubt your promise." + +"Nor was it as easily kept as I supposed when given," he said under +his breath. "Come with me into this side room where we can converse +more freely--I can perceive Monsieur Cassion across the floor. No +doubt he is seeking you, and my presence here will give the man no +pleasure." + +I glanced in the direction indicated, and although I saw nothing of +the Commissaire, I slipped back willingly enough through the lifted +curtain into the deserted room behind. It was evidently an office of +some kind, for it contained only a desk and some chairs, and was +unlighted, except for the gleam from between the curtains. The outer +wall was so thick a considerable space separated the room from the +window, which was screened off by heavy drapery. De Artigny appeared +familiar with these details, for, with scarcely a glance about, he led +me into this recess, where we stood concealed. Lights from below +illumined our faces, and revealed an open window looking down on the +court. My companion glanced out at the scene beneath, and his eyes and +lips smiled as he turned again and faced me. + +"But, Monsieur," I questioned puzzled, "why was it not easy? You met +with trouble?" + +"Hardly that; a mere annoyance. I may only suspect the cause, but an +hour after I left you my ticket of invitation was withdrawn." + +"Withdrawn? by whom?" + +"The order of La Barre, no doubt; an officer of his guard called on me +to say he preferred my absence." + +"'Twas the work of Cassion." + +"So I chose to believe, especially as he sent me word later to remain +at the boats, and have them in readiness for departure at any minute. +Some inkling of our meeting must have reached his ears." + +"But how came you here, then?" + +He laughed in careless good humor. + +"Why that was no trick! Think you I am one to disappoint because of so +small an obstacle? As the door was refused me I sought other entrance +and found it here." He pointed through the open window. "It was not a +difficult passage, but I had to wait the withdrawal of the guards +below, which caused my late arrival. Yet this was compensated for by +discovering you so quickly. My only fear was encountering someone I +knew while seeking you on the floor." + +"You entered through this window?" + +"Yes; there is a lattice work below." + +"And whose office is that within?" + +"My guess is that of Colonel Delguard, La Barre's chief of staff, for +there was a letter for him lying on the desk. What difference? You are +glad I came?" + +"Yes, Monsieur, but not so much for my own sake, as for yours. I bring +you warning that you adventure with those who would do you evil if the +chance arrive." + +"Bah! Monsieur Cassion?" + +"'Tis not well for you to despise the man, for he has power and is a +villain at heart in spite of all his pretty ways. 'Tis said he has the +cruelty of a tiger, and in this case La Barre gives him full +authority." + +"Hath the Governor grudge against me also?" + +"Only that you are follower of La Salle, and loyal, while he is heart +and hand with the other faction. He chided Cassion for accepting you +as guide, and advised close watch lest you show treachery." + +"You overheard their talk?" + +"Ay! they made no secret of it; but I am convinced La Barre has more +definite instructions to give in private, for he asked the Commissaire +to come to him later for conference. I felt that you should be told, +Monsieur." + +De Artigny leaned motionless against the window ledge, and the light +streaming in through the opening of the draperies revealed the gravity +of his expression. For the moment he remained silent, turning the +affair over in his mind. + +"I thank you, Mademoiselle," he said finally, and touched my hand, +"for your report gives me one more link to my chain. I have picked up +several in the past few hours, and all seem to lead back to the +manipulations of Cassion. Faith! there is some mystery here, for +surely the man seemed happy enough when first we met at Chevet's +house, and accepted my offer gladly. Have you any theory as to this +change in his front?" + +I felt the blood surge to my cheeks, and my eyes fell before the +intensity of his glance. + +"If I have, Monsieur, 'tis no need that it be mentioned." + +"Your pardon, Mademoiselle, but your words already answer me--'tis +then that I have shown interest in you; the dog is jealous!" + +"Monsieur!" + +He laughed, and I felt the tightening of his hand on mine. + +"Good! and by all the gods, I will give him fair cause. The thought +pleases me, for rather would I be your soldier than my own. See, how +it dovetails in--I meet you at the convent and pledge you my aid; some +spy bears word of our conference to Monsieur, and an hour later I +receive word that if I have more to do with you I die. I smile at the +warning and send back a message of insult. Then my invitation to this +ball is withdrawn, and, later still, La Barre even advises that I be +assassinated at the least excuse. 'Twould seem they deem you of +importance, Mademoiselle." + +"You make it no more than a joke?" + +"Far from it; the very fact that I know the men makes it matter of +grave concern. I might, indeed, smile did it concern myself alone, but +I have your interests in mind--you have honored me by calling me your +only friend, and now I know not where I may serve you best--in the +wilderness, or here in Quebec?" + +"There can nothing injure me here, Monsieur, not with Cassion +traveling to the Illinois. No doubt he will leave behind him those who +will observe my movements--that cannot harm." + +"It is Hugo Chevet, I fear." + +"Chevet! my uncle--I do not understand." + +"No, for he is your uncle, and you know him only in such relationship. +He may have been to you kind and indulgent. I do not ask. But to those +who meet him in the world he is a big, cruel, savage brute, who would +sacrifice even you, if you stood in his way. And now if you fail to +marry Cassion, you will so stand. He is the one who will guard you, by +choice of the Commissaire, and orders of La Barre, and he will do his +part well." + +"I can remain with the sisters." + +"Not in opposition to the Governor; they would never dare antagonize +him; tomorrow you will return with Chevet." + +I drew a quick breath, my eyes on his face. + +"How can you know all this, Monsieur? Why should my uncle sacrifice +me?" + +"No matter how I know. Some of it has been your own confession, +coupled with my knowledge of the man. Three days ago I learned of his +debt to Cassion, and that the latter had him in his claws, and at his +mercy. Today I had evidence of what that debt means." + +"Today!" + +"Ay! 'twas from Chevet the threat came that he would kill me if I ever +met with you again." + +I could but stare at him, incredulous, my fingers unconsciously +grasping his jacket. + +"He said that? Chevet?" + +"Ay! Chevet; the message came by mouth of the half-breed, his +_voyageur_, and I choked out of him where he had left his master, yet +when I got there the man had gone. If we might meet tonight the matter +would be swiftly settled." + +He gazed out into the darkness, and I saw his hand close on the hilt +of his knife. I caught his arm. + +"No, no Monsieur; not that. You must not seek a quarrel, for I am not +afraid--truly I am not; you will listen--" + +There was a voice speaking in the office room behind, the closing of a +door, and the scraping of a chair as someone sat down. My words +ceased, and we stood silent in the shadow, my grasp still on De +Artigny's arm. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE ORDER OF LA BARRE + + +I did not recognize the voice speaking--a husky voice, the words +indistinct, yet withal forceful--nor do I know what it was he said. +But when the other answered, tapping on the desk with some instrument, +I knew the second speaker to be La Barre, and leaned back just far +enough to gain glimpse through the opening in the drapery. He sat at +the desk, his back toward us, while his companion, a red-faced, +heavily-moustached man, in uniform of the Rifles, stood opposite, one +arm on the mantel over the fireplace. His expression was that of +amused interest. + +"You saw the lady?" he asked. + +"In the receiving line for a moment only; a fair enough maid to be +loved for her own sake I should say. Faith, never have I seen +handsomer eyes." + +The other laughed. + +"'Tis well Madame does not overhear that confession. An heiress, and +beautiful! Piff! but she might find others to her liking rather than +this Cassion." + +"It is small chance she has had to make choice, and as to her being an +heiress, where heard you such a rumor, Colonel Delguard?" + +The officer straightened up. + +"You forget, sir," he said slowly, "that the papers passed through my +hands after Captain la Chesnayne's death. It was at your request they +failed to reach the hands of Frontenac." + +La Barre gazed at him across the desk, his brows contracted into a +frown. + +"No, I had not forgotten," and the words sounded harsh. "But they came +to me properly sealed, and I supposed unopened. I think I have some +reason to ask an explanation, Monsieur." + +"And one easily made. I saw only the letter, but that revealed enough +to permit of my guessing the rest. It is true, is it not, that La +Chesnayne left an estate of value?" + +"He thought so, but, as you must be aware, it had been alienated by +act of treason." + +"Ay! but Comte de Frontenac appealed the case to the King, who granted +pardon, and restoration." + +"So, 'twas rumored, but unsupported by the records. So far as New +France knows there was no reply from Versailles." + +The Colonel stood erect, and advanced a step, his expression one of +sudden curiosity. + +"In faith, Governor," he said swiftly, "but your statement awakens +wonder. If this be so why does Francois Cassion seek the maid so +ardently? Never did I deem that cavalier one to throw himself away +without due reward." + +La Barre laughed. + +"Perchance you do Francois ill judgment, Monsieur le Colonel," he +replied amused. "No doubt 'tis love, for, in truth, the witch would +send sluggish blood dancing with the glance of her eyes. Still," more +soberly, his eyes falling to the desk, "'tis, as you say, scarce in +accord with Cassion's nature to thus make sacrifice, and there have +been times when I suspected he did some secret purpose. I use the man, +yet never trust him." + +"Nor I, since he played me foul trick at La Chine. Could he have found +the paper of restoration, and kept it concealed, until all was in his +hands?" + +"I have thought of that, yet it doth not appear possible. Francois was +in ill grace with Frontenac, and could never have reached the +archives. If the paper came to his hands it was by accident, or +through some treachery. Well,'tis small use of our discussing the +matter. He hath won my pledge to Mademoiselle la Chesnayne's hand, for +I would have him friend, not enemy, just now. They marry on his +return." + +"He is chosen then for the mission to Fort St. Louis?" + +"Ay, there were reasons for his selection. The company departs at +dawn. Tell him, Monsieur, that I await him now for final interview." + +I watched Delguard salute, and turn away to execute his order. La +Barre drew a paper from a drawer of the desk, and bent over it pen in +hand. My eyes lifted to the face of De Artigny, standing motionless +behind me in the deeper shadow. + +"You overheard, Monsieur?" I whispered. + +He leaned closer, his lips at my ear, his eyes dark with eagerness. + +"Every word, Mademoiselle! Fear not, I shall yet learn the truth from +this Cassion. You suspected?" + +I shook my head, uncertain. + +"My father died in that faith, Monsieur, but Chevet called me a +beggar." + +"Chevet! no doubt he knows all, and has a dirty hand in the mess. He +called you beggar, hey!--hush, the fellow comes." + +He was a picture of insolent servility, as he stood there bowing, his +gay dress fluttering with ribbons, his face smiling, yet utterly +expressionless. La Barre lifted his eyes, and surveyed him coldly. + +"You sent for me, sir?" + +"Yes, although I scarcely thought at this hour you would appear in +the apparel of a dandy. I have chosen you for serious work, +Monsieur, and the time is near for your departure. Surely my orders +were sufficiently clear?" + +"They were, Governor la Barre," and Cassion's lips lost their grin, +"and my delay in changing dress has occurred through the strange +disappearance of Mademoiselle la Chesnayne. I left her with Major +Callons while I danced with my lady, and have since found no trace of +the maid." + +"Does not Callons know?" + +"Only that, seeking refreshments, he left her, and found her gone on +his return. Her wraps are in the dressing room." + +"Then 'tis not like she has fled the palace. No doubt she awaits you +in some corner. I will have the servants look, and meanwhile pay heed +to me. This is a mission of more import than love-making with a maid, +Monsieur Cassion, and its success, or failure, will determine your +future. You have my letter of instruction?" + +"It has been carefully read." + +"And the sealed orders for Chevalier de Baugis?" + +"Here, protected in oiled silk." + +"See that they reach him, and no one else; they give him an authority +I could not grant before, and should end La Salle's control of that +country. You have met this Henri de Tonty? He was here with his master +three years since, and had audience." + +"Ay, but that was before my time. Is he one to resist De Baugis?" + +"He impressed me as a man who would obey to the letter, Monsieur; a +dark-faced soldier, with an iron jaw. He had lost one arm in battle, +and was loyal to his chief." + +"So I have heard--a stronger man than De Baugis?" + +"A more resolute; all depends on what orders La Salle left, and the +number of men the two command." + +"In that respect the difference is not great. De Baugis had but a +handful of soldiers to take from Mackinac, although his _voyageurs_ +may be depended upon to obey his will. His instructions were not to +employ force." + +"And the garrison of St. Louis?" + +"'Tis hard to tell, as there are fur hunters there of whom we have no +record. La Salle's report would make his own command eighteen, but +they are well chosen, and he hath lieutenants not so far away as to be +forgotten. La Forest would strike at a word, and De la Durantaye is at +the Chicago portage, and no friend of mine. 'Tis of importance, +therefore, that your voyage be swiftly completed, and my orders placed +in De Baugis' hands. Are all things ready for departure?" + +"Ay, the boats only await my coming." + +The Governor leaned his head on his hand, crumbling the paper between +his fingers. + +"This young fellow--De Artigny," he said thoughtfully, "you have some +special reason for keeping him in your company?" + +Cassion crossed the room, his face suddenly darkening. + +"Ay, now I have," he explained shortly, "although I first engaged his +services merely for what I deemed to be their value. He spoke me most +fairly." + +"But since?" + +"I have cause to suspect. Chevet tells me that today he had conference +with Mademoiselle at the House of the Ursulines." + +"Ah, 'twas for that then you had his ticket revoked. I see where the +shoe pinches. 'Twill be safer with him in the boats than back here in +Quebec. Then I give permission, and wash my hands of the whole +affair--but beware of him, Cassion." + +"I may be trusted, sir." + +"I question that no longer." He hesitated slightly, then added in +lower tone: "If accident occur the report may be briefly made. I think +that will be all." + +Both men were upon their feet, and La Barre extended his hand across +the desk. I do not know what movement may have caused it, but at that +moment, a wooden ring holding the curtain fell, and struck the floor +at my feet. Obeying the first impulse I thrust De Artigny back behind +me into the shadow, and held aside the drapery. Both men, turning, +startled at the sound, beheld me clearly, and stared in amazement. +Cassion took a step forward, an exclamation of surprise breaking from +his lips. + +"Adele! Mademoiselle!" + +I stepped more fully into the light, permitting the curtain to fall +behind me, and my eyes swept their faces. + +"Yes, Monsieur--you were seeking me?" + +"For an hour past; for what reason did you leave the ballroom?" + +With no purpose in my mind but to gain time in which to collect my +thought and protect De Artigny from discovery, I made answer, assuming +a carelessness of demeanor which I was far from feeling. + +"Has it been so long, Monsieur?" I returned in apparent surprise. "Why +I merely sought a breath of fresh air, and became interested in the +scene without." + +La Barre stood motionless, just as he had risen to his feet at the +first alarm, his eyes on my face, his heavy eyebrows contracted in a +frown. + +"I will question the young lady, Cassion," he said sternly, "for I +have interests here of my own. Mademoiselle!" + +"Yes, Monsieur." + +"How long have you been behind that curtain?" + +"Monsieur Cassion claims to have sought me for an hour." + +"Enough of that," his voice grown harsh, and threatening. "You address +the Governor; answer me direct." + +I lifted my eyes to his stern face, but they instantly fell before the +encounter of his fierce gaze. + +"I do not know, Monsieur." + +"Who was here when you came in?" + +"No one, Monsieur; the room was empty." + +"Then you hid there, and overheard the conversation between Colonel +Delguard and myself?" + +"Yes, Monsieur," I confessed, feeling my limbs tremble. + +"And also all that has passed since Monsieur Cassion entered?" + +"Yes, Monsieur." + +He drew a deep breath, striking his hand on the desk, as though he +would control his anger. + +"Were you alone? Had you a companion?" + +I know not how I managed it, yet I raised my eyes to his, simulating a +surprise I was far from feeling. + +"Alone, Monsieur? I am Adele la Chesnayne; if you doubt, the way of +discovery is open without word from me." + +His suspicious, doubting eyes never left my face, and there was sneer +in his voice as he answered. + +"Bah! I am not in love to be played with by a witch. Perchance 'tis +not easy for you to lie. Well, we will see. Look within the alcove, +Cassion." + +The Commissaire was there even before the words of command were +uttered, and my heart seemed to stop beating as his heavy hand +tore aside the drapery. I leaned on the desk, bracing myself, +expecting a blow, a struggle; but all was silent. Cassion, braced, +and expectant, peered into the shadows, evidently perceiving nothing; +then stepped within, only to instantly reappear, his expression +that of disappointment. The blood surged back to my heart, and my +lips smiled. + +"No one is there, Monsieur," he reported, "but the window is open." + +"And not a dangerous leap to the court below," returned La Barre +thoughtfully. "So far you win, Mademoiselle. Now will you answer +me--were you alone there ten minutes ago?" + +"It is useless for me to reply, Monsieur," I answered with dignity, +"as it will in no way change your decision." + +"You have courage, at least." + +"The inheritance of my race, Monsieur." + +"Well, we'll test it then, but not in the form you anticipate." He +smiled, but not pleasantly, and resumed his seat at the desk. "I +propose closing your mouth, Mademoiselle, and placing you beyond +temptation. Monsieur Cassion, have the lieutenant at the door enter." + +I stood in silence, wondering at what was about to occur; was I to be +made prisoner? or what form was my punishment to assume? The power of +La Barre I knew, and his stern vindictiveness, and well I realized the +fear and hate which swept his mind, as he recalled the conversation I +had overheard. He must seal my lips to protect himself--but how? As +though in a daze I saw Cassion open the door, speak a sharp word to +one without, and return, followed by a young officer, who glanced +curiously aside at me, even as he saluted La Barre, and stood silently +awaiting his orders. The latter remained a moment motionless, his lips +firm set. + +"Where is Father Le Guard?" + +"In the Chapel, Monsieur; he passed me a moment ago." + +"Good; inform the _père_ that I desire his presence at once. Wait! +know you the fur trader, Hugo Chevet?" + +"I have seen the man, Monsieur--a big fellow, with a shaggy head." + +"Ay, as savage as the Indians he has lived among. He is to be found at +Eclair's wine shop in the Rue St. Louis. Have your sentries bring him +here to me. Attend to both these matters." + +"Yes, Monsieur." + +La Barre's eyes turned from the disappearing figure of the officer, +rested a moment on my face, and then smiled grimly as he fronted +Cassion. He seemed well pleased with himself, and to have recovered +his good humor. + +"A delightful surprise for you, Monsieur Cassion," he said genially, +"and let us hope no less a pleasure for the fair lady. Be seated, +Mademoiselle; there may be a brief delay. You perceive my plan, no +doubt?" + +Cassion did not answer, and the Governor looked at me. + +"No, Monsieur." + +"And yet so simple, so joyful a way out of this unfortunate +predicament. I am surprised. Cassion here might not appreciate how +nicely this method will answer to close your lips, but you, +remembering clearly the private conference between myself and Colonel +Delguard, should grasp my purpose at once. Your marriage is to take +place tonight, Mademoiselle." + +"Tonight! my marriage! to whom?" + +"Ah! is there then more than one prospective bridegroom? Monsieur +Cassion surely I am not in error that you informed me of your +engagement to Mademoiselle la Chesnayne?" + +"She has been pledged me in marriage, Monsieur--the banns published." + +I sat with bowed head, my cheeks flaming. + +"'Tis then as I understood," La Barre went on, chuckling. "The lady is +over modest." + +"I have made no pledge," I broke in desperately. "Monsieur spoke to my +Uncle Chevet, not I!" + +"Yet you were told! You made no refusal?" + +"Monsieur, I could not; they arranged it all, and, besides, it was not +to be until Monsieur returned from the West. I do not love him; I +thought--" + +"Bah! what is love? 'Tis enough that you accepted. This affair is no +longer one of affection; it has become the King's business, a matter +of State. I decide it is best for you to leave Quebec; ay! and New +France, Mademoiselle. There is but one choice, imprisonment here, or +exile into the wilderness." He leaned forward staring into my face +with his fierce, threatening eyes. "I feel it better that you go as +Monsieur Cassion's wife, and under his protection. I decree that so +you shall go." + +"Alone--with--with--Monsieur Cassion?" + +"One of his party. 'Tis my order also that Hugo Chevet be of the +company. Perchance a year in the wilderness may be of benefit to him, +and he might be of value in watching over young De Artigny." + +Never have I felt more helpless, more utterly alone. I knew all he +meant, but my mind grasped no way of escape. His face leered at me as +through a mist, yet as I glanced aside at Cassion it only brought home +to me a more complete dejection. The man was glad--glad! He had no +conscience, no shame. To appeal to him would be waste of breath--a +deeper humiliation. Suddenly I felt cold, hard, reckless; ay! they had +the power to force me through the unholy ceremony. I was only a +helpless girl; but beyond that I would laugh at them; and Cassion--if +he dared-- + +The door opened, and a lean priest in long black robe entered +noiselessly, bending his shaven head to La Barre, as his crafty eyes +swiftly swept our faces. + +"Monsieur desired my presence?" + +"Yes, Père le Guard, a mission of happiness. There are two here to be +joined in matrimony by bonds of Holy Church. We but wait the coming of +the lady's guardian." + +The _père_ must have interpreted the expression of my face. + +"'Tis regular, Monsieur?" he asked. + +"By order of the King," returned La Barre sternly. "Beyond that it is +not necessary that you inquire. Ah! Monsieur Chevet! they found you +then? I have a pleasant surprise for you. 'Tis hereby ordered that you +accompany Commissaire Cassion to the Illinois country as interpreter, +to be paid from my private fund." + +Chevet stared into the Governor's dark face, scarce able to +comprehend, his brain dazed from heavy drinking. + +"The Illinois country! I--Hugo Chevet? 'Tis some joke, Monsieur." + +"None at all, as you will discover presently, my man. I do not jest on +the King's service." + +"But my land, Monsieur; my niece?" + +La Barre permitted himself a laugh. + +"Bah! let the land lie fallow; 'twill cost little while you draw a +wage, and as for Mademoiselle, 'tis that you may accompany her I make +choice. Stand back; you have your orders, and now I'll show you good +reason." He stood up, and placed his hand on Cassion's arm. "Now my +dear, Francois, if you will join the lady." + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE WIFE OF FRANCOIS CASSION + + +It is vague, all that transpired. I knew then, and recall now, much of +the scene yet it returns to memory more in a passing picture than an +actual reality in which I was an actor. But one clear impression +dominated my brain--my helplessness to resist the command of La Barre. +His word was law in the colony, and from it there was no appeal, save +to the King. Through swimming mist I saw his face, stern, dark, +threatening, and then glimpsed Cassion approaching me, a smile curling +his thin lips. I shrank back from him, yet arose to my feet, trembling +so that I clung to the chair to keep erect. + +"Do not touch me, Monsieur," I said, in a voice which scarcely sounded +like my own. Cassion stood still, the smile of triumph leaving his +face. La Barre turned, his eyes cold and hard. + +"What is this, Mademoiselle? You would dare disobey me?" + +I caught my breath, gripping the chair with both hands. + +"No, Monsieur le Governor," I answered, surprised at the clearness +with which I spoke. "That would be useless; you have behind you the +power of France, and I am a mere girl. Nor do I appeal, for I know +well the cause of your decision. It is indeed my privilege to appeal +to Holy Church for protection from this outrage, but not through such +representative as I see here." + +"Père le Guard is chaplain of my household." + +"And servant to your will, Monsieur. 'Tis known in all New France he +is more diplomat than priest. Nay! I take back my word, and will make +trial of his priesthood. Father, I do not love this man, nor marry him +of my own free will. I appeal to you, to the church, to refuse the +sanction." + +The priest stood with fingers interlocked, and head bowed, nor did his +eyes meet mine. + +"I am but the humble instrument of those in authority, Daughter," he +replied gently, "and must perform the sacred duties of my office. 'Tis +your own confession that your hand has been pledged to Monsieur +Cassion." + +"By Hugo Chevet, not myself." + +"Without objection on your part." He glanced up slyly. "Perchance this +was before the appearance of another lover, the Sieur de Artigny." + +I felt the color flood my cheeks, yet from indignation rather than +embarrassment. + +"No word of love has been spoken me by Monsieur de Artigny," I +answered swiftly. "He is a friend, no more. I do not love Francois +Cassion, nor marry him but through force; ay! nor does he love +me--this is but a scheme to rob me of my inheritance." + +"Enough of this," broke in La Barre sternly, and he gripped my arm. +"The girl hath lost her head, and such controversy is unseemly in my +presence. Père le Guard, let the ceremony proceed." + +"'Tis your order, Monsieur?" + +"Ay! do I not speak my will plainly enough? Come, the hour is late, +and our King's business is of more import than the whim of a girl." + +I never moved, never lifted my eyes. I was conscious of nothing, but +helpless, impotent anger, of voiceless shame. They might force me to +go through the form, but never would they make me the wife of this +man. My heart throbbed with rebellion, my mind hardened into revolt. I +knew all that occurred, realized the significance of every word and +act, yet it was as if they appertained to someone else. I felt the +clammy touch of Cassion's hand on my nerveless fingers, and I must +have answered the interrogatories of the priest, for his voice droned +on, meaningless to the end. It was only in the silence which followed +that I seemed to regain consciousness, and a new grip on my numbed +faculties. Indeed I was still groping in the fog, bewildered, inert, +when La Barre gave utterance to a coarse laugh. + +"Congratulations, Francois," he cried. "A fair wife, and not so +unwilling after all. And now your first kiss." + +The sneer of these words was like a slap in the face, and all the +hatred, and indignation I felt seethed to the surface. A heavy paper +knife lay on the desk, and I gripped it in my fingers, and stepped +back, facing them. The mist seemed to roll away, and I saw their +faces, and there must have been that in mine to startle them, for even +La Barre gave back a step, and the grin faded from the thin lips of +the Commissaire. + +"'Tis ended then," I said, and my voice did not falter. "I am this +man's wife. Very well, you have had your way; now I will have mine. +Listen to what I shall say, Monsieur le Governor, and you also, +Francois Cassion. By rite of church you call me wife, but that is your +only claim. I know your law, and that this ceremony has sealed my +lips. I am your captive, nothing more; you can rob me now--but, mark +you! all that you will ever get is money. Monsieur Cassion, if you +dare lay so much as a finger on me, I will kill you, as I would a +snake. I know what I say, and mean it. You kiss me! Try it, Monsieur, +if you doubt how my race repays insult. I will go with you; I will +bear your name; this the law compels, but I am still mistress of my +soul, and of my body. You hear me, Messieurs? You understand?" + +Cassion stood leaning forward, just where my first words had held him +motionless. As I paused his eyes were on my face, and he lifted a hand +to wipe away drops of perspiration. La Barre crumpled the paper he +held savagely. + +"So," he exclaimed, "we have unchained a tiger cat. Well, all this is +naught to me; and Francois, I leave you and the wilderness to do the +taming. In faith, 'tis time already you were off. You agree to +accompany the party without resistance, Madame?" + +"As well there, as here," I answered contemptuously. + +"And you, Hugo Chevet?" + +The giant growled something inarticulate through his beard, not +altogether, I thought, to La Barre's liking, for his face darkened. + +"By St. Anne! 'tis a happy family amid which you start your honeymoon, +Monsieur Cassion," he ejaculated at length, "but go you must, though I +send a file of soldiers with you to the boats. Now leave me, and I +would hear no more until word comes of your arrival at St. Louis." + +We left the room together, the three of us, and no one spoke, as we +traversed the great assembly hall, in which dancers still lingered, +and gained the outer hall. Cassion secured my cloak, and I wrapped it +about my shoulders, for the night air without was already chill, and +then, yet in unbroken silence, we passed down the steps into the +darkness of the street. I walked beside Chevet, who was growling to +himself, scarce sober enough to clearly realize what had occurred, and +so we followed the Commissaire down the steep path which led to the +river. + +There was no pomp now, no military guard, or blazing torches. All +about us was gloom and silence, the houses fronting the narrow passage +black, although a gleam of fire revealed the surface of the water +below. The rough paving made walking difficult, and I tripped twice +during the descent, once wrenching an ankle, but with no outcry. I was +scarce conscious of the pain, or of my surroundings, for my mind still +stood aghast over what had occurred. It had been so swiftly +accomplished I yet failed to grasp the full significance. + +Vaguely I comprehended that I was no longer Adele la Chesnayne, but +the wife of that man I followed. A word, a muttered prayer, an +uplifted hand, had made me his slave, his vassal. Nothing could break +the bond between us save death. I might hate, despise, revile, but the +bond held. This thought grew clearer as my mind readjusted itself, and +the full horror of the situation took possession of me. Yet there was +nothing I could do; I could neither escape or fight, nor had I a +friend to whom I could appeal. Suddenly I realized that I still +grasped in my hand the heavy paper knife I had snatched up from La +Barre's desk, and I thrust it into the waistband of my skirt. It was +my only weapon of defense, yet to know I had even that seemed to bring +me a glow of courage. + +We reached the river's edge and halted. Below us, on the bank, the +blazing fire emitted a red gleam reflecting on the water, and showing +us the dark outlines of waiting canoes, and seated figures. Gazing +about Cassion broke the silence, his voice assuming the harshness of +authority. + +"Three canoes! Where is the other? Huh! if there be delay now, someone +will make answer to me. Pass the word for the sergeant; ah! is this +you Le Claire?" + +"All is prepared, Monsieur." + +He glared at the stocky figure fronting him in infantry uniform. + +"Prepared! You have but three boats at the bank." + +"The other is below, Monsieur; it is loaded and waits to lead the +way." + +"Ah! and who is in charge?" + +"Was it not your will that it be the guide--the Sieur de Artigny?" + +"_Sacre!_ but I had forgotten the fellow. Ay! 'tis the best place for +him. And are all provisions and arms aboard? You checked them, Le +Claire?" + +"With care, Monsieur; I watched the stowing of each piece; there is +nothing forgotten." + +"And the men?" + +"Four Indian paddlers to each boat, Monsieur, twenty soldiers, a +priest, and the guide." + +"'Tis the tally. Make room for two more in the large canoe; ay, the +lady goes. Change a soldier each to your boat and that of Père Allouez +until we make our first camp, where we can make new arrangement." + +"There is room in De Artigny's canoe." + +"We'll not call him back; the fellows will tuck away somehow. Come, +let's be off, it looks like dawn over yonder." + +I found myself in one of the canoes, so filled with men any movement +was almost impossible, yet of this I did not complain for my Uncle +Chevet was next to me, and Cassion took place at the steering oar in +the stern. To be separated from him was all I asked, although the very +sound of his harsh voice rasping out orders, as we swung out from the +bank rendered me almost frantic. My husband! God! and I was actually +married to that despicable creature! I think I hardly realized before +what had occurred, but now the hideous truth came, and I buried my +face in my hands, and felt tears stealing through my fingers. + +Yet only for a moment were these tears of weakness. Indignation, +anger, hatred conquered me. He had won! he had used power to conquer! +Very well, now he would pay the price. He thought me a helpless girl; +he would find me a woman, and a La Chesnayne. The tears left my eyes, +and my head lifted, as purpose and decision returned. + +We were skirting the northern bank, the high bluffs blotting out the +stars, with here and there, far up above us, a light gleaming from +some distant window, its rays reflecting along the black water. The +Indian paddlers worked silently, driving the sharp prow of the heavily +laden canoe steadily up stream. Farther out to the left was the dim +outline of another boat, keeping pace with ours, the moving figures of +the paddlers revealed against the water beyond. + +I endeavored to discern the canoe which led the way, over which De +Artigny held command, but it was hidden by a wall of mist too far away +to be visible. Yet the very thought that the young Sieur was there, +accompanying us into the drear wilderness, preserved me from utter +despair. I would not be alone, or friendless. Even when he learned the +truth, he would know it was not my fault, and though he might +question, and even doubt, at first, yet surely the opportunity would +come for me to confess all, and feel his sympathy, and protection. I +cannot explain the confidence which this certainty of his presence +brought, or how gratefully I awaited the dawn, and its revelation. + +'Tis not in the spirit of youth to be long depressed by misfortune, +and although each echo of Cassion's voice recalled my condition, I was +not indifferent to the changing scene. Chevet, still sodden with +drink, fell asleep, his head on his pack, but I remained wide awake, +watching the first faint gleam of light along the edge of the cloud +stretching across the eastern sky line. It was a dull, drear morning, +everywhere a dull gray, the wide waters about us silent and deserted. +To the right the shore line was desolate and bare, except for +blackened stumps of fire-devastated woods, and brown rocks, while in +every other direction the river spread wide in sullen flow. There was +no sound but the dip of the paddles and the heavy breathing. + +As the sun forced its way through the obscuring cloud, the mist rose +slowly, and drifted aside, giving me glimpse of the canoe in advance, +although it remained indistinct, a vague speck in the waste of water. +I sat motionless gazing about at the scene, yet vaguely comprehending +the nature of our surroundings. My mind reviewed the strange events of +the past night, and endeavored to adjust itself to my new environment. +Almost in an instant of time my life had utterly changed--I had been +married and exiled; wedded to a man whom I despised, and forced to +accompany him into the unknown wilderness. It was like a dream, a +delirium of fever, and even yet I could not seem to comprehend its +dread reality. But the speeding canoes, the strange faces, the +occasional sound of Cassion's voice, the slumbering figure of Chevet +was evidence of truth not to be ignored, and ahead yonder, a mere +outline, was the boat which contained De Artigny. What would he say, +or do, when he learned the truth? Would he care greatly? Had I read +rightly the message of his eyes? Could I have trust, and confidence in +his loyalty? Would he accept my explanation! or would he condemn me +for this act in which I was in no wise to blame? Mother of God! it +came to me that it was not so much Monsieur Cassion I feared, as the +Sieur de Artigny. What would be his verdict? My heart seemed to stop +its beating, and tears dimmed my eyes, as I gazed across the water at +that distant canoe. I knew then that all my courage, all my hope, +centered on his decision--the decision of the man I loved. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE TWO MEN MEET + + +I could not have slept, although I must have lost consciousness of our +surroundings, for I was aroused by Cassion's voice shouting some +command, and became aware that we were making landing on the river +bank. The sun was two hours high, and the spot selected a low +grass-covered point, shaded by trees. Chevet had awakened, sobered by +his nap, and the advance canoe had already been drawn up on the shore, +the few soldiers it contained busily engaged in starting fires with +which to cook our morning meal. + +I perceived De Artigny with my first glance, standing erect on the +bank, his back toward us, directing the men in their work. As we shot +forward toward the landing he turned indifferently, and I marked the +sudden straightening of his body, as though in surprise, although the +distance gave me no clear vision of his face. As our canoe came into +the shallows, he sprang down the bank to greet us, hat in hand, his +eyes on me. My own glance fell before the eagerness in his face, and I +turned away. + +"Ah! Monsieur Cassion," he exclaimed, the very sound of his +voice evidencing delight. "You have guests on the journey; 'tis +unexpected." + +Cassion stepped over the side, and fronted him, no longer a smiling +gallant of the court, but brutal in authority. + +"And what is that to you, may I ask, Sieur de Artigny?" he said, +coldly contemptuous. "You are but our guide, and it is no concern of +yours who may compose the company. 'Twill be well for you to remember +your place, and attend to your duties. Go now, and see that the men +have breakfast served." + +There was a moment of silence, and I did not even venture to glance up +to perceive what occurred, although I felt that De Artigny's eyes +shifted their inquiry from Cassion's face to mine. There must be no +quarrel now, not until he knew the truth, not until I had opportunity +to explain, and yet he was a firebrand, and it would be like him to +resent such words. How relieved I felt, as his voice made final +answer. + +"Pardon, Monsieur le Commissaire," he said, pleasantly enough. "It is +true I forgot my place in this moment of surprise. I obey your +orders." + +I looked up as he turned away, and disappeared. Cassion stared after +him, smothering an oath, and evidently disappointed at so tame an +ending of the affair, for it was his nature to bluster and boast. Yet +as his lips changed to a grin, I knew of what the man was thinking--he +had mistaken De Artigny's actions for cowardice, and felt assured now +of how he would deal with him. He turned to the canoe, a new +conception of importance in the sharp tone of his voice. + +"Come ashore, men; ay! draw the boat higher on the sand. Now, Monsieur +Chevet, assist your niece forward to where I can help her to land with +dry feet--permit me, Adele." + +"It is not at all necessary, Monsieur," I replied, avoiding his hand, +and leaping lightly to the firm sand. "I am no dainty maid of Quebec +to whom such courtesy is due." I stood and faced him, not unpleased to +mark the anger in his eyes. "Not always have you shown yourself so +considerate." + +"Why blame me for the act of La Barre?" + +"The act would never have been considered had you opposed it, +Monsieur. It was your choice, not the Governor's." + +"I would wed you--yes; but that is no crime. But let us understand +each other. Those were harsh words you spoke in anger in the room +yonder." + +"They were not in anger." + +"But surely--" + +"Monsieur, you have forced me into marriage; the law holds me as your +wife. I know not how I may escape that fate, or avoid accompanying +you. So far I submit, but no farther. I do not love you; I do not even +feel friendship toward you. Let me pass." + +He grasped my arm, turning me about until I faced him, his eyes +glaring into mine. + +"Not until I speak," he replied threateningly. "Do not mistake my +temper, or imagine me blind. I know what has so suddenly changed +you--it is that gay, simpering fool yonder. But be careful how far you +go. I am your husband, and in authority here." + +"Monsieur, your words are insult; release your hand." + +"So you think to deceive! Bah! I am too old a bird for that, or to pay +heed to such airs. I have seen girls before, and a mood does not +frighten me. But listen now--keep away from De Artigny unless you seek +trouble." + +"What mean you by that threat?" + +"You will learn to your sorrow; the way we travel is long, and I am +woodsman as well as soldier. You will do well to heed my words." + +I released my arm, but did not move. My only feeling toward him at +that moment was one of disgust, defiance. The threat in his eyes, the +cool insolence of his speech, set my blood on fire. + +"Monsieur," I said coldly, although every nerve of my body throbbed, +"you may know girls, but you deal now with a woman. Your speech, your +insinuation is insult. I disliked you before; now I despise you, yet I +will say this in answer to what you have intimated. Monsieur de +Artigny is nothing to me, save that he hath shown himself friend. You +wrong him, even as you wrong me, in thinking otherwise, and whatever +the cause of misunderstanding between us, there is no excuse for you +to pick quarrel with him." + +"You appear greatly concerned over his safety." + +"Not at all; so far as I have ever heard the Sieur de Artigny has +heretofore proven himself quite capable of sustaining his own part. +'Tis more like I am concerned for you." + +"For me? You fool! Why, I was a swordsman when that lad was at his +mother's knee." He laughed, but with ugly gleam of teeth. "_Sacre!_ I +hate such play acting. But enough of quarrel now; there is sufficient +time ahead to bring you to your senses, and a knowledge of who is your +master. Hugo Chevet, come here." + +My uncle climbed the bank, his rifle in hand, with face still bloated, +and red from the drink of the night before. Behind him appeared the +slender black-robed figure of the Jesuit, his eyes eager with +curiosity. It was sight of the latter which caused Cassion to moderate +his tone of command. + +"You will go with Chevet," he said, pointing to the fire among the +trees, "until I can talk to you alone." + +"A prisoner?" + +"No; a guest," sarcastically, "but do not overstep the courtesy." + +We left him in conversation with the _père_, and I did not even glance +back. Chevet breathed heavily, and I caught the mutter of his voice. +"What meaneth all this chatter?" he asked gruffly. "Must you two +quarrel so soon?" + +"Why not?" I retorted. "The man bears me no love; 'tis but gold he +thinks about." + +"Gold!" he stopped, and slapped his thighs. "'Tis precious little of +that he will ever see then." + +"And why not? Was not my father a land owner?" + +"Ay! till the King took it." + +"Then even you do not know the truth. I am glad to learn that, for I +have dreamed that you sold me to this coxcomb for a share of the +spoils." + +"What? a share of the spoils! Bah! I am no angel, girl, nor pretend to +a virtue more than I possess. There is truth in the thought that I +might benefit by your marriage to Monsieur Cassion, and, by my faith, +I see no wrong in that. Have you not cost me heavily in these years? +Why should I not seek for you a husband of worth in these colonies? +Wherefore is that a crime? Were you my own daughter I could do no +less, and this man is not ill to look upon, a fair-spoken gallant, a +friend of La Barre's, chosen by him for special service--" + +"And with influence in the fur trade." + +"All the better that," he continued obstinately. "Why should a girl +object if her husband be rich?" + +"But he is not rich," I said plainly, looking straight into his eyes. +"He is no more than a penniless adventurer; an actor playing a part +assigned him by the Governor; while you and I do the same. Listen, +Monsieur Chevet, the property at St. Thomas is mine by legal right, +and it was to gain possession that this wretch sought my hand." + +"Your legal right?" + +"Ay, restored by the King in special order." + +"It is not true; I had the records searched by a lawyer, Monsieur +Gautier, of St. Anne." + +I gave a gesture of indignation. + +"A country advocate at whom those in authority would laugh. I tell you +what I say is true; the land was restored, and the fact is known to La +Barre and to Cassion. It is this fact which has caused all our +troubles. I overheard talk last night between the Governor and his +aide-de-camp, Colonel Delguard--you know him?" + +Chevet nodded, his interest stirred. + +"They thought themselves alone, and were laughing at the success of +their trick. I was hidden behind the heavy curtains at the window, and +every word they spoke reached my ears. Then they sent for Cassion." + +"But where is the paper?" + +"I did not learn; they have it hidden, no doubt, awaiting the proper +time to produce it. But there is such a document: La Barre explained +that clearly, and the reason why he wished Cassion to marry me. They +were all three talking when an accident happened, which led to my +discovery." + +"Ah! and so that was what hurried the wedding, and sent me on this +wild wilderness chase. They would bury me in the woods--_sacre!_--" + +"Hush now--Cassion has left the canoe already, and we can talk of this +later. Let us seem to suspect nothing." + +This was the first meal of many eaten together along the river bank in +the course of our long journey, yet the recollection of that scene +rises before my memory now with peculiar vividness. It was a bright, +glorious morning, the arching sky blue overhead, and the air soft with +early autumn. Our temporary camp was at the edge of a grove, and below +us swept the broad river, a gleaming highway of silvery water without +speck upon its surface. Except for our little party of voyagers no +evidence of life was visible, not even a distant curl of smoke +obscuring the horizon. + +Cassion had divided us into groups, and, from where I had found +resting place, with a small flat rock for table, I was enabled to see +the others scattered to the edge of the bank, and thus learned for the +first time, the character of those with whom I was destined to +companion on the long journey. There were but four of us in that first +group, which included Père Allouez, a silent man, fingering his cross, +and barely touching food. His face under the black cowl was drawn, and +creased by strange lines, and his eyes burned with fanaticism. If I +had ever dreamed of him as one to whom I might turn for counsel, the +thought instantly vanished as our glances met. + +A soldier and two Indians served us, while their companions, divided +into two groups, were gathered at the other extremity of the ridge, +the soldiers under discipline of their own under officers, and the +Indians watched over by Sieur De Artigny, who rested, however, +slightly apart, his gaze on the broad river. Never once while I +observed did he turn and glance my way. I counted the men, as I +endeavored to eat, scarcely heeding the few words exchanged by those +about me. The Indians numbered ten, including their chief, whom +Cassion called Altudah. Chevet named them as Algonquins from the +Ottawa, treacherous rascals enough, yet with expert knowledge of water +craft. + +Altudah was a tall savage, wrapped in gaudy blanket, his face rendered +sinister and repulsive by a scar the full length of his cheek, yet he +spoke French fairly well, and someone said that he had three times +made journey to Mackinac, and knew the waterways. There were +twenty-four soldiers, including a sergeant and corporal, of the +Regiment of Picardy; active fellows enough, and accustomed to the +frontier, although they gave small evidence of discipline, and their +uniforms were in shocking condition. The sergeant was a heavily built, +stocky man, but the others were rather undersized, and of little +spirit. The same thought must have been in the minds of others, for +the expression on Monsieur Cassion's face was not pleasant as he +stared about. + +"Chevet," he exclaimed disgustedly "did ever you see a worse selection +for wilderness travel than La Barre has given us? Cast your eyes down +the line yonder; by my faith! there is not a real man among them." + +Chevet who had been growling to himself, with scarce a thought other +than the food before him, lifted his eyes and looked. + +"Not so bad," he answered finally, the words rumbling in his throat. +"Altudah is a good Indian, and has traveled with me before, and the +sergeant yonder looks like a fighting man." + +"Ay, but the others?" + +"No worse than all the scum. De Baugis had no better with him, and La +Salle led a gang of outcasts. With right leadership you can make them +do men's work. 'Tis no kid-gloved job you have, Monsieur Cassion." + +The insulting indifference of the old fur trader's tone surprised the +Commissaire, and he exhibited resentment. + +"You are overly free with your comments, Hugo Chevet. When I wish +advice I will ask it." + +"And in the woods I do not always wait to be asked," returned the +older man, lighting his pipe, and calmly puffing out the blue smoke. +"Though it is likely enough you will be asking for it before you +journey many leagues further." + +"You are under my orders." + +"So La Barre said, but the only duty he gave me was to watch over +Adele here. He put no shackle on my tongue. You have chosen your +course?" + +"Yes, up the Ottawa." + +"I supposed so, although that boy yonder could lead you a shorter +passage." + +"How learned you that?" + +"By talking with him in Quebec. He even sketched me a map of the route +he traveled with La Salle. You knew it not?" + +"'Twas of no moment, for my orders bid me go by St. Ignace. Yet it +might be well to question him and the chief also." He turned to the +nearest soldier. "Tell the Algonquin, Altudah, to come here, and Sieur +de Artigny." + +They approached together, two specimens of the frontier as different +as could be pictured, and stood silent, fronting Cassion who looked at +them frowning, and in no pleasant humor. The eyes of the younger man +sought my face for an instant, and the swift glance gave harsher note +to the Commissaire's voice. + +"We will reload the canoes here for the long voyage," he said +brusquely. "The sergeant will have charge of that, but both of you +will be in the leading boat, and will keep well in advance of the +others. Our course is by way of the Ottawa. You know that stream, +Altudah?" + +The Indian bowed his head gravely, and extended one hand beneath the +scarlet fold of his blanket. + +"Five time, Monsieur." + +"How far to the west, Chief?" + +"To place call Green Bay." + +Cassion turned his eyes on De Artigny, a slight sneer curling his +lips. + +"And you?" he asked coldly. + +"But one journey, Monsieur, along the Ottawa and the lakes," was the +quiet answer, "and that three years ago, yet I scarce think I would go +astray. 