Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1906-01-10

each little wave with it's tiny strength
urged on the ship. And 50 the sum
mer days were filed with light and
the nights with the moons sheen upon
the surface of the water or the myriad
reflection of the stars that guided the
ships course through the long lone
watches
The gray twilight and The first half
OF the night were often spent in con-
versation by the three explorers on
the poop just outside of hearing of
the helmsman. Then it was that La
Sale told of his early life: of the days
spent among his Jesuit teachers; of
me first voyage to the new land; of
ms early efforts to penetrate the
wilderness; OF the life and history of
the colony; of the rivalry between
himself and the Jesuit missionaries
and their followers for the fur-trade
with the Indians and the efforts they
made use of to thwart his plans. At
times the genial side of his nature
showed itself in the recital of anus
ing incidents of the court, at Quebec.
in the camp.
mus passed the days until full two
months had gone and the summer
winds had changed to September gales.
Already the floating sea-weed and
screaming birds told them that land
was near. One night the three sat lis
tening to the sound of wind and wave.
Ionti was silent, while his companions
talked. The master of the ship had
been commissioned to bring over
lutte for the Comte de F'rontenac. 1t
was this Lutte that Tonti had Dor
roWed, and, needless now and then OF
the tagging conversation, he idlv
picked out some old forgotten strains
upon the strings, his thoughts far dis
tant.
At length Pompon left them. La
Sale, after a few moments silence.
said:
Mon Dieu you are man of ac-
compllshments; mon ami; soldier and
a musician. 1t needs only that you be-
come poet and the three great arts
will be found combined in one man."
Tonti smiled. I'VE once toasted
your Lily of Poitou," he said. Listen
now, while l tell you of my Rose of
Normandy. Perhaps If you will but
forget the singer, you may be pleased
like | am with the subject of my
song So saying, he played few
chords and began to sing to an old
Italian air:
Whilst poets celebrate in rhyme
Some cOmcly maid of high degree
The praises rare I'd gladly sing
or Rose, my Rose. OF Normandy
Tho sunbeams nestle IN her hair.
Her lips are wondrous red 10 sec.
y rosuish glance beams from her eve
The eye Of Rose Of Normandy
Sweet thoughts and pure possess her
mind
From earthly dross and bIemish free;
AZ earnest purpose fills the soul
or Rose, my Rose. OF Normandy
Within the empire Of her heart
! Tain would reign it king 70 be-
But other hands 7 fear will pluck
Ihis Rose. my Rose OF Normandy
Bravo Monsieur Poet" applauded
La Sale. Would that had your
Gift of rhymlng fear my sober mon
astic training destroyed any latent
talent | might have had If I could
would sing to you in return the charms
Of my fair one"
A silence ensued broken only by
the creaking of the ships tlmb ers. the
shrilling Of the wind through the rig
cling, and the sound Of rushing waters
IS the vessel careened On her course.
falling star shot its tiny spark across
the heavens; the mufied sound OF hu-
man voices came up from the interior
Of the Saint Honore;" the ships bell
announced the arrival Of midnight
At length Tonti aroused himself
from his revery and spoke TO biq
friend. who In turn was unconscious
Of his surroundings, so great was the
power Of thought over his physical
environment.
DO you recollect our first meeting
mon capitaine. how you promised To
tell me the name Of your lady when
we bad once left the land behind us9
Perhaps although your rhymes be
faulty one could learn something OF
HeI from your PROSE"
True, mon ami. but words. even
though they be not those OF poesy.
would utterly fail 20 describe The Der