Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-14

'Eh blen, 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"
 Very we'll" replied Law. Let us run the river to it's mouth, if need be. Iris one to me. And whether we get back or not, 'tis another tale.''
 t'Oh, make no doubt we shall win back if need be-" replied Du Mesne. 'Tis said the savages know the ways by the Divine river of the Illini to the 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 low the Illini, the Ottawas and the Miamis, with I know not what tribes from west of the Messasebe. Iris for you to say, Monsieur Las, but for my own part-and 'tis but hazard at best-I would say remain here, or press on to the river of the IlIini."
 < Iris easy of decision, then," re- plied Law, after moment of refec- tion. We 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 boat side, and even Jean Breboeuf tossed up his cap upon his paddle shaft.
 Forward, then. mes amis!" cried Du Mesne, setting his own paddle-blade deep into the flood. "En rouIant ma boule, roulant-''
 Again the chorus rose, and again the hardy craft leaped onward into the un- explored.
 Day after day following this the journey was resumed, and day after day the travellers with eager eyes wit messed a prospect of continual change. The bluffs, bolder and more gigantic, lowered more precipitous than the banks of the gentler streams which they had left behind. Forests ranged down to the shores, and wide, green decked islands crept into view, and lit- < IAC8 IllUCICu VdllCy6 OA lCS0CA SI1 S1AAS came marching down to the imposing food of Messasebe. Again the serrated bluffs broke back and showed vast vis- tas of green savannas, covered with tall, waving grasses, broken by little rolling hills, over which crossed herds of elk, and buffalo, and deer.
 'Tis 8 land of p1enty,'' said Du Mesne one day, breaking the habitual silence into which the party had fall- en. Iris a great land. and a mighty. and now, monsieur, know why the Indians say 'tis guarded by spirits. Sure, can myself feel something in the air which makes my shoulder blades to creep
 "'Tis mighty land, and full of wonders" assented Law, who, in diff ferent fashion, had felt the same mys- terious spell of this great stream. For nlmSelf, he was nearer to reverence than ever yet he had been in all his wild young life.
 Now so it happened that at length, after a long though rapid journey down the great river, they came to that stream which they took to be the river of the Illini. This they ascend ed, and so finally, early in one evening, at the bank of a wide and placid bayou, shaded by willows and birch trees, and by great elms that bore aloft 8 canopy of clinging vines, they made a landing for the bivouac which was to prove their final tarrying place. The great canot du Nord came to rest at the foot of timbered hill, back of S1b e,&, o&<,I,, !, ;oI, dotted with little groves and broken with wide swales and winding sloughs. The leaders of the party, with Tete Gris and Pierre Noir. ascended the bluffs and made brief exploration; not more, as was tacitly understood, with view to choosing the spot for the even ing encampment than with the purpose of selecting permanent stopping place. Du Mesne at length turned to Law with questioning gaze. John Law struck the earth with his heel.
 .tHere!" said he. Here let us stop. Iris as we'll as any place. There are flowers and trees, and meadows and hedges, like to those of England. Here let us stay!"
 "Ah, you say well indeed!' cried Du Mesne, "and may fortune send LIS happy enterprises. t
 'sBut then, for the houses,'' continued Law. 'I presume we must keep close to this little stream which flows from the bluff And yet we must have a place whence we can obtain good view. Then, with stout walls to protect us, we might-but see! What is that be- yond? Look! There is, if I mistake not, house already builded!'
 "'Tis true, as I live!" cried Du Mesne, lowering his voice instinctively, as his quick eye caught the spot where Law was pointing. But, good God! what can it mean?"
 They advanced cautiously into the little open space beyond them, a glade but a few hundred yards across and lined by encircling trees. They saw indeed habitation erected by human hands, apparently not altogether with out skill There were rude walls of logs, reinforced by stakes planted ln the ground From the four corners