'Tis not a course easily forgotten." + +"And beyond Green Bay?" + +"I have been to the mouth of the Great River." + +"You!" in surprise. "Were you of that party?" + +"Yes, Monsieur." + +"And you actually reached the sea--the salt water?" + +"Yes, Monsieur." + +"Saint Anne! I never half believed the tale true, nor do I think +overmuch of your word for it. But let that go. Chevet here tells me +you know a shorter journey to the Illinois?" + +"Not by canoe, Monsieur. I followed Sieur de la Salle by forest trail +to the Straits, and planned to return that way, but 'tis a foot +journey." + +"Not fitted for such a party as this?" + +"Only as you trust to your rifles for food, bearing what packs we +might on our backs. With the lady the trail is scarcely possible." + +"As to the lady I will make my own decision. Besides, our course is +decided. We go to St. Ignace. What will be your course from Green +Bay?" + +"Along the west shore, Monsieur; it is dangerous only by reason of +storms." + +"And the distance?" + +"From St. Ignace?" + +"Ay! from St. Ignace! What distance lies between there and this Fort +St. Louis, on the Illinois?" + +"'Twill be but a venture, Monsieur, but I think 'tis held at a hundred +and fifty leagues." + +"Of wilderness?" + +"When I passed that way--yes; they tell me now the Jesuits have +mission station at Green Bay, and there may be fur traders in Indian +villages beyond." + +"No chance to procure supplies?" + +"Only scant rations of corn from the Indians." + +"Your report is in accordance with my instructions and maps, and no +doubt is correct. That will be all. Take two more men in your boat, +and depart at once. We shall follow immediately." + +As De Artigny turned away in obedience to these orders, his glance met +mine, and seemed to question. Eager as I was to acquaint him with the +true reason of my presence it was impossible. To have exhibited the +slightest interest would only increase the enmity between the two men, +and serve no good purpose. I did not even venture to gaze after him as +he disappeared down the bank, feeling assured that Cassion's eyes were +suspiciously watching me. My appearance of indifference must have been +well assumed, for there was a sound of confidence in his voice as he +bade us return to the canoes, and I even permitted him to assist me to +my feet, and aid me in the descent to the shore. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +I DEFY CASSION + + +Our progress was slow against the swift current of the St. Lawrence, +and we kept close to the overhanging bank, following the guidance of +the leading canoe. We were the second in line, and no longer +over-crowded, so that I had ample room to rest at ease upon a pile of +blankets, and gaze about me with interest on the changing scene. + +Cassion, encouraged possibly by my permitting his attendance down the +bank, found seat near me, and endeavored to converse; but, although I +tried to prove cordial, realizing now that to anger the man would only +add to my perplexity, his inane remarks tried me so that I ceased +reply, and we finally lapsed into silence. Chevet, who held the +steering oar, asked him some questions, which led to a brisk argument, +and I turned away my head, glad enough to escape, and be permitted the +luxury of my own thoughts. + +How beautifully desolate it all was; with what fresh delight each +new vista revealed itself. The wild life, the love of wilderness and +solitude, was in my blood, and my nature responded to the charm +of our surroundings. I was the daughter of one ever attracted by +the frontier, and all my life had been passed amid primitive +conditions--the wide out-of-doors was my home, and the lonely +places called me. The broad, rapid sweep of the river up which we +won our slow passage, the great beetling cliffs dark in shadows, +and crowned by trees, the jutting rocks whitened by spray, the +headlands cutting off all view ahead, then suddenly receding to +permit of our circling on into the unknown--here extended a panorama +of which I could never tire. + +My imagination swept ahead into the mystery which awaited us in that +vast wilderness toward which we journeyed--the dangerous rivers, the +portages, the swift rush of gleaming water, the black forests, the +plains of waving grass, the Indian villages, and those immense lakes +along whose shores we were destined to find way. All this possibility +had come to me so unexpectedly, with such suddenness, that even yet I +scarcely realized that my surroundings were real. They seemed more a +dream than an actual fact, and I was compelled to concentrate my mind +on those people about me before I could clearly comprehend the +conditions under which I lived. + +Yet here was reality enough: the Indian paddlers, stripped to the +waist, their bodies glistening, as with steady, tireless strokes, they +forced our canoe forward, following relentlessly the wake of the +speeding boat ahead; the little group of soldiers huddled in the bows, +several sleeping already, the others amusing themselves with game of +cards; while just in front of me sat the priest, his fingers clasping +an open book, but his eyes on the river. The silhouette of his face, +outlined beyond his black hood, seemed carved from stone, it was so +expressionless and hard. There was something so sinister about it that +I felt a chill run through me, and averted my eyes, only to encounter +the glance of Cassion beside me, who smiled, and pointed out a huge +terrace of rock which seemed a castle against the blue of the sky. I +think he told me the fanciful name the earlier explorers had given the +point, and related some legend with which it was connected, but my +mind was not on his tale, and soon he ceased effort to entertain me, +and his head nodded sleepily. + +I turned to glance back beyond the massive figure of Chevet at the +steering oar, to gain glimpse of the canoes behind. The first was well +up, so that even the faces of its occupants were revealed, but the +second was but a black shapeless thing in the distance, a mere blotch +upon the waters. + +Ahead of us, now sweeping around the point like a wild bird, amid a +smother of spray, appeared the advance canoe. As it disappeared I +could distinguish De Artigny at the stern, his coat off, his hands +grasping a paddle. Above the point once more and in smoother water, I +was aware that he turned and looked back, shading his eyes from the +sun. I could not but wonder what he thought, what possible suspicion +had come to him, regarding my presence in the company. There was no +way in which he could have learned the truth, for there had been no +communication between him and those who knew the facts. + +Never would he conceive so wild a thought as my marriage to Cassion. +He might, indeed, believe that some strange, sudden necessity had +compelled me to accompany them on this adventure, or he might suspect +that I had deceived him, knowing all the time that I was to be of the +party. I felt the shame of it bring the red blood into my cheeks, and +my lips pressed together in firm resolve. I should tell him, tell him +all; and he must judge my conduct from my own words, and not those of +another. In some manner I must keep him away from Cassion--ay, and +from Chevet--until opportunity came for me to first communicate with +him. + +I was a woman, and some instinct of my nature told me that Sieur de +Artigny held me in high esteem. And his was the disposition and the +training to cause the striking of a blow first. That must not be, for +now I was determined to unravel the cause for Cassion's eagerness to +marry, and La Barre's willing assistance, and to accomplish this end +there could be no quarreling between us. + +The weariness of the long night conquered even my brain, the steady +splash of the paddles becoming a lullaby. Insensibly my head rested +back against the pile of blankets, the glint of sunshine along the +surface of the water vanished as my lashes fell, and, before I knew +it, I slept soundly. I awoke with the sun in the western sky, so low +down as to peep at me through the upper branches of trees lining the +bank. Our surroundings had changed somewhat, the shores being no +longer steep, and overhung with rocks, but only slightly uplifted, and +covered with dense, dark woods, somber and silent. Their shadows +nearly met in midstream, giving to the scene a look of desolation and +gloom, the water sweeping on in sullen flow, without sparkle, or +gaiety. Our boat clung close to the west shore, and I could look long +distances through the aisles of trees into the silent gloom beyond. +Not a leaf rustled, not a wild animal moved in the coverts. It was +like an abode of death. + +And we moved so slowly, struggling upward against the current, for the +Indians were resting, and the less expert hands of soldiers were +wielding the paddles, urged on by Cassion, who had relieved Chevet at +the steering oar. The harsh tones of his voice, and the heavy +breathing of the laboring men alone broke the solemn stillness. I sat +up, my body aching from the awkward position in which I lay, and +endeavored to discern the other canoes. + +Behind us stretched a space of straight water, and one canoe was +close, while the second was barely visible along a curve of the +shore. Ahead, however, the river appeared vacant, the leading boat +having vanished around a wooded bend. My eyes met those of Cassion, +and the sight of him instantly restored me to a recollection of my +plan--nothing could be gained by open warfare. I permitted my lips +to smile, and noted instantly the change of expression in his face. + +"I have slept well, Monsieur," I said pleasantly, "for I was very +tired." + +"'Tis the best way on a boat voyage," assuming his old manner, "but +now the day is nearly done." + +"So late as that! You will make camp soon?" + +"If that be Cap Sante yonder, 'tis like we shall go ashore beyond. Ay! +see the smoke spiral above the trees; a hundred rods more and we make +the turn. The fellows will not be sorry, the way they ply the +paddles." He leaned over and shook Chevet. "Time to rouse, Hugo, for +we make camp. Bend to it, lads; there is food and a night's rest +waiting you around yonder point. Dig deep, and send her along." + +As we skirted the extremity of shore I saw the opening in the woods, +and the gleam of a cheerful fire amid green grass. The advance canoe +swung half-hidden amid the overhanging roots of a huge pine tree, and +the men were busily at work ashore. To the right they were already +erecting a small tent, its yellow canvas showing plainly against the +leafy background of the forest. As we circled the point closely, +seeking the still water, we could perceive Altudah standing alone on a +flat rock, his red blanket conspicuous as he pointed out the best +place for landing. As we nosed into the bank, our sharp bow was +grasped by waiting Indians and drawn safely ashore. I reached my feet, +stiffened, and scarcely able to move my limbs, but determined to land +without the aid of Cassion, whose passage forward was blocked by +Chevet's huge bulk. As my weight rested on the edge of the canoe, De +Artigny swung down from behind the chief, and extended his hand. + +"A slight spring," he said, "and you land with dry feet; good! now let +me lift you--so." + +I had but the instant; I knew that, for I heard Cassion cry out +something just behind me, and, surprised as I was by the sudden +appearance of De Artigny, I yet realized the necessity for swift +speech. + +"Monsieur," I whispered. "Do not talk, but listen. You would serve +me?" + +"Ay!" + +"Then ask nothing, and above all do not quarrel with Cassion. I will +tell you everything the moment I can see you safely alone. Until then +do not seek me. I have your word?" + +He did not answer, for the Commissaire grasped my arm, and thrust +himself in between us, his action so swift that the impact of his body +thrust De Artigny back a step. I saw the hand of the younger man close +on the knife hilt at his belt, but was quick enough to avert the hot +words burning his lips. + +"A bit rough, Monsieur Cassion," I cried laughing merrily, even as I +released my arm. "Why so much haste? I was near falling, and it was +but courtesy which led the Sieur de Artigny to extend me his hand. It +does not please me for you to be ever seeking a quarrel." + +There must have been that in my face which cooled him, for his hand +fell, and his thin lips curled into sarcastic smile. + +"If I seemed hasty," he exclaimed, "it was more because I was blocked +by that boor of a Chevet yonder, and it angered me to have this young +gamecock ever at hand to push in. What think you you were employed +for, fellow--an esquire of dames? Was there not work enough in the +camp yonder, that you must be testing your fancy graces every time a +boat lands?" + +There was no mild look in De Artigny's eyes as he fronted him, yet he +held his temper, recalling my plea no doubt, and I hastened to step +between, and furnish him excuse for silence. + +"Surely you do wrong to blame the young man, Monsieur, as but for his +aid I would have slipped yonder. There is no cause for hard words, nor +do I thank you for making me a subject of quarrel. Is it my tent they +erect yonder?" + +"Ay," there was little graciousness to the tone, for the man had the +nature of a bully. "'Twas my thought that it be brought for your use; +and if Monsieur de Artigny will consent to stand aside, it will give +me pleasure to escort you thither." + +The younger man's eyes glanced from the other's face into mine, as +though seeking reassurance. His hat was instantly in his hand, and he +stepped backward, bowing low. + +"The wish of the lady is sufficient," he said quietly, and then stood +again erect, facing Cassion. "Yet," he added slowly, "I would remind +Monsieur that while I serve him as a guide, it is as a volunteer, and +I am also an officer of France." + +"Of France? Pah! of the renegade La Salle." + +"France has no more loyal servant, Monsieur Cassion in all this +western land--nor is he renegade, for he holds the Illinois at the +King's command." + +"Held it--yes; under Frontenac, but not now." + +"We will not quarrel over words, yet not even in Quebec was it claimed +that higher authority than La Barre's had led to recall. Louis had +never interfered, and it is De Tonty, and not De Baugis who is in +command at St. Louis by royal order. My right to respect of rank is +clearer than your own, Monsieur, so I beg you curb your temper." + +"You threaten me?" + +"No; we who live in the wilderness do not talk, we act. I obey your +orders, do your will, on this expedition, but as a man, not a slave. +In all else we stand equal, and I accept insult from no living man. +'Tis well that you know this, Monsieur." + +The hat was back upon his head, and he had turned away before Cassion +found answering speech. It was a jaunty, careless figure, disappearing +amid the trees, the very swing of his shoulders a challenge, nor did +he so much as glance about to mark the effect of his insolent words. +For the instant I believed Cassion's first thought was murder, for he +gripped a pistol in his hand, and flung one foot forward, an oath +sputtering between his lips. Yet the arrant coward in him conquered +even that mad outburst of passion, and before I could grasp his arm in +restraint, the impulse had passed, and he was staring after the slowly +receding figure of De Artigny, his fingers nerveless. + +"_Mon Dieu_--no! I'll show the pup who is the master," he muttered. +"Let him disobey once, and I'll stretch his dainty form as I would an +Indian cur." + +"Monsieur," I said, drawing his attention to my presence. "'Tis of no +interest to me your silly quarrel with Sieur de Artigny. I am weary +with the boat journey, and would rest until food is served." + +"But you heard the young cockerel! What he dared say to me?" + +"Surely; and were his words true?" + +"True! what mean you? That he would resist my authority?" + +"That he held commission from the King, while your only authority was +by word of the Governor? Was it not by Royal Orders that La Salle was +relieved of command?" + +Cassion's face exhibited embarrassment, yet he managed to laugh. + +"A mere boast the boy made, yet with a grain of truth to bolster it. +La Barre acted with authority, but there has not been time for his +report to be passed upon by Louis. No doubt 'tis now upon the sea." + +"And now for this reason to lay his cause before the King, the Sieur +de la Salle, sailed for France." + +"Yes, but too late; already confirmation of La Barre's act is en route +to New France. The crowing cockerel yonder will lose his spurs. But +come, 'tis useless to stand here discussing this affair. Let me show +you how well your comfort has been attended to." + +I walked beside him among the trees, and across the patch of grass to +where the tent stood against a background of rock. The Indians and +soldiers in separate groups were busied about their fires, and I could +distinguish the chief, with Chevet, still beside the canoes, engaged +in making them secure for the night. The evening shadows were +thickening about us, and the gloom of the woods extended already +across the river to the opposite shore. + +De Artigny had disappeared, although I glanced about in search for +him, as Cassion drew aside the tent flap, and peered within. He +appeared pleased at the way in which his orders had been executed. + +"'Tis very neat, indeed, Monsieur," I said pleasantly, glancing +inside. "I owe you my thanks." + +"'Twas brought for my own use," he confessed, encouraged by my +graciousness, "for as you know, I had no previous warning that you +were to be of our party. Please step within." + +I did so, yet turned instantly to prevent his following me. Already I +had determined on my course of action, and now the time had come for +me to speak him clearly; yet now that I had definite purpose in view +it was no part of my game to anger the man. + +"Monsieur," I said soberly. "I must beg your mercy. I am but a girl, +and alone. It is true I am your wife by law, but the change has come +so suddenly that I am yet dazed. Surely you cannot wish to take +advantage, or make claim upon me, until I can bid you welcome. I +appeal to you as a gentleman." + +He stared into my face, scarcely comprehending all my meaning. + +"You would bar me without? You forbid me entrance?" + +"Would you seek to enter against my wish?" + +"But you are my wife; that you will not deny! What will be said, +thought, if I seek rest elsewhere?" + +"Monsieur, save for Hugo Chevet, none in this company know the story +of that marriage, or why I am here. What I ask brings no stain upon +you. 'Tis not that I so dislike you, Monsieur, but I am the daughter +of Pierre la Chesnayne, and 'tis not in my blood to yield to force. It +will be best to yield me respect and consideration." + +"You threatened me yonder--before La Barre." + +"I spoke wildly, in anger. That passion has passed--now I appeal to +your manhood." + +He glanced about, to assure himself we were alone. + +"You are a sly wench," he said, laughing unpleasantly, "but it may be +best that I give you your own way for this once. There is time enough +in which to teach you my power. And so you shut the tent to me, fair +lady, in spite of your pledge to Holy Church. Ah, well! there are +nights a plenty between here and St. Ignace, and you will become +lonely enough in the wilderness to welcome me. One kiss, and I leave +you." + +"No, Monsieur." + +His eyes were ugly. + +"You refuse that! _Mon Dieu!_ Do you think I play? I will have the +kiss--or more." + +Furious as the man was I felt no fear of him, merely an intense +disgust that his hands should touch me, an indignation that he should +offer me such insult. He must have read all this in my eyes, for he +made but the one move, and I flung his hand aside as easily as though +it had been that of a child. I was angry, so that my lips trembled, +and my face grew white, yet it was not the anger that stormed. + +"Enough, Monsieur--go!" I said, and pointed to where the fires +reddened the darkness. "Do not dare speak to me again this night." + +An instant he hesitated, trying to muster courage, but the bully in +him failed, and with an oath, he turned away, and vanished. It was +nearly dark then, and I sat down on a blanket at the entrance, and +waited, watching the figures between me and the river. I did not think +he would come again, but I did not know; it would be safer if I could +have word with Chevet. A soldier brought me food, and when he returned +for the tins I made him promise to seek my uncle, and send him to me. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE FLAMES OF JEALOUSY + + +My only faith in Hugo Chevet rested in his natural resentment of +Cassion's treachery relative to my father's fortune. He would feel +that he had been cheated, deceived, deprived of his rightful share of +the spoils. + +The man cared nothing for me, as had already been plainly demonstrated, +yet, but for this conspiracy of La Barre and his Commissaire, it would +have been his privilege to have handled whatever property Pierre la +Chesnayne left at time of his death. He would have been the legal +guardian of an heiress, instead of the provider for an unwelcomed +child of poverty. + +He had been tricked into marrying me to Cassion, feeling that he had +thus rid himself of an incumbrance, and at the same time gained a +friend and ally at court, and now discovered that by that act he had +alienated himself from all chance of ever controlling my inheritance. +The knowledge that he had thus been outwitted would rankle in the +man's brain, and he was one to seek revenge. It was actuated by this +thought that I had sent for him, feeling that perhaps at last we had a +common cause. + +Whether, or not, Cassion would take my dismissal as final I could not +feel assured. No doubt he would believe my decision the outburst of a +woman's mood, which he had best honor, but in full faith that a few +days would bring to me a change of mind. The man was too pronounced an +egotist to ever confess that he could fail in winning the heart of any +girl whom he condescended to honor, and the very injury which my +repulse had given to his pride would tend to increase his desire to +possess me. + +However little he had cared before in reality, now his interest would +be aroused, and I would seem to him worthy of conquest. He would never +stop after what had occurred between us until he had exhausted every +power he possessed. Yet I saw nothing more of him that night, although +I sat just within the flap of the tent watching the camp between me +and the river. Shadowing figures glided about, revealed dimly by the +fires, but none of these did I recognize as the Commissaire, nor did I +hear his voice. + +I had been alone for an hour, already convinced that the soldier had +failed to deliver my message, when my Uncle Chevet finally emerged +from the shadows, and announced his presence. He appeared a huge, +shapeless figure, his very massiveness yielding me a feeling of +protection, and I arose, and joined him. His greeting proved the +unhappiness of his mind. + +"So you sent for me--why? What has happened between you and Cassion?" + +"No more than occurred between us yonder in Quebec, when I informed +him that I was his wife in name only," I answered quietly. "Do you +blame me now that you understand his purpose in this marriage?" + +"But I don't understand. You have but aroused my suspicion. Tell me +all, and if the man is a villain he shall make answer to me." + +"Ay, if you imagine you have been outplayed in the game, although +it is little enough you would care otherwise. Let there be no +misunderstanding between us, Monsieur. You sold me to Francois +Cassion because you expected to profit through his influence with La +Barre. Now you learn otherwise, and the discovery has angered you. +For the time being you are on my side--but for how long?" + +He stared at me, his slow wits scarcely translating my words. +Seemingly the man had but one idea in his thick head. + +"How know you the truth of all you have said?" he asked. "Where +learned you of this wealth?" + +"By overhearing conversation while hidden behind the curtain in La +Barre's office. He spoke freely with his aide, and later with Cassion. +It was my discovery there which led to the forced marriage, and our +being sent with this expedition." + +"You heard alone?" + +"So they thought, and naturally believed marriage would prevent my +ever bearing witness against them. But I was not alone." + +"_Mon Dieu!_ Another heard?" + +"Yes, the Sieur de Artigny." + +Chevet grasped my arm, and in the glare of the fire I could see his +excitement pictured in his face. + +"Who? That lad? You were in hiding there together? And did he realize +what was said?" + +"That I do not know," I answered, "for we have exchanged no word +since. When my presence was discovered, De Artigny escaped unseen +through the open window. I need to meet him again that these matters +may be explained, and that I may learn just what he overheard. It was +to enlist your aid that I sent for you." + +"To bring the lad here?" + +"No; that could not be done without arousing the suspicion of Cassion. +The two are already on the verge of quarrel. You must find some way of +drawing the Commissaire aside--not tonight, for there is plenty of +time before us, and I am sure we are being watched now--and that will +afford me opportunity." + +"But why may I not speak him?" + +"You!" I laughed. "He would be likely to talk with you. A sweet +message you sent him in Quebec." + +"I was drunk, and Cassion asked it of me." + +"I thought as much; the coward makes you pull his chestnuts from the +fire. Do you give me the pledge?" + +"Ay! although 'tis not my way to play sweet, when I should enjoy to +wring the fellow's neck. What was it La Barre said?" + +I hesitated a moment, doubting how much I had better tell, yet decided +it would be best to intrust him with the facts, and some knowledge of +what I proposed to do. + +"That just before he died my father's property was restored to him by +the King, but the Royal order was never recorded. It exists, but where +I do not know, nor do I know as yet for what purpose it was concealed. +My marriage to Cassion must have been an afterthought, for he is but a +creature of La Barre's. It is through him the greater villains seek +control; but, no doubt, he was a willing tool enough, and expects his +share." + +"Why not let me choke the truth out of him then? Bah! it would be +easy." + +"For two reasons," I said earnestly. "First, I doubt if he knows the +true conspiracy, or can lay hands on the King's restoration. Without +that we have no proof of fraud. And second, coward though he may be, +his very fear might yield him courage. No, Uncle Chevet, we must wait, +and learn these facts through other means than force. 'Tis back in +Quebec, not in this wilderness, we will find the needed proofs. What I +ask of you is, pretend to know nothing; do not permit Cassion to +suspicion that I have confided in you. We must encourage him to talk +by saying nothing which will put him on guard." + +"But he is already aware that you have learned the truth." + +"Of that I am not certain. It was the conversation between La Barre +and Colonel Delguard which gave me the real cue. Of this Cassion may +not have heard, as he entered the room later. I intended to proceed on +that theory, and win his confidence, if possible. There is a long, +tiresome journey before us, and much may be accomplished before we +return." + +Chevet stood silent, his slow mind struggling with the possibilities +of my plan. I could realize the amazement with which he comprehended +this cool proposition. He, who had considered me a thoughtless girl, +incapable of serious planning, was suddenly forced to realize that a +woman confronted him, with a will and mind of her own. It was almost a +miracle, and he failed to entirely grasp the change which had occurred +in my character. He stared at me with dull eyes, like those of an ox, +his lips parted as he sought expression. + +"You--you will try, as his wife, to win confession?" he asked finally, +grasping vaguely the one thought occurring to him. + +"No; there is a better way. I despise the man; I cannot bear that he +touch me. More than that, if I read him aright, once I yield and +confess myself his property, he will lose all interest in my +possession. He is a lady killer; 'tis his boast. The man has never +been in love with me; it was not love, but a desire to possess my +fortune, which led to his proposal of marriage. Now I shall make him +love me." + +"You! _Mon Dieu!_ how?" + +"By refusing him, tantalizing him, arousing a desire which I will +not gratify. Already his thought of me has changed. Last night in +Quebec he was surprised, and aroused to new interest in me as a +woman. He considered me before as a helpless girl, with no will, no +character--the sort with which he had had his way all through life. +He thought I would fall in his arms, and confess him master. The +words I spoke to La Barre shocked and startled him out of his self +complacency. Nor was that all--even before then he had begun to +suspicion my relations with Sieur de Artigny. + +"It was at his suggestion, you say, that you sent that young man your +message of warning to keep away from me. Good! the poison is already +working, and I mean it shall. Two hours ago, when we landed here, the +two men were on verge of quarrel, and blows would have been struck but +that I intervened. He is finding me not so easy to control, and later +still the mighty Commissaire met with a rebuff which rankles." + +I laughed at the remembrance, satisfied now as I placed the situation +in words, that my plans were working well. Chevet stood silent, his +mouth agape, struggling to follow my swift speech. + +"Do you see now what I mean to do?" I asked gravely. "We shall be +alone in the wilderness for months to come. I will be the one woman; +perchance the only white woman into whose face he will look until we +return to Quebec. I am not vain, yet I am not altogether ill to look +upon, nor shall I permit the hardships of this journey to affect my +attractiveness. I shall fight him with his own weapons, and win. He +will beg, and threaten me, and I shall laugh. He will love me, and I +shall mock. There will be jealousy between him and De Artigny, and to +win my favor he will confess all that he knows. Tonight he sulks +somewhere yonder, already beginning to doubt his power to control +me." + +"You have quarreled?" + +"No--only that I asserted independence. He would have entered this +tent as my husband, and I forbade his doing so. He stormed and +threatened, but dare not venture further. He knows me now as other +than a weak girl, but my next lesson must be a more severe one. 'Tis +partly to prepare that I sent for you; I ask the loan of a pistol--the +smaller one, to be concealed in my dress." + +"You would kill the man?" + +"Pooh! small danger of that. You may draw the charge if you will. For +him to know that I possess the weapon will protect me. You do not +grasp my plan?" + +He shook his head gloomily, as though it was all a deep puzzle to his +mind, yet his great hand held forth the pistol, the short barrel of +which gleamed wickedly in the fire glow, as I thrust it out of sight. + +"'Tis not the way I front enemies," he growled stubbornly, "and I make +little of it. _Mon Dieu!_ I make them talk with these hands." + +"But my weapons are those of a woman," I explained, "and I will learn +more than you would with your brute strength. All I ask of you now, +Uncle Chevet, is that you keep on friendly terms with Monsieur +Cassion, yet repeat nothing to him of what I have said, and gain me +opportunity for speech alone with Sieur de Artigny." + +"Ah! perhaps I perceive--you love the young man?" + +I grasped his sleeve in my fingers, determined to make this point at +least clear to his understanding. His blunt words had set my pulses +throbbing, yet it was resentment, indignation, I felt in strongest +measure. + +"Mother of God, no! I have spoken with him but three times since we +were children. He is merely a friend to be trusted, and he must be +made to know my purpose. It will be joy to him to thus affront +Cassion, for there is no love lost between them. You understand now?" + +He growled something indistinctly in his beard, which I interpreted as +assent, but I watched his great form disappear in the direction of the +fire, my own mind far from satisfied; the man was so lacking in brains +as to be a poor ally, and so obstinate of nature as to make it +doubtful if he would long conform to my leadership. Still it was +surely better to confide in him to the extent I had than permit him to +rage about blindly, and in open hostility to Cassion. + +I seated myself just within the tent, my eyes on the scene as revealed +in the fire-glow, and reflected again over the details of my hastily +born plan. The possibility of the Commissaire's return did not greatly +trouble me, my confidence fortified by the pistol concealed in my +waist. No doubt he was already asleep yonder in the shadows, but this +night was only the beginning. The opposition he had met would prove a +spur to endeavor, and the desire to win me a stronger incentive than +ever. He may have been indifferent, careless before--deeming me easy +prey--but from now on I meant to lead him a merry chase. + +I cannot recall any feeling of regret, any conception of evil, as my +mind settled upon this course of action. There was no reason why I +should spare him. He had deliberately lied, and deceived me. His +marriage to me was an act of treachery; the only intent to rob me of +my just inheritance. There seemed to me no other way left in which I +could hope to overcome his power. I was a woman, and must fight with +the weapons of my sex; mine was the strength of the weak. + +How dark and still it was, for the fires had died down into beds of +red ash, and only the stars glimmered along the surface of the river. +The only movement I could perceive was the dim outline of a man's +figure moving about near the canoes--a watchman on guard, but whether +red or white I could not determine. It was already late, well into the +night, and the forest about us was black and still. Slowly my head +sank to the blanket, and I slept. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +WE ATTAIN THE OTTAWA + + +It was not yet dawn when the stir in the camp aroused me, and the sun +had not risen above the bluffs, or begun to tinge the river, when our +laden canoes left the bank and commenced their day's journey up +stream. De Artigny was off in advance, departing indeed before I had +left the tent, the chief seated beside him. I caught but a glimpse of +them as the canoe rounded the bend in the bank, and slipped silently +away through the lingering shadows, yet it gladdened me to know his +eyes were turned toward my tent until they vanished. + +Cassion approached me with excessive politeness, waiting until the +last moment, and escorting me to the shore. It made me smile to +observe his pretense at gallantry, yet I accepted his assistance down +the bank with all possible graciousness, speaking to him so pleasantly +as to bring a look of surprise to his face. 'Twas plain to be seen +that my conduct puzzled him, for although he sought to appear at ease, +his words faltered sadly. He, who had so long considered himself as +past master of the art of love-making had most unexpectedly +encountered a character which he could not comprehend. + +However, that his purpose was in no way changed was made evident as we +took our places in the canoes. A new distribution had been arranged, +Chevet accompanying the sergeant, leaving the Commissaire and me +alone, except for the _père_, who had position in the bow. I observed +this new arrangement from underneath lowered lashes, but without +comment, quietly taking the place assigned me, and shading my face +from the first rays of the sun. + +The day which followed was but one of many we were destined to pass in +the canoes. I have small recollection of it, except the weariness of +my cramped position, and Cassion's efforts to entertain. Our course +kept us close to the north shore, the high banks cutting off all view +in that direction, while in the other there was nothing to see but an +expanse of water. + +Except for a single canoe, laden with furs, and propelled by Indian +paddlers, bound for Quebec and a market, we encountered no travelers. +These swept past us swiftly in grip of the current, gesticulating, and +exchanging salutations, and were soon out of sight. Our own boats +scattered, as no danger held us together, and there were hours when we +failed to have even a glimpse of their presence. + +At noon we landed in a sheltered cove, brilliant with wild flowers, +and partook of food, the rearward canoes joining us, but De Artigny +was still ahead, perhaps under orders to keep away. To escape Cassion, +I clambered up the front of the cliff, and had view from the summit, +marking the sweep of the river for many a league, a scene of wild +beauty never to be forgotten. I lingered there at the edge until the +voice of the Commissaire recalled me to my place in the canoe. + +It is of no consequence now what we conversed about during that long +afternoon, as we pushed steadily on against the current. Cassion +endeavored to be entertaining and I made every effort to encourage +him, although my secret thoughts were not pleasant ones. Where was all +this to lead? Where was to be the end? There was an expression in the +man's face, a glow in his eyes, which troubled me. Already some +instinct told me that his carelessness was a thing of the past. He was +in earnest now, his vague desire stimulated by my antagonism. + +He had set out to overcome my scruples, to conquer my will, and was +merely biding his time, seeking to learn the best point of attack. It +was with this end in view that he kept me to himself, banishing +Chevet, and compelling De Artigny to remain well in advance. He was +testing me now by his tales of Quebec, his boasting of friendship with +the Governor, his stories of army adventure, and the wealth he +expected to amass through his official connections. Yet the very tone +he assumed, the conceit shown in his narratives, only served to add to +my dislike. This creature was my husband, yet I shrank from him, and +once, when he dared to touch my hand, I drew it away as though it were +contamination. It was then that hot anger leaped into his eyes, and +his true nature found expression before he could restrain the words: + +"_Mon Dieu!_ What do you mean, you chit?" + +"Only that I am not won by a few soft words, Monsieur," I answered +coldly. + +"But you are my wife; 'twill be well for you to remember that." + +"Nor am I likely to forget, yet because a priest has mumbled words +over us does not make me love you." + +"_Sacre!_" he burst forth, yet careful to keep his voice pitched to my +ears alone, "you think me a plaything, but you shall learn yet that I +have claws. Bah! do you imagine I fear the coxcomb ahead?" + +"To whom do you refer, Monsieur?" + +"Such innocence! to that boot-licker of La Salle's to whom you give +your smiles, and pretty words." + +"Rene de Artigny!" I exclaimed pleasantly, and then laughed. "Why how +ridiculous you are, Monsieur. Better be jealous of Père Allouez +yonder, for of him I see far the most. Why do you pick out De Artigny +on whom to vent your anger?" + +"I like not the way he eyes you, nor your secret meetings with him in +Quebec." + +"If he even sees me I know it not, and as for secret meetings, knew +you not that Sister Celeste was with me while we talked." + +"Not in the Governor's palace." + +"You accuse me of that then," indignantly. "Because I am your wife, +you can insult, yet it was your hand that drew aside the curtain, and +found me alone. Do you hope to gain my respect by such base charges as +that, Monsieur?" + +"Do you deny that he had been with you?" + +"I? Do I deny! It is not worthy my while. Why should I? We were not +married then, nor like to be to my knowledge. Why, then, if I wished, +was it not my privilege to speak with the Sieur de Artigny? I have +found him a very pleasant, and polite young man." + +"A pauper, his only fortune the sword at his side." + +"Ah, I knew not even that he possessed one. Yet of what interest can +all this be to me, Monsieur, now that I am married to you?" + +That my words brought him no comfort was plain enough to be seen, yet +I doubt if it ever occurred to his mind that I simply made sport, and +sought to anger him. It was on his mind to say more, yet he choked the +words back, and sat there in moody silence, scarce glancing at me +again during the long afternoon. But when we finally made landing for +the night, it was plain to be seen that his vigilance was in no wise +relaxed, for, although he avoided me himself, the watchful Jesuit was +ever at my side, no doubt in obedience to his orders. This second +camp, as I recall, was on the shore of Lake St. Peter, in a noble +grove, the broad stretch of waters before us silvered by the sinking +sun. My tent was pitched on a high knoll, and the scene outspread +beneath was one of marvelous beauty. Even the austere père was moved +to admiration, as he pointed here and there, and conversed with me in +his soft voice. Cassion kept to the men along the bank below, while +Chevet lay motionless beside a fire, smoking steadily. + +I had no glimpse of De Artigny, although my eyes sought him among the +others. The chief, Altudah, glided out from among the trees as it grew +dusk, made some report, and as quickly disappeared again, leaving me +to believe the advance party had made camp beyond the curve of the +shore. The priest lingered, and we had our meal together, although it +was not altogether to my liking. Once he endeavored to talk with me on +the sacredness of marriage, the duty of a wife's obedience to her +husband, the stock phrases rolling glibly from his tongue, but my +answers gave him small comfort. That he had been so instructed by +Cassion was in my mind, and he was sufficiently adroit to avoid +antagonizing me by pressing the matter. As we were eating, a party of +fur traders, bound east, came ashore in a small fleet of canoes, and +joined the men below, building their fires slightly up stream. At last +Père Allouez left me alone, and descended to them, eager to learn the +news from Montreal. Yet, although seemingly I was now left alone, I +had no thought of adventuring in the darkness, as I felt convinced the +watchful priest would never have deserted my side had he not known +that other eyes were keeping vigil. + +From that moment I never felt myself alone or unobserved. Cassion in +person did not make himself obnoxious, except that I was always seated +beside him in the boat, subject to his conversation, and attentions. +Ever I had the feeling the man was testing me, and venturing how far +he dared to go. Not for a moment did I dare to lower my guard in his +presence, and this constant strain of watchfulness left me nervous, +and bitter of speech. + +In every respect I was a prisoner, and made to realize my helplessness. +I know not what Cassion suspected, what scraps of information he may +have gained from Chevet, but he watched me like a hawk. Never, I am +sure, was I free of surveillance--in the boat under his own eye; ashore +accompanied everywhere by Père Allouez, except as I slept, and then +even some unknown sentry kept watch of the tent in which I rested. +However it was managed I know not, but my uncle never approached me +alone, and only twice did I gain glimpse of Sieur de Artigny--once, when +his canoe returned to warn us of dangerous water ahead, and once when +he awaited us beside the landing at Montreal. Yet even these occasions +yielded me new courage, for, as our eyes met I knew he was still my +friend, waiting, as I was, the opportunity for a better understanding. +This knowledge brought tears of gratitude to my eyes, and a thrill of +hope to my heart. I was no longer utterly alone. + +We were three days at Montreal, the men busily engaged in adding to +their store of provisions. I had scarcely a glimpse of the town, as I +was given lodging in the convent close to the river bank, and the +_père_ was my constant companion during hours of daylight. I doubt if +he enjoyed the task any more than I, but he proved faithful to his +master, and I could never venture to move without his black robe at my +side. + +Nor did I seek to avoid him, for my mind grasped the fact already that +my only hope of final liberty lay in causing Cassion to believe I had +quietly yielded to fate. Surely as we plunged deeper into the +wilderness his suspicions would vanish, and his grim surveillance +relax. I must patiently abide my time. So I sat with the sisters +within the dull, gray walls, seemingly unconscious of the _père's_ +eyes stealthily watching my every motion, as he pretended other +employment. + +Cassion came twice, more to assure himself that I was safely held than +for any other purpose, yet it pleased me to see his eyes follow my +movements, and to realize the man had deeper interest in me than +formerly. Chevet, no doubt, spent his time in the wine shops; at least +I never either saw, or heard of him. Indeed I asked nothing as to his +whereabouts, as I had decided already his assistance would be of no +value. + +We departed at dawn, and the sun was scarce an hour high when the +prows of our canoes turned into the Ottawa. Now we were indeed in the +wilderness, fronting the vast unknown country of the West, with every +league of travel leaving behind all trace of civilization. There was +nothing before us save a few scattered missions, presided over by +ragged priests, and an occasional fur trader's station, the +headquarters of wandering _couriers du bois_. On every side were the +vast prairies, and stormy lakes, roamed over by savage men and beasts +through whom we must make our way in hardship, danger, and toil. + +Cassion spread out his rude map in the bottom of the canoe, and I had +him point out the route we were to follow. It was a long, weary way he +indicated, and, for the moment, my heart almost failed me, as we +traced together the distance outlined, and pictured in imagination the +many obstacles between us and our goal. Had I known the truth, all +those leagues were destined to disclose of hardship and peril, I doubt +my courage to have fronted them. But I did not know, nor could I +perceive a way of escape. So I crushed back the tears dimming my eyes, +smiled into his face, as he rolled up the map, and pretended to care +not at all. + +When night came we were in the black woods, the silence about us +almost unearthly, broken only by the dash of water over the rocks +below where we were camped, promising a difficult portage on the +morrow. Alone, oppressed by the silence, feeling my helplessness as +perhaps I never had before, and the dread loneliness of the vast +wilderness in which I lay, I tossed on my bed for hours, ere sheer +exhaustion conquered, and I slept. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +I GAIN SPEECH WITH DE ARTIGNY + + +Our progress up the Ottawa was so slow, so toilsome, the days such a +routine of labor and hardship, the scenes along the shore so similar, +that I lost all conception of time. Except for the Jesuit I had +scarcely a companion, and there were days, I am sure, when we did not +so much as exchange a word. + +The men had no rest from labor, even Cassion changing from boat to +boat as necessity arose, urging them to renewed efforts. The water was +low, the rapids more than usually dangerous, so that we were compelled +to portage more often than usual. Once the leading canoe ventured to +shoot a rapid not considered perilous, and had a great hole torn in +its prow by a sharp rock. The men got ashore, saving the wreck, but +lost their store of provisions, and we were a day there making the +damaged canoe again serviceable. + +This delay gave me my only glimpse of De Artigny, still dripping from +his involuntary bath, and so busily engaged at repairs, as to be +scarcely conscious of my presence on the bank above him. Yet I can +hardly say that, for once he glanced up, and our eyes met, and +possibly he would have joined me, but for the sudden appearance of +Cassion, who swore at the delay, and ordered me back to where the tent +had been hastily erected. I noticed De Artigny straighten up, angered +that Cassion dared speak to me so harshly, but I had no wish then to +precipitate an open quarrel between the two men, and so departed +quickly. Later, Father Allouez told me that in the overturning of the +canoe the young Sieur had saved the life of the Algonquin Chief, +bringing him ashore unconscious, helpless from a broken shoulder. + +This accident to Altudah led to the transferring of the injured Indian +to our canoe, and caused Cassion to join De Artigny in advance. This +change relieved me of the constant presence of the Commissaire, who +wearied me with his ceaseless efforts to entertain, but rendered more +difficult than ever my desire to speak privately with the younger man. +The _père_ evidently had commands to keep me ever in view, for he +clung to me like a shadow, and scarcely for a moment did I feel myself +alone, or unwatched. + +It was five days later, and in the heart of all that was desolate and +drear, when this long sought opportunity came in most unexpected +fashion. We had made camp early, because of rough water ahead, the +passage of which it was not deemed best to attempt without careful +exploration. So, while the three heavily laden canoes drew up against +the bank, and prepared to spend the night, the leading canoe was +stripped, and sent forward, manned only with the most expert of the +Indian paddlers to make sure the perils of the current. From the low +bank to which I had climbed I watched the preparations for the dash +through those madly churning waters above. Cassion was issuing his +orders loudly, but exhibited no inclination to accompany the party, +and suddenly the frail craft shot out from the shore, with De Artigny +at the steering paddle, and every Indian braced for his task, and +headed boldly into the smother. They vanished as though swallowed by +the mist, Cassion, and a half dozen soldiers racing along the shore +line in an effort to keep abreast of the laboring craft. + +It was a wild, desolate spot in which we were, a mere rift in the +bluffs, which seemed to overhang us, covered with a heavy growth of +forest. The sun was still an hour high, although it was twilight +already beside the river, when Cassion, and his men came straggling +back, to report that the canoe had made safe passage, and, taking +advantage of his good humor, I proposed a climb up an opening of the +bluff, down which led a deer trail plainly discernible. + +"Not I," he said, casting a glance upward. "The run over the rocks +will do me for exercise tonight." + +"Then will I assay it alone," I replied, not displeased at his +refusal. "I am cramped from sitting in the canoe so long." + +"'Twill be a hard climb, and they tell me the _père_ has strained a +tendon of his leg coming ashore." + +"And what of that!" I burst forth, giving vent to my indignation. "Am +I a ten-year-old to be guarded every step I take? 