The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-15

stripped back the opening Of his doublet
and under waistcoat, and showed upon his
broad shoulder the scar OF a red ri-po1nt
deep and livid upon his flesh. Look!
There Is the fleur-de-lis of France. That
Is why I came. I have rowed In the gal
leys, meme free man, a man OF the
woods Of New France!' 80
Murmurs Of concern passed among the
little group. Castleton rose from his chair
and leaned with his hands upon the table,
gazing now at the lace ana now At tns
barred shoulder Of this stranger, who had
by chance become member Of their
nightly party.
Il have not been in London
fortnight since my escape" said the
man with the brand. Il was none
the less a good servant OF Louis
In New France, for that I found many a
new tribe and many bale Of furs that
else had never come to the mountain for
the robbery of the lying officers who claim
the robe Of Louis. 7 was a soldier for
the king as we'll as traveller of the for
est, Was I not with the LIE Moynes and
the band that crossed the icy north and
on the Bay Of Hudson? fought there
and helped blow down your barriers. I
packed my own robe on my back and
walked for the king, till the raquette
thongs cut my ankles to the bone. For
what? When I came back to the set
Elements at Quebec I was seized for
coureur de bois, a free trader. was
herded like a criminal into a French
ship sent over seas to French prison.,
branded with q French iron, and set like
brute to pull without reason at bar OF
wood in the kings galleys-the kings
hell!
"And yet you are Frenchman,"
Yet am not a. Frenchman," sneered
the other. "Nor am an Englishman. I
am no man Of world Of galleys and
brands. I am man of America
"'Tis true what he says" spoke Penn
broke. "'Tis said the minister Of Louis
| was feared to keep these men In the gal
| leys, lest their fellows in New France
should become too bitter, and should join
| the savages in their inroads on the starv-
| ing settlements Of Quebec and Montreal
True" exclaimed Du Mesne. THE
! coureurs care not for the law and little
| for the king. AS for ruler, we have dis
| covered that a man makes a most excel
lent sovereign for himself"
And excellent said,' cried Castleton.
| None of We know the West,' went on
| the coureur. 'Your Virginia., we know
we'll of it--a collection of .beggars, prosti-
tutes and thieves Your New England
a lot of cod fishing, starving snivelers,
who are most concerned how to keep life
in their bodies from year to year. New
France herself, sitting ever on the edge
Of an icy death, with naught but bicker-
ings at Quebec and naught but reluctant
| compliance from Paris-what hath she to
| hope? I tell We, gentlemen, It's beyond,
in the land Of the Messasebe, where I shall
for my part seek out my home; and no
man shall set iron on my soul again.
| He spoke bitterly. The group about
him, half amused, half cynical and all ig-
norant as were their kind at this time Of
the reign Of William. were none the less
impressed and thoughtful. Yet once more
the sneering voice of Wilson broke In.
"A strange land. my FRIEND" said he,
"monstrous strange. Your unicorns are
great, and your women are little. Methinks
to give thy tale proportion thou shoulds
have shown shoon somewhat larger
Peace! Beau" said Castleton, quickly
"As for the size Of the human foot-gad
I'll lay roll of louis dor that there's on
dame here in London town can wear thi
slipper Of New France
'Done!" cried Wilson. Name the one.
None other than the pretty Lawrenc
whom thou hast had under thine ancien
wing for the past two seasons"
The face OF Wilson gathered into sud
den frown at this speech. What doth
; mattcr'-he began.
! Have done. fellows!'' cried Pembroke
with some asperity. Lay wagers more fl
at best, and let us have no more Of thi
thumb biting. Cad! the first we know
. we'll be up fighting among ourselves, an
< we all know how the new court doth loo
on that
Come away laughed Castleton, gail!
I I'm for a pint of ale and an apple; an
Q then beware! IT'S always my forum,
when come to this country drink. to wi
like a very countryman. I need revens
upon Lady Betty and her lap-dog. ~
9 lost since ever I saw them last"