The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1904-03-11
THE MISSISSIPPI
\ BUBBLE 4
By EMERSON IdGUGH
Author of "The Story of the Cowboy"
"The Girl at the Halfway House. Etc.
Copyright. 1909. by Emerson Hough-,
CHAPTER XVII.-CoNT1NUED.


1.-The best is before US now, Mon
sieur Las" said Du Mesne, joining
Law, at length. "Assuredly the best
Is always that which is ahead and
which is unknown; but in point of fact
the hardest of our journey is over, for
henceforth we may stretch our legs
ashore, and hunt and fish, and make
good camps for madame, who, as we
both perceive, is much in need of ease
and care. We shall make all safe and
and comfortable for this night, doubt
not
Meantime" continued he, Jet US
all see that all is we'll with our men
and arms, for henceforth we must put
out guards. Attention, comrades!
Present your pieces and answer the
roll-call!. Pierre Berthier!"
''Ici! Monsieur replied the one bet
ter known as Pierre Noir, tall and
dark-visaged Canadian, clad in the
common costume, half-Indian and half
civilized, which marked his class. A
shirt of soft dressed bucksldn fell about
his thighs; his legs were encased in
moose-skin leggings. deeply fringed at
the seams. About his middle was a
broad sash, once red, and upon his
head seanty cap of similar color was
pushed back. At his belt hung the
great bunting knife of the voyageur,
balanced by a keen steel tomahawk
such as was in common use among
the Indians. In his hand he supported
q long barreled musket, which he now
examined carefully in the presence of
the captain of the voyageurs.
Robert Challon!" next commanded
Du Mesne, and in turn the one ad-
dressed looked over his piece, the cap
tain also scrutiniZing the flint and
printing with careful eye.
Naturally, mes enfants," said he,
your weapons are perfect, as ever.
Kataikini. and you, Kabayan. my
brothers, let me see," said he TO the
two Indians, the former Huron, and
the latter an Ojibway. both from the
shores of Superior. The Indians arose
silently, and without protest submitted
10 the scrutiny which ever seemed to
them unnecessary.
Jean Breboeufi" called Du Mesne;
and in response there arose from the
shadows a wiry little 'Frenchman, who
might have been of any age from 20
to 40, SO sun-burnt and wrinkled, yet
30 active and VIGOROUS did he seem.
Mon ami" said Du Mesne to him,
chidingly, "see now, here is your flint
all but out of its engagement. Pray
you, have better care of your piece.
For this you shall stand the long watch
Of the night. And now let US all to
bed"
One by one the little party was lost
to view within the dark interior Of
the hut which they had arranged for
themselves. Du Mesne retired dis
lance from the fire and seated himself
upon fallen log. his pipe glowing
Ike coal In the enveloping darkness.
Law himself did not so soon leave
the outer air. He remained gazing out
1t the wild scene about him, at the roll
waves dashing on the shore, their
crests whitening in the glare of the
lightning. now approaching more close
~. He hardened to the roll OF the far
pff thunder REINFORCED by the thunder
Of the waves upon the shore, and noted
The sweep Of the black forest about.
u the black sky overhead. unlit save
tor one far-off, faint and feeble star.
1t was q new woridS this that, lay
around him, a new and savage world.
n there were q worlebehind him, a
world which once haaE sunlight and
flowers, and love and hdpe-why then.
h was world. lost and gone forever;
and 1t was svvefy well that this new
world should be so different and 20
STERN