'Tis not far to the +summit, and no danger. You can see yourself the trail is not steep. +Faith! I will go now, just to show that I am at liberty." + +He laughed, an unpleasant sound to it, yet made no effort to halt me. +'Tis probable he felt safe enough with De Artigny camped above the +rapids, and he had learned already that my temper might become +dangerous. Yet he stood and watched while I was half-way up before +turning away, satisfied no doubt that I would make it safely. It was +like a draught of wine to me to be alone again; I cannot describe the +sense of freedom, and relief I felt when a spur of the cliff shut out +all view of the scene below. + +The rude path I followed was narrow, but not steep enough to prove +wearisome, and, as it led up through a crevice in the earth, finally +emerged at the top of the bluff at a considerable distance above the +camp I had left. Thick woods covered the crest, although there were +open plains beyond, and I was obliged to advance to the very edge in +order to gain glimpse of the river. + +Once there, however, with footing secure on a flat rock, the scene +outspread was one of wild and fascinating beauty. Directly below me +were the rapids, rock strewn, the white spray leaping high in air, the +swift, green water swirling past in tremendous volume. It scarcely +seemed as though boats could live in that smother, or find passage +between those jutting rocks, yet as I gazed more closely, I could +trace the channel close in against the opposite shore, and note where +the swift current bore back across the river. + +Leaning far out, grasping a branch to keep from falling, I distinguished +the canoe at the upper landing, and the Indians busily preparing +camp. At first I saw nothing of any white man, but was gazing still +when De Artigny emerged from some shadow, and stepped down beside the +boat. I know not what instinct prompted him to turn and look up +intently at the bluff towering above. I scarcely comprehended either +what swift impulse led me to undo the neckerchief at my throat, and +hold it forth in signal. An instant he stared upward, shading his +eyes with one hand. + +I must have seemed a vision clinging there against the sky, yet all at +once the truth burst upon him, and, with a wave of the arm, he sprang +up the low bank, and joined his Indians. I could not hear what he +said, but with a single word he left them, and disappeared among the +trees at the foot of the bluff. + +I drew back, almost frightened, half inclined to flee before he could +attain the summit. What could I say? How could I meet him? What if +Cassion had followed me up the path, or had despatched one of his men +to spy upon my movements? Ever since leaving Quebec my one hope had +been this interview with De Artigny, yet now that it was imminent I +shrank from it, in actual confusion, my heart fluttering, my mind +blank, yet I was not a coward, and did not run, but waited, feeling my +limbs tremble under me, and listening for the first sound of his +approach. + +He must have scrambled straight up the steep face of the bluff, for it +could have been scarcely more than a minute, when I heard him +crunching a passage through the bushes, and then saw him emerge above +the edge. Clinging to a tree limb, his eyes sought eagerly to locate +me, and when I stepped forward, he sprang erect, and bowed, jerking +his hat from his head. There was about his action the enthusiasm of a +boy, and his face glowed with an eagerness and delight which instantly +broke down every barrier between us. + +"You waved to me?" he exclaimed. "You wished me to come?" + +"Yes," I confessed, swept from my guard by his enthusiasm. "I have +been anxious to confer with you, and this is my first opportunity." + +"Why I thought you avoided me," he burst forth. "It is because I felt +so that I have kept away." + +"There was nothing else I could do but pretend," I exclaimed, gaining +control over my voice as I spoke. "My every movement has been watched +since we left Quebec; this is the first moment I have been left +alone--if, indeed, I am now." And I glanced about doubtfully into the +shadows of the forest. + +"You imagine you may have been followed here? By whom? Cassion?" + +"By himself, or some emissary. Père Allouez has been my jailor, but +chances to be disabled at present. The Commissaire permitted me to +climb here alone, believing you to be safely camped above the rapids, +yet his suspicions may easily revive." + +"His suspicions!" the Sieur laughed softly. "So that then is the +trouble? It is to keep us apart that he bids me make separate camp +each night; and assigns me to every post of peril. I feel the honor, +Mademoiselle, yet why am I especially singled out for so great a +distinction?" + +"He suspects us of being friends. He knew I conferred with you at the +convent, and even believes that you were with me hidden behind the +curtain in the Governor's office." + +"Yet if all that be true," he questioned, his voice evidencing his +surprise. "Why should our friendship arouse his antagonism to such an +extent? I cannot understand what crime I have committed, Mademoiselle. +It is all mystery, even why you should be here with us on this long +journey? Surely you had no such thought when we parted last?" + +"You do not know what has occurred?" I asked, in astonishment. "No one +has told you?" + +"Told me! How? I have scarcely held speech with anyone but the +Algonquin chief since we took to the water. Cassion has but given +orders, and Chevet is mum as an oyster. I endeavored to find you in +Montreal, but you were safely locked behind gray walls. That something +was wrong I felt convinced, yet what it might be no one would tell me. +I tried questioning the _père_, but he only shook his head, and left +me unanswered. Tell me then, Mademoiselle, by what right does this +Cassion hold you as a captive?" + +My lips trembled, and my eyes fell, yet I must answer. + +"He is my husband, Monsieur." + +I caught glimpse of his face, picturing surprise, incredulity. He drew +a sharp breath, and I noted his hand close tightly on the hilt of his +knife. + +"Your husband! that cur! Surely you do not jest?" + +"Would that I did," I exclaimed, losing all control in sudden wave of +anger. "No, Monsieur, it is true; but listen. I supposed you knew; +that you had been told. It is hard for me to explain, yet I must make +it all plain for you to understand. I do not love the man, his very +presence maddens me, nor has the creature dared as yet to lay hand on +my person. See; I carry this," and I drew the pistol from my dress, +and held it in my hand. "Chevet loaned it me, and Cassion knows I +would kill him if he ventured insult. Yet that serves me little, for +my opposition only renders the man more determined. At Quebec I was +but a plaything, but now he holds me worth the winning." + +"But why did you marry him, then?" + +"I am coming to that, Monsieur. You overheard what was said in La +Barre's office about--about my father's property?" + +"Ay! although it was not all clear to me. Captain la Chesnayne had +lost his estates, confiscated by the Crown; yet before his death these +had been restored to him by the King." + +"Yes, but the report of the restoration had never been made to his +rightful heirs. The papers had been held back and concealed, while +those in authority planned how to retain possession. Cassion was +chosen as an instrument, and sought my hand in marriage." + +De Artigny smothered an oath, his eyes darkening with anger. + +"It was to further this scheme that he induced Chevet to announce our +engagement, and drive me to consent. Once my husband the fortune was +securely in his hands--indeed, I need never know its existence; nor +would Chevet suspicion the trick. Yet, as I see it now, La Barre had +no great faith in the man he had chosen, and thought best to test him +first by this journey to St. Louis. If he proved himself, then on his +return, he was to have the reward of official position and wealth. I +was but a pawn in the game, a plaything for their pleasure." + +My voice broke, and I could scarcely see through the tears in my eyes, +but I felt his strong hand close over mine, the warm pressure an +unspoken pledge. + +"The dogs! and then what happened?" + +"You know, already. I was discovered behind the curtain, when you +escaped through the open window. They were not certain I was not alone +there, as I claimed, but compelled me to confess what I had overheard. +La Barre was quick to grasp the danger of discovery, and the only +method by which my lips could be closed. By threat he compelled me to +marry Francois Cassion, and accompany him on this journey into the +wilderness." + +"The ceremony was performed by a priest?" + +"By Père le Guard, the Governor's chaplain." + +"And Hugo Chevet, your uncle? Did he remain silent? make no protest?" + +I gave a gesture of despair. + +"He! Never did he even conceive what occurred, until I told him later +on the river. Even now I doubt if his sluggish brain has grasped the +truth. To him the alliance was an honor, an opening to possible wealth +in the fur trade through Cassion's influence with La Barre. He could +perceive nothing else except his good luck in thus ridding himself of +the care of a poor niece who had been a sorry burden." + +"But you explained to him?" + +"I tried to, but only to regret the effort. Giant as he is physically, +his intellect is that of a big boy. All he can conceive of is +revenge--a desire to crush with his hands. He hates Cassion, because +the man has robbed him of the use of my father's money; but for my +position he cares nothing. To his mind the wrong has all been done to +him, and I fear he will brood over it until he seeks revenge. If he +does he will ruin everything." + +De Artigny stood silent, evidently in thought, endeavoring to grasp +the threads of my tale. + +"How did you attain the summit of this bluff?" he questioned at last. + +"Yonder; there is a deer trail leading down." + +"And you fear Cassion may follow?" + +"He will likely become suspicious if I am long absent, and either seek +me himself, or send one of his men. This is the first moment of +freedom I have experienced since we left Quebec. I hardly know how to +behave myself." + +"And we must guard it from being the last," he exclaimed, a note of +determination, and leadership in his voice. "There are questions I +must ask, so that we may work together in harmony, but Cassion can +never be allowed to suspect that we have communication. Let us go +forward to the end of the trail where you came up; from there we can +keep watch below." + +He still grasped my hand, and I had no thought of withdrawing it. To +me he was a friend, loyal, trustworthy, the one alone to whom I could +confide. Together we clambered over the rough rocks to where the +narrow cleft led downward. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +ON THE SUMMIT OF THE BLUFF + + +Securely screened from observation by the low growing bushes clinging +to the edge of the bluff, and yet with a clear view of the cleft in +the rocks half way to the river, De Artigny found me a seat on a +hummock of grass, but remained standing himself. The sun was sinking +low, warning us that our time was short, for with the first coming of +twilight I would certainly be sought, if I failed to return to the +lower camp. + +For a moment he did not break the silence, and I glanced up, wondering +why he should hesitate. His face was grave, no longer appearing, as +was its wont, young and careless, but marked by thought and +perplexity. Something strong and earnest in the character of the man, +brought forth by this emergency, seemed to stamp itself on his +features. If I had ever before imagined him to be a mere reckless +youth, with that moment such conception vanished, and I knew I was to +rely on the experience of a man--a man trained in a rough wilderness +school, yet with mind and heart fitted to meet any emergency. The +knowledge brought me boldness. + +"You would question me, Monsieur," I asked doubtfully. "It was for +that you led me here?" + +"Yes," instantly aroused by my voice, but with eyes still scanning the +trail. "And there is no time to waste, if I am to do my part +intelligently. You must return below before the sun disappears, or +Monsieur Cassion might suspect you had lost your way. You have sought +me for assistance, counsel perhaps, but this state of affairs has so +taken me by surprise that I do not think clearly. You have a plan?" + +"Scarcely that, Monsieur. I would ascertain the truth, and my only +means of doing so is through a confession by Francois Cassion." + +"And he is too cold-blooded a villain to ever acknowledge guilt. To my +mind the methods of Chevet would be most likely to bring result." + +"But not to mine, Monsieur," I interrupted earnestly. "The man is not +so cold-blooded as you imagine. Arrogant he is, and conceited, deeming +himself admired, and envied by all, especially my sex. He has even +dared boast to me of his victims. But therein lies his very weakness; +I would make him love me." + +He turned now, and looked searchingly into my face, no glimpse of a +smile in the gray eyes. + +"Pardon; I do not understand," he said gravely. "You seek his love?" + +I felt his manner a rebuke, a questioning of my honesty, and swift +indignation brought the answering words to my lips. + +"And why not pray! Must I not defend myself--and what other weapons +are at hand? Do I owe him kindness; or tender consideration? The man +married me as he would buy a slave." + +"You may be justified," he admitted regretfully. "Yet how is this to +be done?" + +I arose to my feet, and stood before him, my face uplifted, and, with +one hand, thrust aside the shade of my hat. + +"Monsieur, deem you that impossible?" + +His lips parted in a quick smile, revealing the white teeth, and he +bowed low, flinging his hat to the ground, and standing bareheaded. + +"_Mon Dieu_! No! Monsieur Cassion is to be congratulated. Yet it was +my thought you said yonder that you despised the man." + +"I do; what reason have I to feel otherwise? Yet there lies my +strength in this battle. He laughs at women, plays with them, breaks +their hearts. It is his pride and boast, and his success in the past +has ministered to his self conceit. He thought me of the same kind, +but has already had his lesson. Do you not know what that means to a +man like him? More than ever he will desire my favor. A week back, he +cared nothing; I was but a plaything, awaiting his pleasure; his wife +to be treated as he pleased. He knows better now, and already his eyes +follow me as though he were my dog." + +"And that then is why you send for me--that I may play my part in the +game?" + +I shrugged my shoulders, yet there was doubt in my eyes as I faced +him. + +"Is there harm in such play, Monsieur," I asked innocently, "with so +important an end in view? 'Tis not that I seek amusement, but I must +find out where this King's pardon is hidden, who concealed it, and +obtain proof of the fraud which compelled my marriage. My only hope of +release lies in compelling Francois Cassion to confess all he knows of +this foul conspiracy. I must possess the facts before we return to +Quebec." + +"But of what use?" he insisted. "You will still remain his wife, and +your property will be in his control. The church will hold you to the +marriage contract." + +"Not if I can establish the truth that I was deceived, defrauded, and +married by force. Once I have the proofs in my hands, I will appeal to +Louis--to the Pope for relief. These men thought me a helpless girl, +friendless and alone, ignorant of law, a mere waif of the frontier. +Perhaps I was, but this experience has made of me a woman. In Montreal +I talked with the Mother Superior, and she told me of a marriage in +France where the _père_ officiated under threat, and the Pope +dissolved the ties. If it can be done for others, it shall be done for +me. I will not remain the wife of Francois Cassion." + +"Yet you would make him love you?" + +"In punishment for his sins; in payment for those he has ruined. Ay! +'tis a duty I shall not shrink from, Monsieur de Artigny, even +although you may deem it unwomanly. I do not mean it so, nor hold +myself immodest for the effort. Why should I? I but war against him +with his own weapons, and my cause is just. And I shall win, whether +or not you give me your aid. How can I fail, Monsieur? I am young, and +not ill to look upon; this you have already confessed; here in this +wilderness I am alone, the only woman. He holds me his wife by law, +and yet knows he must still win me. There are months of loneliness +before us, and he will not look upon the face of another white woman +in all those leagues. Are there any French of my sex at Fort St. +Louis?" + +"No." + +"Nor at St. Ignace, Père Allouez assures me. I shall have no rival +then in all this wilderness; you think me harmless, Monsieur? Look at +me, and say!" + +"I do not need to look; you will have your game, I have no doubt, +although the final result may not prove what you desire." + +"You fear the end?" + +"It may be so; you play with fire, and although I know little of +women, yet I have felt the wild passions of men in lands where there +is no restraint of law. The wilderness sees many tragedies--fierce, +bitter, revengeful deeds--and 'tis best you use care. 'Tis my belief +this Francois Cassion might prove a devil, once his heart was tricked. +Have you thought of this?" + +I had thought of it, but with no mercy in my heart, yet as De Artigny +spoke I felt the ugliness of my threat more acutely, and, for an +instant, stood before him white-lipped, and ashamed. Then before me +arose Cassion's face, sarcastic, supercilious, hateful, and I laughed +in scorn of the warning. + +"Thought of it!" I exclaimed, "yes, but for that I care nothing. Why +should I, Monsieur? Has the man shown mercy to me, that I should feel +regret because he suffers? As to his revenge, death is not more to be +dreaded than a lifetime passed in his presence. But why do you make +plea on his behalf--the man is surely no friend of yours?" + +"I make no plea for him," he answered, strangely sober, "and claim no +friendship. Any enemy to La Salle is an enemy to Rene de Artigny; but +I would front him as a man should. It is not my nature to do a deed of +treachery." + +"You hold this treachery?" + +"What else? You propose luring him to love you, that you may gain +confession from his lips. To attain this end you barter your honesty, +your womanhood; you take advantage of your beauty to enslave him; you +count as ally the loneliness of the wilderness; ay! and, if I +understand aright, you hope through me to awaken the man's jealousy. +Is this not true?" + +I drew a quick breath, my eyes staring into his face, and my limbs +trembling. His words cut me like a knife, yet I would not yield, would +not even acknowledge their truth. + +"You are unjust, unfair," I burst forth impetuously. "You will see but +the one side--that of the man. I cannot fight this battle with my +hands, nor will I submit to such wrong without struggle. He has never +thought to spare me, and there is no reason why I should show him +mercy. I wish your good will, Monsieur, your respect, but I cannot +hold this plan which I propose as evil. Do you?" + +He hesitated, looking at me with such perplexity in his eyes as to +prove his doubt. + +"I cannot judge you," he admitted at last, "only that is not the way +in which I have been trained. Neither will I stand between you and +your revenge, nor have part in it. I am your friend--now, always. In +every honorable way I will serve you, and your cause. If Cassion dares +violence, or insult he must reckon with me, though I faced his whole +company. I pledge you this, but I will not play a part, or act a lie +even at your request." + +"You mean you will not pretend to care for me?" I asked, my heart +leaden at his words. + +"There would be no pretense," he answered frankly. "I do care for you, +but I will not dishonor my thought of you by thus deliberately +scheming to outwit your husband. I am a man of the woods, the +wilderness; not since I was a boy have I dwelt in civilization, but in +all that time I have been companion of men to whom honor was +everything. I have been comrade with Sieur de la Salle, with Henri de +Tonty, and cannot be guilty of an act of treachery even for your sake. +Perchance my code is not the same as the perfumed gallants of +Quebec--yet it is mine, and learned in a hard school." + +He went on quietly, "there are two things I cannot ignore--one is, +that I am an employee of this Francois Cassion, pledged to his service +by my own free will; the other is, that you are his wife, joined to +him by Holy Church, and although you may have assumed those vows under +coercion, your promise is binding. I can but choose my path of duty, +and abide therein." + +His words hurt, angered me; I lacked power of expression, ability to +grasp his full meaning and purpose. + +"You--you desert me then? You--you leave me to this fate?" + +"I leave you to reconsider your choice of action," he returned +gravely, his hat still in hand, his lips unsmiling. "I do believe your +womanhood will find a better way to achieve its liberty, but what that +way is I must trust you to discover. I am your friend, Adele, +always--you will believe that?" + +I did not answer; I could not, because of the choking in my throat, +yet I let him grasp my hand. Once I raised my eyes to his, but lowered +them instantly in strange confusion. Here was a man I did not +understand, whose real motives I could not fathom. His protest had not +yet penetrated my soul, and I felt toward him, an odd mixture of +respect and anger. He released my hand, and turned away, and I stood +motionless as he crossed the open space between the trees. At the edge +of the bluff he paused and glanced about, lifting his hat in gesture +of farewell. I do not think I moved, or made response, and an instant +later he was gone. + +I know not how long I stood there staring into vacancy, haunted by +regret, tortured by fear and humiliation. Slowly all else crystallized +into indignation, with a fierce resolve to fight on alone. The sun +sank, and all about me clung the purple twilight, yet I did not move. +He had been unjust, unfair; his simple code of the woods could not be +made to apply to such a situation as this of mine. + +I had a right to use the weapons of womanhood in my own defense. Ay! +and I would; and whether voluntary, or not this spotless knight of the +wilderness should be my ally. Let him pretend to high virtue, yet +surely under that outer armor of resolve there beat the heart of a +man. He meant all he said; he was honest in it; not once did I doubt +that, yet his apparent indifference, his seeming willingness to leave +me to fate, and Cassion, was all assumed. + +That one glimpse I had into his eyes told me this in a sudden +revelation stronger than any words. I smiled at the recollection, the +sense of power reawakening in my heart. He did care--no less than I +cared, and this knowledge gave me the weapon I needed, and the courage +to use it. + +I heard no sound of warning, yet as I turned to retrace my way to the +camp below, I became suddenly aware of the presence of Cassion. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +WE REACH THE LAKE + + +He was between me and the deer trail, and enough of daylight yet +remained to enable me to perceive the man clearly. How long he may +have been there observing me I could not know, but when I first saw +him he was bent forward, apparently deeply interested in some sudden +discovery upon the ground at his feet. + +"You thought me long in returning, Monsieur?" I asked carelessly, and +taking a step toward him. "It was cooler up here, and the view from +the bluff yonder beautiful. You may gain some conception of it still, +if you care." + +He lifted his head with a jerk, and stared into my face. + +"Ay! no doubt," he said harshly, "yet I hardly think it was the view +which held you here so long. Whose boot print is this, Madame? not +yours, surely." + +I glanced where he pointed, my heart leaping, yet not altogether with +regret. The young Sieur had left his trail behind, and it would serve +me whether by his will or no. + +"Certainly not mine," and I laughed. "I trust, Monsieur, your powers +of observation are better than that--'tis hardly a compliment." + +"Nor is this time for any lightness of speech, my lady," he retorted, +his anger fanned by my indifference. "Whose is it then, I ask you? +What man has been your companion here?" + +"You jump at conclusions, Monsieur," I returned coldly. "The stray +imprint of a man's boot on the turf is scarcely evidence that I have +had a companion. Kindly stand aside, and permit me to descend." + +"_Mon Dieu_! I will not!" and he blocked my passage. "I have stood +enough of your tantrums already in the boat. Now we are alone, and I +will have my say. You shall remain here until I learn the truth." + +His rage rather amused me, and I felt not the slightest emotion of +fear, although there was threat in his words, and in the gesture +accompanying them. I do not think the smile even deserted my lips, as +I sought a comfortable seat on a fallen tree trunk, fully conscious +that nothing would so infuriate the man as studied indifference. + +"Very well, Monsieur, I await your investigation with pleasure," I +said sweetly. "No doubt it will prove interesting. You honor me with +the suspicion that I had an appointment here with one of your men?" + +"No matter what I suspicion." + +"Of course not; you treat me with marked consideration. Perchance +others have camped here, and explored these bluffs." + +"The print is fresh, not ancient, and none of the men from my camp +have come this way." + +He strode forward, across the narrow open space, and disappeared into +the fringe of trees bordering the edge of the bluff. It would have +been easy for me to depart, to escape to the security of the tent +below, but curiosity held me motionless. I knew what he would +discover, and preferred to face the consequences where I was free to +answer him face to face. I wished him to be suspicious, to feel that +he had a rival; I would fan his jealousy to the very danger point. Nor +had I long to wait. Forth from the shade of the trees he burst, and +came toward me, his face white, his eyes blazing. + +"Tis the fellow I thought," he burst forth, "and he went down the face +of the bluff yonder. So you dared to have tryst with him?" + +"With whom, Monsieur?" + +"De Artigny, the young fool! Do you think me blind? Did I not know you +were together in Quebec? What are you laughing at?" + +"I was not laughing, Monsieur. Your ridiculous charge does not amuse +me. I am a woman; you insult me; I am your wife; you charge me with +indiscretion. If you think to win me with such cowardly insinuations +you know little of my nature. I will not talk with you, nor discuss +the matter. I return to the camp." + +His hands clinched as though he had the throat of an enemy between +them, but angry as he was, some vague doubt restrained him. + +"_Mon Dieu_! I'll fight the dog!" + +"De Artigny, you mean? Tis his trade, I hear, and he is good at it." + +"Bah! a bungler of the woods. I doubt if he ever crossed blades with a +swordsman. But mark you this, Madame, the lad feels my steel if ever +you so much as speak to him again." + +There was contempt in my eyes, nor did I strive to disguise it. + +"Am I your wife, Monsieur, or your slave?" + +"My wife, and I know how to hold you! _Mon Dieu_! but you shall learn +that lesson. I was a fool to ever give the brat place in the boats. La +Barre warned me that he would make trouble. Now I tell you what will +occur if you play false with me." + +"You may spare your threats--they weigh nothing. The Sieur de Artigny +is my friend, and I shall address him when it pleases me. With +whatever quarrel may arise between you I have no interest. Let that +suffice, and now I bid you good night, Monsieur." + +He made no effort to halt me, nor to follow, and I made my way down +the darkening path, without so much as turning my head to observe his +movements. It was almost like a play to me, and I was reckless of the +consequences, intent only on my purpose. + +I was awake a long time, lying alone on my blankets within the silent +tent, and staring out at the darkness. I saw Cassion descend the deer +path, perhaps an hour after I left him, and go on to the main camp +below. He made no pause as he passed, yet walked slowly as though in +thought. Where he went I could not determine in the gloom, yet was +convinced he had no purpose then of seeking De Artigny or of putting +his threat into immediate action. In all probability he believed that +his words would render me cautious, in spite of my defiant response, +and that I would avoid creating trouble by keeping away from the +younger man. He was no brawler, except as he felt safe, and this young +frontiersman was hardly the antagonist he would choose. It would be +more apt to be a blow in the dark, or an overturned canoe. + +I cannot recall now that I experienced any regret for what had +occurred. Perhaps I might if I had known the end, yet I felt perfectly +justified in all my actions. I had done no conscious wrong, and was +only seeking that which was mine by every standard of justice. I knew +I despised Cassion, while my feeling's toward De Artigny were so +confused, and indefinite as to be a continual puzzle. I knew nothing +of what love was--I was merely aware that the man interested me, and +that I felt confidence in him. I recalled his words, the expression of +his face, and felt the sharp sting of his rebuke, yet all was +strangely softened by the message I had read in his eyes. + +He had not approved of my course, yet in his heart had not blamed; he +would not lend himself to my purpose, yet remained no less loyal to +me. I could ask no more. Indeed, I had no wish to precipitate an open +quarrel between the two men. However it ended, such an occurrence +would serve me ill, and all that my plan contemplated was that they +should distrust each other, and thus permit me to play the one against +the other, until I won my game. I felt no fear of the result, no doubt +of my ability to manipulate the strings adroitly enough to achieve the +end sought. + +The one point I ignored was the primitive passions of men. These were +beyond my control; were already beyond, although I knew it not. Fires +were smouldering in hearts which out yonder in the dark woods would +burst into flame of destruction. Innocent as my purpose was, it had in +it the germs of tragedy; but I was then too young, too inexperienced +to know. + +Nor had I reason to anticipate the result of my simple ruse, or +occasion to note any serious change in my surroundings. The routine of +our journey gave me no hint of the hidden passions seething below the +outward appearance of things. In the early dawn we broke camp as +usual, except that chosen boatmen guided the emptied canoes through +the rapids, while the others of the party made portage along the rough +shore. In the smooth water above we all embarked again, and won slow +way against the current. The advance company had departed before our +arrival, nor did I again obtain glimpse of De Artigny for many days. + +I would not say that Cassion purposely kept us apart, for the +arrangement might have been the same had I not been of the party, yet +the only communication between the two divisions occurred when some +messenger brought back warning of dangerous water ahead. Usually this +messenger was an Indian, but once De Artigny himself came, and guided +our canoes through a torrent of white, raging water, amid a maze of +murderous rocks. + +During these days and weeks Cassion treated me with consideration and +outward respect. Not that he failed to talk freely, and to boast of +his exploits and adventures, yet he refrained from laying hand on me, +nor did he once refer to the incident of the bluff. I knew not what to +make of the man in this new rôle of gallant, yet suspicioned that he +but bided his time, and a better opportunity for exhibiting his true +purpose. + +There were times, when he thought I was not observing him, when the +expression of his eyes brought me uneasiness, and I was soon aware +that, in spite of his genial manner, and friendly expression, his +surveillance was in no degree relaxed. Not for a moment was I alone. +When he was not beside me in the canoe, Père Allouez became my +companion, and at night a guard kept vigilant eye upon my tent. Twice +I ventured to test this fact, only to be halted, and turned back +within three yards of the entrance. Very polite the soldier was, with +explanation of danger from prowling beasts, and the strictness of his +order. At first such restraint angered me, but on second thought I did +not greatly care, humiliating though it was; yet the protection thus +afforded was not altogether unwelcome, and was in itself evidence of +Cassion's determination to conquer me. + +Nor was the journey lacking in interest or adventure. Never shall I +forget the charm of those days and nights, amid which we made slow and +toilsome passage through the desolate wilderness, ever gaining new +leagues to the westward. Only twice in weeks did we encounter human +beings--once a camp of Indians on the shore of a lake, and once a +Capuchin monk, alone but for a single _voyageur_, as companion, passed +us upon the river. He would have paused to exchange words, but at +sight of Père Allouez's black robe, he gave swift command to his +_engagé_, and the two disappeared as though fleeing from the devil. + +But what visions of beauty, and sublimity, were those that swept +constantly past us as we thus advanced into the wild depths of the +woods. No two views were ever alike, and every curve in the river bank +brought a fresh vista. I never tired of the vast, silent forests that +seemed to shut us in, nor of the dancing silver of the swift water +under our keel, nor of the great rocky bluffs under whose grim shadows +we found passage. To me the hardships even were enjoyable: the +clambering over rough portages, the occasional mishap, the coarse +fare, the nights I was compelled to pass in the canoe, these only +served to give added zest to the great adventure, to make real the +unusual experiences I was passing through. + +I was scarce more than a girl, young, strong, little accustomed to +luxury, and my heart responded to the exhilaration of constant change, +and the thrill of peril. And when, at last, we made the long portage, +tramping through the dark forest aisles, bearing on our shoulders +heavy loads, scarcely able to see the sun even at midday through the +leafy screen of leaves, and came forth at twilight on the shores of +the mighty lake, no words can express the raptures with which I stood +and gazed across that expanse of heaving, restless water. The men +launched their canoes upon the surface, and made camp in the edge of +the forest, but I could not move, could not restrain my eyes, until +darkness descended and left all before me a void. + +Never had I gazed upon so vast a spectacle, so somber in the dull gray +light, stretching afar to the horizon, its wild, desolate silence +adding to its awful majesty. Even when darkness enshrouded it all, the +memory haunted me, and I could but think and dream, frightened and +awed in presence of that stupendous waste of waters. The soldiers sang +about their fires, and Cassion sought me with what he meant to be +courteous words, but I was in no spirit to be amused. For hours I lay +alone, listening to the dull roar of waves along the shore, and the +wind in the trees. De Artigny, and his party, camped just beyond us, +across the mouth of a narrow stream, but I saw nothing of him, nor do +I believe I gave his presence a thought. + +It was scarcely more than daybreak when we broke camp, and headed our +canoes out into the lake. With the dawn, and the glint of sunlight +over the waters, much of my dread departed, and I could appreciate the +wild song of delight with which our Indian paddlers bent to their +work. The sharp-prowed canoes swept through the waters swiftly, no +longer battling against a current, and the shore line ever in view was +fascinating in its green foliage. We kept close to the northern shore, +and soon found passage amid numerous islands, forest covered, but with +high, rocky outlines. + +Of life there was no sign, and the silence of the vast primeval +wilderness surrounding us rested heavily upon me. Whether this same +sense of loneliness and awe affected the others I cannot say--yet the +savage song died away, and the soldiers sat motionless, while the +Indians plied their paddles noiselessly. Cassion even restrained his +garrulous tongue, and when I glanced at him in some surprise, he was +intent on the shores of a passing island, forgetful of my presence. + +For four days we coasted thus, never out of sight of shore, and +usually with islands between us and the main body of water. In all +that time we had no sign of man--not even a wisp of smoke, nor heard +the crack of distant rifle. About us extended loneliness and +desolation, great waters never still, vast forests grim and somber, +tall, menacing rocks, bright-colored in the sun. + +Once it rained, drenching us to the skin, and driving us to shelter in +an island cove. Once a sudden storm swept the lake, and we barely made +land in time to save us from wreck, Chevet's canoe smashing an ugly +hole in its bow, and a soldier dislocating his shoulder in the +struggle. The accident held us for some hours, and later, when once +more afloat, retarded progress. + +This misfortune served also to restore Monsieur Cassion to his natural +ill temper, and led to a quarrel between himself and Chevet which +might have ended seriously had I not intervened. The incident, +however, left the Commissaire in ugly mood, and caused him to play the +bully over his men. To me he was sullen, after an attempt at +insolence, and sat glowering across the water, meditating revenge. + +At last we left the chain of islands behind, and one morning struck +out from the shore into the waste of waters, the prows of the canoes +turned westward, the steersman guiding our course by the sun. For +several hours we were beyond view of land, with naught to rest the eye +upon save the gray sea, and then, when it was nearly night, we reached +the shore, and beached our canoes at St. Ignace. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +AT ST. IGNACE + + +So much had been said of St. Ignace, and so long had the name been +familiar throughout New France, that my first view of the place +brought me bitter disappointment. The faces of the others in our party +pictured the same disillusion. + +Hugo Chevet had been in these parts before on fur-trading expeditions, +and 'twas probable that De Artigny had stopped there on one of his +voyages with La Salle. But to all the others the place had been merely +a name, and our imagination had invested it with an importance +scarcely justified by what we saw as our canoes drew in toward the +beach. + +The miserable little village was upon a point of land, originally +covered with heavy growth of forest. A bit of this had been rudely +cut, the rotting stumps still standing, and from the timber a dozen +rough log houses had been constructed facing the lake. A few rods +back, on slightly higher land, was a log chapel, and a house, somewhat +more pretentious than the others, in which the priests lodged. The +whole aspect of the place was peculiarly desolate and depressing, +facing that vast waste of water, the black forest shadows behind, and +those rotting stumps in the foreground. + +Nor was our welcome one to make the heart rejoice. Scarce a dozen +persons gathered at the beach to aid us in making landing, rough +_engagés_ mostly, and not among them all a face familiar. It was only +later, when two priests from the mission came hurrying forward, that +we were greeted by cordial speech. These invited a few of us to become +guests at the mission house, and assigned the remainder of our party +to vacant huts. + +Cassion, Chevet, and Père Allouez accompanied me as I walked beside a +young priest up the beaten path, but De Artigny was left behind with +the men. I overheard Cassion order him to remain, but he added some +word in lower voice, which brought a flush of anger into the younger +man's face, although he merely turned on his heel without reply. + +The young Jesuit beside me--a pale-faced, delicate appearing man, +almost emaciated in his long black robe--scarcely breathed a word as +we climbed the rather steep ascent, but at the door of the mission +house paused gravely, and directed our attention to the scene unrolled +behind. It was indeed a vista of surpassing beauty, for from this +point we could perceive the distant curve of the shore, shadowed by +dark forests, while the lake itself, silvered by the setting sun +stretched afar to the horizon, unbroken in its immensity except for an +island lifting its rock front leagues away. + +So greatly was I impressed with the view, that after we had been shown +into the bare room of the mission, where scarcely a comfort was to be +seen, I crossed to the one window, and stood there staring out, +watching the light fade across those leagues of water, until the +purple twilight descended like a veil of mist. Yet I heard the +questions and answers, and learned that nearly all the inhabitants +were away on various expeditions into the wilderness, none remaining +except the two priests in charge of the mission, and the few _engagés_ +necessary for their work. Only a few days before five priests had +departed to establish a mission at Green Bay, and visit the Indian +villages beyond. + +The young Jesuit spoke freely when once convinced that our party +journeyed to the Illinois country, and was antagonistic to La Salle, +who had shown small liking for his Order. The presence of Père Allouez +overcame his first suspicion at recognition of De Artigny, and he gave +free vent to his dislike of the Recollets, and the policy of those +adventurous Frenchmen who had dared oppose the Jesuits. + +He produced a newly drawn map of the great lake we were to traverse, +and the men studied it anxiously while the two priests and the +_engagé_ prepared a simple meal. For the moment I was forgotten, and +left alone on a rude bench beside the great fireplace, to listen to +their discussion, and think my own thoughts. + +We remained at St. Ignace three days, busily engaged in repairing our +canoes, and rendering them fit for the long voyage yet before us. From +this point we were to venture on treacherous waters, as yet scarcely +explored, the shores inhabited by savage, unknown tribes, with not a +white man in all the long distance from Green Bay to the Chicago +portage. Once I got out the map, and traced the distance, feeling sick +at heart as I thus realized more clearly the weary journey. + +Those were dull, lonely days I passed in the desolate mission house, +while the others were busy at their various tasks. Only at night time, +or as they straggled in, to their meals, did I see anyone but Père +Allouez, who was always close at hand, a silent shadow from whose +presence I could not escape. I visited the priest's garden, climbed +the rocks overlooking the water, and even ventured into the dark +forest, but he was ever beside me, suave but insistent on doing his +master's will. The only glimpse I had of De Artigny was at a distance, +for not once did he approach the mission house. So I was glad enough +when the canoes were ready, and all preparations made for departure. + +Yet we were not destined to escape thus easily from St. Ignace. Of +what occurred I must write as it happened to me then, and not as its +full significance became later clear to my understanding. It was after +nightfall when Cassion returned to the mission house. The lights were +burning on the table, and the three priests were rather impatiently +waiting their evening meal, occasionally exchanging brief sentences, +or peering out through the open window toward the dark water. + +As long as daylight lasted this had been my post of observation, while +watching the distant figures busily engaged in reloading the canoes +for the morrow's journey. They were like so many ants, running across +the brown sands, both soldiers and Indians stripped to the waist, +apparently eager enough to complete their task. Occasionally the echo +of a song reached my ears, and the distance was not so great but that +I could distinguish individuals. Cassion sat upon a log directing +operations, not even rising to lend a hand, but Chevet gave his great +strength freely. + +De Artigny was back among the huts, in charge of that end of the line, +no doubt, and it was only occasionally I gained glimpse of his +presence. An Indian canoe came ashore just before sundown, and our men +knocked off work to cluster about and examine its cargo of furs. +Angered by the delay Cassion strode in among them, and, with bitter +words and a blow or two, drove them back to their task. The loss of +time was not great, yet they were still busily engaged when darkness +shut out the scene. + +Cassion came in alone, yet I observed nothing strange about his +appearance, except that he failed to greet me with the usual attempt +at gallantry, although his sharp eyes swept our faces, as he closed +the door, and stared about the room. + +"What! not eaten yet?" he exclaimed. "I anticipated my fate to be a +lonely meal, for the rascals worked like snails, and I would not leave +them rest until all was finished. Faith, the odor is appetizing, and I +am hungry as a bear." + +The younger priest waved his hand to the _engagé_, yet asked softly: + +"Monsieur Chevet--he is delayed also?" + +"He will sup with his men tonight," returned Cassion shortly, seating +himself on the bench. "The sergeant keeps guard of the canoes, and +Chevet will be useful with those off duty." + +The man ate as though nearly famished, his ready tongue unusually +silent, and at the conclusion of the meal, appeared so fatigued, that +I made early excuse to withdraw so he might rest in comfort, climbing +the ladder in one corner to my own bed beneath the eaves. This +apartment, whose only advantage was privacy, was no more than a narrow +space between the sloping rafters of the roof, unfurnished, but with a +small window in the end, closed by a wooden shutter. A partition of +axe-hewn planks divided this attic into two compartments, thus +composing the priests' sleeping chambers. While I was there they both +occupied the one to the south, Cassion, Chevet, and Père Allouez +resting in the main room below. + +As I lowered the trap in the floor, shutting out the murmur of voices, +I was conscious of no desire to sleep, my mind busily occupied with +possibilities of the morrow. I opened the window, and seated myself on +the floor, gazing out at the night. Below extended the priests' +garden, and beyond the dark gloom of forest depths. A quarter moon +peeped through cloud rifts, and revealed in spectral light the +familiar objects. It was a calm, peaceful scene, yet ghostly in the +silvery gleam and silence--the stumps of half-burned trees assuming +grotesque forms, and the wind tossing branches as though by some demon +hand. Yet in my restless mood that outside world called me and I +leaned forth to see if it was possible to descend. + +The way of egress was easy--a mere step to the flat roof of the +kitchen, the dovetailed logs of which afforded a ladder to the ground. +I had no object in such adventure, but a restless impulse urged me, +and, almost before I realized my action, I was upon the ground. +Avoiding the gleam of light which streamed from the open window of the +room below, I crossed the garden, and reached the path leading +downward to the shore. From this point I could perceive the wide sweep +of water, showing silvery in the dim moonlight, and detect the darker +rim of the land. There was fire on the point below the huts, and its +red glare afforded glimpses of the canoes--mere blurred outlines--and +occasionally the figure of a man, only recognizable as he moved. + +I was still staring at this dim picture when some noise, other than +the wind, startled me, and I drew silently back behind a great stump +to avoid discovery. My thought was that someone had left the mission +house--Cassion perhaps with final orders to those on the beach--but a +moment later I realized my mistake, yet only crouched lower in the +shadow--a man was advancing from the black concealment of the woods, +and crossing the open space. + +He moved cautiously, yet boldly enough, and his movements were not +those of an Indian, although the low bushes between us and the house +shadow, prevented my distinguishing more than his mere outline. It was +only when he lifted his head into the gleam of light, and took hasty +survey through the window of the scene within, that I recognized the +face of De Artigny. He lingered scarcely a moment, evidently satisfied +with what he saw, and then drew silently back, hesitating a brief +space, as though debating his next movement. + +I waited breathless, wondering what his purpose could be, half +inclined to intercept and question him. Was he seeking to serve my +cause? to learn the truth of my relationship with Cassion? or did he +have some other object, some personal feud in which he sought revenge? +The first thought sent the warm blood leaping through my veins; the +second left me shivering as if with sudden chill. + +Even as I stood, hesitating, uncertain, he turned, and retraced his +steps along the same path of his approach, passing me not ten steps +away, and vanishing into the wood. I thought he paused at the edge, +and bent down, yet before I found voice, or determination to stop him, +he had disappeared. My courage returned, spurred by curiosity. Why +should he take so roundabout a way to reach the shore? What was that +black, shapeless thing he had paused to examine? I could see something +there, dark and motionless, though to my eyes no more than a shadow. + +I ventured toward it, creeping behind the bushes bordering the path, +conscious of an odd fear as I drew closer. Yet it was not until I +emerged from the fringe of shrubbery that even the faintest conception +of what the object I saw was occurred to me. Then I stopped, frozen by +horror, for I confronted a dead body. + +For an instant I could not utter a sound, or move a muscle of my body. +My hands clung convulsively to a nearby branch, thus supporting me +erect in spite of trembling limbs, and I stared at the grewsome +object, black and almost shapeless in the moonlight. Only part of the +trunk was revealed, the lower portion concealed by bushes, yet I could +no longer doubt it was a man's body--a large, heavily built man, his +hat still crushed on his head, but with face turned away. + +What courage overcame my horror, and urged me forward I cannot tell; I +seemed impelled by some power not my own, a vague fear of recognition +tugging at my heart. I crept nearer, almost inch by inch, trembling at +every noise, dreading to discover the truth. At last I could perceive +the ghastly features--the dead man was Hugo Chevet. + +I scarcely know why this discovery of his identity brought back so +suddenly my strength, and courage. But it did; I was no longer afraid, +no longer shrank from contact with the corpse. I confess I felt no +special sorrow, no deep regret at the fate which had overtaken him. +Although he was my mother's brother, yet his treatment of me had never +been kind, and there remained no memories to touch my heart. Still his +death was from treachery, murder, and every instinct urged me to learn +its cause, and who had been guilty of the crime. + +I nerved myself to the effort, and turned the body sufficiently to +enable me to discover the wound--he had been pierced by a knife from +behind; had fallen, no doubt, without uttering a cry, dead ere he +struck the ground. Then it was murder, foul murder, a blow in the +back. Why had the deed been done? What spirit of revenge, of hatred, +of fear, could have led to such an act? I got again to my feet, +staring about through the weird moonlight, every nerve throbbing, as I +thought to grip the fact, and find its cause. Slowly I drew back, +shrinking in growing terror from the corpse, until I was safely in the +priest's garden. There I paused irresolute, my dazed, benumbed brain +beginning to grasp the situation, and assert itself. