Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1906-04-05
CHAPTER xxv.-CoNr1SuEp.


Monsieur lie Chevalier de Baugis,"
he said, as he handed back the COM
mission, "the Sieur de la Sale 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 commando of the new
governor. My authority is received
from Sieur de la Sale, and to him
alone am | 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 l cannot resign my
command to any one. can but re-
gard O 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 &C.
corded to him as his residence. The
next day, although his anger had van
ished, he displayed a surly demeanor.
He received Tontis courtesies UNI
graciously and spent his time in writ
ing out a lengthy complaint of his in
subordination of the commander he
found IN charge, which he purposed
sending to Quebec at the earliest OPP
%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-
p~erience 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 Ncontemptuous 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-
isfaction were heard mingled with
muttered threats of mutiny in case ne
took command. Tonti quieted these
outbreaks as we'll as he could and en-
deavored to treat him with the atten-
ton due his position as his guest.
He took pains to walk about the fort
pointing out the reasons for the varl-
GUS devices used in the fortifying OF
the place, and explaining, in a meas
ure, the plans made by La Sale for
the maintenance and improvement of
the colony. They were thus engaged
one morning when Renee passed near
them on her return from the town be-
low. The chevalier followed her with
admiring gaze.
"Sacre!" he exclaimed to Tonti, pull
ing hard on his mustache. What a
beautiful donnee! Whence comes she?
1t is a pity for one SO lovely to waste
her life going about in such a garb.'
"She is n sent by the nuns at Que
bec,'' said Tonti coldly. "She is de-
voted to her work and has proved OF
invaluable assistance to us in tending
the sick"
Ma foil" continued his companion
81 should not mind being i'll with such
a nurse"
Pompon took a violent dislike to the
man from the first and kept his eye on
him at all times. One day he came tC
Tonti with a troubled face, and report
ed that he had twice that day seen the
chevalief attempt to speak to Renee
when he met her. That the SECOND
time she had been forced to run into
her lodge to escape his attention
Tonti was greatly enraged, but sough'
out Renee and asked her in regard tt
the encounter. She, not wishing to b.
the cause of increasing the perplexi
ties Of the situation, made light of thu
matter and begged him not to make
any move in the affair, as the chevaliel
was not likely to repeat the dis
courtesy. Tonti yielded a reluctan
consent, but resolved upon a sharl
line of action in case the offense> oc
Cured again. Pompon, realizing tn
& position of Tonti, determined to ac
for himself if need be. He took tn
Young Sieur de Boisrondet into hi
confidence, who was the devoted frien,
of Ionti and who worshipped the fai
Renee from a distance. These tw'
jealous allies watched carefully TO
several days without discovering an,
cause for interfering. At length tn
sharp eye of Pompon caught sight o
the figure Of the chevalier loungin'
zeal Renee's lodge in such a spot tina
she would have to pass near him o.
her return. Soon she appeared, an
the young officer with a sweeping boy
sought to engage her in conversation
but she pushed hurriedly by withou
looking at him. He strove to detail
her by touching her arm. She nj
tered a slight cry Of alarm and fled.
That night the chevalier was sit
ting in his lodge. which vas lighte
by a pine knot. His scanty writin
material lay on the table before hin
The composition he was making evl
IDENTIFY was an effort, for he stopped
scowled, and bit his quill at ever
few words. "A louis dor for a rhym
to '%donnee,'" he muttered. A knoc
aroused him and the Sieur de Boisror
Diet entered.
Pardon my intrusion, chevalier,
he began hurriedly but determined.
"but | have a word Of warning fc
you"
Baugis looked up in surprise. "Wha
warning can one of the men who's
commander I shall shortly be give I
me?" he asked haughtily.
TITS this resumed De Boisronde
quietly; you have come here and al
suffered to remain as the guest Of OF
commander, the only commander "