The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1904-03-25
THE MISSISSIPPI
, BUBBLE .
By EMERSON HOUGa
Author of"The Story of tho Cowboy"
THE Gil at the Halfway House. Etc.
Copyright. 1902, by Emerson Housh.,
CHAPTER XXI.
MESSASEBE.

The boat. now lacking its propeiling
power. drifted on and out into the
clear tide of the mighty stream. The
paddlers were idle, and silence had
fallen upon all. The rush of this ma
5estic food. steady, mysterious, Sc,
cret-keeping, created feeling of awe
and wonder. They gazed and gazed
again, up the great waterway, across
to its farther shore, along it's rolling
course below, and still each man for
got his paddle. and still the little ship
of New France drifted 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. "'Tis
a roadway fit for a nation. All, Du
Mesne! our st. Lawrence, our New
France-they dwindle when compared
to this new land
AYE! and tits all our own!" cried
Du Mesne. Look; for the last ten
days we have scarce seen even the
smoke Of a wigwam, and. SO far as
can tell, there is not in all this valley
now the home of single white man.
= My friend Du L'hut-he may be far
north of the Superior to-day for aught
we know,|or somewhere among the
Sauteur people. If there be man below
US, let some one else tell who that
may be. Sir, / promise you, when I
see this big water going on so fast and
heading so far away from HONEYWELL,
l admit it causes me to shiver!'
"'Tis much the same" said Law,
where home may be for me-"
"Ah, burt tbs different on the lakes -
N'said Du Mesne, "for there we always
knew the way back. and knew that
twas down stream"
"He says WELL" broke In Mary Con-
nynge. There is something in this
big river that chills me. l am afraid"
"And what say you, Tete Girls, and
you. Pierre Noir?" asked Law.
why. myself" replied the former,
81 am with the captain. 1t matters
not There must always be one trail
from which one does not return"
"Oui," said Pierre Noir. ITO be
sure, 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 well, Du Mesne," spoke
John Law. presently; "tis better on be-
yond. Suppose we never do return:
Did I not say to you that would
leave this other world as far behind me
as might be?''
"Eh bien, Monsieur Las. you reply
land it Is not for me to stand in the
way. My own fortune and family are
also with me, and home Is where my
fire Is lit
Very WELL" replied Law. Let us
run the river to its mouth, If need be.
IT'S one to me. And whether we get
back or not. it's another taIe."
"Oh, I make no doubt we shall win
back If need be-" replied Du Mesne.
""Tis said the sayages know the ways
by the Divine river OF the Illini to the
foot Of Michiganon; and that. perhaps.
might be our best way back to the
lakes and to the mountain with our
beaver. We shall. provided we reach
the Divine river. as should guess by
the stories have heard. be then be-
low the Illini, the Ottawas and the
h-lamis. with I know not what tribes
from west of the Messasebe. IT'S for
you to say. Monsieur Las. but for my
own part-and it's but q hazard at
best would say remain here. or
press on o the river of the Illini."
"'Tfs tasy or decision, them" re-
clied Law. after moment OF refiec-
kon. 1--WE take that course which
leads US farther ON at least Again
the paddles. nay friendsl Tonight we
sup In our own kingdom. Strike up
the song. Du Mesne!"
A shoIt of approval broke from the
hardy men along the boat side. and
even Jean Breboeuf tossed up his cap
upon hts paddle shaft
!. For ward, then, mes amis!" cried Du
Mesne. setting his own paddle-blade
deep into the food En- roulant ma
boule. roulant-"
Again the chorus rose. and again the