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +THE MURDER OF CHEVET + + +Who had killed him? What should I do? These were the two questions +haunting my mind, and becoming more and more insistent. The light +still burned in the mission house, and I could picture the scene +within--the three priests reading, or talking softly to each other, +and Cassion asleep on his bench in the corner, wearied with the day. + +I could not understand, could not imagine a cause, and yet the +assassin must have been De Artigny. How else could I account for his +presence there in the night, his efforts at concealment, his bending +over the dead body, and then hurrying away without sounding an alarm. +The evidence against the man seemed conclusive, and yet I would not +condemn. There might be other reasons for his silence, for his secret +presence, and if I rushed into the house, proclaiming my discovery, +and confessing what I had seen, he would be left without defense. + +Perhaps it might be the very purpose of the real murderer to thus cast +suspicion on an innocent man, and I would be the instrument. But who +else could be the murderer? That it could have been Cassion never +seriously occurred to me, but I ran over in my mind the rough men of +our party--the soldiers, some of them quarrelsome enough, and the +Indians to whom a treacherous blow was never unnatural. This must have +been the way it happened--Chevet had made some bitter enemy, for he +was ever prodigal of angry word and blow, and the fellow had followed +him through the night to strike him down from behind. But why did De +Artigny fail to sound an alarm when he found the body? Why was he +hiding about the mission house, and peering in through the window? + +I sank my face in my hands, so dazed and bewildered as to be incapable +of thought--yet I could not, I would not believe him guilty of so foul +a crime. It was not possible, nor should he be accused through any +testimony from my lips. He could explain, he must explain to me his +part in this dreadful affair, but, unless he confessed himself, I +would never believe him guilty. There was but one thing for me to +do--return silently to my room, and wait. Perhaps he had already +descended to camp to alarm the men; if not the body would be early +discovered in the morning, and a few hours delay could make no +difference to Hugo Chevet. + +The very decision was a relief, and yet it frightened me. I felt +almost like an accomplice, as though I also was guilty of a crime by +thus concealing my knowledge, and leaving that body to remain alone +there in the dark. Yet there was nothing else to do. Shrinking, +shuddering at every shadow, at every sound, my nerves throbbing with +agony, I managed to drag my body up the logs, and in through the +window. I was safe there, but there was no banishing from memory what +I had seen--what I knew lay yonder in the wood shadow. I sank to the +floor, clutching the sill, my eyes staring through the moonlight. Once +I thought I saw a man's indistinct figure move across an open space, +and once I heard voices far away. + +The priests entered the room opposite mine, and I could distinguish +the murmur of their voices through the thin partition. These became +silent, and I prayed, with head bowed on the window sill. I could not +leave that position, could not withdraw my eyes from the scene +without. The moon disappeared, the night darkening; I could no longer +perceive the line of forest trees, and sitting thus I fell asleep from +sheer exhaustion. + +I do not know that I was called, yet when I awoke a faint light +proclaiming the dawn was in the sky, and sounds of activity reached my +ears from the room below. I felt tired and cramped from my unnatural +position, but hastened to join the others. The morning meal was +already on the table, and we ate as usual, no one mentioning Chevet, +thus proving the body had not been discovered. I could scarcely choke +the food down, anticipating every instant the sounding of an alarm. +Cassion hurried, excited, no doubt, by the prospect of getting away on +our journey, but seemed in excellent humor. Pushing back the box on +which he sat, he buckled his pistol belt, seized his hat, and strode +to the door. + +"We depart at once," he proclaimed briefly. "So I will leave you, +here, to bring the lady." + +Père Allouez, still busily engaged, murmured some indistinct reply, +and Cassion's eyes met mine. + +"You look pale, and weary this morning," he said. "Not fear of the +voyage, I hope?" + +"No, Monsieur," I managed to answer quietly. "I slept ill, but shall +be better presently--shall I bear my blankets to the boats?" + +"The _engagé_ will see to that, only let there be as little delay as +possible. Ah! here comes a messenger from below--what is it, my man?" + +The fellow, one of the soldiers whose face I did not recall, halted in +the open door, gasping for breath, his eyes roving about the room. + +"He is dead--the big man," he stammered. "He is there by the woods." + +"The big man--dead!" Cassion drew back, as though struck a blow. "What +big man? Who do you mean?" + +"The one in the second canoe, Monsieur; the one who roared." + +"Chevet? Hugo Chevet? What has happened to him? Come, speak up, or +I'll slit your tongue!" + +The man gulped, gripping the door with one hand, the other pointing +outward. + +"He is there, Monsieur, beyond the trail, at the edge of the wood. I +saw him with his face turned up--_Mon Dieu_! so white; I dare not +touch him, but there was blood, where a knife had entered his back." + +All were on their feet, their faces picturing the sudden horror, yet +Cassion was first to recover his wits, and lead the way without. +Grasping the soldier's arm, and bidding him show where the body lay, +he thrust him through the door. I lingered behind shrinking from being +again compelled to view the sight of the dead man, yet unable to keep +entirely away. Cassion stopped, looking down at the object on the +grass, but made no effort to touch it with his hands. The soldier +bent, and rolled the body over, and one of the priests felt in the +pockets of the jacket, bringing forth a paper or two. Cassion took +these, gripping them in his fingers, his face appearing gray in the +early light. + +"_Mon Dieu_! the man has been murdered," he exclaimed, "a dastard blow +in the back. Look about, and see if you find a knife. Had he quarrel +with anyone, Moulin?" + +The soldier straightened up. + +"No, Monsieur; I heard of none, though he was often rough and harsh of +tongue to the men. Ah! now I recall, he had words with Sieur de +Artigny on the beach at dusk. I know not the cause, yet the younger +man left him angrily, and passed by where I stood, with his hands +clinched." + +"De Artigny, hey!" Cassion's voice had a ring of pleasure in it. "Ay! +he is a hothead. Know you where the young cock is now?" + +"He, with the Chief, left an hour ago. Was it not your order, +Monsieur?" + +Cassion made a swift gesture, but what it might signify I could not +determine, as his face was turned away. A moment there was silence, as +he shaded his eyes, and peered out across the water. + +"True, so I did," he said at last. "They were to depart before dawn. +The villain is yonder--see; well off that farthest point, and 'tis too +late to overtake him now. _Sacre_! there is naught for us to do, that +I see, but to bury Hugo Chevet, and go our way--the King's business +cannot wait." + +They brought the body into the mission house, and laid it upon the +bench. I did not look upon the ghastly face, which the young priest +had covered, but I sank to my knees and prayed earnestly for the +repose of his soul. For a moment I felt in my heart a tenderness for +this rough, hard man who in the past had caused me such suffering. + +Perchance he was not altogether to blame; his had been a rough, hard +life, and I had only brought him care and trouble. So there were tears +in my eyes as I knelt beside him, although in secret my heart rejoiced +that De Artigny had gone, and would not be confronted with his victim; +for there was no longer doubt in my mind of his guilt, for surely, had +the man been innocent, he would have sounded an alarm. It was +Cassion's hand which aroused me, and I glanced up at his face through +the tears clinging to my lashes. + +"What, crying!" he exclaimed, in apparent surprise. "I never thought +the man of such value to you as to cause tears at his death." + +"He was of my blood," I answered soberly, rising to my feet, "and his +murder most foul." + +"Ay! true enough, girl, and we will bring to book the villain who did +the deed. Yet we cannot remain here to mourn, for I am on the King's +service. Come, we have lost time already, and the canoes wait." + +"You would go at once?" I asked, startled at his haste, "without even +waiting until he is buried?" + +"And why not? To wait will cost us a day; nor, so far as I can see, +would it be of the slightest value to Hugo Chevet. The priests here +will attend to the ceremony, and this handful of silver will buy him +prayers. _Pouf_! he is dead, and that is all there is to it; so come +along, for I will wait here no longer." + +The man's actions, his manner, and words were heartless. For an +instant I stood in revolt, ready to defy openly, an angry retort on my +lips; yet before I found speech, Père Allouez rested his hand on my +shoulder. + +"'Tis best, my child," he said softly. "We can no longer serve the +dead by remaining here, and there are long leagues before us. In the +boat your prayers will reach the good God just as surely as though you +knelt here beside this poor body. 'Tis best we go." + +I permitted him to lead me out through the door, and we followed +Cassion down the steep path to the shore. The latter seemed to have +forgotten all else save our embarkation, and hurried the soldier off +on a run to get the boats in the water. The _père_ held to my arm, and +I was conscious of his voice continually speaking, although I knew +nothing of what he said. I was incapable of thinking, two visions +haunting me--the body of Hugo Chevet outstretched on the bench in the +mission house, and Rene de Artigny far away yonder on the water. Why +had it happened? What could ever excuse a crime like this? + +On the beach all was in readiness for departure, and it was evident +enough that Moulin had already spread the news of Chevet's murder +among his comrades. Cassion, however, permitted the fellows little +time for discussion, for at his sharp orders they took their places in +the canoes, and pushed off. The priest was obliged to assume Chevet's +former position, and I would gladly have accompanied him, but Cassion +suddenly gripped me in his arms, and without so much as a word, waded +out through the surf, and put me down in his boat, clambering in +himself, and shouting his orders to the paddlers. + +I think we were all of us glad enough to get away. I know I sat +silent, and motionless, just where he placed me, and stared back +across the widening water at the desolate, dismal scene. How lonely, +and heart-sickening it was, those few log houses against the hill, the +blackened stumps littering the hillside, and the gloomy forest beyond. +The figures of a few men were visible along the beach, and once I saw +a black-robed priest emerge from the door of the mission house, and +start down the steep path. + +The picture slowly faded as we advanced, until finally the last +glimpse of the log chapel disappeared in the haze, and we were alone +on the mystery of the great lake, gliding along a bare, uninhabited +shore. I was aroused by the touch of Cassion's hand on my own as it +grasped the side of the canoe. + +"Adele," he said, almost tenderly. "Why should you be so serious? +Cannot we be friends?" + +My eyes met his in surprise. + +"Friends, Monsieur! Are we not? Why do you address me like that?" + +"Because you treat me as though I were a criminal," he said earnestly. +"As if I had done you an evil in making you my wife. 'Twas not I who +hastened the matter, but La Barre. 'Tis not just to condemn me +unheard, yet I have been patient and kind. I thought it might be that +you loved another--in truth I imagined that De Artigny had cast his +spell upon you; yet you surely cannot continue to trust that +villain--the murderer of your uncle." + +"How know you that to be true?" I asked. + +"Because there is no other accounting for it," he explained sternly. +"The quarrel last evening, the early departure before dawn--" + +"At your orders, Monsieur." + +"Ay, but the sergeant tells me the fellow was absent from the camp for +two hours during the night; that in the moonlight he saw him come down +the hill. Even if he did not do the deed himself, he must have +discovered the body--yet he voiced no alarm." + +I was silent, and my eyes fell from his face to the green water. + +"'Twill be hard to explain," he went on. "But he shall have a +chance." + +"A chance! You will question him; and then--" + +He hesitated whether to answer me, but there was a cruel smile on his +thin lips. + +"Faith, I do not know. 'Tis like to be a court-martial at the Rock, if +ever we get him there; though the chances are the fellow will take to +the woods when he finds himself suspected. No doubt the best thing I +can do will be to say nothing until we hold him safe, though 'tis hard +to pretend with such a villain." + +He paused, as if hoping I might speak, and my silence angered him. + +"Bah, if I had my way the young cockerel would face a file at our +first camp. Ay! and it will be for you to decide if he does not." + +"What is your meaning, Monsieur?" + +"That I am tired of your play-acting; of your making eyes at this +forest dandy behind my back. _Sang Dieu_! I am done with all this--do +you hear?--and I have a grip now which will make you think twice, my +dear, before you work any more sly tricks on me. _Sacre_, you think me +easy, hey? I have in my hand so," and he opened and closed his fingers +suggestively, "the life of the lad." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +MY PLEDGE SAVES DE ARTIGNY + + +I had one glimpse of his face as he leaned forward, and there was a +look in it which made me shudder, and turn away. His was no idle +threat, and whether the man truly loved me or not, his hatred of De +Artigny was sufficient for any cruelty. + +I realized the danger, the necessity for compromise, and yet for the +moment I lacked power to speak, to question, fearful lest his demands +would be greater than I could grant. I had no thought of what I saw, +and still that which my eyes rested upon remains pictured on my brain, +the sparkle of sun on the water, the distant green of the shore, the +soldiers huddled in the canoe, the dark shining bodies of the Indians +ceaselessly plying the paddles, and beyond us, to the left, another +canoe, cleaving the water swiftly, with Père Allouez' face turned +toward us, as though he sought to guess our conversation. I was +aroused by the grip of Cassion's hand. + +"Well, my beauty," he said harshly, "haven't I waited long enough to +learn if it is war or peace between us?" + +I laughed, yet I doubt if he gained any comfort from the expression of +the eyes which met his. + +"Why I choose peace, of course, Monsieur," I answered, assuming a +carelessness I was far from feeling. "Am I not your wife? Surely you +remind me of it often enough, so I am not likely to forget; but I +resent the insult of your words, nor will you ever win favor from me +by such methods. I have been friendly with Sieur de Artigny, it is +true, but there is nothing more between us. Indeed no word has passed +my lips in his presence I would not be willing for you to hear. So +there is no cause for you to spare him on my account, or rest his fate +on any action of mine." + +"You will have naught to do with the fellow?" + +"There would be small chance if I wished, Monsieur; and do you suppose +I would seek companionship with one who had killed my uncle?" + +"'Twould scarce seem so, yet I know not what you believe." + +"Nor do I myself; yet the evidence is all against the man thus far. I +confess I should like to hear his defense, but I make you this pledge +in all honor--I will have no word with him, on condition that you file +no charges until we arrive at Fort St. Louis." + +"Ah!" suspiciously, "you think he has friends there to hold him +innocent." + +"Why should I, Monsieur? Indeed, why should I care but to have justice +done? I do not wish his blood on your hands, or to imagine that he is +condemned because of his friendship for me rather than any other +crime. I know not what friends the man has at the Rock on the +Illinois. He was of La Salle's party, and they are no longer in +control. La Barre said that De Baugis commanded that post, and for all +I know De Tonty and all his men may have departed." + +"'Tis not altogether true, and for that reason we are ordered to join +the company. De Baugis has the right of it under commission from La +Barre, but does not possess sufficient soldiers to exercise authority. +La Salle's men remain loyal to De Tonty, and the Indian tribes look to +him for leadership. _Mon Dieu_! it was reported in Quebec that twelve +thousand savages were living about the fort--ay! and De Artigny said +he doubted it not, for the meadows were covered with tepees--so De +Baugis has small chance to rule until he has force behind him. They +say this De Tonty is of a fighting breed--the savages call him the man +with the iron hand--and so the two rule between them, the one for La +Barre, and the other for La Salle, and we go to give the Governor's +man more power." + +"You have sufficient force?" + +"Unless the Indians become hostile; besides there is to be an overland +party later to join us in the spring, and Sieur de la Durantaye, of +the regiment of Carignan-Salliers is at the Chicago portage. This I +learned at St. Ignace." + +"Then it would seem to me, Monsieur, that you could safely wait the +trial of De Artigny until our arrival at the fort. If he does not feel +himself suspected, he will make no effort to escape, and I give you +the pledge you ask." + +It was not altogether graciously that he agreed to this, yet the man +could not refuse, and I was glad enough to escape thus easily, for it +was my fear that he might insist on my yielding much more to preserve +De Artigny from immediate condemnation and death. The fellow had the +power, and the inclination, and what good fortune saved me, I can +never know. I think he felt a certain fear of me, a doubt of how far +he might presume on my good nature. + +Certainly I gave him small encouragement to venture further, and yet +had he done so I would have been at my wit's end. Twice the words were +upon his lips--a demand that I yield to his mastery--but he must have +read in my eyes a defiance he feared to front, for they were not +uttered. 'Twas that he might have this very talk that he had found me +place alone in his canoe, and I would have respected him more had he +dared to carry out his desire. The coward in the man was too apparent, +and yet that very cowardice was proof of treachery. What he hesitated +to claim boldly he would attain otherwise if he could. I could place +no confidence in his word, nor reliance upon his honor. + +However nothing occurred to give Cassion opportunity, nor to tempt me +to violate my own pledge. We proceeded steadily upon our course, aided +by fair weather, and quiet waters for several days. So peaceful were +our surroundings that my awe and fear of the vast lake on which we +floated passed away, and I began to appreciate its beauty, and love +those changing vistas, which opened constantly to our advance. + +We followed the coast line, seldom venturing beyond sight of land, +except as we cut across from point to point; and fair as the wooded +shore appeared, its loneliness, and the desolation of the great waters +began, at last, to affect our spirits. The men no longer sang at their +work, and I could see the depression in their eyes as they stared +about across ceaseless waves to the dim horizon. + +Day after day it was the same dull monotony, crouched in the narrow +canoe, watching the movements of the paddlers, and staring about at +endless sea and sky, with distant glimpse of wilderness. We lost +interest in conversation, in each other, and I lay for hours with eyes +closed to the glare of the sun, feeling no desire save to be left +alone. Yet there were scenes of surpassing beauty unrolled before us +at sunrise and sunset, and when the great silvery moon reflected its +glory in the water. + +Had companionship been congenial no doubt every league of that journey +would have proven a joy to be long remembered, but with Cassion beside +me, ever seeking some excuse to make me conscious of his purpose, I +found silence to be my most effective weapon of defense. Twice I got +away in Père Allouez' canoe, and found pleasure in conversing, +although I had no confidence in the priest, and knew well that my +absence would anger Cassion. + +Our camps occurred wherever night overtook us and we found good +landing place. Occasionally we went ashore earlier, and the Indians +hunted for wild game, usually with success. In all these days and +nights I had no glimpse of De Artigny, nor of his crew. It was not +possible for me to question Cassion, for to do so would have aroused +his jealous suspicion; but, as he never once referred to their +continued absence, I became convinced that it was his orders which +kept them ahead. No doubt it was best, as the men soon forgot the +tragedy of Hugo Chevet's death, and after the first day I do not +recall hearing the murder discussed. + +Such deeds were not uncommon, and Chevet had made no friends to +cherish his memory. If others suspected De Artigny they felt little +resentment or desire to punish him--and doubtless the men had +quarreled, and the fatal knife thrust been delivered in fair fight. +The result interested them only slightly, and none regretted the loss +of the man killed. + +We made no entrance into Green Bay, for there was nothing there but a +newly established mission station, and perhaps a hunter's camp, +scarcely worth our wasting two days in seeking. Besides the night we +made camp at a spot marked on the map as Point de Tour, we found +waiting us there the advance canoe, and both De Artigny and the chief +counseled that our course be south across the mouth of the bay. I sat +in my tent and watched them discuss the matter in the red glow of a +fire, but this was my only glimpse of De Artigny, until he led the way +the next morning. + +Our voyage that day was a long one, and we were often beyond view of +land, although we skirted several islands. The lake was stirred by a +gentle breeze, yet not enough to delay our passage, and the sky above +was cloudless. The Indian chief took the steering paddle in one of our +boats, relieving Père Allouez, and De Artigny guided us, his canoe a +mere black speck ahead. It was already dark when we finally attained +the rocky shore of Port de Morts. + +When dawn came De Artigny and his crew had departed by order of +Cassion, but the chief remained to take charge of the third canoe. The +indifference the younger man had shown to my presence hurt me +strangely--he had made no effort to approach or address me; indeed, so +far as I was aware, had not so much as glanced in my direction. Did he +still resent my words, or was it his consciousness of guilt, which +held him thus aloof? + +Not for a moment would I believe him wholly uninterested. There had +been that in his eyes I should never forget, and so I persuaded myself +that he thus avoided me because he feared to anger Cassion. This was +not at all in accord with his nature as I understood it, yet the +explanation gave me a certain content, and I could find no better. +Thus we resumed our journey southward along the shore, but with +clouded skies overhead, and the water about us dull and gray. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE BREAK OF STORM + + +We had no more pleasant weather for days, the skies being overcast and +the wind damp and chill. It did not rain, nor were the waves +dangerous, although choppy enough to make paddling tiresome and +difficult. + +A mist obscured the view, and compelled us to cling close to the shore +so as to prevent becoming lost in the smother, and as we dare not +venture to strike out boldly from point to point, we lost much time in +creeping along the curves. + +The canoes kept closer together, never venturing to become separated, +and the men stationed on watch in the bows continually called to each +other across the tossing waters in guidance. Even De Artigny kept +within sight, and made camp with us at night, although he made no +effort to seek me, nor did I once detect that he even glanced in my +direction. The studied indifference of the man puzzled me more than it +angered, but I believed it was his consciousness of guilt, rather than +any dislike which caused his avoidance. In a way I rejoiced at his +following this course, as I felt bound by my pledge to Cassion, and +had no desire to further arouse the jealousy of the latter, yet I +remained a woman, and consequently felt a measure of regret at being +thus neglected and ignored. + +However I had my reward, as this state of affairs was plainly enough +to Monsieur Cassion's liking, for his humor changed for the better, in +spite of our slow progress, and I was pleased to note that his +watchfulness over my movements while ashore noticeably relaxed. Once +he ventured to speak a bold word or two, inspired possibly by my +effort to appear more friendly, but I gave him small opportunity to +become offensive, for the raw, disagreeable atmosphere furnished me +with sufficient excuse to snuggle down beneath blankets, and thus +ignore his presence. + +I passed most of those days thus hidden from sight, only occasionally +lifting my head to peer out at the gray, desolate sea, or watch the +dim, mist-shrouded coast line. It was all of a color--a gloomy, dismal +scene, the continuance of which left me homesick and spiritless. Never +have I felt more hopeless and alone. It seemed useless to keep up the +struggle; with every league we penetrated deeper into the desolate +wilderness, and now I retained not even one friend on whom I could +rely. + +As Cassion evidenced his sense of victory--as I read it in his +laughing words, and the bold glance of his eyes--there came to me a +knowledge of defeat, which seemed to rob me of all strength and +purpose. I was not ready to yield yet; the man only angered me, and +yet I began dimly to comprehend that the end was inevitable--my +courage was oozing away, and somewhere in this lonely, friendless +wilderness the moment I dreaded would come, and I would have no power +to resist. More than once in my solitude, hidden beneath the blankets, +I wiped tears from my eyes as I sensed the truth; yet he never knew, +nor did I mean he should. + +I had no knowledge of the date, nor a very clear conception of where +we were, although it must have been either the fourth or fifth day +since we left Port du Morts. The night before, we had camped at the +mouth of a small stream, the surrounding forest growing down close to +the shore, and so thick as to be almost impenetrable. The men had set +up my tent so close to the water the waves broke scarcely a foot away, +and the fire about which the others clustered for warmth was but a few +yards distant. + +Wrapped in my blankets I saw De Artigny emerge from the darkness, and +approach Cassion, who drew a map from his belt pocket, and spread it +open on the ground in the glare of the fire. The two men bent over it, +tracing the lines with finger tips, evidently determining their course +for the morrow. Then De Artigny made a few notes on a scrap of paper, +arose to his feet, and disappeared. + +They had scarcely exchanged a word, and the feeling of enmity between +them was apparent. Cassion sat quiet, the map still open, and stared +after the younger man until he vanished in the darkness. The look upon +his face was not a pleasant one. + +Impelled by a sudden impulse I arose to my feet, the blanket still +draped about my shoulders, and crossed the open space to the fire. +Cassion, hearing the sound of my approach, glanced around, his frown +changing instantly into a smile. + +"Ah, quite an adventure this," he said, adopting a tone of pleasantry. +"The first time you have left your tent, Madame?" + +"The first time I have felt desire to do so," I retorted. "I feel +curiosity to examine your map." + +"And waited until I was alone; I appreciate the compliment," and he +removed his hat in mock gallantry. "There was a time when you would +have come earlier." + +"Your sarcasm is quite uncalled for. You have my pledge relative to +the Sieur de Artigny, Monsieur, which suffices. If you do not care to +give me glimpse of your map, I will retire again." + +"_Pouf_! do not be so easily pricked, I spoke in jest. Ay, look at the +paper, but the tracing is so poor 'tis no better than a guess where we +are. Sit you down, Madame, so the fire gives light, and I will show +you our position the best I can." + +"Did not De Artigny know?" + +"He thinks he does, but his memory is not over clear, as he was only +over this course the once. 'Tis here he has put the mark, while my +guess would be a few leagues beyond." + +I bent over, my eyes seeking the points indicated. I had seen the map +before, yet it told me little, for I was unaccustomed to such study, +and the few points, and streams named had no real meaning to my mind. +The only familiar term was Chicagou Portage, and I pointed to it with +my fingers. + +"Is it there we leave the lake, Monsieur?" + +"Ay; the rest will be river work. You see this stream? 'Tis called the +Des Plaines, and leads into the Illinois. De Artigny says it is two +miles inland, across a flat country. 'Twas Père Marquette who passed +this way first, but since then many have traversed it. 'Tis like to +take us two days to make the portage." + +"And way up here is Port du Morts, where we crossed the opening into +Green Bay, and we have come since all this distance. Surely 'tis not +far along the shore now to the portage?" + +"_Mon Dieu_, who knows! It looks but a step on the map, yet 'tis not +likely the distance has ever been measured." + +"What said the Sieur de Artigny?" + +"Bah! the Sieur de Artigny; ever it is the Sieur de Artigny. 'Tis +little he knows about it in my judgment. He would have it thirty +leagues yet, but I make it we are ten leagues to the south of where he +puts us. What, are you going already? Faith, I had hopes you might +tarry here a while yet, and hold converse with me." + +I paused, in no way tempted, yet uncertain. + +"You had some word you wished to say, Monsieur?" + +"There are words enough if you would listen." + +"'Tis no fault of yours if I do not. But not now, Monsieur. It is +late, and cold. We take the boats early, and I would rest while I +can." + +He was on his feet, the map gripped in his hand, but made no effort to +stop me, as I dropped him a curtsey, and retreated. But he was there +still when I glanced back from out the safety of the tent, his +forehead creased by a frown. When he finally turned away the map was +crushed shapeless in his fingers. + +The morning dawned somewhat warmer, but with every promise of a storm, +threatening clouds hanging above the water, sullen and menacing, their +edges tipped with lightning. The roar of distant thunder came to our +ears, yet there was no wind, and Cassion decided that the clouds would +drift southward, and leave us safe passage along the shore. His canoe +had been wrenched in making landing the evening before, and had taken +in considerable water during the night. This was bailed out, but the +interior was so wet and uncomfortable that I begged to be given place +in another boat, and Cassion consented, after I had exhibited some +temper, ordering a soldier in the sergeant's canoe to exchange places +with me. + +We were the last to depart from the mouth of the stream where we had +made night camp, and I took more than usual interest, feeling oddly +relieved to be away from Cassion's presence for an entire day. The man +irritated me, insisting on a freedom of speech I could not tolerate, +thus keeping me constantly on defense, never certain when his audacity +would break bounds. So this morning it was a relief to sit up, free of +my blanket, and watch the men get under way. + +We may have proceeded for half a league, when a fog swept in toward +the land enveloping us in its folds, although we were close enough to +the shore so as to keep safely together, the word being passed back +down the line, and as we drew nearer I became aware that De Artigny's +boat had turned about, and he was endeavoring to induce Cassion to go +ashore and make camp before the storm broke. The latter, however, was +obstinate, claiming we were close enough for safety, and finally, in +angry voice, insisted upon proceeding on our course. + +De Artigny, evidently feeling argument useless, made no reply, but I +noticed he held back his paddlers, and permitted Cassion's canoe to +forge ahead. He must have discovered that I was not with Monsieur, for +I saw him stare intently at each of the other canoes, as though to +make sure of my presence, shading his eyes with one hand, as he peered +through the thickening mist. This action evidenced the first +intimation I had for days of his continued interest in my welfare, and +my heart throbbed with sudden pleasure. Whether, or not, he felt some +premonition of danger, he certainly spoke words of instruction to his +Indian paddlers, and so manipulated his craft as to keep not far +distant, although slightly farther from shore, than the canoe in which +I sat. + +Cassion had already vanished in the fog, which swept thicker and +thicker along the surface of the water, the nearer boats becoming mere +indistinct shadows. Even within my own canoe the faces of those about +me appeared gray and blurred, as the damp vapor swept over us in dense +clouds. It was a ghastly scene, rendered more awesome by the glare of +lightning which seemed to split the vapor, and the sound of thunder +reverberating from the surface of the lake. + +The water, a ghastly, greenish gray, heaved beneath, giving us little +difficulty, yet terrifying in its suggestion of sullen strength, and +the shore line was barely discernible to the left as we struggled +forward. What obstinacy compelled Cassion to keep us at the task I +know not--perchance a dislike to yield to De Artigny's advice--but the +sergeant swore to himself, and turned the prow of our canoe inward, +hugging the shore as closely as he dared, his anxious eyes searching +every rift in the mist. + +Yet, dark and drear as the day was, we had no true warning of the +approaching storm, for the vapor clinging to the water concealed from +our sight the clouds above. When it came it burst upon us with mad +ferocity, the wind whirling to the north, and striking us with all the +force of three hundred miles of open sea. The mist was swept away with +that first fierce gust, and we were struggling for life in a wild +turmoil of waters. I had but a glimpse of it--a glimpse of wild, +raging sea; of black, scurrying clouds, so close above I could almost +reach out and touch them; of dimly revealed canoes flung about like +chips, driving before the blast. + +Our own was hurled forward like an arrow, the Indian paddlers working +like mad to keep stern to the wind, their long hair whipping about. +The soldiers crouched in the bottom, clinging grimly to any support, +their white faces exhibiting the abasement of fear. The sergeant alone +spoke, yelling his orders, as he wielded steering paddle, his hat +blown from his head, his face ghastly with sudden terror. It was but +the glimpse of an instant; then a paddle broke, the canoe swung +sideways, balanced on the crest of a wave and went over. + +I was conscious of cries, shrill, instantly smothered, and then I +sank, struggling hard to keep above water, yet borne down by the +weight of the canoe. I came up again, choking and half strangled, and +sought to grip the boat as it whirled past. My fingers found nothing +to cling to, slipping along the wet keel, until I went down again, but +this time holding my breath. My water-soaked garments, and heavy shoes +made swimming almost impossible, yet I struggled to keep face above +water. Two men had reached the canoe, and had somehow found hold. One +of these was an Indian, but they were already too far away to aid me, +and in another moment had vanished in the white crested waves. Not +another of our boat's crew was visible, nor could I be sure of where +the shore lay. + +Twice I went down, waves breaking over me, and flinging me about like +a cork. Yet I was conscious, though strangely dazed and hopeless. I +struggled, but more as if in a dream than in reality. Something black, +shapeless, seemed to sweep past me through the water; it was borne +high on a wave, and I flung up my hands in protection; I felt myself +gripped, lifted partially, then the grasp failed, and I dropped back +into the churning water. The canoe, or whatever else it was, was gone, +swept remorselessly past by the raging wind, but as I came up again to +the surface a hand clasped me, drew me close until I had grip on a +broad shoulder. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +ALONE WITH DE ARTIGNY + + +Beyond this I knew nothing; with the coming of help, the sense that I +was no longer struggling unaided for life in those treacherous waters, +all strength and consciousness left me. When I again awoke, dazed, +trembling, a strange blur before my eyes, I was lying upon a sandy +beach, with a cliff towering above me, its crest tree-lined, and I +could hear the dash of waves breaking not far distant. I endeavored to +raise myself to look about, but sank back helpless, fairly struggling +for breath. An arm lifted my head from the sand, and I stared into a +face bending above me, at first without recollection. + +"Lie still a moment," said a voice gently. "You will breathe easier +shortly, and regain strength." + +I knew my fingers closed on the man's hand convulsively, but the water +yet blinded my eyes. He must have perceived this for he wiped my face +with a cloth, and it was then I perceived his face clearly, and +remembered. + +"The Sieur de Artigny!" I exclaimed. + +"Of course," he answered. "Who else should it be, Madame? Please do +not regret my privilege." + +"Your privilege; 'tis a strange word you choose, Monsieur," I +faltered, not yet having control of myself. "Surely I have granted +none." + +"Perchance not, as there was small chance," he answered, evidently +attempting to speak lightly. "Nor could I wait to ask your leave; yet +surely I may esteem it a privilege to bring you ashore alive." + +"It was you then who saved me? I scarcely understood, Monsieur; I lost +consciousness, and am dazed in mind. You leaped into the water from +the canoe?" + +"Yes; there was no other course left me. My boat was beyond yours, a +few yards farther out in the lake, when the storm struck. We were +partially prepared, for I felt assured there would be trouble." + +"You told Monsieur Cassion so," I interrupted, my mind clearing. "It +was to bring him warning you returned." + +"I urged him to land until we could be assured of good weather. My +Indians agreed with me." + +"And he refused to listen; then you permitted your canoe to fall +behind; you endeavored to keep close to the boat I was in--was that +not true, Monsieur?" + +He laughed, but very softly, and the grave look did not desert his +eyes. + +"You noted me then! Faith, I had no thought you so much as glanced +toward us. Well, and why should I not? Is it not a man's duty to seek +to guard your safety in such an hour? Monsieur Cassion did not realize +the peril, for he knows naught of the treachery of this lake, while I +have witnessed its sudden storms before, and learned to fear them. So +I deemed it best to be near at hand. For that you cannot chide me." + +"No, no, Monsieur," and I managed to sit up, and escape the pressure +of his arm. "To do that would be the height of ingratitude. Surely I +should have died but for your help, yet I hardly know now what +occurred--you sprang from the canoe?" + +"Ay, when I found all else useless. Never did I feel more deadly +blast; no craft such as ours could face it. We were to your left and +rear when your canoe capsized, and I bore down toward where you +struggled in the water. An Indian got grip upon you as we swept by, +but the craft dipped so that he let go, and then I jumped, for we +could never come back, and that was the only chance. This is the whole +story, Madame, except that by God's help, I got you ashore." + +I looked into his face, impressed by the seriousness with which he +spoke. + +"I--I thank you, Monsieur," I said, and held out my hand. "It was most +gallant. Are we alone here? Where are the others?" + +"I do not know, Madame," he answered, his tone now that of formal +courtesy. "'Tis but a short time since we reached this spot, and the +storm yet rages. May I help you to stand, so you may perceive better +our situation." + +He lifted me to my feet, and I stood erect, my clothes dripping wet, +and my limbs trembling so that I grasped his arm for support, and +glanced anxiously about. We were on a narrow sand beach, at the edge +of a small cove, so protected the waters were comparatively calm, +although the trees above bowed to the blast, and out beyond the +headland I could see huge waves, whitened with foam, and perceive the +clouds of spray flung up by the rocks. It was a wild scene, the roar +of the breakers loud and continuous, and the black clouds flying above +with dizzy rapidity. All the horror which I had just passed through +seemed typified in the scene, and I covered my face with my hands. + +"You--you think they--they are all gone?" I asked, forcing the words +from me. + +"Oh, no," he answered eagerly, and his hand touched me. "Do not give +way to that thought. I doubt if any in your canoe made shore, but the +others need not be in great danger. They could run before the storm +until they found some opening in the coast line to yield protection. +The sergeant was no _voyageur_, and when one of the paddles broke he +steered wrong. With an Indian there you would have floated." + +"Then what can we do?" + +"There is naught that I see, but wait. Monsieur Cassion will be blown +south, but will return when the storm subsides to seek you. No doubt +he will think you dead, yet will scarcely leave without search. See, +the sky grows lighter already, and the wind is less fierce. It would +be my thought to attain the woods yonder, and build a fire to dry our +clothes; the air chills." + +I looked where he pointed, up a narrow rift in the rocks, yet scarcely +felt strength or courage to attempt the ascent. He must have read this +in my face, and seen my form shiver as the wind struck my wet +garments, for he made instant decision. + +"Ah, I have a better thought than that, for you are too weak to +attempt the climb. Here, lie down, Madame, and I will cover you with +the sand. It is warm and dry. Then I will clamber up yonder, and fling +wood down; 'twill be but a short time until we have a cheerful blaze +here." + +I shook my head, but he would listen to no negative, and so, at last, +I yielded to his insistence, and he piled the white sand over me until +all but my face was covered. To me the position was ridiculous enough, +yet I appreciated the warmth and protection, and he toiled with +enthusiasm, his tongue as busy as his hands in effort to make me +comfortable. + +"'Tis the best thing possible; the warmth of your body will dry your +clothes. Ah, it is turning out a worthy adventure, but will soon be +over with. The storm is done already, although the waves still beat +the shore fiercely. 'Tis my thought Monsieur Cassion will be back +along this way ere dusk, and a canoe can scarce go past without being +seen while daylight lasts, and at night we will keep a fire. There, is +that better? You begin to feel warm?" + +"Yes, Monsieur." + +"Then lie still, and do not worry. All will come out right in a few +hours more. Now I will go above, and throw down some dry wood. I shall +not be out of sight more than a few minutes." + +From where I lay, my head on a hummock of sand, my body completely +buried, I could watch him scale the rocks, making use of the rift in +the face of the cliff, and finding no great difficulty. At the top he +looked back, waved his hand, and then disappeared among the trees. All +was silent about me, except for the dash of distant waves, and the +rustle of branches far overhead. I gazed up at the sky, where the +clouds were thinning, giving glimpses of faintest blue, and began to +collect my own thoughts, and realize my situation. + +In spite of my promise to Cassion I was here alone with De Artigny, +helpless to escape his presence, or to be indifferent for the service +he had rendered me. Nor had I slightest wish to escape. Even although +it should be proven that the man was the murderer of my uncle, I could +not break the influence he had over me, and now, when it was not +proven, I simply must struggle to believe that he could be the +perpetrator of the deed. All that I seemed truly conscious of was a +relief at being free from the companionship of Cassion. I wanted to be +alone, relieved from his attentions, and the fear of what he might +attempt next. Beyond this my mind did not go, for I felt weak from the +struggle in the water, and a mere desire to lie quiet and rest took +possession of all my faculties. + +De Artigny appeared at the edge of the cliff, and called to reassure +me of his presence. He had his arms filled with broken bits of wood +which were tossed to the sand, and, a moment later, he descended the +rift in the wall, and paused beside me. + +"No sign of anyone up there," he said, and I felt not regretfully. +"The canoes must have been blown some distance down the coast." + +"Were you able to see far?" + +"Ay, several leagues, for we are upon a headland, and there is a wide +sweep of bay below. The shore line is abrupt, and the waves still +high. Indeed I saw no spot in all that distance where a boat might +make safe landing. Are you becoming dry?" + +"I am at least warm, and already feel much stronger. Would it not be +best, Monsieur, for us to scale the cliff, and wait our rescuers +there, where we can keep lookout?" + +"If you feel able to climb the rocks, although the passage is not +difficult. A boat might pass us by here and never be seen, or know of +our presence, unless we keep up a fire." + +I held out my hand to him, and he helped me to my feet. The warmth of +the sand while it had not entirely dried my clothing, had given me +fresh vigor, and I stood erect, requiring no assistance. With this +knowledge a new assurance seemed to take possession of me, and I +looked about, and smiled. + +"I am glad to know you can laugh," he said eagerly. "I have felt that +our being thus shipwrecked together was not altogether to your +liking." + +"And why?" I asked, pretending surprise. "Being shipwrecked, of +course, could scarcely appeal to me, but I am surely not ungrateful to +you for saving my life." + +"As to that, I did no more than any man might be expected to do," he +protested. "But you have avoided me for weeks past, and it can +scarcely be pleasant now to be alone with me here." + +"Avoided you! Rather should I affirm it was your own choice, Monsieur. +If I recall aright I gave you my confidence once, long ago on the +Ottawa, and you refused my request of assistance. Since then you have +scarcely been of our party." + +He hesitated, as though doubtful of what he had best say. + +"It was never through indifference as to your welfare," he answered at +last, "but obedience to orders. I am but an employee on this +expedition." + +My eyes met his. + +"Did Monsieur Cassion command that you keep in advance?" I asked, "and +make your night camps beyond those of the main company?" + +"Those were his special orders, for which I saw no need, except +possibly his desire to keep us separated. Yet I did not know his +reason, nor was it my privilege to ask. Had Monsieur Cassion any +occasion to distrust me?" + +"I know not as to occasion, Monsieur, but he left Quebec disliking you +because of our conference there, and some words La Barre spoke gave +him fresh suspicion that you and I were friends, and should be +watched. I do not altogether blame the man for he learned early that I +thought little of him, and held it no honor to be his wife. Yet that +distrust would have died, no doubt, had it not been fanned into flame +by accident. + +"I was kept in his boat, and every instant guarded by either himself, +or Père Allouez, his faithful servitor, until long after we passed +Montreal, and entered the wilderness. That day I met you on the bluff +was the first opportunity I had found to be alone. Your crew were +beyond the rapids, and Cassion felt there could be no danger in +yielding me liberty, although, had the _père_ not been ill, 'tis +doubtful if I had been permitted to disappear alone." + +"But he knew naught of our meeting?" + +"You mistake, Monsieur. Scarcely had you gone when he appeared, and, +by chance, noted your footprints, and traced them to where you +descended the cliff. Of course he had no proof, and I admitted +nothing, yet he knew the truth, and sought to pledge me not to speak +with you again." + +"And you made such pledge?" + +"No; I permitted him to believe that I did, for otherwise there would +have been an open quarrel. From then until now we have never met." + +"No," he burst forth, "but I have been oftentimes nearer you than you +thought. I could not forget what you said to me at that last meeting, +or the appeal you made for my assistance. I realize the position you +are in, Madame, married by force to a man you despise, a wife only in +name, and endeavoring to protect yourself by wit alone. I could not +forget all this, nor be indifferent. I have been in your camp at +night--ay, more than once--dreaming I might be of some aid to you, and +to assure myself of your safety." + +"You have guarded me?" + +"As best I could, without arousing the wrath of Monsieur Cassion. You +are not angry? it was but the duty of a friend." + +"No, I am not angry, Monsieur, yet it was not needed. I do not fear +Cassion, so long as I can protect myself, for if he attempts evil it +will find some form of treachery. But, Monsieur, later I gave him the +pledge he asked." + +"The pledge! What pledge?" + +"That I would neither meet, nor communicate with you until our arrival +at Fort St. Louis." + +My eyes fell before his earnest gaze, and I felt my limbs tremble. + +"_Mon Dieu_! Why? There was some special cause?" + +"Yes, Monsieur--listen. Do not believe this is my thought, yet I must +tell you the truth. Hugo Chevet was found dead, murdered, at St. +Ignace. 'Twas the morning of our departure, and your boat had already +gone. Cassion accused you of the crime, as some of the men saw you +coming from the direction where the body was found late at night, and +others reported that you two had quarreled the evening before. Cassion +would have tried you offhand, using his authority as commander of the +expedition, but promised not to file charges until we reached St. +Louis, if I made pledge--'twas then I gave him my word." + +De Artigny straightened up, the expression on his face one of profound +astonishment. + +"He--he accused me," he asked, "of murder to win your promise?" + +"No, Monsieur; he believed the charge true, and I pledged myself to +assure you a fair trial." + +"Then you believed also that I was guilty of the foul crime?" + +I caught my breath, yet there was nothing for me to do but give him a +frank answer. + +"I--I have given no testimony, Monsieur," I faltered, "but I--I saw +you in the moonlight bending over Chevet's dead body." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +WE EXCHANGE CONFIDENCES + + +My eyes fell before his; I could not look into his face, yet I had a +sense that he was actually glad to hear my words. There was no anger, +rather happiness and relief in the gray eyes. + +"And you actually believed I struck the blow? You thought me capable +of driving a knife into the man's back to gain revenge?" + +"Monsieur, what could I think?" I urged eagerly. "It did not seem +possible, yet I saw you with my own eyes. You knew of the murder, but +you made no report, raised no alarm, and in the morning your boat was +gone before the body was found by others." + +"True, yet there was a reason which I can confess to you. You also +discovered the body that night, yet aroused no alarm. I saw you. Why +did you remain silent? Was it to protect me from suspicion?" + +I bent my head, but failed to find words with which to answer. De +Artigny scarcely permitted me time. + +"That is the truth; your silence tells me it was for my sake you +remained still. Is it not possible, Adele, that my purpose was the +same? Listen to me, my girl, and have faith in my words--I am not +guilty of Hugo Chevet's death. I did not like the man, it is true, and +we exchanged words in anger while loading the boats, but I never gave +the matter second thought. That was not the first night of this +journey that I sought to assure myself of your safety. + +"I know Monsieur Cassion, and of what he is capable, and felt that +some time there would occur between you a struggle--so at every +camping place, where it was possible, I have watched. It was for that +purpose I approached the Mission House. I gained glimpse within, and +saw Cassion asleep on a bench, and knew you had retired to the chamber +above. I was satisfied, and started to return to the camp. On my way +back I found Chevet's body at the edge of the wood. I discovered how +he had been killed--a knife thrust in the back." + +"But you made no report; raised no alarm." + +"I was confused, unable to decide what was best for me to do. I had no +business being there. My first impulse was to arouse the Mission +House; my second to return to camp, and tell the men there. With this +last purpose in view I entered the wood to descend the hill, but had +hardly done so when I caught sight of you in the moonlight, and +remained there hidden, watching your movements with horror. I saw you +go straight to the body, assure yourself the man was dead; then return +to the Mission House, and enter your room by way of the kitchen roof. +Do you realize what your actions naturally meant to me?" + +I stared at him, scarcely able to speak, yet in some way my lips +formed words. + +"You--you thought I did it?" + +"What else could I think? You were hiding there; you examined the +body; you crept secretly in through the window, and gave no alarm." + +The horror of it all struck me like a blow, and I covered my eyes with +my hands, no longer able to restrain my sobs. De Artigny caught my +hands, and uncovered my face. + +"Do not break down, little girl," he entreated. "It is better so, for +now we understand each other. You sought to shield me, and I +endeavored to protect you. 