Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-01-26


Montreal and Quebec. and ventured in
the one great hazard which appealed
to him most irresistibly, the hazard Of
life and fortune In far land, where
he might live unneighbored, and where
he might forget. Gambler in England,
gambler again in New France, now
trading fur-merchant and voyageur
he was, as always, an adventurer. Du
Mesne and his hardy crew hailed him
already as a new captain of the trails,
new coureur, won from the Old
World by the savage witchery of the
New. He was their brother; and had
he indeed owned longer years of train
ing, his keenness OF eye. his strength
of arm, his tirelessness of limb could
hardly have been greater than they
seemed in his first voyage to fine West.
Tous les printemps,
Tant des nouvelles"
hummed Du Mesne, as he busted him
self about the camp, casting the while
a cautious eye to note the progress of
the threatening storm.
lOuS les amantS
Changent des mattresses.
Jamais lie bon vim n'endort-
L'amour me reveille!"
"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, "let us
all see that all is well 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 buckskin fell about
his thighs; his legs were encased In
moose-skin leggings, deeply fringed at
the seams. About his middle was q
broad sash, once red, and upon his
head scanty cap of similar color was
pushed back. At his belt hung the
great hunting knife of the voyageur,
balanced by keen steel tomahawk
such as was In common. use among
the Indians. In his hand he supported
a long-barreled musket, which he now
examined carefully in the presence Of
the captain Of the yoyageurs.
"RobeFt 6hallop," next commanded
Ru Mesae. and In turn the one adj
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
to the scrutiny which ever seemed to
them unnecessary.
Jean Breboeuf!" called Du Mesne;
and in response there arose from the
shadows wiry little Frenchman, who
might have been Of any age from 20
to 45, so sun-burnt and wrinkled. vet
SO 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 Ya ali 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
tance from the fire and seated himself
upon q fallen log, his pipe glowing
Ike a coal in the enyelopingy darkness.
Law himself did not SO soon leave
the outer air. He remained gazing out
at the wild scene about him, at the roll
waves dashing on the shore, their
erests whitening In the glare of the
lightning. now approaching more close
ly. He hardened to the roll Of the far
OF thunder REINFORCED by the thunder
Of the waves upon the shore, and noted
the sweep Of the black forest about,
OF the black sky overhead, unlit save
for one far-off, faint and feeble star.
1t was new world, this that lay
around him, a new and savage world.
II there were a world behind him, q
world which once held sunlight and
flowers, and loye and hope-why then,
it was a world lost and gone forever,
and It was very well that this new
world should he SO different and SO
stern.
IN the darkness John Law heard a
voice. the voice Of a woman in terror.
Swiftly he stepped to the door Of the
rude lodge.
Don't let them sing it again-neyer
any more-that song"
And what, Madame"
That one--yTaus les amants chang
ent des maitresses!.
A moment later she whispered, II
am afraid"
no be Continued