Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-04-25

with thankfulness the glow of health on her cheek and the glad welcome of her eye that the words of common place greetings exchanged between the two could not express. They soon landed, and the nuns with their fair companion were quickly established in their new house. They set to work at once among the sick, and soon the. effect of their presence was felt. The disease died out without further rav- ages, and again were the French hailed as the deliverers of their allies. The cooling hand and gentle ministrations of these angels of mercy procured for the two priests who came with them a respectful hearing, and soon quite a goodly number of the savages began regular attendance at mass. Renee's quiet dignity and queenly beauty won from the redmen their respect and admiration as for some supernatural creature, which soon developed into devotion unheard of before among them.
 During the epidemic Renee had been so busily engaged that Tonti scarce had caught a glimpse of her. Now that her duties were frightened they often met, and standing together by the wooden ramparts of the fort, looked out across the river or down upon the town beneath them teeming with human life and activity. Tonti made no reference to their personal relations, but spoke of La Salle's re- turn, his plans and the future pros- poets of the colony. Renee listened to him with interest, but the look of peace which she wore betrayed the fact that she was content with tho present and satisfied at being there.
 One morning canoe was sighted coming up the river. On landing it was found to contain three members of La Salle's party, sent to reinforce the garrison of the fort, who bore a message from him to Tonti. In this La Sale related what he had accom- plished, and informed Tonti that he had chosen to save time by journeying up the Ohio river on his way to Que- bee instead of returning to Fort St. Louis and thence by way of the lakes, as he had originally intended. He ap- pointed Tonti to command in his ab- sence and sent messages of goodwill to the Indian chiefs He hoped to re- turn by December and wished them all success in defending and holding the post. Tonti received the news of the further duration of his responsi- bility with good grace, while Renee's features expressed no sorrow.
 This state of peaceful happiness was not to last, however. Within two weeks another canoe appeared bring ing French officer from Quebec. He presented himself to Tonti as the Chevalier de Baugis, an officer of the kings dragons, who bore an unwel- come letter for La Salle. Through this letter Tonti learned, much to his surprise, that Frontenac's enemies had so far prevailed as to procure his recall the previous autumn; that Le Febvre de la Barre was now governor, . friend of Duchesneau and the other enemies of La Salle He brought with him a commission as commanding off, cer of his majesty's fort, and orders for La Salle to surrender the command to him and report at once at Quebec. This was a severe blow. Tonti was not disposed to submit to his deposi- tion gracefully.
 ! Monsieur le Chevalier de Baugis," he said, as he handed back the com mission, ''the Sieur de la Salle is al- ready on his way to Quebec in igno- rance of the events that have taken place there. He is therefore not here to receive the commands of the new governor. My authority is received from Sieur de la Salle, and to him alone am I answerable for the safety of this fortress He will undoubtedly forward his wishes to me at the earliest opportunity. Until I receive word from him I cannot resign my command to any one. I can but re- gard you as an officer of the king, whose presence may be of assistance, and my guest"
 The chevalier was greatly angered at this unexpected resistance, but Tonti remained firm, and left him after showing him the lodge that was ac- corded to him as his residence. The next day, although his anger had van- ished, he displayed a surly demeanor. He received Tonti's courtesies uf- graciously and spent his time in writ ing out lengthy complaint of his in- subordination of the commander he found in charge, which he purposed sending to Quebec at the earliest op- portunity. As no messenger was di- rectly available, he contented himself with viewing the work already accom- plished with a condescending air, that expressed his contempt of everything. His ideas were those gained from ex- perience in civilized warfare. The ne- cessities of campaigns carried on against a savage foe he knew nothing about.
 The Indians did not take kindly to the new representative of the great king and viewed his contemptuous at- titude with much disfavor. The men under Tonti had learned to have a great enthusiasm for their commander and when they were informed of the newcomers errand murmurs of dissat- cfo vr,fn lnA VT