'Twas a strange misunderstanding, and, but +for the accident to the canoe, might have had a tragic ending." + +"You would never have told?" + +"Of seeing you there? of suspecting you? Could you think that +possible?" + +"But you would have been condemned; the evidence was all against +you." + +"Let us not talk of that now," he insisted. "We have come back to a +faith in each other. You believe my word?" + +"Yes." + +"And I yours." + +His hand clasp tightened, and there was that in his eyes which +frightened me. + +"No, no, Monsieur," I exclaimed, and drew back quickly. "Do not say +more, for I am here with you alone, and there will be trouble enough +when Cassion returns." + +"Do I not know that," he said, yet releasing my hands. "Still it +can surely do no harm for us to understand each other. You care +nothing for Cassion; you dislike, despise the man, and there is +naught sacred in your marriage. We are in the wilderness, not +Quebec, and La Barre has little authority here. You have protected me +with your silence--was it not because you cared for me?" + +"Yes, Monsieur; you have been my friend." + +"Your friend! Is that all?" + +"Is that not enough, Monsieur? I like you well; I would save you from +injustice. You could not respect me if I said more, for I am Monsieur +Cassion's wife by rite of Holy Church. I do not fear him--he is a +coward; but I fear dishonor, Monsieur, for I am Adele la Chesnayne. I +would respect myself, and you." + +The light of conquest vanished from the gray eyes. For a moment he +stood silent and motionless; then he drew a step backward, and bowed. + +"Your rebuke is just, Madame," he said soberly. + +"We of the frontier grow careless in a land where might is right, and +I have had small training save in camp and field. I crave your pardon +for my offense." + +So contrite was his expression I had to smile, realizing for the first +time the depth of his interest in my good will, yet the feeling which +swayed me was not altogether that of pleasure. He was not one to yield +so quietly, or to long restrain the words burning his tongue, yet I +surrendered to my first impulse, and extended my hand. + +"There is nothing to pardon, Sieur de Artigny," I said frankly. "There +is no one to whom I owe more of courtesy than you. I trust you fully, +and believe your word, and in return I ask the same faith. Under the +conditions confronting us we must aid each other. We have both made +mistakes in thus endeavoring to shield one another from suspicion, +and, as a result, are both equally in peril. Our being alone together +here will enrage Monsieur Cassion, and he will use all his power for +revenge. My testimony will only make your case more desperate should I +confess what I know, and you might cast suspicion upon me--" + +"You do not believe I would." + +"No, I do not, and yet, perchance, it might be better for us both if I +made full confession. I hesitate merely because Cassion would doubt my +word; would conclude that I merely sought to protect you. Before +others--fair-minded judges at St. Louis--I should have no hesitancy in +telling the whole story, for there is nothing I did of which I am +ashamed, but here, where Cassion has full authority, such a confession +would mean your death." + +"He would not dare; I am an officer of the Sieur de la Salle." + +"The more reason why he would. I know Monsieur Cassion even better +than you do. He has conversed with me pretty freely in the boat, and +made clear his hatred of La Salle, and his desire to do him evil. No +fear of your chief will ever deter him, for he believes La Barre has +sufficient power now in this country to compel obedience. I overheard +the Governor's orders to keep you under close surveillance, and +Cassion will jump at the chance of finding you guilty of crime. Now my +broken pledge gives him ample excuse." + +"But it was not broken except through necessity," he urged. "He surely +cannot blame you because I saved your life." + +"I doubt if that has slightest weight. All he will care about is our +being here alone together. That fact will obscure all else in his +mind." + +"He believes then that you feel interest in me?" + +"I have never denied it; the fact which rankles, however, is his +knowledge that I feel no interest whatever in him. But we waste time, +Monsieur, in fruitless discussion. Our only course is a discovery of +Hugo Chevet's real murderer. Know you anything to warrant suspicion?" + +De Artigny did not answer at once, his eyes looking out on the white +crested waters of the lake. + +"No, Madame," he said at length gravely. "The last time Chevet was +seen alive, so far as I now know, was when he left the boats in +company with Monsieur Cassion to return to the Mission House." + +"At dusk?" + +"It was already quite dark." + +"They did not arrive together, and Cassion reported that Chevet had +remained at the beach in charge of the canoes." + +"You saw Cassion when he arrived?" + +"Yes, and before; I was at the window, and watched him approach across +the open space. He was alone, and appeared at ease." + +"What did he do, and say, after he entered the house?" + +"Absolutely nothing to attract notice; he seemed very weary, and, as +soon as he had eaten, lay down on the bench, and fell asleep." + +"Are you sure he slept?" + +"I felt no doubt; there was nothing strange about his actions, but as +soon as possible I left the room. You surely do not suspect him?" + +"He was the last to be seen with Chevet; they left the beach together, +yet the murdered man failed to appear at the Mission House, and +Cassion falsely reported him left in charge at the beach." + +"But no one could act so indifferent, after just committing such a +crime. When you looked in through the window what did you see?" + +"Only the priests about the table talking, and Cassion seemingly sound +asleep. Could there be any reason why he should desire the death of +Chevet?" + +"I know of none. My uncle felt bitter over the concealment of my +fortune, and no doubt the two had exchanged words, but there was no +open quarrel. Chevet was rough and headstrong, yet he was not killed +in fight, for the knife thrust was from behind." + +"Ay, a coward's blow. Chevet possessed no papers of value?" + +I shook my head. + +"If so, no mention was ever made to me. But, Monsieur, you are still +wet, and must be cold in this wind. Why do you not build the fire, and +dry your clothing?" + +"The wind does have an icy feel," he admitted, "but this is a poor +spot. Up yonder in the wood shadow there is more warmth, and besides +it affords better outlook for the canoes. Have you strength now to +climb the bluff?" + +"The path did not appear difficult, and it is dreary enough here. I +will try." + +I did not even require his aid, and was at the top nearly as soon as +he. It was a pleasant spot, a heavy forest growing almost to the edge, +but with green carpet of grass on which one could rest, and gaze off +across the wide waste of waters. Yet there was little to attract the +eyes except the ceaseless roll of the waves, and the curve of the +coast line, against which the breakers still thundered, casting high +in air their white spray. It was a wild, desolate scene, a wilderness +wherever the eyes turned. + +I stood silent, gazing to the southward, but there were no canoes +visible, although the storm had ceased, and the waves were no longer +high enough to prevent their return. They must have been driven below +the distant point, and possibly so injured as to make repairs +necessary. When I finally turned away I found that De Artigny had +already lighted a fire with flint and steel in a little hollow within +the forest. He called to me to join him. + +"There is nothing to see," he said, "and the warmth is welcome. You +had no glimpse of the boats?" + +"No," I admitted. "Do you really believe they survived?" + +"There was no reason why they should not, if properly handled. I have +controlled canoes in far worse storms. They are doubtless safely +ashore beyond the point yonder." + +"And will return seeking us?" + +"Seeking you, at least. Cassion will learn what occurred, and +certainly will never depart without seeking to discover if you are +alive. The thought that you may be with me will only serve to spur him +to quicker action. My fear is he may be delayed by some accident, and +we might suffer from lack of food." + +"I had not thought how helpless we were." + +"Oh, we are not desperate," and he laughed, getting up from his knees. +"You forget I am bred to this life, and have been alone in the +wilderness without arms before. The woods are full of game, and it is +not difficult to construct traps, and the waters are filled with fish +which I will devise some means of catching. You are not afraid to be +left alone?" + +"No," in surprise. "Where are you going?" + +"To learn more of our surroundings, and arrange some traps for wild +game. I will not be away long but someone should remain here to signal +any canoe returning in search." + +I watched him disappear among the trees, without regret, or slightest +sense of fear at thus being left alone. The fire burned brightly, and +I rested where the grateful warmth put new life into my body. The +silence was profound, depressing, and a sense of intense loneliness +stole over me. I felt a desire to get away from the gloom of the +woods, and climbed the bank to where I could look out once more across +the waters. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +I CHOOSE MY DUTY + + +The view outspread before me revealed nothing new; the same dread +waste of water extended to the horizon, while down the shore no +movement was visible. As I rested there, oppressed by the loneliness, +I felt little hope that the others of our party had escaped without +disaster. + +De Artigny's words of cheer had been spoken merely to encourage me, to +make me less despondent. Deep down in his heart the man doubted the +possibility of those frail canoes withstanding the violence of the +storm. It was this thought which had made him so anxious to secure +food, for, if the others survived, and would return seeking us, as he +asserted, surely they would appear before nightfall, and there would +be no necessity for our snaring wild game in order to preserve life. + +De Artigny did not believe his own words; I even suspicioned that he +had gone now alone to explore the shore-line; seeking to discover the +truth, and the real fate of our companions. At first this conception +of our situation startled me, and yet, strange as it may seem, my +realization brought no deep regret. I was conscious of a feeling of +freedom, of liberty, such as had not been mine since we departed from +Quebec. I was no longer watched, spied upon, my every movement +ordered, my speech criticized. More, I was delivered from the hated +presence of Cassion, ever reminding me that I was his wife, and +continually threatening to exercise his authority. Ay, and I was with +De Artigny, alone with him, and the joy of this was so deep that I +came to a sudden realization of the truth--I loved him. + +In a way I must have known this before, yet, not until that moment, +did the fact dawn upon me in full acknowledgement. I sank my head on +my hands, my breath quickened by surprise, by shame, and felt my +cheeks burn. I loved him, and believed he loved me. I knew then that +all the happiness of life centered in this one fact; while between us +arose the shadow of Cassion, my husband. True I loved him not; true I +was to him wife only in name; true our marriage was a thing of shame, +yet no less a fact, no less a barrier. I was a La Chesnayne to whom +honor was a religion; a Catholic bowing humbly to the vow of Holy +Church; a Frenchwoman taught that marriage was a sacred rite. + +The knowledge of my love for De Artigny brought me more fear than +pleasure. I dare not dream, or hope; I must escape his presence while +I retained moral strength to resist temptation. I got to my feet, not +knowing what I could do, yet with a wild conception of returning to +the beach, and seeking to find a passage southward. I would go now +along the shore, before De Artigny came back, and meet those returning +canoes. In such action lay my only safety--he would find me gone, +would trace me along the sand, yet before I could be caught, I would +have met the others, and thus escape the peril of being alone with him +again. + +Even as I reached this decision, something arose in my throat and +choked me, for my eyes saw just outside the curve of the shore-line, a +canoe emerge from the shadows of the bluff. I cannot picture the +reaction, the sudden shrinking fear which, in that instant, mastered +me. They were coming, seeking me; coming to drag me back into slavery; +coming to denounce De Artigny of crime, and demand his life. + +I know not which thought dominated me--my own case, or his; but I +realized instantly what course Cassion would pursue. His hatred of De +Artigny would be fanned into flame by discovery that we were alone +together. He possessed the power, the authority to put this man +forever out of his way. To save him there remained but one possible +plan--he must reach Fort St. Louis, and friends before Cassion could +bring him to trial. It was in my power to permit his escape from +discovery, mine alone. If I did otherwise I should be his murderer. + +I sank down out of sight, yet my decision was made in an instant. It +did not seem to me then as though any other course could be taken. +That De Artigny was innocent I had no doubt. I loved him, this I no +longer denied to myself; and I could not possibly betray the man to +the mad vengeance of Cassion. I peered forth, across the ridge of +earth concealing me from observation, at the distant canoe. It was too +far away for me to be certain of its occupants, yet I assured myself +that Indians were at the paddles, while three others, whose dress +designated them as whites, occupied places in the boat. The craft kept +close to the shore, evidently searching for any sign of the lost +canoe, and the man in the stern stood up, pointing, and evidently +giving orders. There was that about the fellow's movements to convince +me he must be Cassion, and the very sight of him strengthened my +resolve. + +I turned, and ran down the bank to where the fire yet glowed dully in +the hollow, emitting a faint spiral of blue smoke, dug dirt up with my +hands, and covered the coals, until they were completely extinguished. +Then I crept back to the bluff summit, and lay down to watch. + +The canoe rounded the curve in the shore, and headed straight across +toward where I rested in concealment. Their course would keep them too +far away from the little strip of sand on which we had landed to +observe the imprint of our feet, or the pile of wood De Artigny had +flung down. I observed this with an intense feeling of relief, as I +peered cautiously out from my covert. + +I could see now clearly the faces of those in the canoe--the dark, +expressionless countenances of the Indians, and the three white men, +all gazing intently at the shore line, as they swept past, a soldier +in the bow, and Père Allouez and Cassion at the stern, the latter +standing, gripping the steering paddle. The sound of his rasping, +disagreeable voice reached me first. + +"This is the spot," he exclaimed, pointing. "I saw that headland just +before the storm struck. But there is no wreck here, no sign of +landing. What is your judgment, Père?" + +"That further search is useless, Monsieur," answered the priest. "We +have covered the entire coast, and found no sign of any survivor; no +doubt they were all lost." + +"'Tis likely true, for there was small hope for any swimmer in such a +sea." Cassion's eyes turned to the others in the boat. "And you, +Descartes, you were in the canoe with the Sieur de Artigny, tell us +again what happened, and if this be not the place." + +The soldier in the bow lifted his head. + +"I know little of the place, Monsieur," he answered gruffly, "though +it would seem as if I recalled the forked tree yonder, showing through +a rift in the fog. All I know is that one of the paddles broke in the +sergeant's canoe, and over they went into the water. 'Twas as quick as +that," and he snapped his fingers, "and then a head or two bobbed up, +but the canoe swept over them, and down they went again. Sieur de +Artigny held our steering paddle, and, in an instant, he swung us that +way, and there was the lady struggling. I reached out and touched her, +but lost hold, and then the Sieur de Artigny leaped overboard, and the +storm whirled us off into the fog. I saw no more." + +"You do not know that he reached her?" + +"No, Monsieur; the lady sank when I lost my grip; I do not even know +if she came up again." + +Cassion stood motionless, staring intently at the bluff. I almost +thought he must have seen me, but there was no outcry, and finally he +seated himself. + +"Go on, round the long point yonder, and if there is no sign there we +will return," he said grimly. "'Tis my thought they were all drowned, +and there is no need of our seeking longer. Pull on boys, and let us +finish the job." + +They rounded the point, the Père talking earnestly, but the canoe so +far away I could not overhear his words. Cassion paid small heed to +what he urged, but, at last, angrily bade him be still, and, after a +glance into the narrow basin beyond, swung the bow of the canoe about, +and headed it southward, the return course further off shore. The +Indians paddled with renewed energy, and, in a few moments, they were +so far away their faces were indistinguishable, and I ventured to sit +on the bank, my gaze still on the vanishing canoe. + +So intent was I that I heard no sound of approaching footsteps, and +knew nothing of De Artigny's presence until he spoke. + +"What is that yonder--a canoe?" + +I started, shrinking back, suddenly realizing what I had done, and the +construction he might place upon my action. + +"Yes," I answered faintly, "it--it is a canoe." + +"But it is headed south; it is going away," he paused, gazing into my +face. "Did it not come this far?" + +I hesitated; he had furnished me with an excuse, a reason. I could +permit him to believe the boat had not approached close enough to be +signaled. It was, for an instant, a temptation, yet as I looked into +his eyes I could not tell the lie. More, I felt the uselessness of any +such attempt to deceive; he would discover the fire extinguished by +dirt thrown on it, and thus learn the truth. Far better that I confess +frankly, and justify my action. + +"The canoe came here," I faltered, my voice betraying me. "It went +around the point yonder, and then returned." + +"And you made no signal? You let them go, believing us dead?" + +I could not look at him, and I felt my cheeks burn with shame. + +"Yes, Monsieur; but listen. No, do not touch me. Perhaps it was all +wrong, yet I thought it right. I lay here, hidden from view, and +watched them; I extinguished the fire so they could not see the smoke. +They came so near I could hear their voices, and distinguish their +words, yet I let them pass." + +"Who were in the canoe?" + +"Besides the Indians, Cassion, Père Allouez, and the soldier +Descartes." + +"He was with me." + +"So I learned from his tale; 'twas he who sought to lift me from the +water, and failed. Do you realize, Monsieur, why I chose to remain +unseen? Why I have done what must seem an unwomanly act?" + +He was still gazing after the canoe, now a mere speck amid the waste +of waters, but turned and looked into my face. + +"No, Madame, yet I cannot deem your reason an unworthy one--yet wait; +could it be fear for my life?" + +"It was that, and that only, Monsieur. The truth came to me in a flash +when I first perceived the canoe approaching yonder. I felt that hate +rather than love urged Cassion to make search for us. He knew of your +attempt at rescue, and if he found us here together alone, he would +care for nothing save revenge. He has the power, the authority to +condemn you, and have you shot. I saw no way to preserve your life, +but to keep you out of his grip, until you were with your friends at +Fort St. Louis." + +"You sacrificed yourself for me?" + +"'Tis no more than you did when you leaped from the canoe." + +"_Pah_, that was a man's work; but now you risk more than life; you +peril reputation--" + +"No, Monsieur; no more, at least, than it was already imperiled. +Cassion need never know that I saw his searching party, and surely no +one can justly blame me for being rescued from death. One does not +ask, in such a moment, who the rescuer is. I feel I have chosen right, +Monsieur, and yet I must trust you to never cause me to regret that I +am the wife of Monsieur Cassion." + +To my surprise his face brightened, his eyes smiling, as he bowed low +before me. + +"Your confidence shall not be betrayed, Madame," he said gallantly. "I +pledge you my discretion whatever circumstances may arise. There is no +cur in the De Artigny strain, and I fight my own battles. Some day I +shall be face to face with Francois Cassion, and if then I fail to +strike home it will be memory of your faith which restrains my hand. +And now I rejoice that I can make your sacrifice less grievous." + +"In what way, Monsieur?" + +"In that we are no longer entirely alone in our wilderness adventure. +I have fortunately brought back with me a comrade, whose presence will +rob Cassion of some sharpness of tongue. Shall we go meet him?" + +"Meet him! a man, you mean? One rescued from the canoe?" + +"No, but more likely to serve us a good turn--a soldier under Monsieur +de la Durantaye, who has camp below at the portage to the Des Plaines. +Out yonder I ran onto him, bearing some message from Green Bay--an odd +fellow, but with a gun at his shoulder, and a tongue with which to +tell the truth on occasion. Come, Madame, there is naught now you need +to fear." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +WE DECIDE OUR COURSE + + +With a feeling of relief in my heart, a sense that my reputation was +safe, and that the good God had set the seal of His approval on the +choice made, I accepted De Artigny's outstretched hand, and permitted +him to assist me down the bank. The new arrival was just within the +edge of the forest, bending over a freshly kindled fire, barely +commencing to blaze, and beside him on the grass lay a wild fowl, +already plucked of its feathers. So intent was the fellow at his task, +he did not even lift his head until my companion hailed him. + +"Barbeau, here is the lady of whom I spoke--the wife of Monsieur +Cassion." + +He stood up, and made me a salute as though I were an officer, as odd +a looking little man as ever I had seen, with a small, peaked face, a +mop of black hair, and a pair of shrewd, humorous eyes. His dress was +that of a _courier du bois_, with no trace of uniform save the blue +forage cap gripped in one hand, yet he stood stiff as if on parade. In +spite of his strange, uncouth appearance there was that in his face +which won my favor, and I held out my hand. + +"You are a soldier of France, Monsieur de Artigny tells me." + +"Yes, Madame, of the Regiment Carignan-Salliers," he answered. + +"I wonder have you served long? My father was an officer in that +command--Captain la Chesnayne." + +The expression on the man's face changed magically. + +"You the daughter of Captain la Chesnayne," he exclaimed, the words +bursting forth uncontrolled, "and married to Cassion! how can this +be?" + +"You knew him then--my father?" + +"Ay, Madame; I was with him at the Richelieu, at the village of the +Mohawks; and at Bois le Blanc, where he died. I am Jacques Barbeau, a +soldier for twenty years; did he not speak to you of me?" + +"I was but a girl when he was killed, and we seldom met, for he was +usually on campaign. Yet what do you mean by thus expressing surprise +at my marriage to Monsieur Cassion?" + +He hesitated, evidently regretting his impulsive speech, and glancing +from my face into the stern eyes of De Artigny. + +"Monsieur, Madame, I spoke hastily; it was not my place." + +"That may be true, Barbeau," replied the Sieur grimly, "yet the words +have been said, and the lady has a right to have them explained. Was +there quarrel between her father and this Francois Cassion?" + +"Ay, there was, and bitter, although I know nothing as to the cause. +Cassion, and La Barre--he whom I now hear is Governor of New +France--were alike opposed to Captain la Chesnayne, and but for +reports they made he would have been the colonel. He struck Cassion in +the mess tent, and they were to fight the very morning the Iroquois +met us at Bois le Blanc. 'Twas the talk of the men that the captain +was shot from behind." + +"By Cassion?" + +"That I cannot say; yet the bullet entered behind the ear, for I was +first to reach him, and he had no other enemy in the Regiment +Carignan-Salliers. The feeling against M. Cassion was so strong that +he resigned in a few months. You never heard this?" + +I could not answer, but stood silent with bowed head. I felt De +Artigny place his hand on my shoulder. + +"The lady did not know," he said gravely, as though he felt the +necessity of an explanation. "She was at school in a convent at +Quebec, and no rumor reached her. She is thankful to you for what you +have said, Barbeau, and can trust you as her father's friend and +comrade. May I tell him the truth, Madame? The man may have other +information of value." + +I looked at the soldier, and his eyes were grave and honest. + +"Yes," I answered, "it can do no harm." + +De Artigny's hand was still on my shoulder, but his glance did not +seek my face. + +"There is some low trick here, Barbeau," he began soberly, "but the +details are not clear. Madame has trusted me as a friend, and confided +all she knows, and I will tell the facts to you as I understand them. +False reports were made to France regarding Captain la Chesnayne. We +have not learned what they were, or who made them, but they were so +serious that Louis, by royal decree, issued order that his estates +revert to the crown. Later La Chesnayne's friends got the ear of the +King, no doubt through Frontenac, ever loyal to him, and by royal +order the estates were restored to his ownership. This order of +restoration reached Quebec soon after La Barre was appointed Governor, +and was never made public. It was suppressed by someone, and La +Chesnayne was killed three months later, without knowing that he had +won the favor of the King." + +"But Cassion knew; he was ever hand in glove with La Barre." + +"We have cause to suspect so, and now, after listening to your tale, +to believe that Captain la Chesnayne's death was part of a carefully +formed plot. By accident the lady here learned of the conspiracy, +through overhearing a conversation, but was discovered by La Barre +hiding behind the curtains of his office. To keep her quiet she was +forced into marriage with Francois Cassion, and bidden to accompany +him on this journey to Fort St. Louis." + +"I see," commented Barbeau shrewdly. "Such marriage would place the +property in their control by law. Had Cassion sought marriage +previously?" + +His eyes were upon me as he asked the question, and I answered him +frankly. + +"He visited often at the home of my Uncle, Hugo Chevet, and, while he +never spoke to me directly of marriage, I was told he desired me for +his wife and at the palace he so presented me to Monsieur La Barre." + +"On pledge of Chevet, no doubt. Your uncle knew of your fortune?" + +"No; he supposed me penniless; he thought it a great honor done me by +the favorite of the Governor's. 'Twas my belief he expected some +reward for persuading me to accept the offer." + +"And this Chevet--what became of him?" + +"He accompanied us on the journey, also upon order of Monsieur la +Barre, who, no doubt, thought he would be safer in the wilderness than +in Quebec. He was murdered at St. Ignace." + +"Murdered?" + +"Ay, struck down from behind with a knife. No one knows who did it, +but Cassion has charged the crime against Sieur de Artigny, and +circumstances are such he will find it difficult to prove his +innocence." + +The soldier stood silent, evidently reviewing in his mind all that had +been told him, his eyes narrowed into slits as he gazed thoughtfully +at us both. + +"_Bah_," he exclaimed at last, "the riddle is not so hard to read, +although, no doubt the trick has been well played. I know Governor La +Barre, and this Francois Cassion, for I have served under both, while +Monsieur la Chesnayne was my Captain, and friend. I was not always a +soldier, Madame, and once I sought holy orders, but the flesh was +weak. However, the experiment gave me education, and led to +comradeship with those above me in station--discipline in the +wilderness is not rigid. Many a night at the campfire have I talked +with my captain. And I have heard before of this Sieur de Artigny, and +of how loyally he has served M. de la Salle. Monsieur de Tonty told +the tale to M. de la Durantaye, mayhap a month ago, and I overheard. +So I possess faith in him as a gallant man, and have desire to serve +you both. May I tell you what, in my judgment, seems best for you to +do?" + +I glanced at De Artigny, and his eyes gave me courage. + +"Monsieur, you are a French soldier," I answered, "an educated man +also, and my father's friend. I will listen gladly." + +His eyes smiled, and he swept the earth with his cap. + +"Then my plan is this--leave Monsieur Cassion to go his way, and let +me be your guide southward. I know the trails, and the journey is not +difficult. M. de la Durantaye is camped at the portage of the Des +Plaines, having but a handful of men to be sure, yet he is a gallant +officer, and no enemy to La Salle, although he serves the Governor. He +will see justice done, and give you both safe convoy to Fort St. +Louis, where De Tonty knows how to protect his officers. Faith! I +would like to see Francois Cassion try to browbeat that one armed +Italian--'twould be one time he would meet his match." + +De Artigny laughed. + +"Ay, you are right there, my friend. I have felt the iron-hook, and +witnessed how he wins his way with white and red. Yet he is no longer +in command at Fort St. Louis; I bring him orders now from Sieur de la +Salle bidding him not to interfere with the Governor's lieutenants. +'Tis the Chevalier De Baugis with whom we must reckon." + +"True, he has control, and men enough, with Cassion's party, to +enforce his order. And he is a hothead, conceited, and holding himself +a bit better than others, because he bears commission in the King's +Dragoons. 'Tis said that he and De Tonty have had many a stiff quarrel +since he came; but he dare not go too far. There are good men there +ready to draw sword if it ever come to blows--De Tonty, Boisrondet, +L'Espirance, De Marle, and the Algonquins camped on the plain below. +They would be tigers if the Italian spoke the word; while I doubt not +M. de la Durantaye would throw his influence on the side of mercy; he +has small love for the Captain of Dragoons." + +I spoke quickly, and before De Artigny could voice decision. + +"We will accept your guidance, Monsieur. It is the best choice, and +now the only one, for the time is past when we can expect the return +of the canoes. Can we not at once begin the journey?" + +It was an hour later, after we had eaten, that we left the bluff, and +turned westward into the great woods. Barbeau led the way, moving +along the bank of a small stream, and I followed, with De Artigny +close behind. As we had nothing to carry, except the soldier's rifle +and blanket, we made rapid progress, and in less than half an hour, we +came to the Indian trail, which led southward from Green Bay to the +head waters of the Des Plaines. It was so faint and dim, a mere trace +through forest depths, that I would have passed it by unseen, but both +my companions were woodsmen, and there was no sign their trained eyes +overlooked. + +Once in the trail, however, there was no difficulty in following it, +although it twisted here and there, in the avoiding of obstacles, ever +seeking the easier route. Barbeau had passed this way before, and +recalled many a land-mark, occasionally turning, and pointing out to +us certain peculiarities he had observed on his journey north. Once he +held us motionless while he crept aside, through an intervening fringe +of trees to the shore of a small lake, coming back with two fine ducks +dangling from his shoulder. + +Before dark we halted in a little opening, the grass green underfoot, +and a bank of trees all about, and made night camp. There was water +near at hand, and the fire quickly built gave cheer to the scene, as +the men prepared supper. The adventures of the day had wearied me, and +I was very content to lie on Barbeau's blanket, and watch them work. +While the soldier cooked, De Artigny swiftly erected a shelter of +boughs, within which I was to pass the night. After we had eaten, I +retired at once, yet for a long time could not sleep, but lay looking +out at the two men seated before the fire smoking. I could hear their +voices, and scraps of conversation--De Artigny telling the tale of the +exploration of the great river to its mouth in the salt sea, and +Barbeau relating many a strange adventure in the wilderness. It was a +scene long to be remembered--the black shadows all about, the silence +of the great woods, the sense of loneliness, the red and yellow flames +of the fire, and the two men telling tales of wild adventure amid the +unknown. + +At last they grew weary also, and lay down, pillowed their heads on +their arms, and rested motionless. My own eyes grew heavy, and I fell +asleep. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +WE MEET WITH DANGER + + +It was late in the afternoon of the second day when we arrived at the +forks of the Chicago river. There was a drizzle of rain in the air, +and never saw I a more desolate spot; a bare, dreary plain, and away +to the eastward a glimpse of the lake. + +A hut of logs, a mere shack scarcely fit for shelter, stood on a +slight eminence, giving wide view in every direction, but it was +unoccupied, the door ajar. Barbeau, in advance, stared at it in +surprise, gave utterance to an oath, and ran forward to peer within. +Close behind him I caught a glimpse of the interior, my own heart +heavy with disappointment. + +If this miserable place had been the headquarters of M. de la +Durantaye, evidently it was so no longer. Not a vestige of occupancy +remained, save a rotten blanket on the floor, and a broken bench in +one corner. Rude bunks lined two walls, and a table hewed from a log +stood in the center of the dirt floor. On this was a paper pinned to +the wood by a broken knife blade. Barbeau grasped it, and read the +writing, handing it back to me. It was a scrawl of a few words, yet +told the whole story. + + "Francois Cassion, under commission of Governor la Barre, arrived + with party of soldiers and Indians. At his orders we accompany the + force to Fort St. Louis. + + "De la Durantaye." + +"Perhaps it is as well," commented De Artigny lightly. "At least as +far as my good health goes; but 'tis like to make a hard journey for +you, Madame." + +"Is it far yet until we attain the fort?" + +"A matter of twenty-five leagues; of no moment had we a boat in which +to float down stream, but the trail, as I remember, is rough." + +"Perchance there may be a boat," interrupted Barbeau. "There was the +wreck of an Indian canoe a mile below here on the Des Plaines, not so +damaged as to be beyond repair, and here is a hatchet which we will +find useful." He stooped and picked it up from under the bench. "One +thing is certain--'tis useless to remain here; they have left the +place as bare as a desert. 'Tis my choice that we make the Des Plaines +before dark." + +"And mine also; are you too greatly wearied, Madame?" + +"I? Oh, no! to escape this desolate place I will go gladly. Have men +really lived here?" + +"Ay, more than once," replied De Artigny. "'Tis said the _engagés_ of +Père Marquette built this hut, and that it sheltered him an entire +winter. Twice I have been here before, once for weeks, waiting the +arrival of the _Griffin_, alone with Sieur de la Salle." + +"The _Griffin_?" + +"The ship which was to bring us provisions and men. 'Twas a year later +we learned that she went down in the sea, with all aboard. How long +was M. de la Durantaye on station here?" he turned to Barbeau. + +"'Tis three months since we came from St. Ignace--a dreary time +enough, and for what purpose I could never guess. In that time all we +have seen has been Indian hunters. I cannot bear to remain even for +another night. Are we ready, Madame? Shall we go?" + +The Des Plaines was a narrow stream, flowing quietly through prairie +land, although bordered along its shores by a thin fringe of trees. We +moved down along its eastern bank for perhaps a half league, when we +came to the edge of a swamp and made camp. De Artigny built a fire, +and prepared my tent of boughs, while Barbeau waded out around a point +in search of the wrecked canoe. He came back just at dusk towing it +behind him through the shallow water, and the two men managed to drag +it far enough up the bank to enable the water to drain out. Later, +aided by a flaming torch, we looked it over, and decided the canoe +could be made to float again. It required two days' work, however, +before we ventured to trust ourselves to its safety. + +But the dawn of the third day saw us afloat on the sluggish current, +the two men plying improvised paddles to increase our speed, while I +busied myself in keeping the frail craft free from water by constant +use of a tin cup. This oozed in through numerous ill-fitting seams, +but not fast enough to swamp us in midstream, although the amount +gained steadily on me in spite of every effort, and we occasionally +had to make shore to free us of the encumbrance. + +Yet this voyage south along the Des Plaines was far from unpleasant, +despite the labor involved and the discomfort of the leaking canoe. +The men were full of cheer and hope, some of it possibly assumed to +strengthen my courage, but no less effective--Barbeau telling many an +anecdote of his long service in strange places, exhibiting a sense of +humor which kept us in continuous laughter. He was, indeed, a typical +adventurer, gay and debonair in presence of peril, and apparently +without a care in the world. De Artigny caught something of the +fellow's spirit, being young enough himself to love excitement, and +related in turn, to the music of the splashing paddles, numerous +incidents of his wild exploits with La Salle and De Tonty along the +great rivers of the West. + +It all interested me, these glimpses of rough forest life, and I +questioned them both eagerly, learning many a truth the histories fail +to tell. Particularly did I listen breathlessly to the story of their +adventurous first voyage along the Illinois, following the trail of +raiding Iroquois, amid scenes of death and destruction. The very +horrors pictured fascinated me even, although the grim reality was +completely beyond my power of imagination. + +'Twas thus we passed the hours of daylight, struggling with the +current, forcing our way past obstacles, seeking the shore to drain +off water, every moment bringing to us a new vista, and a new peril, +yet ever encouraged by memory of those who had toiled along this +stream before us. At night, under the stars and beside the blaze of +campfire, Barbeau sang rollicking soldier songs, and occasionally De +Artigny joined him in the choruses. To all appearances we were +absolutely alone in the desolation of the wilderness. Not once in all +that distance did we perceive sign of human life, nor had we cause to +feel the slightest uneasiness regarding savage enemies. + +Both men believed there was peace in the valley, except for the +jealousy between the white factions at Fort St. Louis, and that the +various Algonquin tribes were living quietly in their villages under +protection of the Rock. De Artigny described what a wonderful sight it +was, looking down from the high palisades to the broad meadows below, +covered with tepees, and alive with peaceful Indians. He named the +tribes which had gathered there for protection, trusting in La Salle, +and believing De Tonty their friend--Illini, Shawnees, Abenakies, +Miamis, Mohegans--at one time reaching a total of twenty thousand +souls. There they camped, guarded by the great fort towering above +them, on the same sacred spot where years before the Jesuit Marquette +had preached to them the gospel of the Christ. So we had no fear of +savages, and rested in peace at our night camps, singing aloud, and +sleeping without guard. Every day Barbeau went ashore for an hour, +with his rifle, tramping along beside us through the shadowing forest +screen, seeking game, and always coming back with plenty. We would +hear the sharp report of his gun breaking the silence, and turn the +prow of our canoe shoreward and pick him up again. + +Owing to the leaking of our canoe, and many difficulties experienced, +we were three days in reaching the spot where the Illinois and the Fox +rivers joined their waters, and swept forward in one broad stream. The +time of our arrival at this spot was early in the afternoon, and, as +De Artigny said Fort St. Louis was situated scarce ten miles below, +our long journey seemed nearly ended. We anticipated reaching there +before night, and, in spite of my fear of the reception awaiting us, +my heart was light with hope and expectation. + +I was but a girl in years, excitement was still to me a delight, and I +had listened to so many tales, romantic, wonderful, of this wilderness +fortress, perched upon a rock, that my vivid imagination had weaved +about it an atmosphere of marvel. The beauty of the view from its +palisades, the vast concourse of Indians encamped on the plains below, +and those men guarding its safety--the faithful comrades of La Salle +in explorations of the unknown, De Tonty, Boisrondet, and all the +others, had long since become to my mind the incarnation of romantic +adventure. Wilderness born, I could comprehend and appreciate their +toils and dangers, and my dreams centered about this great, lonely +rock on which they had established a home. But the end was not yet. +Just below the confluence of the rivers there was a village of the +Tamaroas, and the prow of our canoe touched the bank, while De Artigny +stepped ashore amid a tangle of low-growing bushes, that he might have +speech with some of the warriors, and thus learn conditions at the +fort. With his foot on the bank, he turned laughing, and held out his +hand to me. + +"Come, Madame," he said pleasantly, "you have never seen a village of +our western tribes; it will interest you." + +I joined him gladly, my limbs feeling awkward under me, from long +cramping in the boat, yet the climb was not difficult, and he held +back the boughs to give me easy passage. Beyond the fringe of brush +there was an open space, but as we reached this, both paused, stricken +dumb by horror at the sight which met our view. The ground before us +was strewn with dead, and mutilated bodies, and was black with ashes +where the tepees had been burned, and their contents scattered +broadcast. + +Never before had I seen such view of devastation, of relentless, +savage cruelty, and I gave utterance to a sudden sob, and shrank back +against De Artigny's arm, hiding my eyes with my hand. He stood and +stared, motionless, breathing heavily, unconsciously gripping my arm. + +"_Mon Dieu_!" he burst forth, at last. "What meaneth this? Are the +wolves again loose in the valley?" + +He drew me back, until we were both concealed behind a fringe of +leaves, his whole manner alert, every instinct of the woodsman +instantly awakened. + +"Remain here hidden," he whispered, "until I learn the truth; we may +face grave peril below." + +He left me trembling, and white-lipped, yet I made no effort to +restrain him. The horror of those dead bodies gripped me, but I would +not have him know the terror which held me captive. With utmost +caution he crept forth, and I lay in the shadow of the covert, +watching his movements. Body after body he approached seeking some +victim alive, and able to tell the story. But there was none. At last +he stood erect, satisfied that none beside the dead were on that awful +spot, and came back to me. + +"Not one lives," he said soberly, "and there are men, women and +children there. The story is one easily told--an attack at daylight +from the woods yonder. There has been no fighting; a massacre of the +helpless and unarmed." + +"But who did such deed of blood?" + +"'Tis the work of the Iroquois; the way they scalped tells that, and +besides I saw other signs." + +"The Iroquois," I echoed incredulous, for that name was the terror of +my childhood. "How came these savages so far to the westward?" + +"Their war parties range to the great river," he answered. "We +followed their bloody trail when first we came to this valley. It was +to gain protection from these raiders that the Algonquins gathered +about the fort. We fought the fiends twice, and drove them back, yet +now they are here again. Come, Adele, we must return to the canoe, and +consult with Barbeau. He has seen much of Indian war." + +The canoe rode close in under the bank, Barbeau holding it with grasp +on a great root. He must have read in our faces some message of alarm, +for he exclaimed before either of us could speak. + +"What is it?--the Iroquois?" + +"Yes; why did you guess that?" + +"I have seen signs for an hour past which made me fear this might be +true. That was why I held the boat so close to the bank. The village +has been attacked?" + +"Ay, surprised, and massacred; the ground is covered with the dead, +and the tepees are burned. Madame is half crazed with the shock." + +Barbeau took no heed, his eyes scarce glancing at me, so eager was he +to learn details. + +"The fiends were in force then?" + +"Their moccasin tracks were everywhere. I could not be sure where they +entered the village, but they left by way of the Fox. I counted on the +sand the imprint of ten canoes." + +"Deep and broad?" + +"Ay, war boats; 'tis likely some of them would hold twenty warriors; +the beasts are here in force." + +It was all so still, so peaceful about us that I felt dazed, incapable +of comprehending our great danger. The river swept past, its waters +murmuring gently, and the wooded banks were cool and green. Not a +sound awoke the echoes, and the horror I had just witnessed seemed +almost a dream. + +"Where are they now?" I questioned faintly. "Have they gone back to +their own country?" + +"Small hope of that," answered De Artigny, "or we would have met with +them before this, or other signs of their passage. They are below, +either at the fort, or planning attack on the Indian villages beyond. +What think you, Barbeau?" + +"I have never been here," he said slowly, "so cannot tell what chance +the red devils might have against the white men at St. Louis. But they +are below us on the river, no doubt of that, and engaged in some hell +act. I know the Iroquois, and how they conduct war. 'Twill be well for +us to think it all out with care before we venture farther. Come, De +Artigny, tell me what you know--is the fort one to be defended against +Iroquois raiders?" + +"'Tis strong; built on a high rock, and approachable only at the rear. +Given time they might starve the garrison, or drive them mad with +thirst, for I doubt if there be men enough there to make sortie +against a large war party." + +"But the Indian allies--the Algonquins?" + +"One war whoop of an Iroquois would scatter them like sheep. They are +no fighters, save under white leadership, and 'tis likely enough their +villages are already like this one yonder, scenes of horror. I have +seen all this before, Barbeau, and this is no mere raid of a few +scattered warriors, seeking adventure and scalps; 'tis an organized +war party. The Iroquois have learned of the trouble in New France, of +La Salle's absence from this valley; they know of the few fighting men +at the Rock, and that De Tonty is no longer in command. They are here +to sweep the French out of this Illinois country, and have given no +warning. They surprised the Indian villages first, killed every +Algonquin they could find, and are now besieging the Rock. And what +have they to oppose them? More than they thought, no doubt, for +Cassion and De la Durantaye must have reached there safely, yet at the +best, the white defenders will scarcely number fifty men, and +quarreling among themselves like mad dogs. There is but one thing for +us to do, Barbeau--reach the fort." + +"Ay, but how? There will be death now, haunting us every foot of the +way." + +De Artigny turned his head, and his eyes met mine questioningly. + +"There is a passage I know," he said gravely, "below the south banks +yonder, but there will be peril in it--a peril to which I dread to +expose the lady." + +I stood erect, no longer paralyzed by fear, realizing my duty. + +"Do not hesitate because of me, Monsieur," I said calmly. "French +women have always done their part, and I shall not fail. Explain to us +your plan." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE WORDS OF LOVE + + +His eyes brightened, and his hand sought mine. + +"The spirit of the old days; the words of a soldier's daughter, hey, +Barbeau?" + +"A La Chesnayne could make no other choice," he answered loyally. "But +we have no time to waste here in compliment. You know a safe passage, +you say?" + +"Not a safe one, yet a trail which may still remain open, for it is +known to but few. Let us aboard, and cross to the opposite shore, +where we will hide the canoe, and make our way through the forest. +Once safely afoot yonder I will make my purpose clear." + +A dozen strokes landed us on the other bank, where the canoe was drawn +up, and concealed among the bushes, while we descended a slight +declivity, and found ourselves in the silence of a great wood. Here De +Artigny paused to make certain his sense of direction. + +"I will go forward slightly in advance," he said, at last, evidently +having determined upon his course. + +"And we will move slowly, and as noiselessly as possible. No one ever +knows where the enemy are to be met with in Indian campaign, and we +are without arms, except for Barbeau's gun." + +"I retain my pistol," I interrupted. + +"Of small value since its immersion in the lake; as to myself I must +trust to my knife. Madame you will follow me, but merely close enough +to make sure of your course through the woods, while Barbeau will +guard the rear. Are both ready?" + +"Perhaps it might be well to explain more clearly what you propose," +said the soldier. "Then if we become separated we could figure out the +proper direction to follow." + +"Not a bad thought that. It is a rough road ahead, heavily wooded, and +across broken land. My route is almost directly west, except that we +bear slightly south to keep well away from the river. Three leagues +will bring us to a small stream which empties into the Illinois. There +is a faint trail along its eastern bank which leads to the rear of the +Rock, where it is possible for one knowing the way to attain the +palisades of the fort. If we can attain this trail before dark we can +make the remaining distance by night. Here, let me show you," and he +drew with a sharp stick a hasty map on the ground. "Now you +understand; if we become separated, keep steadily westward until you +reach a stream flowing north." + +In this order we took up the march, and as I had nothing to bear +except a blanket, which I twisted about my shoulders, I found little +difficulty in following my leader. At first the underbrush was heavy, +and the ground very broken, so that oftentimes I lost sight entirely +of De Artigny, but as he constantly broke branches to mark his +passage, and the sun served as guidance, I had small difficulty in +keeping the proper direction. To our right along the river appeared +masses of isolated rock, and these we skirted closely, always in the +shadow and silence of great trees. Within half an hour we had emerged +from the retarding underbrush, and came out into an open wood, where +the walking was much easier. + +I could look down the aisles of the trees for long distances, and no +longer experienced any difficulty in keeping within sight of my +leader. All sense of fear had passed away, we seemed so alone in the +silent forest, although once I thought I heard the report of a distant +gun, which brought back to mind a vision of that camp of death we had +left behind. It was a wearisome tramp over the rough ground, for while +De Artigny found passage through the hollows wherever possible, yet we +were obliged to climb many hills, and once to pick our way cautiously +through a sickly swamp, springing from hummock to hummock to keep from +sinking deep in slimy ooze. + +De Artigny came back and aided me here, speaking words of encouragement, +and assuring me that the trail we sought was only a short distance +beyond. I laughed at his solicitude, claiming to be good for many a mile +yet, and he left me, never realizing that I already staggered from +weariness. + +However we must have made excellent progress, for the sun had not +entirely disappeared when we emerged from the dark wood shadows into a +narrow, grassy valley, through which flowed a silvery stream, not +broad, but deep. Assured that this must be the water we sought, I sank +to the ground, eager for a moment's rest, but De Artigny, tireless +still, moved back and forward along the edge of the forest to assure +himself of the safety of our surroundings. Barbeau joined him, and +questioned. + +"We have reached the trail?" + +"Ay, beside the shore yonder; see you anything of Indian tepees across +the stream to the left?" + +"Below, there are wigwams there just in the edge of the grove. You can +see the outlines from here; but I make out no moving figures." + +"Deserted then; the cowards have run away. They could not have been +attacked, or the tepees would have been burned." + +"An Algonquin village?" + +"Miamis. I had hoped we might gain assistance there, but they have +either joined the whites in the fort, or are hiding in the woods. 'Tis +evident we must save ourselves." + +"And how far is it?" + +"To the fort? A league or two, and a rough climb at the farther end +through the dark. We will wait here until after dusk, eat such food as +we have without fire, and rest up for a bit of venture. The next trip +will test us all, and Madame is weary enough already." + +"An hour will put me right," I said, smiling at him, yet making no +attempt to rise. "I have been in a boat so long I have lost all +strength in my limbs." + +"We feel that, all of us," cheerily, "but come Barbeau, unpack, and +let us have what cheer we can." + +I know not when food was ever more welcome, although it was simple +enough to be sure--a bit of hard cracker, and some jerked deer meat, +washed down by water from the stream--yet hunger served to make these +welcome. We were at the edge of the wood, already growing dark and +dreary with the shadows of approaching night. The wind, what there +was, was from the south, and, if there was any firing at the fort, no +sound of it reached us. Once we imagined we saw a skulking figure on +the opposite bank--an Indian Barbeau insisted--but it disappeared so +suddenly as to make us doubt our own eyes. + +The loneliness and peril of our situation had tendency to keep us +silent, although De Artigny endeavored to cheer me with kindly speech, +and gave Barbeau careful description of the trail leading to the fort +gate. If aught happened to him, we were to press on until we attained +shelter. The way in which the words were said brought a lump into my +throat, and before I knew the significance of the action, my hand +clasped his. I felt the grip of his fingers, and saw his face turn +toward me in the dusk. Barbeau got to his feet, gun in hand, and stood +shading his eyes. + +"I would like a closer view of that village yonder," he said, "and +will go down the bank a hundred yards or so." + +"'Twill do no harm," returned De Artigny, still clasping my hand. +"There is time yet before we make our venture." + +He disappeared in the shadows, leaving us alone, and I glanced aside +at De Artigny's face, my heart beating fiercely. + +"You did not like to hear me speak as I did?" he questioned quietly. + +"No," I answered honestly, "the thought startled me. If--if anything +happened to you, I--I should be all alone." + +He bent lower, still grasping my fingers, and seeking to compel my +eyes to meet his. + +"Adele," he whispered, "why is it necessary for us to keep up this +masquerade?" + +"What masquerade, Monsieur?" + +"This pretense at mere friendship," he insisted, "when we could serve +each other better by a frank confession of the truth. You love me--" + +"Monsieur," and I tried to draw my hand away. "I am the wife of +Francois Cassion." + +"I care nothing for that unholy alliance. You are his only by form. Do +you know what that marriage has cost me? Insults, ever since we left +Quebec. The coward knew I dare not lay hand upon him, because he was +your husband. We would have crossed steel a hundred times, but for my +memory of you. I could not kill the cur, for to do so would separate +us forever. So I bore his taunts, his reviling, his curses, his orders +that were insults. You think it was easy? I am a woodsman, a +lieutenant of La Salle's, and it has never before been my way to +receive insult without a blow. We are not of that breed. Yet I bore it +for your sake--why? Because I loved you." + +"Oh, Monsieur!" + +"'Tis naught to the shame of either of us," he continued, now speaking +with a calmness which held me silent. "And I wish you to know the +truth, so far as I can make it clear. This has been in my mind for +weeks, and I say it to you now as solemnly as though I knelt before a +father confessor. You have been to me a memory of inspiration ever +since we first met years ago at that convent in Quebec. I dreamed of +you in the wilderness, in the canoe on the great river, and here at +St. Louis. Never did _voyageur_ go eastward but I asked him to bring +me word from you, and each one, bore from me a message of greeting." + +"I received none, Monsieur." + +"I know that; even Sieur de la Salle failed to learn your dwelling +place. Yet when he finally chose me as his comrade on this last +journey, while I would have followed him gladly even to death, the one +hope which held me to the hardships of the trail, was the chance thus +given of seeking you myself." + +"It was I you sought then at the home of Hugo Chevet? not service +under Francois Cassion? Yet, when we met, you knew me not." + +"Nay; I had no thought that you were there. 