The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-10
BOOK III.
The Honour OF. De Virtre.
CHAPTER XIV
Graftlin to the Rescue.

= CHAPTER XIV.
y Grafton to the Rescue.
Attended by hls captoTs. Denis de Vitre.
1 nthe hateful uniform of the English
army, stood bound and facing the COVER
nor and his staff in the great hall of tho
castle. The sun light slarkled in through
the long. mario " lancet windows with
their loaded, diamond shaped panes, and
made strange trhceries upon the polished
oaken floor. Pictures Of the former gov
ernors of New France looked down upon
{ the little scene from the walls. There
was the dauntless Champkain. the veteran
La Barre. the co1Etly du Quesne, and.
conspicuous among the rest. the grim.
cagle-1ke figure of the greatest Of all
I old Frontenac- The history of the prov
I ince was somehow summed up in that
old vaulted chamber. and de Wire felt as
/, fl he were on trial before the heroism Of
: the past as we'll as the disorganization Of
the present.
! Monsieur de vitre. you are accused Of
having betrayed your country by plotting
the English ships up the river" began
the governor
Z And who is my a,cuser, Monsieur de
Ramesay?' answered dc Wire boldly.
Common report" '.-
" "And does common report, sir. outweigh
the word Of honor Of an officer and a gen
tleman?"
do you deny the charge. monsieur?'
Sir. upon my word of honor. declare
II to be false in every Particular"
But, sir. you were seen recognized by
officers stationed on Cap Tourmente, OF
forward part of the first English ship to
pass the prornontory. There was a group
Of English offcerc around you. You
seemed to be pointing-is: itjnot SO, Ma jor
St. Luc?''
de Wire myself answered the officer
promptly.
= IF Mo'1e:eur st. Luc had seen me one
half hour sooner he would have noticed
me standi7:' the rail of the ship with
a rope around my neck. about to be
hanged as common felo1o for refusing to
show the way to the English
Can this be true, sir?'' asked the gov
ernor in surprise.
ION my faith it is. give you my
word, sir
1--WE don't accept the word Of man
accused Of treachery, sir. Although I
have no doubt you were on the rail- as YOU
say, yet have also no doubt but that the
presence Of the rope proved efficacious.'
Mon Dieu, what an infamous charged
cried de Wire. white with rage and pas
sion at this INSULT striving to break away
from his guards.
The governor watched him coolly until
he ceased to struggle; then. nonchalantly
taking pinch of snuff:
BE calm, monsieur he added. 81
might have taken your word, but there
Is another circumstance which must be
explained and which makes it difficult
to credit your story. The dress you wear
it; is an English coat" - 10y ga
May it please Monsieur lie Gouverneur,'
spoke up the sergeant. II saw him in the
front rank of the English they charged
us. He carried musket In his hand
THAT is true" answered de Wire, 81
was there
Did you discharge the musket?"
Yes. Monsieur lie Chevalier-that Is,
had done So
LAT the troops of France?"
Yes, but
A roar of rage swapt through the hal
\ as the men heard this damning adrnis
sion.
. why hear any more, Monsieur lie Chev
alier?" burst out Captain Rouvigny. vo1c
ing the thought Of the others. IF he be
not self-convicted traitor, let him bt
shot as a deserter.'
.'Messieurs, you must hear me! 70,
SHALT exclaimed de Wire II have beer
q prisoner in the English fleet Through
the connivance of a soldier in their marine
procured this uniform. I escaped from
the ship last night. I hoped to reach TIN
town and warn you and Monsieur d,
Montcalm of the expected attack on thu
town before morning, but found 1t i'm
possible to get away. I was compelled t.
stay in the ranks, and with difficult.
or would have been killed out o
hand My gun was not loade'
with ball. looked carefully to that
gentlemen. I swear to you I threw !
: away at the first moment and ran to joii
my friends. AS there is a God in heaven
Monsieur lie Chevalier, speak the truth
beg you to hold me until you can com
municate with the English and verify m!
statement
Z 1--WE can not hold the town a week
Monsieur de vitre," returned the govern
or, quickly. And to defer your punish
nent until the English take us woul
mean to let you escape scot-free. Frank
% ly,. I do not believe your story. VIVA
~ say you, gentlemen"
e mo, no, he is a. traitor! Away wit
& him. cried one and another.
II Gentlemen, If I ever escape from thi
Il predicament." answered de Wire, boldly
s. ''rest assured that you shall answer to m
! for your words and actionsi'
This Is idle talk, monsieur said tn
governor, severely: las the commandan
of the garrison, I shall order you to b
shot at once, upon your own admissions
which you have failed to explain to GU
! satisfaction. If there is no one ters VIII
will protest, or say word In your de
fense.''
& Il will do that, Monsieur lie Chevalier!
4 clear voice cried out from the other en-
Of the hall, as Anne de Rohan, followed b
Josette, entered the door and advance
before the chevalier.
''Mademoiselle de Rohan!' exclaime
the governor In great surprise, rising
his feet the while. and bowling profoundl
before her. a movement which, of cours
e was emulated by all the officers. "Hel
Is no place for ladies'"
II am a. witness in the case, Monsieur {
uuuul luull ~ i - j = =