The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-02-12
CHAPTER vi.
LOUIS XIV.

Even at this time I remember how nerv-
Gus I was when I dressed for my inter-
view with the king. What It was for, or
how 1t might result. I coul form no idea.
80 I did not trouble myself with vain
thinking.
Promptly at 10 I presented myself at
that famous door which led to the room
where Louis held his morning levee. Al
ready the approaches were crowded. and
the officer On watch was busy examining
passes and requests for admission. Some
there were who passed %haughtily in with
out even 80 much as q glance at the guard
or the crowd which parted obsequiously
to let them through. Most probably ia
vorites of the king. or perchance his min
listers. When he reached me 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 n OF Swiss mercenaries
into the audience chamber of the king.
Louis no longer held his levees in the
great vaulted chamber into which I was
first shown, but In a smaller and more
sombre room, that of de Maintenon. The
character and dress of those present re-
tected with q chameleon's fidelity the
change in his majesty's habits. Madame
sat near the king, working upon a piece
OF tapestry which. when she was inter-
ested in h went on. lay idle in her lap.
Behind her chair stood the sour-visaged
Jesuit confessor, Letellier.
Death, which spared not even the Bour-
bon, had taken way the Dauphin n his
son; leaving as the kings successor an in
FAINT yet In his cradle. This embittercd
every thought OF kings declining years,
made him gloomy. petulant and querulous.
And yet there were many men still about
him capable Of UNFOLDING the dignity of
the throne. I heard announced, one after
the other, Grand Marshal Villars, lately
placed in command of all the armies OF
France: tho Duke Of Savoy, a famous
soldier. but a deserter from the English;
tho brothers de Noailles, one bearing a
marshal's baton. the other. cold. cynical.
austere. .robed In churchly garments, ARCH
bishop of Paris. There were villeroi, de
Tourvtlle. the admiral; n Marshal Tai
lvard-hs Wis lost the bloody field of Blen-
helm to the Englishman Churchill.
1 confess / was abashed at the SOUND Of
10 many great names, and advanced in
hesitating fashion across the floor. to
kneel before tho king.
Tut, tut, Captain de Mouret,'' he said,
kindly. Rise. we would hear somewhat
from you touching matters In our prov
fnce of Louisiana, n particularly Of
their safety in case of war-say, with
Spain"
He then asked a few questions about
things familiar to me, which put me quite
at case. What I said I can scarce at
this time recollect, but I know I spoke
with all q soldiers enthusiasm of my be-
loved commander. Of his diplomacy in
peace, of his war-won successes.
It did not pass unnoticed that many a
venOmous glance was shot towards me
from that little group behind the king,
but In the kings presence / feared moth
ing. and spoke on, unrestrained.
Once a tall man whom I took to be
Chamillard Interrupted: the king motioned
mo to proceed, and I told him all the
strength and of the colonies,
their weakness and their needs. When /
thought / had finished, the kings face
hardened, and looking me straight in the
eye, he inquired:
What is this I hear Of Bienville's pre-
Stunning to c~riticise Meme, Louis, his king
for contemplating such a disposition Of
the colonies as suits my royal pleasure?
Can you tell me that a glibly. sir?"
For the moment l was astounded and
had no word to say. ! could see a faint
smile run round the circle as they ex-
changed glances Of Intelligence. serigny
was right The spy had already arrived.
His eavesdropping news had reached the
AAh8 NY luOl6LdI1Ol i lVT6VS the man
] addressed was the imperial Lou De-
Tending my master l spoke vigorously
the truth, and hat right earnestly.
Your MAJESTY Is q soldier, and will for
give q soldier's blunt speech. I beg you,
sire, to consider the services and the
sorrows Of Bienville's people. the loyal 10
Moynee. Where rests his father7 Where
court7 Dead, and for the silver lilies!
Where's %Ibervtlle. the courteous. the
brave; he who ravaged the frozen ocean
and the tropic seas in his royal masters
name? Dead, sire, of the pestilence in
San Domingo. Does the king not remem-
Der his good ship Pelican? Has the king
forgotten Iberville? Hast forgotten thine
coast, borne down by four vessels of su-
perior weight? Did the Eagle stretch her
wings to escape the Lion2
Did the Silver Lilies flee before st.
Georges Cross? No. by the deafness
glory of the Bourbon, no! Aro ssAo was
he that dared-following the example of
his king. the %conaueror of the Rhine-who
was he that dared meet such enemies and
engage such odds? Whose was that boy
ish face of thirty. waving his curls upon
the quarter deck, with the noble front OF
6 very. God of war? Iberville! Who Is
he that brushes away a tear to gaze upon
his STRIPPING brother beside the guns. soon
! TO DC exposed Dy his COIlIndilo 10 SUCH u
fearful danger? Iberville, again! Who is
that fiery soldier. rocking nothing say
his duty. who seeth without a tremor that
beloved brother lying mangled at his post,
where the storms of he'll do rage, and
flames consume the dead? Who. when the
enemy lay dismantled, their hulks afre,
their colors struck. their best ships sunk.
when the glorious standard of france tr1-
umphant dailied with the breeze-who is
that dauntless gentleman who kneels
upon his oatlle-riven but victorious deck
and sons aloud In agony above his writh-
ing brother? W. In this stricken gentle
man, who. having won that most heroic
fight for his king. now prints a kiss. as a
tender maiden might. upon the pale lips
of a dying lad7 All. Sire. 1t was Ibervtlle,
1t was ~loervi.le, my king, Iberv.ue the
gentle Iberville the true! nast thou for
gotten that wounded lad who lived to
serve his king so well on other fields?
Dost remember his name? Let me re-
mind you. Sire. that lad was B~ienville de
u Chatsa. pour loyal governor Of Louis