Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1904-03-30
THE MISSISSIPPI
i. BUBBLE .
u Author of"The Story OF the Cowboy"
4 The Girl at the Hallway House. Etc.
Copyright. 1902, by Emerson Houshj
CHAPTER XXI.
NIESSASEBE.

MESSASEBE
The boat now lacking its propeiling
power. drifted on and out into tho
clear tide of the mighty stream. The
paddlers were idle. and silence had
fallen upon all. The rush of this ma
Jcstic flood, steady mysterious. Sc
$.ct-.eeping. created a feeling of awe
and wonder. They eazed ana sazed
aE2in. up the great waterway. across
70 It's farther shore. along it's rolling
course below, and still each man for
got his paddle. and still the little shin
Ol New France driftcd on. Just rocking
gently in the mimic waves which ruff
fed the face of the mighty Father of
the Waters.
BY our Lady" cried Du Mesne. at
length. and tears stood in his tan
framed eyes as he turned. '''tis true.
all that has been said, Here it is.
Messasebe, more mighty than any
story could have told, Monsieur Las.
It's big enough TO carry ships"
Twill carry fleets of them one day.
Du Mesne,' replied John Law. IT'S
n roadway fit for a nation. All. Du
Nesne, our st. Lawrence. our New
france-they dwindle when compared
TO this new land"
Aye! and It's all our own" cried
bu Mesne Look; for the last ten
days we have scarce seen even the
smoke OF wigwam. and. so far as |
can tell. there is not in all this valley
TOW the home of single white man.
My friend On L'hut-he may be far
north of the Superior to-day for aueht
~e know. or some where among the
oauteur people. IL there be a man below
US, let some one else tell who that
may be. Sir. promise you. when
see this big water going on so fast and
he21.ns so far away from homa-we!l,
l admit 1t causes me to shiyer!"
lis much the same" said Law.
where home may be for me"
An. but It's different on the lakes"
said Du Mesne. for there we ALWAYS
knew the way back. and knew that
twas down stream"
He says well" broke i'm Mary Con
nynge. There is something in this
big river that chills me. | am afraid
And what say you. Tetc Girls ami
-yon. Pierre Noir?" asked Law.
Why. myself" replied the former.
am with the captain It matters
not There must always be one tran
from which one does not return"
"Om.' said Pierre Noir. ITO ne
s7Ire. we have passed as good beaver
country as heart Of man could ask:
but never was land so good but there
was better JUST beyond"
They say we'll Du Mesnc" smoke
John Law, presently; "tis better on be-
yond. Suppose we never do return
Ifd I not say to you that would
leave this other world as far behind me-
as might be?"
I.h bien. Monsieur Las. YOU reply
With spirit. as ever replied Du Mesne.
IN II is not for me 10 stand in the
WAY. Ny own fortune and family are
as" with me. and home is where m,
fire IS ill.,"
Very well replied Law Let US
-Cun the river to its mouth. If need ba
It's one 70 me. And whether We get
i'acl, or not it's another tale"
'Oh. ! make no doubt we shall win
Sac~ if need be" replied On Mcsno.
r H. said the savaCes knox the WAYS
by she Divine river Of the Hint 10 the
Foot Of NichiganOn and that. perhaps
night be orr best way back 10 The
takes and 10 the mountain with orr
feayer. We shall. provided we reach
f}'c Divine river. as / should gliess by
the stories / have heard be then be-
low the Illini the Ottawas and tho
Miamis. with know not wha tribes
from west OF the Messasebe. ''ris for
son to say. Monsieur Las. but for my
oVE par-aud lis but a hazard AT
Beat-I would say remain here. or
CTr~s ON 20 the river Of The fUini"
'Tis easy or decision then" re-
uljnd Law. after moment OF reAec-
Don- We take that course which
leads us farther on at least Again
ne paddles. my friends Tonight we
sup in our owl Hngdom Strike UP
the song Du Mosnei"
a shout of approval broke from the
hardy men along iae boat side and
even Jean Breboeuf tossed up his cap
upon his paddle shaft
Forward. then. mes amis," cried On
Mesne. setting his own paddla-b.ade
deep into The food. I'm rouiant ma
SOule. rOul3nt
Again toe chorus rose, and again the