The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1904-03-31
CHAPTER XXI.
MESSASEBE.

fallen upon all. Inc rush OF THIS ma
jestic flood, steady, mysterious, Sc
cret-keeping, created feeling of awe
and wonder. They gazed and gazed
again, up the great waterway, across
to it's farther shore, along its rolling
course below, and still each man for
got his paddle, and still the little ship
of New France drifted on, just rocking
gently in the mimic waves which ruff
fed the face of the mighty Father of
the Waters.
by our LADY," cried Du Mesne, at
length. and tears stood in his tan
framed eyes as he turned, "'tis true.
all that has been said! Here it is,
Messasebe, more mighty than any
story could have told. Monsieur Las,
it's big enough to carry ships"
"'Twill carry fleets of them one day,
Du Mesne," replied John Law. "'Tis
roadway fit for a nation. All. Du
Mesne! our st. Lawrence. our New
France-they dwindle when compared
to this new land"
aye! and tbs all our own!" cried
Du Mesne. Look; for the last ten
days we have scarce seen even the
smoke of wigwam, and, so far as
can tell, there Is not in all this valley
now the home Of single white man.
My friend Du L'hut-he may be far
north Of the Superior to-day for aught
we know, or somewhere among the
Sauteur people. If there be man below
LOT nlco toll Whn hat
may be. Sir, promise you, when |
see this big water going on so fast and
heading so far away from HONEYWELL,
admit it causes me to shiver!"
"'Tis much the same" said Law,
where home may be for me-"
"Ah, but It's different on the lakes"
said Du Mesne, "for there we always
knew the way back, and knew that
twas down stream"
"He says WE'LL" broke in Mary Con-
nynge. There is something in this
big river that chills me. am afraid.
And what say you. Tete Girls. and
you. Pierre Noir?" asked Law.
why, myself" replied the former
Il am with the captain. 1t matters
not. There must always be one trail
from which one does not return"
"Oui," said Pierre Noir. ITO be
sure, we have passed as good beaver
country as heart Of man could ask;
but never was land so good but there
was better just beyond"
"They say we'll, Du Mesne," spoke
John Law, presently; otis better on be-
yond. Suppose we never do return?
Did l not say to you that | would
leave this other world as far behind me
as might be-"
"Eh bien, Monsieur Las, you reply
with spirit, as ever" replied Du Mesne.
land it is not for me to stand in the
way. My own fortune and family are
also with me, and home is where my
fire is lit"
run the river to its mouth, If need be.
IT'S one to me. And whether we get
back or not, it's another tale"
ooh, l make no doubt we shall win
back if need be-" replied Du Mesne.
"'Tis said the savages know the ways
Wy 'llV I'lNIliC iiNCk VI tlC linn W tiiC
foot of Michiganon; and that, perhaps.
might be our best way back to the
lakes and to the mountain with our
beaver. We shall, provided we reach
the Divine river, as | should guess by
the stories l have heard, be then be-
low the Him. the Ottawas and the
Miamis, with I know not what tribes |
from west of the Messasebe. 'Tis for |
you to say, Monsieur Las, but for my |
own part-and tits but a hazard at
best-I would say remain here, or
press on to the river of the Illini."
"'Tis easy Of decision, then" re-
Piled Law. after a moment Of reflec-
ton. I'VE take that course which |
leads us farther on at least. Again |
the paddles, my friends! Tonight we
sup in our own kingdom. Strike up
the song, Du Mesne!"
A shout of approval broke from the
hardy men along the beat side, and |
even Jean Brehoeuf tossed up his cap
upon his paddle shaft
Forward, then, mes amis!" cried Du
Mesne, setting his own paddleblade
deep into the food. "En roulant ma
boule, roulant-"
Again the chorus rose, and again the
hardy craft leaped onward into the I'M
explored
Day after day following this the
journey was resumed, and day after
day the travellers with eager eyes wit
paccnd q nrocnaot of continual cbopoo
The bluffs, holder and more gigantic,
lowered more preciptous than the
banks of the genter streams which
hey had left behind. Forests ranged
down to the shores, and wide, green
licked islands crept into view, and lit
lie timberod valleys of lesser streams
came marching down to the imposing
Hood of Messasebe. Again the serrated
bluffs broke back and showed vast WIS.,
as of green savannas, covered with
all, waving grasses. broken by little
'olling hills, over which crossed herds
If elk, and buffalo, and deer.
otis a land Of plenty" said Du
Mesne one day, treaking the habitual
silence into which the party had fall
n. "'Tis great land. and q mighty.
Ind now, monsieur. | know why tho
indians say It's guarded by spirits.
sure, | can myself feel something In
he air which makes my shoulder
blades to creep"
"'Tis mighty land, and full OF
wonders" assented Law, who. in Diff
erent fashion, had felt the same mys-
erious spell Of this great stream. Fof
limself, he was nearer to reverence
han ever yet he had been In all his
Wild young life.
Now so 1t happened that at length,