The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1904-02-11
vi.
LOUIS XIV.

- E. SSH 80 w.
LOUIS XIV.
Even at this time I remember how nerv-
Gus I was when 1 dressed for my inter-
view with the king. What 1t was for, or
how it might result, 1 could form no idea,
so l 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 this 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 so much as a 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 ranks OF Swiss mercenaries
into the audience chamber of the king.
Louis no longer held his levees in the
great vaulted chamber into which 1 was
first shown, but In a smaller and more
sombre room, that of de Maintenon. The
character and dress of those present re-
fected with a 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 what 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 away the Dauphin and 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 upholding the dignity Of
the throne. I heard announced, one after
the other, Grand Marshal Villars, lately
placed in of all the armies Of
France: the Duke Of Savoy. a famous
soldier, but a deserter from the English;
the 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
T%ourville, the admiral: and Marshal Tai
iard-he who lost the bloody field of Blen-
helm to the Englishman Churchill.
1 confess / was abaShed at the sound of
SO many great names. and advanced in
hesitating fashion across the floor, to
kneel before the king.
tut, tut, Captain de Mouret,' he said,
kindly. Rise, we would hear somewhat
from you touching matters in our prov
ince Of Louisiana, and 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 ease. What I said I can scarce at
this time recollect, but I know I spoke
with all a soldiers enthusiasm of my be-
: loved commander, of his diplomacy in
peace, of his war-won successes.
l I-WTtF alta ,N+ ,,are ,,,,pa{t1al .t1,t ~, 49,. =
: venomous glance was shot towards me
! from that little group behind the king.
I but in the kings presence l feared moth
, Ing, and spoke on, unrestrained.
! Once a tall man whom I took to be
Chamillard interrupted; the king motioned
me to proceed, and l told him all the
: strength and resources of the colonies.
{ their weakness and their needs. When
{ thought I had finished, the kings face
3 hardened, and looking me straight in the
eye, he inquired:
What is this + hear Of Bienville's pre-
Stunning to ~criticise meme, Louis, his king
l for contemplating such a disposition of
| the colonies as suits my royal pleasure?
Z Can you tell M that as glibly, STRIP
For the moment I 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. Th spy had already. arrived.
his eaNeSuTOpplIiB news udu reached inc
king. In my Indignation I forgot the man
I addressed was the imperial Louis. De-
Tending my master / spoke vigorously
the truth, and that right earnestly.
Your majesty is a soldier, n will for
give a soldiers blunt speech. L beg you,
sire, to consider the services and the
sorrows of Bienyille's people, the loyal le
Moynes. Where rests his father? Where
his valiant brother, Ste. Helene and Meri-
court? Dead, and for the Silver lilies.
Where's Iberville, 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
own white flag cruising on thine enemy's
coast, borne down by four vessels OF SUI
perior weight? Did the Eagle stretch her
wings to escape the Lion2
Did the Silver Lilies flee before st.
Georges Cross? No, by the deathless
I glory of the Bourbon, no! And who was
he that dared-folIowing the example Of
his king, the %conqueror of the Rhine-Who
was he that dared meet such enemies and
engage such odds2 Whose was that boY-
ish face of thirty, waving his curls upcm
the quarter deck, with4the noble front of
q very God of war? Iberpille! Who is
he tina brushes away a tear to gaze upon
his stripping brother beside the guns. soon
to be exposed by his command to such a
fearful danger Iberville, again! Who is
that fiery soldier, rocking nothing save
his duty. who seeth without q tremor that
beloved brother lying maIlglcd at his post
Whefe Tie storms OF hell do rage. and
aanies consume the dead Who, when the
enemy iay dismAntled their hulks atire,5
, their fsolors struck. their best ships srlikss
81 when the glorious standard OF FRANCE t1i-,
q urnnhent aaiiied with tlse b~rseze-who III