The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1904-08-24
CHAPTER XIV.
GRAFTON no THE RESCUE.

great hall of the castle The sun
light sparkled in through the long
narrow lancet windows with thei
loaded diamond-shaped panes. an,
made strange traceries upon the pol
ished oaken floor. Pictures of the for
mer governors Of New France looked
down upon the little scene from tn,
walls. There was the dauntless Cham
plain the veteran La Barre, the court
ly du Quesne, and. conspicuous among
the rest, the grim, eagle-like figure oil
the greatest of all-old Frontenac
The history of the province was some
how summed up In that old vaulted
chamber, and de Wire felt as if he
were on trial before the heroism of the
past as well as the disorganizatlon OF
the present
Monsieur de Wire. you are accused
Of having betrayed your country by
plotting the English ships up the
river, began the governor.
And who Is my accuser. Monsieur
de Ramesay?" answered de Vitre,
boldly
Common report"
And does common report, sir, out
and gentleman"
DO yon deny the charge, mon
sieur?"
Sir, upon my word of honor. de-
clare 1t TO be false In every parucu-
lar!"
But, sir, you were seen, recognized
by officers stationed on Cap-Tour-
mente, on the forward part of the first
English ship to pass the Dromontory.
There was group of English officers
around you. You seemed to be point
ing-is it no SO, Maj ST. Luc?"
1T is indeed true, sir | saw Mon
sieur de Wire myself" answered the
officer. promptly.
If Monsieur St. Lnc had seen me
one-half hour sooner he would have
noticed me standing on the rail Of the
ship with rope around my neck,
about to be hanged as common felon
for refusing to show the way to the
English"
Can this be true. STRIP" asked the
governor in surprise.
ION my faith it Is give you my
word, sir"
I'VE don't accept the word of a man
accused of treachery, sir. Although
| have no doubt you were on the rail,
as you say. yet have also no doubt
but that the presence of the rope
proved efficacious."
hot fa
charge!' cried de Wire. white with
rage and passion at this insult striv-
ing to break away from his guards.
The governor watched him coolly |
until he ceased to struggle: then, non
chalantly taking pinch of snun:
BE calm, monsieur" he added 81 |
might have taken your word but there
Is another circumstance which must
be explained, and which makes ii diff
cult to credit your story. The dress
you wear-it is an English coat"
MAY 1t please Monsieur lie Gouv-
erneur." spoke up the sergeant, 81
saw him in the front rank of the Eng
Ish as they charged us. He carried
a musket in his hand
THAT is true" answered de Wire,
81 was there"
did you discharge the musket?"
Eyes, Monsieur lie Cheyalier-that
is, had done So
AT the troops of France?"
"Yes, but
A roar of rage swept through the
hall as the men heard this damnng
admission.
why hear any more. Monsieur lie
Chevalier?" burst out Capt. Rouvigny.
yoicing the thought of the others. III
he be not a self-conyicted traitor, let
him be shot as deserter."
'Messieurs, you must hear me-
You shalt" exclaimed de Wire II
have been a prisoner in the English {
feet Through the eonnivance or a !
soldier in their marine | procured this {
| escaped from the ship p,
last night. | hoped 10 reach the town
and warn you and Monsieur de Mont 6
calm of the expected attack on the s
iowa before morning. but | found il (
Delled to stay in the ranks. aud with 1
diificulty escaped detection. | posed I
"a renegade or | would have been a
killed out OF hand My gun was not r
loaded with ball | looked carefully c
TO that, gentlemen. | swear to you ! c
threw IL away at the first moment and r
ran'to join my friends. As there is b
a God in Heaven, Monsieur lie Chew b
alier, l-~speak the truth | beg you
to hold me until you can communicate J
with the English and verify my state a
menL"
We cannot hold the town a week, !.
Monsieur de Wire" returned the gov .
urnor quickly. And to defer your >
punishment until the English take us >
you'd mean to let you escape scot 4
Tree. Frankly. do not believe your ;
story. What say you. gentlemen =
NO. no. he is traitor, Away with !,
him" cried one and another.
Gentlemen. if ever escape from q
his predicament.' answered de Vitre
Daldiy. rest assured that you shall q
lIsswer 10 me for your words and &C N
for.efu !.