'Twas told me in +Quebec--for what cause I cannot decide--that you had returned to +France. I had given up all hope, and that very fact made me blind to +your identity. Indeed, I scarce comprehended that you were really +Adele la Chesnayne, until we were alone together in the palace of the +Intendant. After I left you there, left you facing La Barre; left you +knowing of your forced engagement to his commissaire, I reached a +decision--I meant to accompany his party to Montreal, find some excuse +on the way for quarrel, and return to Quebec--and you." + +He paused, but I uttered no word, conscious that my cheeks were +burning hotly, and afraid to lift my eyes to his face. + +"You know the rest. I have made the whole journey; I have borne +insult, the charge of crime, merely that I might remain, and serve +you. Why do I say this? Because tonight--if we succeed in getting +through the Indian lines--I shall be again among my old comrades, and +shall be no longer a servant to Francois Cassion. I shall stand before +him a man, an equal, ready to prove myself with the steel--" + +"No, Monsieur," I burst forth, "that must not be; for my sake you will +not quarrel!" + +"For your sake? You would have me spare him?" + +"Oh, why do you put it thus, Monsieur! It is so hard for me to +explain. You say you love me, and--and the words bring me joy. Ay, I +confess that. But do you not see that a blow from your hand struck at +Francois Cassion would separate us forever? Surely that is not the end +you seek. I would not have you bear affront longer, yet no open +quarrel will serve to better our affairs. Certainly no clash of +swords. Perhaps it cannot be avoided, for Cassion may so insult you +when he sees us together, as to let his insolence go beyond restraint. +But I beg of you, Monsieur, to hold your hand, to restrain your +temper--for my sake." + +"You make it a trial, a test?" + +"Yes--it is a test. But, Monsieur, there is more involved here than +mere happiness. You must be cleared of the charge of crime, and I must +learn the truth of what caused my marriage. Without these facts the +future can hold out no hope for either of us. And there is only one +way in which this end can be accomplished--a confession by Cassion. He +alone knows the entire story of the conspiracy, and there is but one +way in which he can be induced to talk." + +"You mean the same method you proposed to me back on the Ottawa?" + +I faced him frankly, my eyes meeting his, no shade of hesitation in my +voice. + +"Yes, Monsieur, I mean that. You refused me before, but I see no harm, +no wrong in the suggestion. If the men we fought were honorable I +might hesitate--but they have shown no sense of honor. They have made +me their victim, and I am fully justified in turning their own weapons +against them. I have never hesitated in my purpose, and I shall not +now. I shall use the weapons which God has put into my hands to wring +from him the bitter truth--the weapons of a woman, love, and jealousy. +Monsieur, am I to fight this fight alone?" + +At first I thought he would not answer me, although his hand grip +tightened, and his eyes looked down into mine, as though he would read +the very secret of my heart. + +"Perhaps I did not understand before," he said at last, "all that was +involved in your decision. I must know now the truth from your own +lips before I pledge myself." + +"Ask me what you please; I am not too proud to answer." + +"I think there must be back of this choice of yours something more +vital than hate, more impelling than revenge." + +"There is, Monsieur." + +"May I ask you what?" + +"Yes, Monsieur, and I feel no shame in answering; I love you! Is that +enough?" + +"Enough! my sweetheart--" + +"Hush!" I interrupted, "not now--Barbeau returns yonder." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +WE ATTACK THE SAVAGES + + +It was already so dark that the soldier was almost upon us before I +perceived his shadow, but it was evident enough from his first words +that he had overheard none of our conversation. + +"There are no Indians in the village," he said gruffly, leaning on his +gun, and staring at us. "I got across to a small island, along the +trunk of a dead tree, and had good view of the whole bank yonder. The +tepees stand, but not a squaw, nor a dog is left." + +"Were there any canoes in sight along the shore?" + +"Only one, broken beyond repair." + +"Then, as I read the story, the tribe fled down the stream, either to +join the others on the Illinois, or the whites at the fort. They were +evidently not attacked, but had news of the coming of the Iroquois, +and escaped without waiting to give battle. 'Tis not likely the wolves +will overlook this village long. Are we ready to go forward?" + +"Ay, the venture must be made, and it is dark enough now." + +De Artigny's hand pressed my shoulder. + +"I would that I could remain with you, Madame," he said quietly, "but +as I know the way my place is in advance. Barbeau must be your +protector." + +"Nor could I ask for a braver. Do not permit any thought of me to make +you less vigilant, Monsieur. You expect to gain the fort unseen?" + +"'Tis merely a chance we take--the only one," he explained briefly. "I +cannot even be certain the fort is in state of siege, yet, without +doubt those warriors who went down the river would be in position to +prevent our approaching the rock by canoe. There is a secret path +here, known only to La Salle's officers, which, however, should give +us entrance, unless some wandering Iroquois has discovered it by +accident. We must approach with the utmost caution, yet I do not +anticipate great peril. Barbeau, do not become separated from Madame, +but let me precede you by a hundred paces--you will have no trouble +following the trail." + +He disappeared in the darkness, vanishing silently, and we stood +motionless waiting our turn to advance. Neither spoke, Barbeau leaning +forward, his gun extended, alert and ready. The intense darkness, the +quiet night, the mystery lurking amid those shadows beyond, all +combined to arouse within me a sense of danger. I could feel the swift +pounding of my heart, and I clasped the sleeve of the soldier's jacket +merely to assure myself of his actual presence. The pressure of my +fingers caused him to glance about. + +"Do not be frightened, Madame," he whispered encouragingly. "There +would be firing yonder if the Iroquois blocked our path." + +"Fear not for me," I answered, surprised at the steadiness of my +voice. "It is the lonely silence which makes me shrink; as soon as we +advance I shall have my nerve again. Have we not waited long enough?" + +"Ay, come; but be careful where you place your feet." + +He led the way, walking with such slow caution, that, although I +followed step by step, not a sound reached my ears. Dark as the night +was, our eyes, accustomed to the gloom, were able to distinguish the +marks of the trail, and follow its windings without much difficulty. +Many a moccasined foot had passed that way before us, beating down a +hard path through the sod, and pressing aside the low bushes which +helped to conceal the passage. At first we followed rather closely the +bank of the stream; then the narrow trail swerved to the right, +entering a gap between two hills, ever tending to a higher altitude. +We circled about large rocks, and up a ravine, through which we found +barely room for passage, the walls rising steep and high on either +side. It was intensely dark down there, yet impossible for us to +escape the trail, and at the end of that passage we emerged into an +open space, enclosed with woods, and having a grit of sand under foot. +Here the trail seemed to disappear, but Barbeau struck straight +across, and in the forest shade beyond we found De Artigny waiting. + +"Do not shoot," he whispered. "I was afraid you might misjudge the way +here, as the sand leaves no clear trace. The rest of the passage is +through the woods, and up a steep hill. You are not greatly wearied, +Madame?" + +"Oh, no; I have made some false steps in the dark, but the pace has +been slow. Do we approach the fort?" + +"A half league beyond; a hundred yards more, and we begin the climb. +There we will be in the zone of danger, although thus far I perceive +no sign of Indian presence. Have you, Barbeau?" + +"None except this feather of a war bonnet I picked up at the big rock +below." + +"A feather! Is it Iroquois?" + +"It is cut square, and no Algonquin ever does that." + +"Ay, let me see! You are right, Barbeau; 'twas dropped from a +Tuscarora war bonnet. Then the wolves have been this way." + +"Could it not be possible," I asked, "that the feather was spoil of +war dropped by some Miami in flight?" + +He shook his head. + +"Possible perhaps, but not probable; some white man may have passed +this way with trophy, but no Illinois Indian would dare such venture. +I have seen them before in Iroquois foray. I like not the sign, +Barbeau, yet there is naught for us to do now, but go on. We dare not +be found without the fort at daybreak. Keep within thirty paces of me, +and guard the lady well." + +It was a dense woods we entered, and how Barbeau kept to the trail +will ever be to me a mystery. No doubt the instinct of a woodsman +guided him somewhat, and then, with his moccasined feet, he could feel +the slight depression in the earth, and thus cling to the narrow path. +I would have been lost in a moment, had I not clung to him, and we +moved forward like two snails, scarcely venturing to breathe, our +motions as silent as a wild panther stalking its prey. + +Except for a faint rustling of leaves overhead no sound was +distinguishable, although once we were startled by some wild thing +scurrying across our path, the sudden noise it made causing me to give +utterance to a half-stifled cry. I could feel how tense was every +muscle in the soldier's body, as he advanced steadily step by step, +his gun flung forward, each nerve strained to the utmost. + +We crossed the wood, and began to climb among loose stones, finally +finding solid rock beneath our feet, the path skirting the edge of +what seemed to be a deep gash in the earth, and winding about wherever +it could find passage. The way grew steeper and steeper, and more +difficult to traverse, although, as we thus rose above the tree limit, +the shadows became less dense, and we were able dimly to perceive +objects a yard or two in advance. I strained my eyes over Barbeau's +shoulder, but could gain no glimpse of De Artigny. Then we rounded a +sharp edge of rock, and met him blocking the narrow way. + +"The red devils are there," he said, his voice barely audible. "Beyond +the curve in the bank. 'Twas God's mercy I had glimpse in time, or I +would have walked straight into their midst. A stone dropping into the +ravine warned me, and I crept on all fours to where I could see." + +"You counted them?" + +"Hardly that in this darkness; yet 'tis no small party. 'Twould be my +judgment there are twenty warriors there." + +"And the fort?" + +"Short rifle shot away. Once past this party, and the way is easy. +Here is my thought Barbeau. There is no firing, and this party of +wolves are evidently hidden in ambush. They have found the trail, and +expect some party from the fort to pass this way." + +"Or else," said the other thoughtfully, "they lie in wait for an +assault at daylight--that would be Indian war." + +"True, such might be their purpose, but in either case one thing +remains true--they anticipate no attack from below. All their +vigilance is in the other direction. A swift attack, a surprise will +drive them into panic. 'Tis a grave risk I know, but there is no other +passage to the fort." + +"If we had arms, it might be done." + +"We'll give them no time to discover what we have--a shot, a yell, a +rush forward. 'Twill all be over with before a devil among them gets +his second breath. Then 'tis not likely the garrison is asleep. If we +once get by there will be help in plenty to hold back pursuit. 'Tis a +desperate chance I admit, but have you better to propose?" + +The soldier stood silent, fingering his gun, until De Artigny asked +impatiently: + +"You have none?" + +"I know not the passage; is there no way around?" + +"No; this trail leads alone to the fort gate. I anticipated this, and +thought it all out as I came along. In the surprise at the first +attack, the savages will never know whether we be two or a dozen. They +will have no guard in this direction, and we can creep almost upon +them before attempting a rush. The two in advance should be safely +past before they recover sufficiently to make any fight. It will be +all done in the dark, you know." + +"You will go first, with the lady?" + +"No; that is to be your task; I will cover the rear." + +I heard these words, yet it was not my privilege to protest. Indeed, I +felt that he was right, and my courage made response to his decision. + +"If this be the best way possible," I said quietly, for both men +glanced questioningly at me, "then do not think of me as helpless, or +a burden. I will do all I can to aid you." + +"Never have I doubted that," exclaimed De Artigny heartily. "So then +the affair is settled. Barbeau, creep forward about the bank; be a +savage now, and make no noise until I give the word. You next, Madame, +and keep close enough to touch your leader. The instant I yell, and +Barbeau fires, the two of you leap up, and rush forward. Pay no heed +to me." + +"You would have us desert you, Monsieur?" + +"It will be every one for himself," he answered shortly. "I take my +chance, but shall not be far behind." + +We clasped hands, and then, as Barbeau advanced to the corner, I +followed, my only thought now to do all that was required of me. I did +not glance backward, yet was aware that De Artigny was close behind. +My heart beat fiercely, but I was not conscious of fear, although a +moment later, I could perceive the dim figures of savages. They were +but mere vague shadows in the night, and I made no attempt to count +them, only realizing that they were grouped together in the trail. I +could not have told how they faced, but there was a faint sound of +guttural speech, which proved them unsuspicious of danger. Barbeau, +lying low like a snake, crept cautiously forward, making not the +slightest noise, and closely hugging the deeper shadow of the bank. I +endeavored to imitate his every motion, almost dragging my body +forward by gripping my fingers into the rock-strewn earth. + +We advanced by inches, pausing now and then to listen breathlessly to +the low murmur of the Indian voices, and endeavoring to note any +change in the posture of the barely distinguishable figures. There was +no alarm, no changing of places, and the success of our approach +brought to us new confidence. Once a savage form, appearing grotesque +in its blanket, suddenly stood erect, and we shrunk close to the +ground in terror of discovery. An instant of agony followed, in which +we held our breath, staring through the dark, every nerve throbbing. +But the fellow merely stretched his arms lazily, uttered some guttural +word, and resumed his place. + +Once the gleam of a star reflected from a rifle barrel as its owner +shifted position; but nothing else occurred to halt our steady +advance. We were within a very few yards of them, so close, indeed, I +could distinguish the individual forms, when Barbeau paused, and, with +deliberate caution, rose on one knee. Realizing instantly that he was +preparing for the desperate leap, I also lifted my body, and braced +myself for the effort. De Artigny touched me, and spoke, but his voice +was so low it scarcely reached my ears. + +"Do not hesitate; run swift, and straight. Give Barbeau the signal." + +What followed is to me a delirium of fever, and remains in memory +indistinct and uncertain. I reached out, and touched Barbeau; I heard +the sudden roar of De Artigny's voice, the sharp report of the +soldier's rifle. The flame cut the dark as though it was the blade of +a knife, and, in the swift red glare, I saw a savage fling up his arms +and fall headlong. Then all was chaos, confusion, death. Nothing +touched me, not even a gripping hand, but there were Indian shots, +giving me glimpse of the hellish scene, of naked bodies, long waving +hair, eyes mad with terror, and red arms brandished, the rifles they +bore shining in the red glare. + +I saw Barbeau grip his gun by the barrel and strike as he ran. Again +and again it fell crunching against flesh. A savage hand slashed at +him with a gleaming knife, but I struck the red arm with my pistol +butt, and the Indian fell flat, leaving the way open. We dashed +through, but Barbeau grasped me, and thrust me ahead of him, and +whirled about, with uplifted rifle to aid De Artigny who faced two +warriors, naked knife in hand. + +"Run, Madame, for the fort," he shouted above the uproar. "To my help, +Barbeau!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +WITHIN THE FORT + + +I doubt if I paused a second, yet that was enough to give me glimpse +of the weird scene. I saw De Artigny lunge with his knife, a huge +savage reeling beneath the stroke, and Barbeau cleave passage to the +rescue, the stock of his gun shattered as he struck fiercely at the +red devils who blocked his path. + +Outnumbered, helpless for long in that narrow space, their only hope +lay in a sortie by the garrison, and it was my part to give the alarm. +Even as I sprang forward, a savage leaped from the ruck, but I escaped +his hand, and raced up the dark trail, the one thought urging me on. +God knows how I made it--to me 'tis but a memory of falls over unseen +obstacles, of reckless running; yet the distance could have been +scarce more than a hundred yards, before my eyes saw the darker shadow +of the stockade outlined against the sky. + +Crying out with full strength of my voice I burst into the little open +space, then tripped and fell just as the gate swung wide, and I saw a +dozen dark forms emerge. One leaped forward and grasped me, lifting me +partly to my feet. + +"_Mon Dieu_! a woman!" he exclaimed in startled voice. "What means +this, in Heaven's name?" + +"Quick," I gasped, breaking away, able now to stand on my own feet. +"They are fighting there--two white men--De Artigny--" + +"What, Rene! Ay, lads, to the rescue! Cartier, take the lady within. +Come with me you others." + +They swept past me, the leader well in advance. I felt the rush as +they passed, and had glimpse of vague figures 'ere they disappeared in +the darkness. Then I was alone, except for the bearded soldier who +grasped my arm. + +"Who was that?" I asked, "the man who led?" + +"Boisrondet, Francois de Boisrondet." + +"An officer of La Salle's? You then are of his company?" + +"I am," a bit proudly, "but most of the lads yonder belong with De +Baugis. Now we fight a common foe, and forget our own quarrel. Did you +say Rene de Artigny was in the fighting yonder?" + +"Yes; he and a soldier named Barbeau." + +The fellow stood silent, shifting his feet. + +"'Twas told us he was dead," he said finally, with effort. "Some more +of La Barre's men arrived three days ago by boat, under a popinjay +they call Cassion to recruit De Baugis' forces. De la Durantaye was +with him from the portage, so that now they outnumber us three to one. +You know this Cassion, Madame?" + +"Ay, I traveled with his party from Montreal." + +"Ah, then you will know the truth no doubt. De Tonty and Cassion were +at swords points over a charge the latter made against Rene de +Artigny--that he had murdered one of the party at St. Ignace." + +"Hugo Chevet, the fur trader." + +"Ay, that was the name. We of La Salle's company know it to be a lie. +_Sacre_! I have served with that lad two years, and 'tis not in his +nature to knife any man in the back. And so De Tonty said, and he gave +Cassion the lie straight in his teeth. I heard their words, and but +for De Baugis and De la Durantaye, Francois Cassion would have paid +well for his false tongue. Now you can tell him the truth." + +"I shall do that, but even my word, I fear, will not clear De Artigny +of the charge. I believe the man to be innocent; in my heart there is +no doubt, yet there is so little to be proven." + +"Cassion speaks bitterly; he is an enemy." + +"Monsieur Cassion is my husband," I said regretfully. + +"Your pardon, Madame. Ah, I understand it all now. You were supposed +to have been drowned in the great lake, but were saved by De Artigny. +'Twill be a surprise for Monsieur, but in this land, we witness +strange things. _Mon Dieu_! see, they come yonder; 'tis Boisrondet and +his men." + +They approached in silence, mere shadowy figures, whose numbers I +could not count, but those in advance bore a helpless body in their +arms, and my heart seemed to stop its beating, until I heard De +Artigny's voice in cheerful greeting. + +"What, still here, Madame, and the gate beyond open," he took my hand, +and lifted it to his lips. "My congratulations; your work was well +done, and our lives thank you. Madame Cassion, this is my comrade, +Francois Boisrondet, whose voice I was never more glad to hear than +this night. I commend him to your mercy." + +Boisrondet, a mere shadow in the night, swept the earth with his hat. + +"I mind me the time," he said courteously, "when Rene did me equal +service." + +"The savages have fled?" + +"'Twas short, and sweet, Madame, and those who failed to fly are lying +yonder." + +"Yet some among you are hurt?" + +"Barbeau hath an ugly wound--ay, bear him along, lads, and have the +cut looked to--but as for the rest of us, there is no serious harm +done." + +I was gazing at De Artigny, and marked how he held one hand to his +side. + +"And you, Monsieur; you are unscathed?" + +"Except for a small wound here, and a head which rings yet from savage +blows--no more than a night's rest will remedy. Come, Madame 'tis time +we were within, and the gates closed." + +"Is there still danger then? Surely now that we are under protection +there will be no attack?" + +"Not from those we have passed, but 'tis told me there are more than a +thousand Iroquois warriors in the valley, and the garrison has less +than fifty men all told. It was luck we got through so easily. Ay, +Boisrondet, we are ready." + +That was my first glimpse of the interior of a frontier fort, and, +although I saw only the little open space lighted by a few waving +torches, the memory abides with distinctness. A body of men met us at +the gate, dim, indistinct figures, a few among them evidently soldiers +from their dress, but the majority clothed in the ordinary garb of the +wilderness. Save for one Indian squaw, not a woman was visible, nor +did I recognize a familiar face, as the fellows, each man bearing a +rifle, surged about us in noisy welcome, eagerly questioning those who +had gone forth to our rescue. Yet we were scarcely within, and the +gates closed, when a man pressed his way forward through the throng, +in voice of authority bidding them stand aside. A blazing torch cast +its red light over him, revealing a slender figure attired in frontier +garb, a dark face, made alive by a pair of dense brown eyes, which met +mine in a stare of surprise. + +"Back safe, Boisrondet," he exclaimed sharply, "and have brought in a +woman. 'Tis a strange sight in this land. Were any of our lads hurt?" + +"None worth reporting, Monsieur. The man they carried was a soldier of +M. de la Durantaye. He was struck down before we reached the party. +There is an old comrade here." + +"An old comrade! Lift the torch, Jacques. Faith, there are so few left +I would not miss the sight of such a face." + +He stared about at us, for an instant uncertain; then took a quick +step forward, his hand outstretched. + +"Rene de Artigny!" he cried, his joy finding expression in his face. +"Ay, an old comrade, indeed, and only less welcome here than M. de la +Salle himself. 'Twas a bold trick you played tonight, but not unlike +many another I have seen you venture. You bring me message from +Monsieur?" + +"Only that he has sailed safely for France to have audience with +Louis. I saw him aboard ship, and was bidden to tell you to bide here +in patience, and seek no quarrel with De Baugis." + +"Easy enough to say; but in all truth I need not seek quarrel--it +comes my way without seeking. De Baugis was not so bad--a bit high +strung, perhaps, and boastful of his rank, yet not so ill a +comrade--but there is a newcomer here, a popinjay named Cassion, with +whom I cannot abide. Ah, but you know the beast, for you journeyed +west in his company. _Sacre_! the man charged you with murder, and I +gave him the lie to his teeth. Not two hours ago we had our swords +out, but now you can answer for yourself." + +De Artigny hesitated, his eyes meeting mine. + +"I fear, Monsieur de Tonty," he said finally, "the answer may not be +so easily made. If it were point of sword now, I could laugh at the +man, but he possesses some ugly facts difficult to explain." + +"Yet 'twas not your hand which did the deed?" + +"I pledge you my word to that. Yet this is no time to talk of the +matter. I have wounds to be looked to, and would learn first how +Barbeau fares. You know not the lady; but of course not, or your +tongue would never have spoken so freely--Monsieur de Tonty, Madame +Cassion." + +He straightened up, his eyes on my face. For an instant he stood +motionless; then swept the hat from his head, and bent low. + +"Your pardon, Madame; we of the wilderness become rough of speech. I +should have known, for a rumor reached me of your accident. You owe +life, no doubt, to Sieur de Artigny." + +"Yes, Monsieur; he has been my kind friend." + +"He would not be the one I love else. We know men on this frontier, +Madame, and this lad hath seen years of service by my side." His hand +rested on De Artigny's shoulder. "'Twas only natural then that I +should resent M. Cassion's charge of murder." + +"I share your faith in the innocence of M. de Artigny," I answered +firmly enough, "but beyond this assertion I can say nothing." + +"Naturally not, Madame. Yet we must move along. You can walk, Rene?" + +"Ay, my hurts are mostly bruises." + +The torches led the way, the dancing flames lighting up the scene. +There was hard, packed earth under our feet, nor did I realize yet +that this Fort St. Louis occupied the summit of a great rock, +protected on three sides by precipices, towering high above the river. +Sharpened palisades of logs surrounded us on every side, with low log +houses built against them, on the roofs of which riflemen could stand +in safety to guard the valley below. + +The central space was open except for two small buildings, one from +its shape a chapel, and the other, as I learned later, the guardhouse. +A fire blazed at the farther end of the enclosure, with a number of +men lounging about it, and illumined the front of a more pretentious +building, which apparently extended across that entire end. This +building, having the appearance of a barrack, exhibited numerous doors +and windows, with a narrow porch in front, on which I perceived a +group of men. + +As we approached more closely, De Tonty walking between De Artigny and +myself, a soldier ran up the steps, and made some report. Instantly +the group broke, and two men strode past the fire, and met us. One was +a tall, imposing figure in dragoon uniform, a sword at his thigh, his +face full bearded; the other whom I recognized instantly with a swift +intake of breath, was Monsieur Cassion. He was a stride in advance, +his eyes searching me out in the dim light, his face flushed from +excitement. + +"_Mon Dieu_! what is this I hear," he exclaimed, staring at the three +of us as though doubting the evidence of his own eyes. "My wife alive? +Ay, by my faith, it is indeed Adele." He grasped me by the arm, but +even at that instant his glance fell upon De Artigny, and his manner +changed. + +"Saint Anne! and what means this! So 'tis with this rogue you have +been wandering the wilderness!" + +He tugged at his sword, but the dragoon caught his arm. + +"Nay, wait, Cassion. 'Twill be best to learn the truth before +resorting to blows. Perchance Monsieur Tonty can explain clearly what +has happened." + +"It is explained already," answered the Italian, and he took a step +forward as though to protect us. "These two, with a soldier of M. de +la Durantaye, endeavored to reach the fort, and were attacked by +Iroquois. We dispatched men to their rescue, and have all now safe +within the palisades. What more would you learn, Messieurs?" + +Cassion pressed forward, and fronted him, angered beyond control. + +"We know all that," he roared savagely. "But I would learn why they +hid themselves from me. Ay, Madame, but I will make you talk when once +we are alone! But now I denounce this man as the murderer of Hugo +Chevet, and order him under arrest. Here, lads, seize the fellow." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +IN DE BAUGIS' QUARTERS + + +De Tonty never gave way an inch, as a dozen soldiers advanced at +Cassion's order. + +"Wait men!" he said sternly. "'Tis no time, with Iroquois about, to +start a quarrel, yet if a hand be laid on this lad here in anger, we, +who are of La Salle's Company, will protect him with our lives--" + +"You defend a murderer?" + +"No; a comrade. Listen to me, Cassion, and you De Baugis. I have held +quiet to your dictation, but no injustice shall be done to comrade of +mine save by force of arms. I know naught of your quarrel, or your +charges of crime against De Artigny, but the lad is going to have fair +play. He is no _courier du bois_ to be killed for your vengeance, but +an officer under Sieur de la Salle, entitled to trial and judgment." + +"He was my guide; I have authority." + +"Not now, Monsieur. 'Tis true he served you, and was your _engagé_ on +the voyage hither. But even in that service, he obeyed the orders of +La Salle. Now, within these palisades, he is an officer of this +garrison, and subject only to me." + +De Baugis spoke, his voice cold, contemptuous. + +"You refuse obedience to the Governor of New France?" + +"No, Monsieur; I am under orders to obey. There will be no trouble +between us if you are just to my men. La Barre is not here to decide +this, but I am." He put his hand on De Artigny's shoulder. "Monsieur +Cassion charges this man with murder. He is an officer of my command, +and I arrest him. He shall be protected, and given a fair trial. What +more can you ask?" + +"You will protect him! help him to escape, rather!" burst out Cassion. +"That is the scheme, De Baugis." + +"Your words are insult, Monsieur, and I bear no more. If you seek +quarrel, you shall have it. I am your equal, Monsieur, and my +commission comes from the King. Ah, M. de la Durantaye, what say you +of this matter?" + +A man, broad shouldered, in the dress of a woodsman, elbowed his way +through the throng of soldiers. He had a strong, good-humored face. + +"In faith, I heard little of the controversy, yet 'tis like I know the +gist of it, as I have just conversed with a wounded soldier of mine, +Barbeau, who repeated the story as he understood it. My hand to you, +Sieur de Artigny, and it seems to me, Messieurs, that De Tonty hath +the right of it." + +"You take his side against us who hath the authority of the +Governor?" + +"Pah! that is not the issue. Tis merely a question of justice to this +lad here. I stand for fair trial with Henri de Tonty, and will back my +judgment with my sword." + +They stood eye to eye, the four of them, and the group of soldiers +seemed to divide, each company drawing together. Cassion growled some +vague threat, but De Baugis took another course, gripping his +companion by the arm. + +"No, Francois, 'tis not worth the danger," he expostulated. "There +will be no crossing of steel. Monsieur Cassion, no doubt, hath reason +to be angered--but not I. The man shall have his trial, and we will +learn the right and wrong of all this presently. Monsieur Tonty, the +prisoner is left in your charge. Fall back men--to your barracks. +Madame, permit me to offer you my escort." + +"To where, Monsieur?" + +"To the only quarters fitted for your reception," he said gallantly, +"those I have occupied since arrival here." + +"You vacate them for me?" + +"With the utmost pleasure," bowing gallantly. "I beg of you their +acceptance; your husband has been my guest, and will join with me in +exile." + +I glanced at De Tonty, who yet stood with hand on De Artigny's +shoulder, a little cordon of his own men gathered closely about them. +My eyes encountered those of the younger officer. As I turned away I +found myself confronted by Cassion. The very sight of his face brought +me instant decision, and I spoke my acceptance before he could utter +the words trembling on his lips. + +"I will use your quarters gladly, Captain de Baugis," I said quietly, +"but will ask to be left there undisturbed." + +"Most assuredly, Madame--my servant will accompany you." + +"Then good-night, Messieurs," I faced Cassion, meeting his eyes +frankly. "I am greatly wearied, and would rest; tomorrow I will speak +with you, Monsieur. Permit me to pass." + +He stood aside, unable to affront me, although the anger in his face, +was evidence enough of brewing trouble. No doubt he had boasted of me +to De Baugis, and felt no desire now to have our true relations +exposed thus publicly. I passed him, glancing at none of the others, +and followed the soldier across the beaten parade. A moment later I +was safely hidden within a two-roomed cabin. + +Everything within had an appearance of neatness, almost as if a woman +had arranged its furnishings. I glanced about in pleased surprise, as +the soldier placed fresh fuel on the cheerful fire blazing in the +fireplace, and drew closer the drapery over the single window. + +"Madame will find it comfortable?" he said, pausing at the door. + +"Quite so," I answered. "One could scarcely anticipate so delightful a +spot in this Indian land." + +"Monsieur de Baugis has the privilege of Sieur de la Salle's +quarters," he answered, eager to explain, "and besides brought with +him many comforts of his own. But for the Iroquois we would be quite +happy." + +"They have proven dangerous?" + +"Not to us within the fort. A few white men were surprised without and +killed, but, except for shortness of provisions and powder and ball, +we are safe enough here. Tomorrow you will see how impregnable is the +Rock from savage attack." + +"I have heard there are a thousand Iroquois in the valley." + +"Ay, and possibly more, and we are but a handful in defense, yet their +only approach is along that path you came tonight. The cowardly Illini +fled down the river; had they remained here we would have driven the +vermin out before this, for 'tis said they fight well with white +leaders." + +I made no reply, and the man disappeared into the darkness, closing +the heavy door behind him, and leaving me alone. I made it secure with +an oaken bar, and sank down before the fire on a great shaggy bear +skin. I was alone at last, safe from immediate danger, able to think +of the strange conditions surrounding me, and plan for the future. The +seriousness of the situation I realized clearly, and also the fact +that all depended on my action--even the life of Rene de Artigny. + +I sat staring into the fire, no longer aware of fatigue, or feeling +any sense of sleepiness. The thick log walls of the cabin shut out all +noise; I was conscious of a sense of security, of protection, and yet +comprehended clearly what the new day would bring. I should have to +face Cassion, and in what spirit could I meet him best? Thus far I had +been fortunate in escaping his denunciation, but I realized the reason +which had compelled his silence--pride, the fear of ridicule, had +sealed his lips. I was legally his wife, given to him by Holy Church, +yet for weeks, months, during all our long wilderness journey, I had +held aloof from him, mocking his efforts, and making light of his +endeavors. It had been maddening, no doubt, and rendered worse by his +growing jealousy of De Artigny. + +Then I had vanished, supposedly drowned in the great lake. He had +sought me vainly along the shore, and finally turned away, convinced +of my death, and that De Artigny had also perished. + +Once at the fort, companioning with De Baugis, and with no one to deny +the truth of his words, his very nature would compel him to boast of +his marriage to Adele la Chesnayne. No doubt he had told many a vivid +tale of happiness since we left Quebec. Ay, not only had he thus +boasted of conquests over me, but he had openly charged De Artigny +with murder, feeling safe enough in the belief that we were both dead. +And now when we appeared before him alive and together, he had been +for the moment too dazed for expression. Before De Baugis he dare not +confess the truth, yet this very fact would only leave him the more +furious. And I knew instinctively the course the man would pursue. His +one thought, his one purpose, would be revenge--nothing would satisfy +him except the death of De Artigny. Personally I had little to fear; I +knew his cowardice, and that he would never venture to use physical +force with me. Even if he did I could rely upon the gallantry of De +Tonty, and of De Baugis for protection. No, he would try threats, +entreaties, slyness, cajolery, but his real weapon to overcome my +opposition would be De Artigny. And there he possessed power. + +I felt in no way deceived as to this. The ugly facts, as Cassion was +able to present them, would without doubt, condemn the younger man. He +had no defense to offer, except his own assertion of innocence. Even +if I told what I knew it would only strengthen the chain of +circumstance, and make his guilt appear clearer. + +De Tonty would be his friend, faithful to the end; and I possessed +faith in the justice of De Baugis, yet the facts of the case could not +be ignored--and these, unexplained, tipped with the venom of Cassion's +hatred, were sufficient to condemn the prisoner. And he was helpless +to aid himself; if he was to be saved, I must save him. How? There was +but one possible way--discovery of proof that some other committed the +crime. I faced the situation hopelessly, confessing frankly to myself +that I loved the man accused; that I would willingly sacrifice myself +to save him. + +I felt no shame at this acknowledgment, and in my heart there was no +shadow of regret. Yet I sat there stunned, helpless, gazing with heavy +eyes into the fire, unable to determine a course of action, or devise +any method of escape. + +Unable longer to remain quiet, I got to my feet, and my eyes surveyed +the room. So immersed in thought I had not before really noted my +surroundings, but now I glanced about, actuated by a vague curiosity. +The hut contained two rooms, the walls of squared logs, partially +concealed by the skins of wild animals, the roof so low I could almost +touch it with my hand. + +A table and two chairs, rudely made with axe and knife, comprised the +entire furniture, but a small mirror, unframed, hung suspended against +the farther wall. I glanced at my reflection in the glass, surprised +to learn how little change the weeks had made in my appearance. It was +still the face of a girl which gazed back at me, with clear, wide-open +eyes, and cheeks flushed in the firelight. Strange to say the very +sight of my youthfulness was a disappointment and brought with it +doubt. How could I fight these men? how could I hope to win against +their schemes, and plans of vengeance? + +I opened the single window, and leaned out, grateful for the fresh air +blowing against my face, but unable to perceive the scene below +shrouded in darkness. Far away, down the valley, was the red glow of a +fire, its flame reflecting over the surface of the river. I knew I +stared down into a great void, but could hear no sound except a faint +gurgle of water directly beneath. I closed the window shutter, and, +urged by some impulse, crossed over to the door leading to the other +apartment. It was a sleeping room, scarcely more than a large closet, +with garments hanging on pegs against the logs, and two rude bunks +opposite the door. But the thing which captured my eyes was a bag of +brown leather lying on the floor at the head of one of the bunks--a +shapeless bag, having no distinctive mark about it, and yet which I +instantly recognized--since we left Quebec it had been in our boat. + +As I stood staring at it, I remembered the words of De Baugis, "your +husband has been my guest." Ay, that was it--this had been Cassion's +quarters since his arrival, and this was his bag, the one he kept +beside him in the canoe, his private property. My heart beat wildly in +the excitement of discovery, yet there was no hesitation; instantly I +was upon my knees tugging at the straps. They yielded easily, and I +forced the leather aside, gaining glimpse of the contents. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +I SEND FOR DE TONTY + + +I discovered nothing but clothes at first--moccasins, and numerous +undergarments--together with a uniform, evidently new, and quite +gorgeous. The removal of these, however, revealed a pocket in the +leather side, securely fastened, and on opening this with trembling +fingers, a number of papers were disclosed. + +Scarcely venturing to breathe, hardly knowing what I hoped to find, +I drew these forth, and glanced hastily at them. Surely the man +would bear nothing unimportant with him on such a journey; these +must be papers of value, for I had noted with what care he had +guarded the bag all the way. Yet at first I discovered nothing to +reward my search--there was a package of letters, carefully bound with +a strong cord, a commission from La Barre, creating Cassion a Major +of Infantry, a number of receipts issued in Montreal, a list of +goods purchased at St. Ignace, and a roster of men composing the +expedition. + +At last from one corner of the pocket, I drew forth a number of +closely written pages, evidently the Governor's instruction. They were +traced in so fine a hand that I was obliged to return beside the fire +to decipher their contents. They were written in detail, largely +concerned with matters of routine, especially referring to relations +with the garrison of the fort, and Cassion's authority over De Baugis, +but the closing paragraph had evidently been added later, and had +personal interest. It read: "Use your discretion as to De Artigny, but +violence will hardly be safe; he is thought too well of by La Salle, +and that fox may get Louis' ear again. We had best be cautious. +Chevet, however, has no friends, and, I am told, possesses a list of +the La Chesnayne property, and other documents which had best be +destroyed. Do not fail in this, nor fear results. We have gone too far +to hesitate now." + +I took this page, and thrust it into my breast. It was not much, and +yet it might prove the one needed link. I ran through the packet of +letters, but they apparently had no bearing on the case. Several were +from women; others from officers, mere gossipy epistles of camp and +field. Only one was from La Barre, and that contained nothing of +importance, except the writer urged Cassion to postpone marriage until +his return from the West, adding, "there is no suspicion, and I can +easily keep things quiet until then." + +Assured that I had overlooked nothing, I thrust the various articles +back, restrapped the bag, and returned to the outer room. As I paused +before the fire, someone rapped at the door. I stood erect, my fingers +gripping the pistol which I still retained. Again the raps sounded, +clearly enough defined in the night, yet not violent, or threatening. + +"Who is there?" I asked. + +"Your husband, my dear--Francois Cassion." + +"But why do you come? It was the pledge of De Baugis that I was to be +left here alone." + +"A fair pledge enough, although I was not consulted. From the look of +your eyes little difference if I had been. You are as sweet in +disposition as ever, my dear; yet never mind that--we'll soon settle +our case now, I warrant you. Meanwhile I am content to wait until my +time comes. 'Tis not you I seek tonight, but my dressing case." + +"Your dressing case?" + +"Ay, you know it well, a brown leather bag I bore with me during our +journey." + +"And where is it, Monsieur?" + +"Beneath the bunk in the sleeping room. Pass it out to me, and I will +ask no more." + +"'Twill be safer if you keep your word," I said quietly, "for I still +carry Hugo Chevet's pistol, and know how to use it. Draw away from the +door, Monsieur, and I will thrust out the bag." + +I lowered the bar, opening the door barely wide enough to permit the +bag's passage. The light from the fire gleamed on the barrel of the +pistol held in my hand. It was the work of an instant, and I saw +nothing of Cassion, but, as the door closed, he laughed scornfully. + +"Tis your game tonight, Madame," he said spitefully, "but tomorrow I +play my hand. I thank you for the bag, as it contains my commission. +By virtue of it I shall assume command of this Fort St. Louis, and I +know how to deal with murderers. I congratulate you on your lover, +Madame--good night." + +I dropped into the nearest seat, trembling in every limb. It was not +personal fear, nor did I in my heart resent the insult of his last +words. De Artigny was my lover, not in mere lip service, but in fact. +I was not ashamed, but proud, to know this was true. The only thing of +which I was ashamed was my relationship with Cassion; and my only +thought now was how that relationship could be ended, and De Artigny's +life saved. The paper I had found was indeed of value, yet I realized +it alone was not enough to offset the charges which Cassion would +support by his own evidence and that of his men. This mere suggestion +in La Barre's handwriting meant nothing unless we could discover also +in Cassion's possession the documents taken from Chevet And these, +beyond doubt, had been destroyed. Over and over again in my mind I +turned these thoughts, but only to grow more confused and uncertain. +All the powers of hate were arrayed against us, and I felt helpless +and alone. + +I must have slept finally from sheer exhaustion, although I made no +attempt to lie down. It was broad daylight, when I awoke, aroused by +pounding on the door. To my inquiry a voice announced food, and I +lowered the bar, permitting an orderly to enter bearing a tray, which +he deposited on the table. Without speaking he turned to leave the +room, but I suddenly felt courage to address him. + +"You were not of our party," I said gravely. "Are you a soldier of M. +de Baugis?" + +"No, Madame," and he turned facing me, his countenance a pleasant one. +"I am not a soldier at all, but I serve M. de Tonty." + +"Ah, I am glad of that. You will bear to your master a message?" + +"Perhaps, Madame," his tone somewhat doubtful. "You are the wife of +Monsieur Cassion?" + +"Do not hesitate because of that," I hastened to say, believing I +understood his meaning. "While it is true I am legally the wife of +Francois Cassion, my sympathies now are altogether with the Sieur de +Artigny. I would have you ask M. de Tonty to confer with me." + +"Yes, Madame." + +"You have served with De Artigny? You know him well?" + +"Three years, Madame; twice he saved my life on the great river. M. de +Tonty shall receive your message." + +I could not eat, although I made the endeavor, and finally crossed to +the window, opened the heavy wooden shutters, and gazed without. What +a marvelous scene that was! Never before had my eyes looked upon so +fair a view, and I stood silent, and fascinated. My window opened to +the westward, and I gazed down from the very edge of the vast rock +into the wide valley. Great tree tops were below, and I had to lean +far out to see the silvery waters lapping the base of the precipice, +but, a little beyond, the full width of the noble stream became +visible, decked with islands, and winding here and there between +green-clad banks, until it disappeared in the far distance. The sun +touched all with gold; the wide meadows opposite were vivid green, +while many of the trees crowning the bluffs had already taken on rich +autumnal coloring. Nor was there anywhere in all that broad expanse, +sign of war or death. It was a scene of peace, so silent, so +beautiful, that I could not conceive this as a land of savage cruelty. +Far away, well beyond rifle shot, two loaded canoes appeared, skimming +the surface of the river. Beyond these, where the meadows swept down +to the stream, I could perceive black heaps of ashes, and here and +there spirals of smoke, the only visible symbols of destruction. A +haze hid the distant hills, giving to them a purple tinge, like a +frame encircling the picture. It was all so soft in coloring my mind +could not grasp the fact that we were besieged by warriors of the +Iroquois, and that this valley was even now being swept and harried by +those wild raiders of the woods. + +I had neglected to bar the door, and as I stood there gazing in +breathless fascination, a sudden step on the floor caused me to turn +in alarm. My eyes encountered those of De Tonty, who stood hat in +hand. + +"Tis a fair view, Madame," he said politely. "In all my travels I have +seen no nobler domain." + +"It hath a peaceful look," I answered, still struggling with the +memory. "Can it be true the savages hold the valley?" + +"All too true--see, yonder, where the smoke still shows, dwelt the +Kaskaskias. Not a lodge is left, and the bodies of their dead strew +the ground. Along those meadows three weeks since there were the happy +villages of twelve tribes of peaceful Indians; today those who yet +live are fleeing for their lives." + +"And this fort, Monsieur?" + +"Safe enough, I think, although no one of us can venture ten yards +beyond the gate. The Rock protects us, Madame, yet we are greatly +outnumbered, and with no ammunition to waste. 'Twas the surprise of +the raid which left us thus helpless. Could we have been given time to +gather our friendly Indians together the story would be different." + +"They are not cowards then?" + +"Not with proper leadership. We have seen them fight often since we +invaded this land. 'Tis my thought many of them are hiding now beyond +those hills, and may find some way to reach us. I suspected such an +effort last night, when I sent out the rescue party which brought you +in. Ah, that reminds me, Madame; you sent for me?" + +"Yes, M. de Tonty. I can speak to you frankly? You are the friend of +Sieur de Artigny?" + +"Faith, I hope I am, Madame, but I know not what has got into the +lad--he will tell me nothing." + +"I suspected as much, Monsieur. It was for that reason I have sent for +you. He has not even told you the story of our journey?" + +"Ay, as brief as a military report--not a fact I could not have +guessed. There is a secret here, which I have not discovered. Why is +M. Cassion so wild for the lad's blood? and how came there to be +trouble between Rene, and the fur trader? Bah! I know the lad is no +murderer, but no one will tell me the facts." + +"Then I will, Monsieur," I said gravely. "It was because of my belief +that Sieur de Artigny would refuse explanation that I sent for you. +The truth need not be concealed; not from you, at least, the commander +of Fort St. Louis--" + +"Pardon, Madame, but I am not that. La Salle left me in command with +less than a dozen men. De Baugis came later, under commission from La +Barre, but he also had but a handful of followers. To save quarrel we +agreed to divide authority, and so got along fairly well, until M. +Cassion arrived with his party. Then the odds were altogether on the +other side, and De Baugis assumed command by sheer force of rifles. +'Twas La Salle's wish that no resistance be made, but, faith, with the +Indians scattered, I had no power. This morning things have taken a +new phase. An hour ago M. Cassion assumed command of the garrison by +virtue of a commission he produced from the Governor La Barre, naming +him major of infantry. This gives him rank above Captain de Baugis, +and, besides, he bore also a letter authorizing him to take command of +all French troops in this valley, if, in his judgment, circumstances +rendered it necessary. No doubt he deemed this the proper occasion." + +"To assure the conviction, and death of De Artigny?" I asked, as he +paused. "That is your meaning, Monsieur?" + +"I cannot see it otherwise," he answered slowly, "although I hesitate +to make so grave a charge in your presence, Madame. Our situation here +is scarcely grave enough to warrant his action, for the fort is in no +serious danger from the Iroquois. De Baugis, while no friend of mine, +is still a fair minded man, and merciful. He cannot be made a tool for +any purpose of revenge. This truth Major Cassion has doubtless +learned, and hence assumes command himself to carry out his plans." + +I looked into the soldier's dark, clear-cut face, feeling a confidence +in him, which impelled me to hold out my hand. + +"M. de Tonty," I said, determined now to address him in all frankness. +"It is true that I am legally the wife of this man of whom you speak, +but this only enables me to know his motives better. This condemnation +of Sieur de Artigny is not his plan alone; it was born in the brain of +La Barre, and Cassion merely executes his orders. I have here the +written instructions under which he operates." + +I held out to him the page from La Barre's letter. