The National tribune., 1902-11-06

as many as three strangers IN his tram.
whom I'll warrant he is taking to Beau
Inanoir for nights carousal."
"Ill fares New France when her Intend
ant spends SO much of his time at the
| feast" she said, with lack of discretion
which often frightened him. "And they
do say his feasts are not always
| He stopped her with n wave of his
weather-worn hand, while he prepared to
| ferry the newcomers across the river
which ran between Quebec and the village
Of Charlebourg.
"Ferry us over in short trice, good Jean,
and double fee shall be yours. La Fargo
money, you know, is as free as water"
''But unfortunately La Fargo is not one
of the Kings favorites, more's to his
credit" muttered the ferryman, while he
undid the clumsy fasteninSs OF his boat,
hoping in his heart he should be able to
clear the bank before the Intendant's party
could reach him. But in this he was dis
| appointed. His fingers were not as nimble
as once, and just as he was about to allow
the foremost party to drive their horses
| and carriage upon, the platform, the sten-
torian tone Of Bigot himself thundered for
him to wait for them.
| "Ho, there, dolt! dost not know the
| Kings chosen ones should command thy
first attention." and without so much as
a nod to the other party he and his fol-
lowers dashed down upon the clumsymov-
ing craft. But in making this headlong
move, the 1ntendant came very near rid
ing over Mary Shepley, who, with the
other occupants of the carriage, had been
obliged to alight before driving upon the
ferry. Even the oyerbearing horseman
was for moment prompted to stop and
look around. Catching a view of the cap
tive he was evidently struck by her looks,
rs he exclaimed to his companions, but
loud enough for her to hear:
what rustic beauty is this? By the
crown Of France, she is fit to grace the
| her, he added: "a thousand pardons for
my careless riding, fair maid. Come, step
upon old Jeans boat with me. Who rides
with Francois Bigot rides Free" and he
would have pulled her upon the boat
whether she wil,ed it or no had not her
stern escort held her back. saying in no
,tnmistakable tone to the Inteadant:
"Have a care, Bigot. La Farge sent
me to fetch her home, and I'll do it, too,
LET the cost be what it may"
| This bold speech brought a merry shout
from the other riders, who had dismOunted
by this time, and Bigot made haste to re-
ply:
get you into trouble. So she is one of
La Farge's plants? Too fair rose to
blossom in his garden, and I'll see that
she is transplanted ere the frost has nip
ped her bloom. Come, stir your clumsy
pegs, Master Jean, or I'll trounce you with
my riding whip" cried Bigot, turning upon
the daZed ferryman with upIifted arm.
Jean scowled, but made no greater
haste, though little later his ungainly
craft swung along the other bank, when
the cayalcade dashed off without so much
as word for the service done them.
Courses upon the pompous dogs. NUT
tered the ferryman under his breath, know
ft,II wall fhar rraI,x dc, oh
reach the ears of those he was damning
il would prove an i'll hour to him. 81 sup
pose they think the privilege of passing
so much royalty is fine pay" he added,
with a grimace.
While the royal party dashed madly
up the wide, white way leading to Charlie
bourg. and the dissatisfied ferryman re-
turned for them, the party under the es-
lcort of the soldierly lie Berne waited i'm
patiently for their turn, the leader ex-
claiming to no one in particular, but with
great earnestness:
"Ill fares the fortunes of New France
when such as Francois Bigot holds in his
hands her destiny. 1t is not the enemies
without that Quebec need to fear, but the
enemies within. Vain is it to build walls
when our gates are open to such as they
who ride hither for nights carOusaI when
the counsel of sober men is needed to help
steer our Government through the quick
. sands of n nobility that is anything but
noble"
''Brarcly spoken, lie Bcrnew npplaudcd
a voice at his elbow, and upon turning
sharply about the old soldier recognized
one of those rowing notares so common in
the Province Mt that time. 'If the great.
est gallant. Monsieur Bigot is the biggest
! rogue in New Franc Did he love wine
and women less it would fare better with
our poor country"
The speakers showed by their words
that they were well informed of the true
situation, and though not many may have