The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1904-04-07
tones the Ieaves or the sumacn ana all

tones the Ieaves or the sumacn ana all
the climbing vines
AS all things now presaged the COM
ing winter, so there approached also
the time when the little party, so long
companions upon the western trails,
must for the first time know division.
Du Mesne, making ready for the re-
turn trip over the unknown waterways
back to the lakes, as had been deter
mined to be necessary, spoke of it as
though the journey were but an affair
of every day.
Make no doubt. Monsieur Las"
said he. that shall ascend this river
of the Illini and reach Michiganon well
before the SHOWS. Once at the mission
of the Miamis, or the village at the
river Chicaqua, | shall be quite safe
for the winter If | decide not to so
farther on. Then, in the spring,
make no doubt, shall be able to trade
our furs at the straits, If like not the
long run down to the Mountain. Thus,
YOU see, may be with you again some
time within the following spring"
Il hope it may be so, my friend"
replied Law, for | shall miss you sad
ly enough
"'Tis nothing, monsieur; you will
be we'll occupied. Suppose | take with
me Kataikini and Kabayan, perhaps
also Tete Girls. That will give us four
paddlers for the big canoe. and you
will still have left Pierre Noir and
Jean. to say nothing of our friends the
Him hereabout, who will be glad
enough to make cause with you in case
of need. | will leave Wabana for
madame, and trust she may prove of
service. See to it, pray YOU that she
observes the offices of the church; for
methinks, unless watched, Wabana is
disposed to become careless and un-
Christianized."
"This | will look to" said Law,
smiling.
Then all is we'll" resumed Du
Mesne. "and my absence will be but
little thing, as we measure it on the
trails. You may find winter alone in
the wilderness a bit dull for you. may
hap duller than We're 1t in London, or
even in Quebec. Yet twill pass, and
in time we shall meet again. Perhaps
some good father Will he wishing to
come back with me to set up mis-
sion among the Him. These good
fathers, they so delight in losing fin
gers. and ears. and noses for the good
of the church-though where the
church be glorifed therein some
times cannot say. Perhaps some leech
--mayhap some artisan ="
NAY, It's too far a spot, Du Mcsne,
to tempt others than ourselves
Upon the contrary rather, Monsieur
Las. 1t is matter for laughter to see
the efforts of Louis and his ministers
to keep New France chained TO the
st. Lawrence! Yet my good lord gov
ernor might as well puff out his checks
against the north wind as To try 10
keep New France from pouring west
into the Messasebe; and as much might
be said for those good rulers of the
English colonies, who are seeking ever
to keep their people east of the Allie
ghanies."
"'Tis the old world over again.
there in the st. Lawrence" said Law.
Right you are Monsieur Las eX-
claimed Du Mesne. New France is
but an extension of the family of
Louis The intendant reports every
thing to the king. Monsieur So-and-
so is married Very we'll, the king
must know it. Monsieur's eldest
daughter is making Sleeps eyes at
such and such o soldier of the regi-
ment of the king Very well, this is
weighty matter, of which the king
must be advised. Monsieur's wife be-
comes expectant of a son and heir
'Tis meet that Louis the Great should
be advised of this, Mother of God,
IT'S q pretty mess enough back there
on the St Lawrence, where not hen
may cackle over its neW-laid egg but
the king must know it. and where not
a family has meat enough for its chill
dren to eat nor clothes enough to cover
them My faith in that poor medley
of little lords and lazy vasSals, how
fdH YOU NOllNl'l lhit VIC l'9N vi NO
have risen and taken t. the woods,
Yet It's we who catch their beaver for
them: and if God and the king be will
ing; some time We shall get a certain
price for our heaVcr-provided God and
the king furnish currency To pay us;
and that the governor, the priest AND
the intondant ratify the acts of God
and the king!"
Law smiled at the sturdy vehemence
of the others speech, yet there VAS
something of soberness in his own re-
ply,
''Sir," said he, you see here my lit
tie crooked rows of maize. Look you,
the beaver will pass away, but the
roots of the corn will never be torn
out. Here is your wealth, Du Mesne"
The sturdy captain scratched his
head. Il only know, for my part, "
said he, that | do not care for the
settlements Not that | would not be
glad TO see the king extend his arm
farther to the west, for these sullon
English are .crowding us more and
more along our borders. Surely the
land belongs 10 him who finds It,"
perhaps better TO him who can both
find and hold it. But this soil will one
day raise up people Of its own"
yet MS 20 that" rcjoined Du Mcsnc,
as the two turned and walled back to
the stockade, we are not here 10
handle the affairs of either Louis or
William. Let us cen leave that to mon
sieur the intendant, and monsieur the
governor, and our friends, the gray
owls and the black crows, the Recollets
and the JesIits. mind to call this