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +THE COURT MARTIAL + + +De Tonty took the paper from my hand, glanced at it, then lifted his +eyes inquiringly to mine. + +"'Tis in the governor's own hand. How came this in your possession?" + +"I found it in Cassion's private bag last night, under the berth +yonder. Later he came and carried the bag away, never suspecting it +had been opened. His commission was there also. Read it, Monsieur." + +He did so slowly, carefully, seeming to weigh every word, his eyes +darkening, and a flush creeping into his swarthy cheeks. + +"Madame," he exclaimed at last. "I care not whether the man be your +husband, but this is a damnable conspiracy, hatched months ago in +Quebec." + +I bowed my head. + +"Beyond doubt, Monsieur." + +"And you found nothing more? no documents taken from Hugo Chevet?" + +"None, Monsieur; they were either destroyed in accordance with La +Barre's instructions, or else M. Cassion has them on his person." + +"But I do not understand the reason for such foul treachery. What +occurred back in New France to cause the murder of Chevet, and this +attempt to convict De Artigny of the crime?" + +"Sit here, Monsieur," I said, my voice trembling, "and I will tell you +the whole story. I must tell you, for there is no one else in Fort St. +Louis whom I can trust." + +He sat silent, and bareheaded, his eyes never leaving my face as I +spoke. At first I hesitated, my words hard to control, but as I +continued, and felt his sympathy, speech became easier. All +unconsciously his hand reached out and rested on mine, as though in +encouragement, and only twice did he interrupt my narrative with +questions. I told the tale simply, concealing nothing, not even my +growing love for De Artigny. The man listening inspired my utmost +confidence--I sought his respect and faith. As I came to the end his +hand grasp tightened, but, for a moment, he remained motionless and +silent, his eyes grave with thought. + +"'Tis a strange, sad case," he said finally, "and the end is hard to +determine. I believe you, Madame, and honor your choice. The case is +strong against De Artigny; even your testimony is not for his defense. +Does M. Cassion know you saw the young man that night?" + +"He has dropped a remark, or two, which shows suspicion. Possibly some +one of the men saw me outside the Mission House, and made report." + +"Then he will call you as witness. If I know the nature of Cassion his +plan of trial is a mere form, although doubtless he will ask the +presence of Captain de Baugis, and M. de la Durantaye. Neither will +oppose him, so long as he furnishes the proof necessary to convict. He +will give his evidence, and call the Indian, and perchance a soldier +or two, who will swear to whatever he wishes. If needed he may bring +you in also to strengthen the case. De Artigny will make no defense, +because he has no witnesses, and because he has a fool notion that he +might compromise you by telling the whole truth." + +"Then there is no hope? nothing we can do?" + +"No, Madame; not now. I shall not be consulted, nor asked to be +present. I am under strict order from La Salle not to oppose La +Barre's officers, and, even if I were disposed to disobey my chief, I +possess no force with which to act. I have but ten men on whom I could +rely, while they number over forty." He leaned closer, whispering, +"Our policy is to wait, and act after the prisoner has been +condemned." + +"How? You mean a rescue?" + +"Ay, there lies the only hope. There is one man here who can turn the +trick. He is De Artigny's comrade and friend. Already he has outlined +a plan to me, but I gave no encouragement. Yet, now, that I know the +truth, I shall not oppose. Have you courage, Madame, to give him your +assistance? 'Tis like to be a desperate venture." + +I drew a deep breath, but with no sense of fear. + +"Yes, Monsieur. Who is the man I am to trust?" + +"Francois de Boisrondet, the one who led the rescue party last +night." + +"A gallant lad." + +"Ay, a gentleman of France, a daring heart. Tonight--" + +The door opened, and the figure of a man stood outlined against the +brighter glow without. De Tonty was on his feet fronting the newcomer, +ere I even realized it was Cassion who stood there, glaring at us. +Behind him two soldiers waited in the sunshine. + +"What is the meaning of this, M. de Tonty?" he exclaimed, with no +pretense at friendliness. "A rather early morning call, regarding +which I was not even consulted. Have husbands no rights in this +wilderness paradise?" + +"Such rights as they uphold," returned the Italian, erect and +motionless. "I am always at your service, M. Cassion. Madame and I +have conversed without permission. If that be crime I answer for it +now, or when you will." + +It was in Cassion's heart to strike. I read the desire in his eyes, in +the swift clutch at his sword hilt; but the sarcastic smile on De +Tonty's thin lips robbed him of courage. + +"'Tis best you curb your tongue," he snarled, "or I will have you in +the guardhouse with De Artigny. I command now." + +"So I hear. Doubtless you could convict me as easily." + +"What do you mean?" + +"Only that your whole case is a tissue of lies." + +"Pah! you have her word for it, no doubt. But you will all sing a +different song presently. Ay, and it will be her testimony which will +hang the villain." + +"What is this you say, Monsieur--my testimony?" + +"Just that--the tale of what you saw in the Mission garden at St. +Ignace. _Sacre_, that shot hits, does it! You thought me asleep, and +with no knowledge of your escapade, but I had other eyes open that +night, my lady. Now will you confess the truth?" + +"I shall conceal nothing, Monsieur." + +"'Twill be best that you make no attempt," he sneered, his old +braggart spirit reasserting itself as De Tonty kept silent. "I have +guard here to escort you to the Commandant's office." + +"You do me honor." I turned to De Tonty. "Shall I go, Monsieur?" + +"I think it best, Madame," he replied soberly, his dark eyes +contemptuously surveying Cassion. "To refuse would only strengthen the +case against the prisoner. M. Cassion will not, I am sure, deny me the +privilege of accompanying you. Permit me to offer my arm." + +I did not glance toward Cassion, but felt no doubt as to the look on +his face; yet he would think twice before laying hand on this stern +soldier who had offered me protection. The guard at the door fell +aside promptly, and permitted us to pass. Some order was spoken, in a +low tone, and they fell in behind with rifles at trail. Once in the +open I became, for the first time, aware of irregular rifle firing, +and observed in surprise, men posted upon a narrow staging along the +side of the log stockade. + +"Is the fort being attacked?" I asked. + +"There has been firing for some days," he answered, "but no real +attack. The savages merely hide yonder amid the rocks and woods, and +strive to keep us from venturing down the trail. Twice we have made +sortie, and driven them away, but 'tis a useless waste of fighting." +He called to a man posted above the gate. "How is it this morning, +Jules?" + +The soldier glanced about cautiously, keeping his head below cover. + +"Thick as flies out there, Monsieur," he answered, "and with a +marksman or two among them. Not ten minutes since Bowain got a ball in +his head." + +"And no orders to clear the devils out?" + +"No, Monsieur--only to watch that they do not form for a rush." + +The Commandant's office was built against the last stockade--a log hut +no more pretentious than the others. A sentry stood at each side of +the closed door, but De Tonty ignored them, and ushered me into the +room. It was not large, and was already well filled, a table littered +with papers occupying the central space, De Baugis and De la Durantaye +seated beside it, while numerous other figures were standing pressed +against the walls. I recognized the familiar faces of several of our +party, but before I recovered from my first embarrassment De Baugis +arose, and with much politeness offered me a chair. + +De Tonty remained beside me, his hand resting on my chair back, as he +coolly surveyed the scene. Cassion pushed past, and occupied a vacant +chair, between the other officers, laying his sword on the table. My +eyes swept about the circle of faces seeking De Artigny, but he was +not present. But for a slight shuffling of feet, the silence was +oppressive. Cassion's unpleasant voice broke the stillness. + +"M. de Tonty, there is a chair yonder reserved for your use." + +"I prefer remaining beside Madame Cassion," he answered calmly. "It +would seem she has few friends in this company." + +"We are all her friends," broke in De Baugis, his face flushing, "but +we are here to do justice, and avenge a foul crime. 'Tis told us that +madame possesses certain knowledge which has not been revealed. Other +witnesses have testified, and we would now listen to her word. +Sergeant of the guard, bring in the prisoner." + +He entered by way of the rear door, manacled, and with an armed +soldier on either side. Coatless and bareheaded, he stood erect in the +place assigned him, and as his eyes swept the faces, his stern look +changed to a smile as his glance met mine. My eyes were still upon +him, seeking eagerly for some message of guidance, when Cassion +spoke. + +"M. de Baugis will question the witness." + +"The court will pardon me," said De Artigny. "The witness to be heard +is Madame?" + +"Certainly; what means your interruption?" + +"To spare the lady unnecessary embarrassment. She is my friend, and, +no doubt, may find it difficult to testify against me. I merely +venture to ask her to give this court the exact truth." + +"Your words are impertinent." + +"No, M. de Baugis," I broke in, understanding all that was meant. +"Sieur de Artigny has spoken in kindness, and has my thanks. I am +ready now to bear witness frankly." + +Cassion leaned over whispering, but De Baugis merely frowned, and +shook his head, his eyes on my face. I felt the friendly touch of M. +de Tonty's hand on my shoulder, and the slight pressure brought me +courage. + +"What is it you desire me to tell, Monsieur?" + +"The story of your midnight visit to the Mission garden at St. Ignace, +the night Hugo Chevet was killed. Tell it in your own words, Madame." + +As I began my voice trembled, and I was obliged to grip the arms of +the chair to keep myself firm. There was a mist before my eyes, and I +saw only De Artigny's face, as he leaned forward eagerly listening. +Not even he realized all I had witnessed that night, and yet I must +tell the truth--the whole truth, even though the telling cost his +life. The words came faster, and my nerves ceased to throb. I read +sympathy in De Baugis' eyes, and addressed him alone. Twice he asked +me questions, in so kindly a manner as to win instant reply, and once +he checked Cassion when he attempted to interrupt, his voice stern +with authority. I told the story simply, plainly, with no attempt at +equivocation, and when I ceased speaking the room was as silent as a +tomb. De Baugis sat motionless, but Cassion stared at me across the +table, his face dark with passion. + +"Wait," he cried as though thinking me about to rise. "There are +questions yet." + + "Monsieur," said De Baugis coldly. "If there are questions it is my +place to ask them." + +"Ay," angrily beating his hand on the board, "but it is plain to be +seen the woman has bewitched you. No, I will not be denied; I am +Commandant here, and with force enough behind me to make my will law. +Scowl if you will, but here is La Barre's commission, and I dare you +ignore it. So answer me, Madame--you saw De Artigny bend over the body +of Chevet--was your uncle then dead?" + +"I know not, Monsieur; but there was no movement." + +"Why did you make no report?--was it to shield De Artigny?" + +I hesitated, yet the answer had to be made. + +"The Sieur de Artigny was my friend, Monsieur. I did not believe him +guilty, yet my evidence would have cast suspicion upon him. I felt it +best to remain still, and wait." + +"You suspected another?" + +"Not then, Monsieur, but since." + +Cassion sat silent, not overly pleased with my reply, but De Baugis +smiled grimly. + +"By my faith," he said, "the tale gathers interest. You have grown to +suspicion another since, Madame--dare you name the man?" + +My eyes sought the face of De Tonty, and he nodded gravely. + +"It can do no harm, Madame," he muttered softly. "Put the paper in De +Baugis' hand." + +I drew it, crumpled, from out the bosom of my dress, rose to my feet, +and held it forth to the Captain of Dragoons. He grasped it +wonderingly. + +"What is this, Madame?" + +"One page from a letter of instruction. Read it, Monsieur; you will +recognize the handwriting." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +CONDEMNED + + +He opened the paper gravely, shadowing the page with one hand so that +Cassion was prevented from seeing the words. He read slowly, a frown +on his face. + +"'Tis the writing of Governor La Barre, although unsigned," he said at +last. + +"Yes, Monsieur." + +"How came the page in your possession?" + +"I removed it last night from a leather bag found beneath the sleeping +bunk in the quarters assigned me." + +"Do you know whose bag it was?" + +"Certainly; it was in the canoe with me all the way from Quebec--M. +Cassion's." + +"Your husband?" + +"Yes, Monsieur." + +De Baugis' eyes seemed to darken as he gazed at me; then his glance +fell upon Cassion, who was leaning forward, his mouth open, his face +ashen gray. He straightened up as he met De Baugis' eyes, and gave +vent to an irritating laugh. + +"_Sacre_, 'tis quite melodramatic," he exclaimed harshly. "But of +little value else. I acknowledge the letter, M. de Baugis, but it +bears no relation to this affair. Perchance it was unhappily worded, +so that this woman, eager to save her lover from punishment--" + +De Tonty was on his feet, his sword half drawn. + +"'Tis a foul lie," he thundered hotly. "I will not stand silent before +such words." + +"Messieurs," and De Baugis struck the table. "This is a court, not a +mess room. Be seated, M. de Tonty; no one in my presence will be +permitted to besmirch the honor of Captain la Chesnayne's daughter. +Yet I must agree with Major Cassion that this letter in no way proves +that he resorted to violence, or was even urged to do so. The governor +in all probability suggested other means. I could not be led to +believe he countenanced the commission of crime, and shall ask to read +the remainder of his letter before rendering decision. You found no +other documents, Madame?" + +"None bearing on this case." + +"The papers supposed to be taken from the dead body of Chevet?" + +"No, Monsieur." + +"Then I cannot see that the status of the prisoner is changed, or that +we have any reason to charge the crime to another. You are excused, +Madame, while we listen to such other witnesses as may be called." + +"You wish me to retire?" + +"I would prefer you do so." + +I arose to my feet, hesitating and uncertain. It was evident enough +that the court intended to convict the prisoner. All the hatred and +dislike engendered by years of controversy with La Salle, all the +quarrels and misunderstandings of the past few months between the two +rival commanders at the fort, was now finding natural outlet in this +trial of Rene de Artigny. He was officer of La Salle, friend of De +Tonty, and through his conviction they could strike at the men they +both hated and feared. More, they realized also that such action would +please La Barre. Whatever else had been accomplished by my exhibit of +the governor's letter, it had clearly shown De Baugis that his master +desired the overthrow of the young explorer. And while he felt slight +friendship for Cassion, he was still La Barre's man, and would obey +his orders. He wished me out of the way for a purpose. What purpose? +That I might not hear the lying testimony of those soldiers and +Indians, who would swear as they were told. + +Tears misted my eyes, so the faces about me were blurred, but, before +I could find words in which to voice my indignation, De Tonty stood +beside me, and grasped my arm. + +"There is no use, Madame," he said coldly enough, although his voice +shook. "You only invite insult when you deal with such curs. They +represent their master, and have made verdict already--let us go." + +De Baugis, Cassion, De la Durantaye were upon their feet, but the +dragoon first found voice. + +"Were those words addressed to me, M. de Tonty?" + +"Ay, and why not! You are no more than La Barre's dog. Listen to me, +all three of you. 'Twas Sieur de la Salle's orders that I open the +gates of this fort to your entrance, and that I treat you courteously. +I have done so, although you took my kindness to be sign of weakness, +and have lorded it mightily since you came. But this is the end; from +now it is war between us, Messieurs, and we will fight in the open. +Convict Rene de Artigny from the lies of these hirelings, and you pay +the reckoning at the point of my sword. I make no threat, but this is +the pledged word of Henri de Tonty. Make passage there! Come, +Madame." + +No one stopped us; no voice answered him. Almost before I realized the +action, we were outside in the sunlight, and he was smiling into my +face, his dark eyes full of cheer. + +"It will make them pause and think--what I said," he exclaimed, "yet +will not change the result." + +"They will convict?" + +"Beyond doubt, Madame. They are La Barre's men, and hold commission +only at his pleasure. With M. de la Durantaye it is different, for he +was soldier of Frontenac's, yet I have no hope he will dare stand out +against the rest. We must find another way to save the lad, but when I +leave you at the door yonder I am out of it." + +"You, Monsieur! what can I hope to accomplish without your aid?" + +"Far more than with it, especially if I furnish a good substitute. I +shall be watched now, every step I take. 'Tis like enough De Baugis +will send me challenge, though the danger that Cassion would do so is +slight. It is the latter who will have me watched. No, Madame, +Boisrondet is the lad who must find a way out for the prisoner; they +will never suspicion him, and the boy will enjoy the trick. Tonight, +when the fort becomes quiet, he will find way to explain his plans. +Have your room dark, and the window open." + +"There is but one, Monsieur, outward, above the precipice." + +"That will be his choice; he can reach you thus unseen. 'Tis quite +possible a guard may be placed at your door." + +He left me, and walked straight across the parade to his own +quarters, an erect, manly figure in the sun, his long black hair +falling to his shoulders. I drew a chair beside the door, which I +left partially open, so that I might view the scene without. There +was no firing now, although soldiers were grouped along the +western stockade, keeping guard over the gate. I sat there for +perhaps an hour, my thoughts sad enough, yet unconsciously gaining +courage and hope from the memory of De Tonty's words of confidence. +He was not a man to fail in any deed of daring, and I had already seen +enough of this young Boisrondet, and heard enough of his exploits, to +feel implicit trust in his plans of rescue. Occasionally a soldier of +the garrison, or a _courier du bois_, of La Salle's company, passed, +glancing at me curiously, yet I recognized no familiar face, and +made no attempt to speak, lest the man might prove an enemy. I could +see the door of the guardhouse, and, at last, those in attendance +at the trial emerged, talking gravely, as they scattered in +various directions. The three officers came forth together, proceeding +directly across toward De Tonty's office, evidently with some +purpose in view. No doubt, angered at his words, they sought +satisfaction. I watched until they disappeared within the distant +doorway, De Baugis the first to enter. A moment later one of the +soldiers who had accompanied us from Quebec, a rather pleasant-faced +lad, whose injured hand I had dressed at St. Ignace, approached where +I sat, and lifted his hand in salute. + +"A moment, Jules," I said swiftly. "You were at the trial?" + +"Yes, Madame." + +"And the result?" + +"The Sieur de Artigny was held guilty, Madame," he said regretfully, +glancing about as though to assure himself alone. "The three officers +agreed on the verdict, although I know some of the witnesses lied." + +"You know--who?" + +"My own mate for one--Georges Descartes; he swore to seeing De Artigny +follow Chevet from the boats, and that was not true, for we were +together all that day. I would have said so, but the court bade me be +still." + +"Ay, they were not seeking such testimony. No matter what you said, +Jules, De Artigny would have been condemned--it was La Barre's +orders." + +"Yes, Madame, so I thought." + +"Did the Sieur de Artigny speak?" + +"A few words, Madame, until M. Cassion ordered him to remain still. +Then M. de Baugis pronounced sentence--it was that he be shot +tomorrow." + +"The hour?" + +"I heard none mentioned, Madame." + +"And a purpose in that also to my mind. This gives them twenty-four +hours in which to consummate murder. They fear De Tonty and his men +may attempt rescue; 'tis to find out the three have gone now to his +quarters. That is all, Jules; you had best not be seen talking here +with me." + +I closed the door, and dropped the bar securely into place. I knew the +worst now, and felt sick and faint. Tears would not come to relieve, +yet it seemed as though my brain ceased working, as if I had lost all +physical and mental power. I know not how long I sat there, dazed, +incompetent to even express the vague thoughts which flashed through +my brain. A rapping on the door aroused me. The noise, the insistent +raps awoke me as from sleep. + +"Who wishes entrance?" + +"I--Cassion; I demand speech with you." + +"For what purpose, Monsieur?" + +"_Mon Dieu!_ Does a man have to give excuse for desiring to speak with +his own wife? Open the door, or I'll have it broken in. Have you not +yet learned I am master here?" + +I drew the bar, no longer with any sense of fear, but impelled by a +desire to hear the man's message. I stepped back, taking refuge behind +the table, as the door opened, and he strode in, glancing first at me, +then suspiciously about the apartment. + +"You are alone?" + +"Assuredly, Monsieur; did you suspect others to be present?" + +"Hell's fire! How did I know; you have time enough to spare for +others, although I have had no word with you since you came. I come +now only to tell you the news." + +"If it be the condemnation of Sieur de Artigny, you may spare your +words." + +"You know that! Who brought you the message?" + +"What difference, Monsieur? I would know the result without messenger. +You have done your master's will. What said De Tonty when you told +him?" + +Cassion laughed, as though the memory was pleasant. + +"Faith, Madame, if you base your hopes there on rescue you'll scarce +meet with great result. De Tonty is all bark. _Mon Dieu!_ I went in to +hold him to account for his insult, and the fellow met us with such +gracious speech, that the four of us drank together like old comrades. +The others are there yet, but I had a proposition to make you--so I +left them." + +"A proposition, Monsieur?" + +"Ay, a declaration of peace, if you will. Listen Adele, for this is +the last time I speak you thus fairly. I have this De Artigny just +where I want him now. His life is in my hands. I can squeeze it out +like that; or I can open my fingers, and let him go. Now you are to +decide which it is to be. Here is where you choose, between that +forest brat and me." + +"Choose between you? Monsieur you must make your meaning more clear." + +"_Mon Dieu_, is it not clear already? Then I will make it so. You are +my wife by law of Holy Church. Never have you loved me, yet I can pass +that by, if you grant me a husband's right. This De Artigny has come +between us, and now his life is in my hands. I know not that you love +the brat, yet you have that interest in him which would prevent +forgiveness of me if I show no mercy. So now I come and offer you his +life, if you consent to be my wife in truth. Is that fair?" + +"It may so sound," I answered calmly, "yet the sacrifice is all mine. +How would you save the man?" + +"By affording him opportunity to escape during the night; first +accepting his pledge never to see you again." + +"Think you he would give such pledge?" + +Cassion laughed sarcastically. + +"Bah, what man would not to save his life! It is for you to speak the +word." + +I stood silent, hesitating to give final answer. Had I truly believed +De Artigny's case hopeless I might have yielded, and made pledge. But +as I gazed into Cassion's face, smiling with assurance of victory, all +my dislike of the man returned, and I shrank back in horror. The +sacrifice was too much, too terrible; besides I had faith in the +promises of De Tonty, in the daring of Boisrondet. I would trust them, +aye, and myself, to find some other way of rescue. + +"Monsieur," I said firmly, "I understand your proposition, and refuse +it. I will make no pledge." + +"You leave him to die?" + +"If it be God's will. I cannot dishonor myself, even to save life. You +have my answer. I bid you go." + +Never did I see such look of beastly rage in the face of any man. He +had lost power of speech, but his fingers clutched as though he had my +throat in their grip. Frightened, I stepped back, and Chevet's pistol +gleamed in my hand. + +"You hear me, Monsieur--go!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +I CHOOSE MY FUTURE + + +He backed out the door, growling and threatening. I caught little of +what he said, nor did I in the least care. All I asked, or desired, +was to be alone, to be free of his presence. I swung the door in his +very face, and fastened the bar. Through the thick wood his voice +still penetrated in words of hatred. Then it ceased, and I was alone +in the silence, sinking down nerveless beside the table, my face +buried in my hands. + +I had done right; I knew I had done right, yet the reaction left me +weak and pulseless. I saw now clearly what must be done. Never could I +live with this Cassion; never again could I acknowledge him as +husband. Right or wrong, whatever the Church might do, or the world +might say, I had come to the parting of the ways; here and now I must +choose my own life, obey the dictates of my own conscience. I had been +wedded by fraud to a man I despised; my hatred had grown until now I +knew that I would rather be dead than live in his presence. + +If this state of mind was sin, it was beyond my power to rid myself of +the curse; if I was already condemned of Holy Church because of +failure to abide by her decree, then there was naught left but for me +to seek my own happiness, and the happiness of the man I loved. + +I lifted my head, strengthened by the very thought, the red blood +tingling again through my veins. The truth was mine; I felt no +inclination to obscure it. The time had come for rejoicing, and +action. I loved Rene de Artigny, and, although he had never spoken the +word, I knew he loved me. Tomorrow he would be in exile, a wanderer of +the woods, an escaped prisoner, under condemnation of death, never +again safe within reach of French authority. Ay, but he should not go +alone; in the depths of those forests, beyond the arm of the law, +beyond even the grasp of the Church, we should be together. In our own +hearts love would justify. Without a qualm of conscience, without even +a lingering doubt, I made the choice, the final decision. + +I know not how long it took me to think this all out, until I had +accepted fate; but I do know the decision brought happiness and +courage. Food was brought me by a strange Indian, apparently unable +to speak French; nor would he even enter the room, silently handing +me the platter through the open door. Two sentries stood just +without--soldiers of De Baugis, I guessed, as their features were +unfamiliar. They gazed at me curiously, as I stood in the doorway, but +without changing their attitudes. Plainly I was held prisoner also; +M. Cassion's threat was being put into execution. This knowledge +merely served to strengthen my decision, and I closed, and barred +the door again, smiling as I did so. + +It grew dusk while I made almost vain effort to eat, and, at last, +pushing the pewter plate away, I crossed over, and cautiously opened +the wooden shutter of the window. The red light of the sunset still +illumined the western sky, and found glorious reflection along the +surface of the river. It was a dizzy drop to the bed of the stream +below, but Indians were on the opposite bank, beyond rifle shot, in +considerable force, a half-dozen canoes drawn up on the sandy shore, +and several fires burning. They were too far away for me to judge +their tribe, yet a number among them sported war bonnets, and I had no +doubt they were Iroquois. + +So far as I could perceive elsewhere there was no movement, as my eyes +traveled the half circle, over a wide vista of hill and dale, green +valley and dark woods, although to the left I could occasionally hear +the sharp report of a rifle, in evidence that besieging savages were +still watchful of the fort entrance. I could not lean out far enough +to see in that direction, yet as the night grew darker the vicious +spits of fire became visible. Above me the solid log walls arose but a +few feet--a tall man might stand upon the window ledge, and find grip +of the roof; but below was the sheer drop to the river--perchance two +hundred feet beneath. Already darkness shrouded the water, as the +broad valley faded into the gloom of the night. + +There was naught for me to do but sit and wait. The guard which M. +Cassion had stationed at the door prevented my leaving the room, but +its more probable purpose was to keep others from communicating with +me. De Tonty had evidently resorted to diplomacy, and instead of +quarreling with the three officers when they approached him, had +greeted them all so genially as to leave the impression that he was +disposed to permit matters to take their natural course. He might be +watched of course, yet was no longer suspicioned as likely to help +rescue the prisoner. All their fear now was centered upon me, and my +possible influence. + +If I could be kept from any further communication with either De +Artigny, or De Tonty, it was scarcely probable that any of the +garrison would make serious effort to interfere with their plans. De +Tonty's apparent indifference, and his sudden friendliness with De +Baugis and Cassion, did not worry me greatly. I realized his purpose +in thus diverting suspicion. His pledge of assistance had been given +me, and his was the word of a soldier and gentleman. In some manner, +and soon--before midnight certainly--I would receive message from +Boisrondet. + +Yet my heart failed me more than once as I waited. How long the time +seemed, and how deadly silent was the night. Crouched close beside the +door I could barely hear the muttered conversation of the soldiers on +guard; and when I crossed to the open window I looked out upon a black +void, utterly soundless. Not even the distant crack of a rifle now +broke the solemn stillness, and the only spot of color visible was the +dull red glow of a campfire on the opposite bank of the river. I had +no way of computing time, and the lagging hours seemed centuries long, +as terrifying doubts assailed me. + +Every new thought became an agony of suspense. Had the plans failed? +Had Boisrondet discovered the prisoner so closely guarded as to make +rescue impossible? Had his nerve, his daring, vanished before the real +danger of the venture? Had De Artigny refused to accept the chance? +What had happened; what was happening out there in the mystery? + +All I could do was pray, and wait. Perhaps no word would be given +me--the escape might already be accomplished, and I left here to my +fate. Boisrondet knew nothing of my decision to accompany De Artigny +in his exile. If the way was difficult and dangerous, he might not +consider it essential to communicate with me at all. De Tonty had +promised, to be sure, yet he might have failed to so instruct the +younger man. I clung to the window, the agony of this possibility, +driving me wild. + +_Mon Dieu!_ was that a noise overhead? I could see nothing, yet, as I +leaned further out, a cord touched my face. I grasped it, and drew the +dangling end in. It was weighted with a bit of wood. A single coal +glowed in the fireplace, and from this I ignited a splinter, barely +yielding me light enough to decipher the few words traced on the white +surface: "Safe so far; have you any word?" + +My veins throbbed; I could have screamed in delight, or sobbed in +sudden joy and relief. I fairly crept to the window on hands and +knees, animated now with but one thought, one hope--the desire not to +be left here behind, alone. I hung far out, my face upturned, staring +into the darkness. The distance was not great, only a few feet to the +roof above, yet so black was the night that the edge above me blended +imperceptibly against the sky. I could perceive no movement, no +outline. Could they have already gone? Was it possible that they +merely dropped this brief message, and instantly vanished? No, the +cord still dangled; somewhere in that dense gloom, the two men peered +over the roof edge waiting my response. + +"Monsieur," I called up softly, unable to restrain my eagerness. + +"Yes, Madame," it was De Artigny's voice, although a mere whisper. +"You have some word for me?" + +"Ay, listen; is there any way by which I can join you?" + +"Join me--here?" astonishment at my request made him incoherent. "Why, +Madame, the risk is great--" + +"Never mind that; my reason is worthy, nor have we time now to discuss +the matter. Monsieur Boisrondet is there a way?" + +I heard them speak to each other, a mere murmur of sound; then another +voice reached my ears clearly. + +"We have a strong grass rope, Madame, which will safely bear your +weight. The risk will not be great. I have made a noose, and will +lower it." + +I reached it with my hand, but felt a doubt as my fingers clasped it. + +"'Tis very small, Monsieur." + +"But strong enough for double your weight, as 'twas Indian woven. Put +foot in the noose, and hold tight. There are two of us holding it +above." + +The memory of the depth below frightened me, yet I crept forth on the +narrow sill, clinging desperately to the taut rope, until I felt my +foot safely pressed into the noose, which tightened firmly about it. + +"Now," I said, barely able to make my lips speak. "I am ready." + +"Then swing clear, Madame; we'll hold you safe." + +I doubt if it was a full minute in which I swung out over that gulf +amid the black night. My heart seemed to stop beating, and I retained +no sense other than to cling desperately to the swaying cord which +alone held me from being dashed to death on the jagged rocks below. +Inch by inch they drew me up, the continuous jerks yielding a +sickening sensation, but the distance was so short, I could scarcely +realize the full danger, before De Artigny grasped me with his hands, +and drew me in beside him on the roof. I stood upon my feet, trembling +from excitement, yet encouraged in my purpose, by his first words of +welcome. + +"Adele," he exclaimed, forgetful of the presence of his comrade. +"Surely you had serious cause for joining us here." + +"Am I welcome, Monsieur?" + +"Can you doubt? Yet surely it was not merely to say farewell that you +assumed such risk?" + +"No, Monsieur, it was not to say farewell. I would accompany you in +your flight. Do not start like that at my words; I cannot see your +face--perhaps if I could I should lose courage. I have made my choice, +Monsieur. I will not remain the slave of M. Cassion. Whether for good +or evil I give you my faith." + +"You--you," his hands grasped mine. "You mean you will go with me into +exile, into the woods?" + +"Yes, Monsieur." + +"But do you realize what it all means? I am a fugitive, a hunted man; +never again can I venture within French civilization. I must live +among savages. No, no, Adele, the sacrifice is too great. I cannot +accept of it." + +"Do you love me, Monsieur?" + +"_Mon Dieu_--yes." + +"Then there is no sacrifice. My heart would break here. God! Would you +doom me to live out my life with that brute--that murderer? I am a +young woman, a mere girl, and this is my one chance to save myself +from hell. I am not afraid of the woods, of exile, of anything, so I +am with you. I would rather die than go to him--to confess him +husband." + +"The lady is right, Rene," Boisrondet said earnestly. "You must think +of her as well as yourself." + +"Think of her! _Mon Dieu_, of whom else do I think. Adele, do you mean +your words? Would you give up all for me?" + +"Yes, Monsieur." + +"But do you know what your choice means?" + +I stood before him, brave in the darkness. + +"Monsieur I have faced it all. I know; the choice is made--will you +take me?" + +Then I was in his strong arms, and for the first time, his lips met +mine. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +WE REACH THE RIVER + + +It was the voice of Boisrondet which recalled us to a sense of +danger. + +"It is late, and we must not linger here," he insisted, touching De +Artigny's sleeve. "The guard may discover your absence, Rene, before +we get beyond the stockade. Come, we must move quickly." + +"Ay, and with more than ever to give us courage, Francois. Yet how can +we get Madame safely over the logs?" + +"She must venture the same as we. Follow me closely, and tread with +care." + +So dark was the night I was obliged to trust entirely to De Artigny's +guidance, but it was evident that both men were familiar with the way, +and had thoroughly considered the best method of escape. No doubt De +Tonty and his young lieutenant had arranged all details, so as to +assure success. We traversed the flat roofs of the chain of log houses +along the west side of the stockade until we came to the end. The only +light visible was a dull glow of embers before the guardhouse near the +center of the parade, which revealed a group of soldiers on duty. The +stockade extended some distance beyond where we halted, crouched low +on the flat roof to escape being seen. There would be armed men along +that wall, especially near the gates, guarding against attack, but the +darkness gave us no glimpse. There was no firing, no movement to be +perceived. The two men crept to the edge, and looked cautiously over, +and I clung close to De Artigny, nervous from the silence, and afraid +to become separated. Below us was the dense blackness of the gorge. + +"This is the spot," whispered De Artigny, "and no alarm yet. How far +to the rocks?" + +"De Tonty figured the distance at forty feet below the stockade; we +have fifty feet of rope here. The rock shelf is narrow, and the great +risk will be not to step off in the darkness. There should be an iron +ring here somewhere--ay, here it is; help me draw the knot taut, +Rene." + +"Do we--do we go down here, Monsieur?" I questioned, my voice +faltering. + +"Here, or not at all; there are guards posted yonder every two yards. +This is our only chance to escape unseen." Boisrondet tested the rope, +letting it slip slowly through his hands down into the darkness below, +until it hung at full length. "It does not touch," he said, "yet it +cannot lack more than a foot or two. Faith! We must take the risk. I +go first Rene--hush! 'tis best so--the lady would prefer that you +remain, while I test the passage. The devil himself may be waiting +there." He gazed down, balancing himself on the edge, the cord gripped +in his hands. + +"Now mind my word; once on the rock below I will signal with three +jerks on the cord. Haul up then slowly, so as to make no noise; make a +noose for the lady's foot, and lower her with care. You have the +strength?" + +"Ay, for twice her weight." + +"Good; there will be naught to fear, Madame, for I will be below to +aid your footing. When I give the signal again Rene will descend and +join us." + +"The rope is to be left dangling?" + +"Only until I return. Once I leave you safe beyond the Iroquois, 'tis +my part to climb this rope again. Some task that," cheerfully, "yet De +Tonty deems it best that no evidence connect us with this escape. What +make you the hour?" + +"Between one and two." + +"Which will give me time before daydawn; so here, I chance it." + +He swung himself over the edge, and slipped silently down into the +black mystery. We leaned over to watch, but could see nothing, our +only evidence of his progress, the jerking of the cord. De Artigny's +hand closed on mine. + +"Dear," he whispered tenderly, "we are alone now--you are sorry?" + +"I am happier than I have ever been in my life," I answered honestly. +"I have done what I believe to be right, and trust God. All I care to +know now is that you love me." + +"With every throb of my heart," he said solemnly. "It is my love which +makes me dread lest you regret." + +"That will never be, Monsieur; I am of the frontier, and do not fear +the woods. Ah! he has reached the rock safely--'tis the signal." + +De Artigny drew up the cord, testing it to make sure the strands held +firm, and made careful noose, into which he slipped my foot. + +"Now, Adele, you are ready?" + +"Yes, sweetheart; kiss me first." + +"You have no fear?" + +"Not with your strong hands to support, but do not keep me waiting +long below." + +Ay, but I was frightened as I swung off into the black void, clinging +desperately to that slight rope, steadily sinking downward. My body +rubbed against the rough logs, and then against rock. Once a jagged +edge wounded me, yet I dare not release my grip, or utter a sound. I +sank down, down, the strain ever greater on my nerves. I retained no +knowledge of distance, but grew apprehensive of what awaited me below. +Would the rope reach to the rock? Would I swing clear? Even as these +thoughts began to horrify, I felt a hand grip me, and Boisrondet's +whisper gave cheerful greeting. + +"It is all right, Madame; release your foot, and trust me. Good, now +do not venture to move, until Rene joins us. Faith, he wastes little +time; he is coming now." + +I could see nothing, not even the outlines of my companion, who stood +holding the cord taut. I could feel the jagged face of the rock, +against which I stood, and ventured, by reaching out with one foot, to +explore my immediate surroundings. The groping toe touched the edge of +the narrow shelf, and I drew back startled at thought of another sheer +drop into the black depths. My heart was still pounding when De +Artigny found foothold beside me. As he swung free from the cord, his +fingers touched my dress. + +"A fine test of courage that, Adele," he whispered, "but with Francois +here below there was small peril. Now what next?" + +"A ticklish passage for a few yards. Stand close until I get by; now +cling to the wall, and follow me. Once off this shelf we can plan our +journey. Madame, take hold of my jacket. Rene, you have walked this +path before." + +"Ay, years since, but I recall its peril." + +We crept forward, so cautiously it seemed we scarcely moved, the rock +shelf we traversed so narrow in places that I could scarce find space +in which to plant my feet firmly. Boisrondet whispered words of +guidance back to me, and I could feel De Artigny touch my skirt as he +followed, ready to grip me if I fell. Yet then I experienced no fear, +no shrinking, my every thought centered on the task. Nor was the way +long. Suddenly we clambered onto a flat rock, crossed it, and came to +the edge of a wood, with a murmur of water not far away. Here +Boisrondet paused, and we came close about him. There seemed to be +more light here, although the tree shadows were grim, and the night +rested about us in impressive silence. + +"Here is where the river trail comes down," and Boisrondet made motion +to the left. "You should remember that well, Rene." + +"I was first to pass over it; it leads to the water edge." + +"Yes; not so easily followed in the night, yet you are woodsman enough +to make it. So far as we know from above the Iroquois have not +discovered there is a passage here. Listen, Rene; I leave you now, for +those were De Tonty's orders. He said that from now on you would be +safe alone. Of course he knew nothing of Madame's purpose." + +"Monsieur shall not find me a burden," I interrupted. + +"I am sure of that," he said gallantly, "and so think it best to +return while the night conceals my movements. There will be hot words +when M. Cassion discovers your escape, and my chief may need my sword +beside him, if it comes to blows. Is my decision to return right, +Rene?" + +"Ay, right; would that I might be with you. But what plan did M. de +Tonty outline for me to follow?" + +"'Twas what I started to tell. At the edge of the water, but concealed +from the river by rocks, is a small hut where we keep hidden a canoe +ready fitted for any secret service. 'Twas Sieur de la Salle's thought +that it might prove of great use in time of siege. No doubt it is +there now just as we left it, undiscovered of the Iroquois. This will +bear you down the river until daylight, when you can hide along +shore." + +"There is a rifle?" + +"Two of them, with powder and ball." He laid his hand on the other's +shoulder. "There is nothing more to say, and time is of value. +Farewell, my friend." + +"Farewell," their fingers clasped. "There will be other days, +Francois; my gratitude to M. de Tonty." Boisrondet stepped back, and, +hat in hand, bowed to me. + +"Adieu, Madame; a pleasant journey." + +"A moment, Monsieur," I said, a falter in my voice. "You are M. de +Artigny's friend, an officer of France, and a Catholic." + +"Yes, Madame." + +"And you think that I am right in my choice? that I am doing naught +unworthy of my womanhood?" + +Even in the darkness I saw him make the symbol of the cross, before he +bent forward and kissed my hand. + +"Madame," he said gravely, "I am but a plain soldier, with all my +service on the frontier. I leave to the priests the discussion of +doctrines, and to God my punishment and reward. I can only answer you +as De Artigny's friend, and an officer of France. I give you honor, +and respect, and deem your love and trust far more holy than your +marriage. My faith, and my sword are yours, Madame." + +I felt his lips upon my hand, yet knew not he had gone. I stood there, +my eyes blinded with tears at his gallant words, only becoming +conscious of his disappearance, when De Artigny drew me to him, his +cheek pressed against my hair. + +"He has gone! we are alone!" + +"Yes, dear one; but I thank God for those last words. They have given +me courage, and faith. So my old comrades believe us right the +criticism of others does not move me. You love me, Adele? you do not +regret?" + +My arms found way about his neck; my lips uplifted to his. + +"Monsieur, I shall never regret; I trust God, and you." + +How he ever found his way along that dim trail I shall never know. +Some memory of its windings, together with the instinct of a woodsman, +must have given guidance, while no doubt his feet, clad in soft Indian +moccasins, enabled him to feel the faint track, imperceivable in the +darkness. It led along a steep bank, through low, tangled bushes, and +about great trees, with here and there a rock thrust across the path, +compelling detour. The branches scratched my face, and tore my dress, +confusing me so that had I not clung to his arm, I should have been +instantly lost in the gloom. Our advance was slow and cautious, every +step taken in silence. Snakes could not have moved with less noise, +and the precaution was well taken. Suddenly De Artigny stopped, +gripping me in warning. For a moment there was no sound, except the +distant murmur of waters, and the chatter of some night bird. Yet some +instinct of the woods held the man motionless, listening. A twig +cracked to our left, and then a voice spoke, low and rumbling. It +sounded so close at hand the fellow could scarcely have been five +yards away. Another voice answered, and we were aware of bodies, +stealing along through the wood; there was a faint rustling of dead +leaves, and the occasional swish of a branch. We crouched low in the +trail, fairly holding our breath, every nerve tense. There was no +sound from below, but in the other direction one warrior--I could see +the dim outline of his naked figure--passed within reach of my +outstretched hand. + +Assured that all had passed beyond hearing De Artigny rose to his +feet, and assisted me to rise, his hand still grasping mine. + +"Iroquois, by the look of that warrior," he whispered, "and enough of +them to mean mischief. I would I knew their language." + +"'Twas the tongue of the Tuscaroras," I answered. "My father taught me +a little of it years ago. The first words spoken were a warning to be +still; the other answered that the white men are all asleep." + +"And I am not sure but that is true. If De Tonty was in command the +walls would be well guarded, but De Baugis and Cassion know nothing of +Indian war." + +"You believe it to be an assault?" + +"It hath the look; 'tis not Indian nature to gather thus at this night +hour, without a purpose. But, _pouf_, there is little they can do +against that stockade of logs for all their numbers. It is our duty to +be well away by daylight." + +The remaining distance to the water's edge was not far--a direct +descent amid a litter of rocks, shadowed by great trees. Nothing +opposed our passage, nor did we hear any sound from the savages +concealed in the forest above. De Artigny led the way along the shore +until we reached the log hut. Its door stood open; the canoe was +gone. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +WE MEET SURPRISE + + +Not until we had felt carefully from wall to wall did we admit our +disappointment. There were no overshadowing trees here, and what small +glimmer of light came from the dull skies found reflection on river +and rocks, so that we could perceive each other, and gain dim view of +our surroundings. + +Of the canoe there was absolutely no trace, and, if arms had been +hidden there also, they had likewise disappeared. The very fact that +the door stood wide open, its wooden lock broken, told the story +clearly. I remained silent, staring about through the semi-darkness of +the interior, rendered speechless by a feeling of utter helplessness. +De Artigny, after an utterance of disappointment, felt his way along +the walls; as he came back to the open door our eyes met, and he must +have read despair in mine, for he smiled encouragingly. + +"Swept bare, little girl," he said. "Not so much as an ounce of powder +left. The savages got here before us, it seems. Never mind; we shall +have to travel a ways on woodcraft, and it will not be the first +wilderness journey I have made without arms. Did De Tonty mention to +you where he believed the Illini were in hiding?" + +"No, Monsieur--are they Indians?" + +"Yes; the river tribes, the most loyal of all to La Salle. It was one +of their villages we saw on the bank of the stream as we approached +the fort from the west, I told Boisrondet that it stood there +deserted, but not destroyed, and it was our judgment the inhabitants +were hiding among the river bluffs. Without canoes they could not +travel far, and are probably concealed out yonder. If we can find them +our greatest peril is past." + +"They are friendly?" + +"Ay, and have never shed white blood. I know them well, and with +leadership they would be a match even for the Iroquois. De Tonty led +them once against these same warriors, and they fought like fiends. +Come, we will follow the stream, and see if we cannot find trace of +their covert." + +It was but a cluster of rocks where the hut stood, and a few yards +below we found the forest creeping down to the very bank of the river. +The sky had lightened above us, the obscuring clouds opening to let +the silver gleam of stars through, and we paused a moment gazing back, +and upward at the vast rock on which perched the beleaguered fort. We +could dimly perceive the vague outline of it silhouetted against the +lighter arch of sky. In massive gloom and silence it seemed to +dominate the night, the grim forest sweeping up to its very walls. Not +a gleam of light appeared; not a sound reached us. I felt De Artigny's +arm about me. + +"I would that I really knew what was going on yonder 'neath the screen +of trees," he said gravely. "Some Indian trick, perchance, which it +might be in my power to circumvent--at least bear to the lads fair +warning." + +"You would risk life for that?" + +"Ay, my own readily. That is a lesson of the wilderness; the duty of a +comrade. But for your presence I should be climbing the hill seeking +to learn the purpose of those savages--else I was no true soldier of +France." + +"What think you their purpose is, Monsieur?" + +"An attack in force at dawn. Those who passed us were heavily armed, +and crept forward stealthily, stripped and painted for war. There were +other parties, no doubt, creeping up through the woods from all sides. +'Tis my thought the hour has struck for them to make their great +effort. They have scattered the friendly Indians, killed them, or +driven them in terror down the river. Their villages have been +destroyed. Now all the warriors who have been at that business have +returned, filled with blood lust, and eager to strike at the French." + +"But they cannot win? Surely they cannot capture the fort, Monsieur? +Why it is all rock?" + +"On three sides--yes; but to the south there is ample space for attack +in force. Those woods yonder would conceal a thousand savages within a +few hundred yards of the fort gates. And what of the defense? Opposing +them is one hundred and fifty feet of stockade, protected at best by +fifty rifles. There are no more in the fort, officers, Indians, and +all; and Boisrondet says scarcely a dozen rounds of powder and ball to +a man. If the Iroquois know this--and why should they not?