Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1904-01-23
CHAPTER /.
THE MASTER.

fhANAAN ~ 1AN5 NAAhS On
wood land darkness and struck across
the wide extent ofalank grass which
yet separated us from the bay. Tuska-
hofla led the way, a tall grim Choctaw
chieftain, my companion on many a
hunt, his streaming plumes fluttering
behind him. as he strobe. / followed,
and after me, lie Corbeau Rouge, a
runner of the Choctews. We were re-
turning to Biloxi from a reconnois-
sance IN the Chickasaw country.
Each straight behind the other, dumb
and soundiess shadows. we passed
along the way, hardly bruising a leaf
or brushing the rustling reeds aside.
See, there is the light" grunted
Tuskahoma, pointing to a glimmer
through the trees. Yes, the White
Prophet never sleeps assented lie
Corbeau Rouge.
The light which marked our almost
ended Journey am from a window In
one OF those low, square log houses,
fortress dwellings,, so common in the
provinces.
Here, however, tho strong pine pal.
isade5 were broken down in many
places; the reconstructed gate hung un-
hinged and open, the accumulated sand
at its base showed it had not been
closed in many years.
But the decay and neglect every
~ AANA1 lAAAAALCSl III I'D ANAAS -
tended no further, for inside the en-
closure was a garden carefully tended;
q trailing ii chung lovingly TO a cor
ner of the wide gallery. n even a few
Of the bright roses OF France lent their
sweetness to a place it seemed impos-
sible to associate with a thought OF
Uarbaric warfare.
/ loved this humble nome, for in such
q one my mother and l spent those last
years of sweet good ~comradeship be-
fore her death-the roses, the rude
house, all reminded me of her, of peace,
Of gentler things.
The character Gifts lone occupant pro-
tected his lowly abode far better than
the armies of France, the chivalry of
Srain, or the ChoCtaw'S ceaselesS vigil
anCe could possibly have done. He
came there it vas said, some fifteen
years before, a Hugucnot exile, seem
ingly a mar of education and birth. He
built his castle of refuge on a knoll
overlooking the sheltered bay, hoping
there TO find the liberation denied him
in his native land. The edict of
Nantes had been revoked by King
Louis, and thousands OF eXiled French.
rIen Of high and low degree sought
new fortunes in newer lands.
Many had reached America, and
strove with energetic swords and ra-
pdCiOus wallets to wrest blood and gold
and fame from whatever source they
might.
This man alone of all those first ex-
plorers had shown M disposition to
search out hidden treasures OF the will
derness, to prey upon the natives. He
became their friend and not their plum
derGr.
His quiet life, his kindness, his char
ity, his knowledge of the simple arts of
healing, so Cndeared him to every war
ring faction that at his house the
ChOCtaw and the ChickaSaw, the Span
lard, Frenchman and the Englishman
met alike in peace. SO the needless
Notifications fell into unrepaired de-
coy.
Many an afternoon 1 had padded
across the bay and spent a quiet hour
with him, as far from the jars and dis
cord Of Biloxi as if we were in some
other world.
AS, his night, we drew near the
house we saw no signs of life save the
chinks Of light creeping beneath the
door. | raped, and his voice babe me
enter.
The master sat at his table in the
center Of a great room, about which
were a number Of surgical and scien-
tiic instruments, all objects Of mis-
trust to my Indian friends.
These curious weapons of destruc-
ton or of Witchcraft, for so the In
dams regarded them, contributed tC
make him an object OF fear, which
doubtless did much to strengthen his
influence among the tribes.
He IA at this time somewhat more
than 60, slender and rather above the
medium height. With his usual grave
courtesy he welcomed us II readily
loaned the small pirogue necessary tc
carry our party across the bay.
The Indians were restless and the
governor waited, so l only thanked oul
host and turned to go.
He rose, and laying his hand upor
my arm detained me. wait, Placide.
| am glad you returned this way, fol
l have long wished to speak with you.
especially DO L wish it on his night
on this night. Sit down."
Mechanically / obeyed, for I could
see there was something Of more thar
usual import on his mind. The Indians
had Withdrawn and the master
pacing uncertainty about the room
paused and regarded me intently, as il
he almost regretted his invitation t.
stay. After several efforts he abruptly
began:
Il fear | have not very long to i've
and dread to meet death, leaving 6
solemn duty unperformed. 1t is Of this
| would speak"
l listened in silence. He spoke hur.
riedly, as though he doubted his reso
luton to tell it all.
you, and every one in these colonies
know me only as Colonel d'Ortez, tn,
IIuguenot refugee. So 1 have beer
known by the whites ever since | came
here to escape persecution at home
and to get forever beyond the SOUND
of q name which has become hateful t
me-my own
'The Counts d'Artin have been {
proud race in France for centuries. We
l, the last d'Artin, find the name too
great a burden to bear with me IL
shameful silence to my grave SEE
this" and he took from his throat {
pearl-studded locket, swung by a sub,
stantial gold chain, which he opened
and handed TO me. Inside were thu
arms of a noble family exquisitely blaz
oned upon q silver shield.
What is it; what device is there?"
1 knew something of heraldry anC
read aloud without hesitation tn,
bearings upon the shield, prominen
among whihc were three wolves heads
chevroned, supported by two blacl
wolves, rampant, the coronet and motto
"Praeclare factum."
AYE" he unused half coherently
"the wolf; it's the crest of the d'Artins
quartered with those of many Of tn,
most ancient houses Of France. So d,
those arms appear TO men. But see."
He took tie locket quickly from m,
and with a swift forceful movement
turned the plate in its place, exposing
the reverse side.
What is this? Look!"
l glanced at it and started, LOOKING
in~quirinGly into my old friends face
He avoided my eye.
I saw nov upon the plate the samt
arms the same quarterings, but owe
all there ran ~diagonally across thu
scutcheon- a flaming bar Of red which
blazoled evilly upon the silver ground
L understood.
What is it?" he demanded impa.
tiently. / still could find no word tt
answer.
Speak out boy, what is it?"
nTha 90 mo hut hnre oyer all is thI