Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1905-08-17
CHAPTER Y.

CHAPTER X
WHEREIN a SEA IS CROSSED, a Sc
CRET is DISCOVERED, AND TONTI
RECEIVES A BLOW.
The lights were soon gone, but still
the silent figure of La Sale remained
on the poop. PompOn, seizing a rope,
soon raised his head above the level
of the rail. So wrapped in thought
was La Sale that he took no notice
of him until he had reached the deck.
Then startled at the sudden noiseless
appearance of a human form so near
him, he stepped back a pace, and,
drawing his sword, demanded who it
was.
Save your sword-thrusts for your
enemies; use them not on friend
replied tie figure.
What! Pompon's voice." exclaimed
LA Sale, as he seized his hand in great
delight. "Pompon's facet" he added,
as he peered anxiously through the
darkness Mon Dieu! was think
ing of you and Tontt but a moment
ago. Where is he, for surely you are
together?"
He is taking last view of the
ashore-lights from his private balcony.
Perhaps he has finished" was the re-
ply; and leaning over the rail, PompOn
gave low whistle In a moment
Tonti had clambered up, and soon all
three were engaged in an eager con
versation.
81 had given you up for lost" said
La Sale "All Paris was whispering
of your duel with the Comte de Miron
and his death. But all was mystery.
lie had disappeared, his body no doubt
sccreted by his coachman; you, too,
had disappeared, having fled to En-
gland, il was said; while Pompon,
whom | searched for diligently, was
nowhere to be found The king was
inclined to be veXed over your dis
obeying his order concerning duelling,
but | think he was secretly pleased at
getting rid of the Comte de Miron,
whom he disliked. Only the in1u-
ence of Colbert kept him about the
court"
Thus did the partners in the firm
~of M. Tonti and Company hold their
first meeting outside France. and the
night was far spent before they fin
ished recounting their adventures and
laying plans for the future. No light
was thrown upon the identity of their
mysterious protector, and the matter
was finally dismissed as riddle to
be solved at some later day.
There was plenty of time for the
fuli discussion of their plans, for the
Saint Honore," although a stanch lit
tie craft of $50 tons, was driven from
her course by contrary winds, and
drfted through many lazy days for
lack of any. The passengers consisted
of party OF soldiers sent to swell the
available fighting force to be used
against the Indians a flock of 80 girls
travelling under the care of Madame
Bourbon, all seeking homes and hus-
bands in the new strange lands across
The sea; ship-carpenters and workers
in iron, for the need of building small
ships 20 trade with the Indians and
explore the coasts had been empha-
sized by FrOntena3 in his letters to
the king and Colbert; stone masons
and builders to help the settlers erect
their homes as well as build new forts
adyenturers, escaped eXies, and poll
teal refugees, seeking under new
names to travel in the kings ship,
and then lose themselves in the saw
age wilds. Among these were some
80 men whom La Sale had tempted
by goodly sums and far goodlier prom
ises of riches to be found in the New
World, and tales of mystery and of
"untold wealth that only needed daring
hearts and hands to secure it, some
we're honest artisans whom he needed
in his explorations, especially to build
ships on the lakes. For this purpose
a store of iron, cordagc, and anchors
was carefully packed away in the hold.
la Sale and Tont kept to them
selves, but PompOn went about the
ship making friends with every one in
spite of his ugly face, busyng himself
in finding out everything he could
from each person amusing them, but
telling nothing in return lie diced
with the soldiers and adveuturers, and
spun yarns with the sailors derived
from his experience in the gallegs but
carefully disguised, he himself usual