The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1904-02-12
CHAPTER vi.
LOUIS XIV.

CHAPTER vi.
LOUIS XIV.
Even at this time 1 remember how nerv-
GUS l was when l dressed for my inter
view With the king. What It was for, or
how II might result, / could form no idea,
so l did not trouble myself with vain
thinking.
promptly at 10 l presented myself at
that famous door which led to the room
where Louis held this morning levee, AL
ready the approaches We're crowded, and
the officer on watch was busy examining
passes and requests for admission. Some
there were wink passed haughtily in with
cut even so much as n glance at the guard
or the crowd which parted ~obsequiously
10 lot them through. Most probably ia
Norites of the king, or ]perchance his min
listers. When he reached mo the officer
of the guard, noting my uniform, inquired:
Captain de Mouret of Louisiana
Yes
You are to be admitted, sir and I
found myself ushered Immediately through
the opening ranks of Swiss mercenaries
into the udien chamber OF the king.
Louis no longer held his levees In the
great raultcd chamber into which l was
uTst shown. but in n smaller and more
sonhre room. that OF dc Mnintenon. The
character and dress of those present re-
neoted with 4 chameleon's fidelity the
change in his maiesty's habits. Madame
sat near the king, working upon II piece
OF tapestry which, when she was inter-
ested in what went on. lay idle in her lap.
Behind her chair stood the sour-vlsaged
Jesuit contessor. LGtellier.
Death, which spared not even the Bour-
hon hni fGEAu a Nr1 A. FN., INa,,,l,NN -. III )ts
son: leaving as the kings successor an in
FAINT Yet in his cradle, This embittsrcd
every thought OF Kings declining years.
made him gloomy, petulaut and ~queruious.
And Yet there were many men still about
him capable OF upholdtng the dignity OF
the throne, l heard announced, one after
the other, Grand Marshal Nillars, lately
placed i'll command of all the armies of
France; the Duke OF Savoy. 3 famous
soldier, but 4 deSerter from the English;
the brothers de Noailles. one bearing a
marshal's baton. the other, cold, cynical.
S~ustere, rooed in churchly garments. arch
bishop OF Paris, There were Nilleroi, de
Tpurville, the admiral; and Marshal Tai
%sxt-as WA lost the bloody field OF Rlen-
helm 10 the Englishman Churchill.
/ confess was abashe6 ST the sound Of
so many great names, and advanced in
hes.tatipg fashion across the floor, TO
kaeel before the king,
Tut. tut. Captain de Noure;.' he said.
kindly, Rise, We would hear somewhat
from YOU touching matters in our prov
snce OF Louisiana, L particularly OF
IaeiF safety III case OF was-say. With
Spain"
He then asked 3 few questions about
things familiar TO me, which put ME quite
at ease, What l said i can scarce ut
this time yecollect, but l know l spoke
with all s soldiers enthusiasm OF my be-
loved commander, of his diplomacy in
peace, of his war-won successes,
It did not pass unnoticei that many 8
~SsnoUous glance was shot towards me
from that little group behind the king,
but in the king presence feared moth
Ing. and spoke on, unreStrained
Once a tall man whom l took 10 he
Caamillard interrupted. the kins ulotioned
me 10 proceed, and l told him all the
strength and resources OF the colonies,
their weakness and their needs. When I
thought l had finished, the kings face
hardened, an6 looking me straight in the
eye, he inquired:
What is this I hear OF Rienville's pre-
Stunning 10 crtticise me-ms. Louis, his king
for contempiatins such . disposition OF
the colonies as suits my royal pleasure
Cso you tell NE that as giihly, sirg"
For the moment ! was aStounde6 ana
had no word 10 say. I could see q faint
smile U III the circle as they ex-
changed siances Of intelligence. Serisny
WAS right TIL spy had already arrived,
HIS esvesdroppipg news had reached the
king, In my indignation I forgot the man
l addressed was the imperial Louis. De-
tending my master l spoke vigorously
the truth, and that rtsht earnestly,
Your majesty is q soldier, and Will for
gtve 3 soldiers blunt speech, / beg you.
sire, TO consider the services ana the
SorrowS OF Ns1ville's people, the loyal lie
Moynss~ Where rests his father Where
his valiant brother. Ste. Helene ana Nsri-
co0rtE Dead, and for the silver lilies.
Where's lberviile, the courteous, the
brave; he who ravassi the frozen ocean
and the tropic seas in his royal masters
aareS Dead, sire, of the peSgiiencS III
San Domingo, Does the king ROT -eu.am-
Der his sood ship PelcaDe Has the king
forgotten 1barviile~ Hast tprgotten thine
own White rag cruising ON thine Saeny's
Coast, borne down by four vessels OF su-
psrior weight Did the Eagle stretch he.
winsS 10 escape the Lions
DID the Silver Lilies Zee before s..
George's Crosse No. by the 6sa1nless
glory OF the Bourbon, MOI And who was
he that dSrsG-iolowing the example OF
! his king, the eo0aGeror OF the Rhine-who
WAS he that dared meet such enemies and
engage such oSdsT Whose WAS that boy
ish face Of thirty. waving his cur!s uusa,
the quarter deck. with thr noble front Of
. very God Of war; Iaerv;lGs, Who is
he thar brushes AWAY a tear 10 gaze upon
his STRIPPING brother beside the sxGs soon
TO be exposed by his command 10 such .
fearful daagese Tosrvilse, again, who is
thar fiery soldier, rocking >rothing save
his duty, who sssth without . treraog shat
beloved brother lying naalssied at his pest.
where the storms OF he'll Go rage, ard
flames consume the 6sads Who. when the
enemy lay ~6isnaantlsI, their hulSs a6rs,
their co4oTS struck, their best shlpS sunk.
when the glorious ~tan6ard OF France trt-
ouaphGnt dallSeI with the brse7e-wno is
that GauntlesS gentleman who knssis
upon his oastls-riyen but victorious deck
and soes aloud in agony above his with
ing erosheSe Who is this stricken gentle
man. who, having won that raoss heroic
nshs for his king. now prints : kiss as s
tender maiden might. upon the pale ltps
OF 3 dying ta6s Al. Sire, il Was Ibsysffls,
il MAS IeeSsille, my king. DoS-ssus tie
gentle. Ieervills the ssus, Hast lhoo for
gotten that wounded lad who lived TO
serve his king 80 well OK Other fields.
Rost remember his nsnaes Let me ~
mind yo0. Sire. thai lad Was Rsersills De
In CGaise. your loyal governor OF Louis.