The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1904-10-05
THE MISSISSIPPI
, BUBBLE 4.
By EMERSON HoUGA
Author of Tho storyof tho Cowboy"
Tho Girl at the Halfway House. Etc.
CHAPTER XXI.
MESsAsEBE.

4AAAAs
MEssAsEBE.
The boat, now lacking its propelling
power, drifted on and out into the
clear tide Of the mighty stream. The
paddlers were idle. and silence bad
fallen upon all. The rush of this ma
1estic flood, steady, mysterious, Sc
cret-keeping, created feeling of awe
and wonder. They gazed and gszed
again, up the great waterway. across
to its 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
fled 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,
tits 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 tits all our own!" cried
Du Mesne. Look; for the last ten
days we have scarce seen even the
smoke OF a wigwam, and. SO far as l
can tell, there is not in all this valley
now the home of single white man.
Ny 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
US, let some one else tell who that
may be. Sir, promise you, when I
zee this big water going on so fast and
heading SO far away from home-well,
I 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 MesRe, "for there we always
knew the way back, and knew that
twas down stream
He says well,' 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.
ssWhy, myself" replied the former
II am with the captain. 1t matters
not. There must always be one trail
from which one does not return"
"Oui," said Pierre Noir. ITO BIZ
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; "tis better on be.
yond. Suppose we never do return
Did not say to you that l would
leave this other world as far behind me
as might beg"
"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 arg
also with me, and home is where my
fire is lit"
Very well,' replied Law. LET us
run the river to its mouth, if need be
IT'S one to me. And whether we gel
back or not, tits another tale"
"Oh, l make no doubt we shall wir
back il need be- replied Du Mesne
!" IT'S 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 oul
beaver. We shall, provided we reach
the Divine river, as | should guess by
the stories have heard, be then be-
low the Illini, the Ottawas. and the
Miamis, with know not what tribes
from west of the Messasebe. IT'S fol
you to say, Monsieur Las, but for. m,
own part-and it's but hazard al
best-I would say remain here, OF
press on to the river of the Hint"
IT'S easy OF decision, then" re-
piled Law, after 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 sor.;. Du Mesne!"
A shout of approval broke from the
hardy men aiong the boat side, and
even Jear Breboeuf tossed up his cap
Hpon his Eaddle shaft.
Forward, then, mes aD.s!" cried Du
Mesne, setting bis own paddle-blade
deep into the flood. I'm roulant ma
boule roulant-'
Again the chorus Tose. and again the