--'twill be +no great feat of arms to batter their way in. I would do that which is +right, Adele, if I saw clearly." + +I clung to his hands, staring back still at the grim outline of the +silent fort. I understood his thoughts, his desire to aid his +comrades; but, for a moment, my mind was a blank. I could not let him +go, alone, to almost certain death. No, nor would he abandon me on +such a mission! Was there no other way by which we could serve? +Suddenly a thought crept into my mind. + +"Monsieur," I asked breathlessly, "where do you suppose those Illini +Indians to be?" + +"Back from the river, in a glen of caves and rocks." + +"How far from here?" + +"Four or five miles; there is a trail from the mouth of the creek." + +"And you know the way? and there might be many warriors there? they +will remember you, and obey your orders?" + +He straightened up, aroused as the full meaning of my questioning +occurred to him. + +"Ay, there is a chance there, if we find them in time, and in force +enough to make foray. _Sacre!_ I know not why such thought has not +come to me before. Could we but fall on those devils from the rear in +surprise, even with a third their number, they would run like cats. +_Mon Dieu!_ I thank you for the thought." + +We plunged into the forest, no longer endeavoring to advance silently, +but inspired with a desire to achieve our goal as soon as possible. At +the mouth of a stream entering the river, De Artigny picked me up in +his arms, and waded across. On the opposite bank he sought eagerly on +hands and knees for the old trace he dimly remembered. At last he +stood erect. + +"Ay, lass, it's here, and to be easily followed. What hour do you make +it now?" + +"About three." + +"So I would have said; and 'tis not daylight until after five. We can +scarce make it, yet we will try." + +It was not as dark here away from the gloom of the Rock; the forest +was open, and yet I will never know how De Artigny succeeded in +following that dim trail at so rapid a gait. As for me I could see +nothing of any path, and merely followed him blindly, not even certain +of the nature of the ground under my feet. Again and again I tripped +over some obstacles--a root, a tuft of grass--and continually unnoted +branches flapped against my face. Once I fell prone, yet so +noiselessly that Rene passed beyond view before he realized my +misfortune, and returned to help me regain my feet. Not until then, I +think, did he comprehend the rapidity of his movements. + +"Your pardon, dear girl," and his lips brushed my hair, as he held me +in his arms. "I forgot all but our comrades yonder. The night is dark +to your eyes." + +"I can see nothing," I confessed regretfully, "yet you have no +difficulty." + +"'Tis a woodsman's training. I have followed many a dim trail in dark +forests, and this is so plain I could keep to it on a run if +necessary. Ah! the fort is awake and vigilant--that was rifle fire." + +I had not only heard the sharp reports, but seen the flash of fire +cleaving the darkness. + +"The discharges came from the woods yonder--they were Indian guns, +Monsieur. See! those two last were from the stockade; I could perceive +the logs in the flare." + +"Ay, and that is all; the lads will waste no ammunition in the gloom, +except to tell the savages they are awake and ready." + +"How far have we traveled, Monsieur?" + +"A mile, perhaps. At the crooked oak yonder we leave the stream. You +met with no harm when you fell?" + +"No more than a bruise. I can go on now." + +We turned to the right, and plunged into the thicket, the way now so +black that I grasped his jacket in fear of becoming lost. We were +clambering up a slight hill, careless of everything but our footing, +when there was a sudden rustling of the low branches on either side +our path. De Artigny stopped, thrusting me back, while at that very +instant, indistinct forms seemed to leap forth from the covert. It +occurred so quickly, so silently, that before I even realized danger, +he was struggling madly with the assailants. I heard the crash of +blows, an oath of surprise, a guttural exclamation, a groan of pain. +Hands gripped me savagely; I felt naked bodies, struggled wildly to +escape, but was flung helplessly to the ground, a hand grasping my +hair. I could see nothing only a confused mass of legs and arms, but +De Artigny was still on his feet, struggling desperately. From some +hand he had grabbed a rifle, and swung it crashing into the faces of +those grappling him. Back he came step by step, fighting like a fiend, +until he stood over me. With one wide sweep of his clutched weapon he +struck me free, a blow which shattered the gun stock, and left him +armed only with the iron bar. But the battle fury was on him; dimly I +could see him towering above me, bareheaded, his clothes torn to rags, +the grim barrel poised for a blow. + +"St. Ann!" he cried exultantly. "'Tis a good fight so far--would you +have more of it?" + +"Hold!" broke in a French voice from out the darkness. "What means +this? Are you of white blood?" + +"I have always supposed so." + +"A renegade consorting with devils of the Iroquois?" + +"_Mon Dieu!_ No! an officer of Fort St. Louis." + +I could see the white man thrust aside the Indian circle, and strike +through. His face was invisible, although I was upon my knees now, but +he was a short, heavily built fellow. + +"Stand back! ay, make room. Saint Guise, we are fighting our own +friends. If you are of the garrison name yourself." + +De Artigny, still clasping his rifle barrel, reached out his other +hand, and lifted me to my feet. + +"Perchance," he said coolly, "if I were a stickler for etiquette, I +might ask you first for some explanation of this attack. However, we +have made some heads ring, so I waive that privilege. I am the Sieur +de Artigny, a lieutenant of La Salle's." + +"_Mon Dieu!_" the other stepped forward, his hand outstretched. "'Tis +no unknown name to me, although we have never before met by some +chance--I am Francois de la Forest." + +"La Forest! You were in France three months ago." + +"Aye; I was there when Sieur de la Salle landed. He told me the whole +tale. I was with him when he had audience with Louis. I am here now +bearing the orders of the King, countersigned by La Barre at Quebec, +restoring De Tonty to command at Fort St. Louis, and bidding De Baugis +and that fool Cassion return to New France." + +De Artigny crushed the man's hand in both his own, dropping the rifle +barrel to the ground. His voice trembled as he made answer. + +"He won the King's favor? he convinced Louis?" + +"No doubt of that--never saw I a greater miracle." + +"And the Sieur de la Salle--has he returned?" + +"Nay; he remains in France, to fit out an expedition to sail for the +mouth of the Great River. He hath special commission from the King. To +me was given the honor of bearing his message. Ah! but La Barre raved +like a mad bull when I handed him the King's order. I thought he would +burst a blood vessel, and give us a new governor. But no such luck. +Pah! I stood there, struggling to keep a straight face, for he had no +choice but obey. 'Twas a hard dose to swallow, but there was Louis' +orders in his own hand, all duly sealed; and a command that I be +dispatched hither with the message." + +"How made you the journey in so short a time?" + +"Overland from Detroit, the same trail you traveled with La Salle; +'tis much the shorter." + +"Alone?" + +"With two _courier de bois_; they are with me now. But what is this De +Artigny you have with you--a woman?" + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + +WARRIORS OF THE ILLINI + + +"Yes, M. de la Forest," I said, stepping forward to save Rene from a +question which would embarrass him. "I am the daughter of Captain +la Chesnayne, whom the Sieur de Artigny hath taken under his +protection." + +"La Chesnayne's daughter! Ah, I heard the story told in Quebec--'twas +La Barre's aid who gave me the facts with many a chuckle as though he +held it an excellent joke. But why are you here, Madame? Is not M. +Cassion in the fort yonder?" + +"'Tis a long tale, La Forest," broke in De Artigny, laying his hand on +the other's shoulder, "and will bide a better time for telling. I am a +soldier, and you may trust my word. We are La Salle's men; let it go +at that, for there is graver duty fronting us now than the retelling +of camp gossip. Madame is my friend, and my hand will defend her +reputation. Is that enough, comrade?" + +"Ay, enough. My best regards, Madame," and he bowed low before me, his +words ringing true. "Whoever Sieur de la Salle has learned to trust +hath my faith also. You have come from the fort I take it, De Artigny? +How are matters there?" + +"Ill enough; the officers at swords' points, and the men divided into +three camps, for where De la Durantaye stands there is no evidence. M. +Cassion holds command by virtue of La Barre's commission, and knows no +more of Indian war than a Quebec storekeeper. The garrison numbers +fifty men all told; two-thirds soldiers, and a poor lot." + +"With ammunition, and food?" + +"Ample to eat, so far as I know, but Boisrondet tells me with scarce a +dozen rounds per man. The Iroquois are at the gates, and will attack +at daylight." + +"You know this?" + +"The signs are plain. We passed one party clambering up the cliff--no +less than fifty warriors, naked and painted for war. Tuscaroras, +Madame said from the words she overheard as they slipped past where we +hid. 'Tis not likely they made reconnoissance alone. The fiends have +been a week in this valley, and have swept all clear of our Indian +allies; now they can bring their full force against the fort." + +"No doubt you are right." + +"'Twas my judgment, at least, and we sought help when we ran into you. +What Indians have you?" + +"Illini, mostly, with a handful of Miamis and Kickapoos. We met them +at the crossing, hiding in the hills. They were sadly demoralized, and +filled with horror at what they had seen, yet agreed to return here +under my leadership." + +"Who is their chief?" + +"Old Sequitah--you know him?" + +"Ay, a real warrior. 'Tis better than I dared hope, for I have been in +battle with him before. Do you number a hundred?" + +"And fifty more, though indifferently armed. Never have I seen the +Illini in action, De Artigny; they seem to me a poor lot, so +frightened of the wolves as to be valueless." + +"So they are if left to themselves, but under white leadership they +stiffen. They will fight if given the Indian style. They will never +stand in defense, but if we lead them to a surprise, they'll give good +account of themselves. That is my plan La Forest--that we creep up +through the woods behind the Iroquois lines. They will expect no +attack from the rear, and will have no guard. If we move quickly while +it remains dark, we ought to get within a few yards of the red demons +without discovery. They will fight desperately, no doubt, for their +only hope of escape would be to either plunge down the rocky banks on +either side, or cut a way through. You have been at the fort?" + +"Twice before." + +"Then you know the nature of the ground. 'Tis all woodland until +within a few hundred yards of the gates. You recall the great rock +beside the trail?" + +"Ay, and the view from the top." + +"My plan would be to creep up that far, with flanking parties on the +slopes below. In front, as you may remember, there is an open space, +then a fringe of forest hiding the clearing before the stockade. The +Iroquois will be gathered behind that fringe of trees waiting +daylight. Is my thought right?" + +"'Tis the most likely spot." + +"Then listen; I have thought this all out. You and I, with Sequitah, +will take a hundred of your Indians, cross the small river, and +advance up the trail. That leaves fifty warriors to creep through the +woods on either slope, twenty-five to a side, led by your two +_couriers de bois_. We will wait at the great rock, and give the +signal." + +La Forest stood silent a moment, thinking; then rested his hand on De +Artigny's shoulder. + +"It looks feasible enough, but the flanking parties may not reach +their positions in time." + +"The one from the west will not have as far to travel as we do. The +other does not make so much difference, for if the Iroquois break they +will come in this direction--the other side of the trail is sheer +rock." + +"True; and what about the lady?" + +"I shall go with you, Messieurs," I said quietly. "There will be no +more danger there than here; besides you would not leave me alone +without a guard, and you will need every fighting man." + +I felt the grip of Rene's hand but it was La Forest's voice that +spoke. + +"The right ring to that, hey, De Artigny! Madame answers my last +argument. But first, let us have word with the chief." + +He addressed a word into the crowd of indistinguishable figures, and +an Indian came forward. Dim as the light was I was impressed with the +dignity of his carriage, the firm character of his facial outline. + +"I am Sequitah, Chief of the Mascoutins," he said gravely, "for whom +the white chief sent." + +De Artigny stepped forth, standing as erect as the other. + +"Sequitah is great chief," he said quietly, "a warrior of many +battles, the friend of La Salle. We have smoked the peace-pipe +together, and walked side by side on the war-trail. Sequitah knows who +speaks?" + +"The French warrior they call De Artigny." + +"Right; 'tis not the first time you and I have met the Iroquois! The +wolves are here again; they have burned the villages of the Illini, +and killed your women and children. The valley is black with smoke, +and red with blood. What says the war chief of the Mascoutins--will +his warriors fight? Will they strike with us a blow against the +beasts?" + +The chief swept his hand in wide circle. + +"We are warriors; we have tasted blood. What are the white man's words +of wisdom?" + +Briefly, in quick, ringing sentences, De Artigny outlined his plan. +Sequitah listened motionless, his face unexpressive of emotion. Twice, +confused by some French phrase, he asked grave questions, and once a +_courier de bois_ spoke up in his own tongue, to make the meaning +clear. As De Artigny ceased the chief stood for a moment silent. + +"We leap upon them from cover?" he asked calmly, "and the white men +will sally forth to aid us?" + +"'Tis so we expect--M. de Tonty is never averse to a fight." + +"I believe in the Iron Hand; but 'tis told me others command now. If +they fail we are but few against many." + +"They will not fail, Sequitah; they are Frenchmen." + +The Indian folded his hands across his breast, his eyes on the two men +facing him. There was silence, but for the slight rustle of moving +bodies in the darkness. + +"Sequitah hears the voice of his friend," he announced at last, "and +his words sound wise. The warriors of the Illini will fight beside the +white men." + +There was no time lost although I know but little of what occurred, +being left alone there while La Forest and De Artigny divided the men, +and arranged the plans of advance. The dense night shrouded much of +this hasty preparation, for all I could perceive were flitting +figures, or the black shadow of warriors being grouped together. I +could hear voices, never loud, giving swift orders, or calling to this +or that individual through the gloom. + +A party tramped by me, and disappeared, twenty or more naked warriors, +headed by a black-bearded Frenchman, bearing a long rifle--the +detachment, no doubt, dispatched to guard the slope east of the trail, +and hurried forth to cover the greater distance. Yet these could have +scarcely advanced far through that jungle when the others were also in +line, waiting the word. + +The very silence in which all this was accomplished, the noiseless +bodies, the almost breathless attention, scarcely enabled me to +realize the true meaning of it all. These men were going into battle, +into a death grapple. They meant to attack five times their own +number. This was no boy's play; it was war, savage, relentless war. +The stern horror of it seemed to suddenly grip me as with icy fingers. +Here was what I had read of, dreamed of, being enacted before my very +eyes. I was even a part of it, for I was going with them to the field +of blood. + +Yet how different everything was from those former pictures of +imagination. There was no noise, no excitement, no shrinking--just +those silent, motionless men standing in the positions assigned them, +the dim light gleaming on their naked bodies, their ready weapons. I +heard the voices of the white men, speaking quietly, giving last +instructions as they passed along the lines. Sequitah took his place, +not two yards from me, standing like a statue, his face stern and +emotionless. + +It was like a dream, rather than a reality. I was conscious of no +thrill, no sense of fear. It was as though I viewed a picture in which +I had no personal interest. Out of the darkness came De Artigny, +pausing an instant before the chief. + +"All is well, Sequitah?" + +"Good--'tis as the white chief wishes." + +"Then we move at once; La Forest will guide the rear; you and I will +march together. Give your warriors the word." + +He turned and took my hand. + +"You will walk with me, dear one; you are not afraid?" + +"Not of the peril of coming battle," I answered. "I--I think I hardly +realize what that all means; but the risk you run. Rene! If--if you +win, you will be a prisoner condemned to death." + +He laughed, and bent low, so I felt his lips brush my cheek. + +"You do not understand, dear girl. A moment and I will explain--once +we are beyond the stream. Now I must see that all move together." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV + +WE WAIT IN AMBUSH + + +We advanced through the woods down a slight incline, the Indians +moving like so many phantoms. Not a branch rattled as they glided +silently forward, not a leaf rustled beneath the soft tread of +moccasined feet. De Artigny led me by the hand, aiding me to move +quietly over the uneven ground, but made no effort to speak. Beside +us, not unlike a shadow, strode the chief Sequitah, his stern face +uplifted, shadowed by long black hair, a rifle gripped in his sinewy +arms. We crossed the little river, De Artigny bearing me easily in his +grasp, and, on the opposite shore, waited for the others to follow. +They came, a long line of dark, shadowy forms, wading cautiously +through the shallow water, and ranged themselves just below the bank, +many still standing in the stream. What light there was flickered over +naked bodies, and revealed savage eyes gleaming from out masses of +black hair. + +De Artigny stepped forward on the exposed root of a tree to where he +could see his dusky followers, and La Forest climbed the bank, and +joined him. A moment the two men conferred, turning about to question +Sequitah. As they separated I could distinguish De Artigny's final +words. + +"Very well, then, if it is your wish I take command. Sequitah, a +hundred warriors will follow you along the trail--you know it well. +Have your best scouts in advance, and circle your braves so as to make +attack impossible. Your scouts will not go beyond the great rock +except on my order. M. la Forest will accompany them. This is clear?" + +The Indian muttered response in his own tongue; then spoke more +sharply, and the mass of warriors below changed formation, the greater +number climbing the bank, and grouping themselves in the darker shadow +of the woods. + +"Who has charge of the others?" asked De Artigny. + +"Bastian Courtray," replied La Forest. "He is yonder." + +"Then Courtray, listen; you follow the stream, but do not venture from +cover. Post your men below the stockade and wait to intercept +fugitives. We will do the fighting above. Are the warriors with you +armed?" + +"All but ten have rifles, Monsieur, but I know not if they be of +value." + +"You must make the best use of them you can. Above all things be +quiet, and do nothing to alarm the Iroquois. You may go." + +I leaned forward watching them as they waded down stream, and then +climbed the bank, disappearing in the undergrowth. Sequitah had moved +past me, and I heard his voice speaking in Indian dialect. Along the +forest aisles his warriors glided by where I stood, noiselessly as +shadows. In another moment De Artigny and I were alone, the black +night all about us, and not a sound reaching our ears to tell of those +vanished allies. He took my hand, a caress in his touch, a suggestion +of pride in his voice. + +"The old chief is warrior still," he said, "and, unless all signs +fail, the Iroquois will long remember this day. Come, Adele, 'twill +not do for us to be far behind, and we have walked this trail before +together." + +Had I not tested it with my own ears never would I have believed a +hundred men could have made way so noiselessly in the dark, through +such thick forest, rock strewn and deeply rutted. Yet not a sound of +their stealthy passage was wafted back to us on the wind--no echo of +voice, no rasping of foot, no rustle of leaves. Ghosts could not have +moved more silently. Some way the very thought that these grim savages +were thus creeping forward to attack, and kill, their hearts mad with +hate, wild beasts of prey stalking their victims, yielded me a strange +feeling of horror. I clung to De Artigny's arm, shrinking from the +shadows, my mind filled with nameless fear. + +"Adele," he whispered, tenderly, "you still fear for me in this +venture?" + +"Yes, Monsieur." + +"There is no need. You heard La Forest say he bore orders of the King +which gave De Tonty command once more of Fort St. Louis." + +"Yes, Monsieur; but you have already been tried and condemned. Even if +they have not authority to shoot you here, they have power to +transport to Quebec." + +"There would be battle first, if I know my old comrades well. No, as +to that there is no cause to fear. I shall be given fair trial now, +and welcome it. My fear has been for you--the vengeance of Cassion, if +ever you came within his grasp again. But that also is settled." + +"Settled? What is it you would tell me?" + +"This, sweetheart; you should know, although I would that some other +might tell you. La Forest whispered it to me while we were alone +yonder, for he knew not you were estranged from your husband. He bears +with him the King's order for the arrest of M. Cassion. Captain de +Baugis is commissioned by La Barre to return him safely to Quebec for +trial." + +"On what charge?" + +"Treason to France; the giving of false testimony against a King's +officer, and the concealing of official records." + +"_Mon Dieu!_ was it the case of my father?" + +"Yes; the truth has been made clear. There is, as I understand from +what La Forest told me, not sufficient evidence against La Barre to +convict, yet 'tis believed the case will cost him his office. But M. +Cassion was his agent, and is guilty beyond a doubt." + +"But, Monsieur, who made the charges? Who brought the matter to the +attention of Louis?" + +"The Comte de Frontenac; he was your father's friend, and won him +restoration of his property. Not until La Forest met him in France was +he aware of the wrong done Captain la Chesnayne. Later he had converse +with La Salle, a Franciscan once stationed at Montreal, and two +officers of the regiment Carignan-Salliers. Armed with information +thus gained he made appeal to Louis. 'Tis told me the King was so +angry he signed the order of arrest with his own hand, and handed it +to La Forest to execute." + +"The Governor knows?" + +"Not yet. La Forest felt it best to keep the secret, fearing he might +be detained, or possibly ambushed on the way hither." + +I cannot describe my feelings--joy, sorrow, memory of the past, +overwhelming me. My eyes were wet with tears, and I could find no +words. De Artigny seemed to understand, yet he made no effort to +speak, merely holding me close with his strong arm. So in silence, our +minds upon the past and the future, we followed the savages through +the black night along the dim trail. For the time I forgot where I +was, my weird, ghastly surroundings, the purpose of our stealthy +advance, and remembered only my father, and the scenes of childhood. +He must have comprehended, for he made no attempt to interrupt my +reverie, and his silence drew me closer--the steady pressure of his +arm brought me peace. + +Suddenly before us loomed the shadow of the great rock, which rose a +mighty barrier across the trail, its crest outlined against the sky. +The Indians had halted here, and we pressed forward through them, +until we came to where the chief and La Forest waited. There was a +growing tinge of light in the eastern sky, enabling us to perceive +each other's faces. All was tense, expectant, the Indians scarcely +venturing to breathe, the two white men conversing in whispers. +Sequitah stood motionless as a statue, his lips tightly closed. + +"Your scouts ventured no further?" questioned De Artigny. + +"No, 'twas not safe; one man scaled the rock, and reports the Iroquois +just beyond." + +"They hide in covert where I suspected then; but I would see with my +own eyes. There is crevice here, as I remember, to give foothold. Ay, +here it is, an easy passage enough. Come, La Forest, a glance ahead +will make clear my plans." + +The two clambered up noiselessly, and outstretched themselves on the +flat surface above. The dawn brightened, almost imperceptibly, so I +could distinguish the savage forms on either side, some standing, some +squatting on the grass, all motionless, but alert, their weapons +gleaming, their cruel eyes glittering from excitement. La Forest +descended cautiously, and touched the arm of the chief. + +"You see?" + +The Indian shook his head. + +"Sequitah know now; he not need see. We do what white chief says." + +La Forest turned toward me. + +"And you, Madame, De Artigny would have you join him." + +Surprised at the request I rested my foot in his hand, and crept +forward along the smooth surface until I lay beside Rene. He glanced +aside into my face. + +"Do not lift your head," he whispered. "Peer through this cleft in the +stone." + +Had I the talent I could sketch that scene now from memory. It must +ever abide in my mind, distinct in every detail. The sky overcast with +cloud masses, a dense mist rising from the valley, the pallid spectral +light barely making visible the strange, grotesque shapes of rocks, +trees and men. Before us was a narrow opening, devoid of vegetation, a +sterile patch of stone and sand, and beyond this a fringe of trees, +matted with underbrush below so as to make good screen, but +sufficiently thinned out above, so that, from our elevation, we could +look through the interlaced branches across the cleared space where +the timber had been chopped away to the palisades of the fort. The +first space was filled with warriors, crouching behind the cover of +underbrush. Most of these were lying down, or upon their knees, +watchfully peering through toward the fort gates, but a few were +standing, or moving cautiously about bearing word of command. The +attention of all was in front riveted upon the silent, seemingly +deserted fort. Not a face did I note turned in our direction, not a +movement to indicate our presence was suspected. It was a line, in +many places two deep, of naked red bodies, stretching down the slope +on either side; the coarse black hair of the warriors gave them savage +look, while here and there a chief sported gaudy war bonnet, and all +along was the gleam of weapons. The number of them caused me to gasp +for breath. + +"Monsieur," I whispered timidly, "you can never attack; there are too +many." + +"They appear more numerous than they are," he answered confidently, +"but it will be a stiff fight. Not all Tuscaroras either; there are +Eries yonder to the right, and a few renegade Mohawks with them. Look, +by the foot of that big tree, the fellow in war bonnet, and deerskin +shirt--what make you of him?" + +"A white man in spite of his paint." + +"'Twas my guess also. I thought it likely they had a renegade with +them, for this is not Indian strategy. La Forest was of the same +opinion, although 'twas too dark when he was here for us to make +sure." + +"For what are they waiting, and watching?" + +"The gates to open, no doubt. If they suspect nothing within, they +will send out a party soon to reconnoiter the trail, and reach the +river below for water. It is the custom, and, no doubt, these devils +know, and will wait their chance. They urge the laggards now." + +We lay and watched them, his hand clasping mine. Those warriors who +had been lying prone, rose to their knees, and weapons in hand, +crouched for a spring; the chiefs scattered, careful to keep concealed +behind cover. Not a sound reached us, every movement noiseless, the +orders conveyed by gesture of the hand. De Artigny pressed my +fingers. + +"Action will come soon," he said, his lips at my ear, "and I must be +ready below to take the lead. You can serve us best here, Adele; there +is no safer spot if you lie low. You have a bit of cloth--a +handkerchief?" + +"Yes, Monsieur." + +"Then watch the fort gates, and if you see them open drop the cloth +over the edge of the rock there in signal. I will wait just below, but +from where we are we can see nothing. You understand?" + +"Surely, Monsieur; I am to remain here and watch; then signal you when +the fort gates open." + +"Ay, that is it; or if those savages advance into the open--they may +not wait." + +"Yes, Monsieur." + +His lips touched mine, and I heard him whisper a word of endearment. + +"You are a brave girl." + +"No, Monsieur; I am frightened, terribly frightened, but--but I love +you, and am a Frenchwoman." + +He crept back silently, and I was left alone on the great rock, gazing +out anxiously into the gray morning. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV + +THE CHARGE OF THE ILLINI + + +It seemed a long time, yet it could scarcely have exceeded a few +moments, for the light of early dawn was still dim and spectral, +making those savage figures below appear strange and inhuman, while, +through the tree barrier, the more distant stockade was little more +than a vague shadow. I could barely distinguish the sharp pointed +logs, and if any guard passed, his movements were indistinguishable. + +Had I not known where they were even the position of the gates +would have been a mystery. Yet I lay there, my eyes peering through +the cleft in the rock, every nerve in my body throbbing. All had +been entrusted to me; it was to be my signal which would send De +Artigny, La Forest, and their Indian allies forward. I must not +fail them; I must do my part. Whatever the cost--even though it be his +life--nothing could absolve me from this duty. + +The Iroquois were massing toward the center, directly in front of the +closed gates. The change in formation was made with all the +stealthiness of Indian cunning, the warriors creeping silently behind +the concealing bushes, and taking up their new positions according to +motions of their chiefs. Those having rifles loaded their weapons, +while others drew knives and tomahawks from their belts, and held them +glittering in the gray light. The white leader remained beside the big +tree, paying no apparent heed to anything excepting the stockade in +front. The daylight brightened, but mist clouds overhung the valley, +while floating wreaths of fog drifted between the great rock and the +fort gates, occasionally even obscuring the Iroquois in vaporous +folds. There was no sound, no sight, of those hidden below, waiting my +word. I seemed utterly alone. + +Suddenly I started, lifting myself slightly, on one arm so as to see +more clearly. Ay, the gates were opening, slowly at first as though +the great wooden hinges made resistance; then the two leaves parted, +and I had glimpse within. Two soldiers pushed against the heavy logs, +and, as they opened wider, a dozen, or more men were revealed, leaning +carelessly on their rifles. Boisrondet, bearing gun in the hollow of +his arm stepped forward into the opening, and gazed carelessly about +over the gray, mist shrouded scene. + +It was evident enough he felt no suspicion that anything more serious +than the usual Indian picket would be encountered. He turned and spoke +to the soldiers, waiting while they shouldered their rifles, and +tramped forth to join him. His back was toward the fringe of wood. The +arm of the white renegade shot into the air, and behind him the massed +Iroquois arose to their feet, crouching behind their cover ready to +spring. I reached over the rock edge, and dropped the handkerchief. + +I must have seen what followed, yet I do not know; the incidents seem +burned on my memory, yet are so confused I can place them in no order. +The white renegade seemed waiting, his arm upraised. Ere it fell in +signal to dispatch his wild crew to the slaughter, there was a crash +of rifles all about me, the red flare leaping into the gray mist--a +savage yell from a hundred throats, and a wild rush of naked bodies. + +I saw warriors of the Iroquois fling up their arms and fall; I saw +them shrink, and shrivel, break ranks and run. Surprised, stricken, +terrified by the war-whoops of the maddened Illini, realizing only +that they were caught between enemies, their one and only thought was +escape. Two of their chiefs were down, and the white renegade, +stumbling and falling as though also hurt, dived into the underbrush. + +Before they could rally, or even comprehend what had occurred, their +assailants were upon them. Leaping across the open, over rock and +sand, yelling like fiends, weapons gleaming in the dull light, the +frenzied Illini, enflamed with revenge, maddened with hate, flung +themselves straight at them. Rifles flashed in their faces, tomahawks +whirled in the air, but nothing stopped that rush. Warriors fell, but +the others stumbled over the naked bodies. I saw De Artigny, stripped +to his shirt, and that in rags from the bushes he had plunged through, +his rifle barrel gripped, a yard in front of them all. I saw La +Forest, bareheaded, and Sequitah, his Indian stoicism forgotten in mad +blood lust. + +Then they struck and were lost in the fierce maelstrom of struggle, +striking, falling, red hands gripping at red throats, rifle butts +flung high, tomahawks dealing the death blow, knives gleaming as +sinewy arms drove them home. I could no longer distinguish enemy from +friend; they were interlocked, struggling like mad dogs, fighting as +devils might, a wild tangled mass of bodies, of waving hair, of +blazing eyes, of uplifted steel. + +The Iroquois had rallied from their first shock; already they realized +the small number of the attackers. Those who had fled were turning +back; those on either flank were running toward the scene of fight. I +saw the white renegade burst from the press, urging these laggards +forward. Scarcely had he attained the outer edge, when De Artigny +fought his way forth also, tearing the mass asunder with sweep of +rifle. They stood face to face, glaring into each other's eyes. + +The rifle in De Artigny's hand was but a twisted bar of iron; this +renegade's only weapon was a murderous knife, its point reddened with +blood. What word was said, I know not, but I saw De Artigny fling his +bar aside, and draw the knife at his belt. _Mon Dieu!_ I could not +look; I know not how they fought; I hid my eyes and prayed. When I +glanced up again both were gone, the fighting mass was surging over +the spot--but the Iroquois were in flight, seeking only some means of +escape, while out through the fort gates the soldiers of the garrison +were coming on a run, pouring volleys of lead into the fleeing +savages. I saw De Tonty, De Baugis, De la Durantaye--ay! and there was +M. Cassion, back among the stragglers, waving his sword gallantly in +the air. It was all over with so quickly I could but sit and stare; +they ran past me in pursuit, wild yells echoing through the woods, but +all I thought of then was M. de Artigny. I scrambled down the rock, +falling heavily in my haste, yet once upon my feet again, rushed +forth, reckless of danger. The ground was strewn with dead and +wounded, the victorious Illini already scattered in merciless, +headlong pursuit. Only a group of soldiers remained at the edge of the +forest. Among these were De Tonty and La Forest. Neither noticed my +approach until I faced them. + +"What, Madame," exclaimed De Tonty, "you here also?" he paused as +though in doubt, "and the Sieur de Artigny--had he part in this feat +of arms?" + +"A very important part, Monsieur," returned La Forest, staunching a +wound on his forehead, yet bowing gallantly to me. "'Twas indeed his +plan, and I permitted him command as he knows these Illini Indians +better than I." + +"But does he live, Monsieur?" I broke in anxiously. + +"Live! ay, very much alive--see, he comes yonder now. Faith, he fought +Jules Lescalles knife to knife, and ended the career of that renegade. +Is that not a recommendation, M. de Tonty?" + +The other did not answer; he was watching De Artigny approach, his +eyes filled with doubt. I also had scarce thought otherwise, and +stepped forward to greet him, with hands outstretched. He was rags +from head to foot, spattered with blood, an ugly wound showing on one +cheek, yet his lips and eyes smiled. + +"'Twas good work, well done," he said cheerily. "'Twill be a while +before the Iroquois besiege this fort again. Is that not your thought, +M. de Tonty?" + +"I appreciate the service rendered," replied the other gravely. "But +you are in peril here. M. Cassion is yonder, and still in command." + +De Artigny glanced inquiringly at La Forest, and the latter stepped +forward, a leather bound packet in his hands. + +"Your pardon, M. de Tonty," he said. "I had forgotten my true mission +here. I bear orders from the King of France." + +"From Louis? La Salle has reached the King's ear?" + +"Ay, to good results. These are for you, Monsieur." + +De Tonty took them, yet his thought was not upon their contents, but +with his absent chief. + +"You saw Sieur de la Salle in France? you left him well?" + +"More than well--triumphant over all his enemies. He sails for the +mouth of the Great River with a French colony; Louis authorized the +expedition." + +"And is that all?" + +"All, except it was rumored at the court that La Barre would not for +long remain Governor of New France." + +The face of the Italian did not change expression; slowly he opened +the papers, and glanced at their contents; then folded them once more, +and lifted his eyes to our faces. + +"By Grace of the King," he said simply, "I am again in command of Fort +St. Louis. I see the order is countersigned by La Barre." + +"Yes, Monsieur; he had no choice--'twas not done happily." + +"I presume not. But Messieurs, it may be well for us to return within +the fort. Madame, may I have the pleasure of escorting you?" + +We made our way slowly through the fringe of woods, and across the +open space before the fort gates which still stood open. The dead +bodies of savages were on all sides, so horribly mutilated, many of +them, that I hid my eyes from the sight. De Tonty tried to speak of +other things, and to shield me from the view, but I was so sick at +heart I could hardly answer him. De la Durantaye, with a dozen men to +aid, was already busily engaged in seeking the wounded, and I caught +sight of De Baugis far down the western slope clambering up, a body of +Indians at his heels. Cassion had disappeared; indeed there was not so +much as a single guard at the gate when we entered, yet we were +greeted instantly by his voice. + +"'Tis well you return, M. de Tonty," he said loudly. "I was about to +call those soldiers yonder, and close the gates. 'Tis hardly safe to +have them left thus with all these strange Indians about." + +"They are Illini, Monsieur--our allies." + +"Pah! an Indian is an Indian to my mind; bid M. de la Durantaye come +hither." He stared at De Artigny and me, seeing us first as he stepped +forward. A moment he gasped, his voice failing; then anger conquered, +and he strode forward, sword in hand. + +"_Mon Dieu!_ What is this? You here again, you bastard wood ranger? I +had hopes I was rid of you, even at the cost of a wife. Well, I soon +will be. Here, Durantaye, bring your men; we have a prisoner here to +stretch rope. De Tonty, I command you in the name of France!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI + +THE CLEARING OF MYSTERY + + +The point of his sword was at De Artigny's breast, but the younger man +stood motionless, his lips smiling, his eyes on the other's face. + +"Perchance, Monsieur," he said quietly, "it might be best for you +first to speak with this friend of mine." + +"What friend? _Sacre!_ What is the fellow to me? Who is he? another +one of La Salle's spawn?" + +La Forest, still bareheaded, his forehead bleeding, pressed down the +swordblade. + +"The company is a good one," he said bluntly enough, "and just now +well worth belonging to. I am Francois de la Forest, Monsieur, one +time commandant at Detroit; at present messenger from the King of +France." + +"King's messenger--you! _Mon Dieu!_ you look it. Come, man, what +mummery is this?" + +"No mummery, Monsieur. I left France two months since, bearing the +King's own word to M. la Barre. 'Tis with his endorsement I journeyed +hither to restore Henri de Tonty to his rightful command of Fort St. +Louis." + +"You lie!" Cassion cried hotly, eyes blazing hatred and anger, "'tis +some hellish trick." + +"Monsieur, never before did man say that to me, and live. Were you not +felon, and thief I would strike you where you stand. Ay, I mean the +words--now listen; lift that sword point and I shoot you dead. +Monsieur de Tonty, show the man the papers." + +Cassion took them as though in a daze, his hand trembling, his eyes +burning with malignant rage. I doubt if he ever saw clearly the +printed and written words of the document, but he seemed to grasp +vaguely the fact of La Barre's signature. + +"A forgery," he gasped. "Ah, De Baugis, see here; these damned curs of +La Salle would play trick on me. Look at the paper." + +The dragoon took it, and smoothed it out in his hands. His face was +grave, as his eyes searched the printed lines. + +"'Tis the great seal of France," he said soberly, looking about at the +faces surrounding him, "and the signature of the governor. How came it +here?" + +"By my hand," returned La Forest proudly. "You know me--Monsieur +Francois la Forest." + +"Ay, I know you, ever a follower of La Salle, and friend of Frontenac. +'Twas through his influence you got this. 'Tis little use for us to +quarrel, M. Cassion--the order is genuine." + +"_Mon Dieu_, I care not for such an order; it does not supersede my +commission; I outrank this De Tonty." + +"Hush, do not play the fool." + +"Better the fool than the coward." + +"Wait," said La Forest sharply, "the matter is not ended. You are +Francois Cassion, of Quebec?" + +"Major of Infantry, Commissaire of the Governor La Barre." + +"So the titles read in this document. I arrest you by King's order for +treason to France, and mutilation of official records. Here is the +warrant, M. de Baugis, and your orders to convey the prisoner to +Quebec for trial." + +Cassion's face went white, and he struggled madly for breath. De +Baugis grasped the paper, so startled at this new development as to be +incapable of comprehension. + +"Under arrest? for what, Monsieur? Treason, and mutilation of official +records? What does it mean?" + +"This--the man knows, and will not deny the charge. False testimony +sworn to, and signed by this Francois Cassion, charged Captain la +Chesnayne with cowardice and treason. In consequence the latter was +broken of his command, and his estates forfeited to the Crown. Later, +through the efforts of Frontenac, the King was convinced of injustice, +and the estates were restored by royal order. This order reached +Quebec, but was never recorded. This Cassion was then private +secretary to the governor, and the paper came into his hands. Later, +to hush up the scandal, he married Captain la Chesnayne's daughter +against her will. The day this was accomplished the lost order was +placed on file." + +"You saw it?" + +"Yes, I had the files searched secretly. The order was dispatched from +France five years ago, but was stamped as received the day Cassion +departed from Quebec." + +My eyes were upon the speaker and I failed to note how the accused +man met this damning charge. It was his voice which drew my +attention--high pitched, harsh, unnatural. + +"_Mon Dieu!_ 'twas not I--'twas La Barre!" + +"Tell that in Quebec; though little good 'twill do you. M. de Baugis, +in the King's name I order this man's arrest." + +I saw De Baugis step forward, his hand outstretched; then all was +confusion and struggle. With the hoarse snarl of a beast, Cassion +leaped forward, struck La Forest with his shoulder, and drove sword +point into De Artigny. De Tonty gripped him, but was hurled aside by +insane strength, reeling back so that the weight of his body struck me +to my knees. The next instant, his sword-point dripping blood, the +runner was beyond reach, speeding for the open gate. What followed I +know from word of others, and no view I had of it. + +De Artigny had fallen, huddled in a heap on the grass, and I dragged +myself across to him on my knees. I heard oaths, a shuffling of feet, +a rush of bodies, a voice I did not recognize shouting some +order--then the sharp crack of a rifle, and silence. I cared not what +had occurred; I had De Artigny's head in my arms, and his eyes opened +and smiled up at me full of courage. + +"You are badly hurt?" + +"No, I think not; the thrust was too high. Lift me, and I breathe +better. The man must have been mad." + +"Surely yes, Monsieur; think you he had hope of escape?" + +"'Tis likely he thought only of revenge. Ah, you are here also, De +Tonty." + +"Yes, lad; there is small use for me yonder. You are not seriously +struck?" + +"I bleed freely, but the thrust was in the shoulder. I could stand, I +think, with your aid." + +On his feet he leaned heavily on us both, yet would not be led away, +until La Forest joined us. He held in his hand some papers, yet +neither of us questioned him. + +"Monsieur de Tonty," he said, "I would have private word with you." + +"When I help De Artigny to his bed, and have look at his wound. Yet is +it not matter of interest to these as well?" + +"I take it so." + +"Then speak your message--M. Cassion is dead?" + +"The sentry's bullet found his heart, Monsieur." + +"I saw him fall. Those papers were upon him--are they of value?" + +"That I know not; they possess no meaning to me, but they were +addressed to the man killed at St. Ignace." + +"Hugo Chevet?" I exclaimed. "My uncle; may I not see them, Monsieur?" + +De Tonty placed them in my hands--a letter from a lawyer in Quebec, +with a form of petition to the King, and a report of his search of the +archives of New France. The other document was the sworn affidavit of +Jules Beaubaou, a clerk of records, that he had seen and read a paper +purporting to be a restoration from the King to the heirs of Captain +la Chesnayne. It was signed and sealed. I looked up at the faces +surrounding me; startled and frightened at this witness from the +dead. + +"They are papers belonging to Chevet?" asked De Tonty. + +"Yes, Monsieur--see. He must have known, suspected the truth before +our departure, yet had no thought such villainy was the work of M. +Cassion. He sought evidence." + +"That is the whole story, no doubt. La Barre learned of his search, +for he would have spies in plenty, and wrote his letter of warning to +Cassion. The latter, fearing the worst, and desperate, did not even +hesitate at murder to gain possession of these documents. Fate served +him well, and gave him De Artigny as victim. I wonder only that he did +not long ago destroy the papers." + +"There is always some weakness in crime," commented La Forest, "and +the man has paid penalty for his. It would be my guess he desired to +place them in La Barre's hands in proof of his loyalty. But, +Messieurs, De Artigny needs to have his wound dressed. We can discuss +all this later." + + * * * * * + +It was two days later, and the bright sunshine rested on Fort St. +Louis flecking the sides of the great rock with gold, and bridging the +broad valley below. De Artigny, yet too weak to rise unaided, sat in a +chair Barbeau had made beside the open window, and to his call I +joined him, my arm on his shoulder as I also gazed down upon the scene +below. It was one of peace now, the silvery Illinois winding hither +and yon among its green islands, the shadowy woods darkening one bank, +and the vast meadows stretching northward from the other. Below the +bend an Indian village, already rebuilt and occupied, slept in the +sun, and I could see children and dogs playing before the tepees. + +Down the sharp trail from the fort a line of Indian packers were +toiling slowly, their backs supporting heavy burdens which they bore +to two canoes resting against the bank. About these were grouped a +little party of white men, and when at last the supplies were all +aboard, several took their places at the paddles, and pushed off into +the stream. + +There was waving of hands, and shouts, and one among them--even at +that distance I could tell La Forest--looked up at our window, and +raised his hat in gesture of farewell. I watched until they rounded +the rock and disappeared on their long journey to Quebec, until the +others--exiles of the wilderness--turned away and began to climb +upward to the fort gates. De Artigny's hand closed softly over mine. + +"You are sad, sweetheart; you long too for New France?" + +"No, Dear One," I answered, and he read the truth in my eyes. +"Wherever you are is my home. On this rock in the great valley we will +serve each other--and France." + + + + +POPULAR COPYRIGHT NOVELS + +At Moderate Prices + +Ask your dealer for a complete list of A. L. Burt Company's +Popular Copyright Fiction + +Abner Daniel Will N. Harben +Adventures of Gerard A. Conan Doyle +Adventures of a Modest Man R. W. Chambers +Adventures of Sherlock Holmes A. Conan Doyle +After House, The Mary Roberts Rinehart +Ailsa Paige Robert W. Chambers +Alternative, The George Barr McCutcheon +Alton of Somasco Harold Bindloss +Amateur Gentleman, The Jeffery Farnol +Andrew The Glad Maria Thompson Daviess +Ann Boyd Will N. Harben +Annals of Ann, The Kate T. Sharber +Anna the Adventuress E. Phillips Oppenheim +Armchair at the Inn, The F. Hopkinson Smith +Ariadne of Allan Water Sidney McCall +At the Age of Eve Kate T. Sharber +At the Mercy of Tiberius Augusta Evans Wilson +Auction Block, The Rex Beach +Aunt Jane of Kentucky Eliza C. Hall +Awakening of Helena Ritchie Margaret Deland +Bambi Marjorie Benton Cooke +Bandbox, The Louis Joseph Vance +Barbara of the Snows Harry Irving Green +Bar 20 Clarence E. Mulford +Bar 20 Days Clarence E. Mulford +Barrier, The Rex Beach +Beasts of Tarzan, The Edgar Rice Burroughs +Beechy Bettina Von Hutten +Bella Donna Robert Hichens +Beloved Vagabond, The Wm. J. Locke +Ben Blair Will Lillibridge +Beth Norvell Randall Parrish +Betrayal, The E. Phillips Oppenheim +Better Man, The Cyrus Townsend Brady +Beulah (Ill. Ed) Augusta J. Evans +Black Is White George Barr McCutcheon +Blaze Derringer Eugene P. 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Watson +Claw, The Cynthia Stockley +C. O. D. Natalie Sumner Lincoln +Colonial Free Lance, A Chauncey O. Hotchkiss +Coming of the Law, The Chas. A. Seltzer +Conquest of Canaan, The Booth Tarkington +Conspirators, The Robert W. Chambers +Counsel for the Defense Leroy Scott +Crime Doctor, The E. W. Hornung +Cry in the Wilderness, A Mary E. Waller +Cynthia of the Minute Louis Joseph Vance +Dark Hollow, The Anna Katharine Green +Dave's Daughter Patience Bevier Cole +Day of Days, The Louis Joseph Vance +Day of the Dog, The George Barr McCutcheon +Depot Master, The Joseph C. Lincoln +Desired Woman, The Will N. Harben +Destroying Angel, The Louis Joseph Vance +Diamond Master, The Jacques Futrelle +Dixie Hart Will N. Harben +El Dorado Baroness Orczy +Elusive Isabel Jacques Futrelle + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 30319 *** |