The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1904-04-07

of selecting permanent stopping
place. Du Mesne at length turned to
Law with questioning gaze. John Law
struck the earth with his heel
"Here!" said he. Here let us stop.
TITS as well 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 us
happy enterprises"
But then, for the houses" continued
Law. Il 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-
sond? Look! There is, if l mistake
not, house already bulded!"
"'Tis true, as l 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, glade
but few hundred yards across and
lined by encircling trees. They saw
indeed a habitation erected by human
hands, apparently not altogether with
out skill. There were rude walls of
logs, reinforced by stakes planted in
the ground. From the four corners
of the Enclosure projected overhanging
beams. There was an opening in the
Enclosure, as they discovered upon
closer approach, and entering at this
rude door, the party looked about them
curiously.
Du Mesne shut his lips tight to-
gether. This was no house built by
the hands of white men. There were
here no quarters, no shops, no chapel
with its little bell. Instead there stood
a few dried and twisted poles, and all
around lay the litter of an abandoned
camp.
"Iroquois, by the living Mother of
Cod" cried Pierre Noir.
"Look." cried Tete Girls, calling them
again outside the Enclosure. He stood
kicking in the ashes of what had been
a replace He disclosed, half buried
in the charred embers, an iron kettle
into which he gaZed curiously. He
turned away as John Law stepped up
beside him.
There must have been game here
in plenty" said Law. 'There are
bones scattered all about"
Du Mesne and Tete Girls looked at
each other in silence, and the former
at length replied:
This is an Iroquois war house, Mon
sieur Las" said he. "They lived here
for more than a month, and, as you
say, they fed well. But these bones
you see are not the bones of elk or
deer. They are the bones of men, and
women, and children"
Law stood taking in each detail of
the scene about him.
Nov you have seen what is before
us" resumed Du Mesne. THE Iroquois
have gone. It's true. They have wiped
out the villages which were here.
There are little cornfields, but war
rant you they have not seen a toma-
Iroouois have gone. yet the fact that
they have been here proves they may
come again. What say you, Tete Girls;
and what is your belief, Pierce
Tete Girls remained silent for some
moments. "'Tis as monsieur says
replied he at length. cts all one to
me. go or stay. as it shall please the
others. There is always the one trail
over which one does not return"
And you, Pierce"
81 stay by my friends" replied Pierre
Noir, briefly.
"And you, Monsieur L'as?" asked Du
Mesne.
Law raised his head with an old-time
determination. "My friends" said he,
eve have elected to come into this
country and take its conditions as we
find them If we falter, we lose; of
that we may rest assured. Let us not
turn back because few savagcs have
been here and have slaughtered a few
other savages. For me, there seems
but one opinion possible The light
ming has struck, yet it may not strike
again at the same tree. The IroquOis
have been here, but they have depart
ed. and they have left nothing to in
wife their return. Now, it is necessary
that we make a pause and build some
place for our abode. Here is post al
ready half builded to our hands"
But if the savages return?" said Du
Mesne.
"Then we will fight" said John Law
"And right you are" replied Du
.Mesne. "Your reasoning is correct. |
vote that we build here our station"
Myself also" said Tete Girls And
Pierre Noir nodded his assent in ST.
lence.