Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1907-04-18

IL did not know until l saw the fires
over yonder."
"And how did they tell you?"
"Tut! An Indian papoose could have
told" said Du Lhut impatiently. 'Iro-
quois on the trail do nothing without
an object. They have an object. then.
I'm showing that smoke. If their wal
parties were over yonder there would
be no object. Therefore their braves
must have crossed the river. And they
could not get over to the north with
out being seen from the fort"
Then they may be in the woods
round us. We may be in danger.''
cried De In Noue.
De Catinat east a glance round him
at the grand tree trunks, the fading
foliage, the smooth sward underneath.
with the long evening shadows barred
across ii. How difficult it was TO real
lie that behind all this beauty there
lurked a danger so deadly and horrible
that a man alone might well shrink
from it, far more one who had the wo-
man whom he loved walking within
hands touch of him! IT was with a
long heartfelt sigh of relief that he
saw a wall of stockade in the midst
Of a large clearing In front of him,
with the stone manor house rising
above It. In a line from the stockade
were a dozen cottages, with cedar
shingled roofs turned up in the Nor
nan fashion, in which dwelt the hab-
itants under the protection Of the seign-
eur's chateau. AT either corner a
small brass cannon peeped through an
embrasure. AS they passed the gate
the guard inside closed 1t and placed
the huge wooden bars into position. A
little crowd Of men, women and chill
dren were gathered round the door of
the chateau, and a man appeared to
be seated on a high backed chair upon
the threshold.
young man, with a shrug Of his shout
ders. He will have it that he has new
er left his Norman castle and that he
Is still the Seigneur de la Noue, the
greatest man within a days ride of
Rouen and Of the richest blood Of Nor
Alohoy Il 10 NV III iS ouCS ANU
his yearly oaths from his tenants.
He would not think II becoming, IL
the governor himself were to visit him,
to pause In the middle Of so august a
ceremony. But, II 1t would interest
you, you may step this way and wait
until he has finished. You, madame. l
will take at once to my mother, IL you.
will be so kind az to follow me-"
The sight was, to the Americans at
least, a novel one. A triple row of
men, ONE and children were stand
ing round in a semicircle, the men
rough and sunburned, the women
homely and clean, with white caps up
on their heads, the children open mouth
ed n round eyed, awed into an u n
usual quiet by the reverent bearing of
their elders. In the center, on his high
backed carved chair, there sat an elder
ly man, very stiff and erect, with an
exceedingly solemn face. He was a
fine figure of a man, tall and broad,
with large, strong features, clean shay
en- and deeply lined, a huge beak Of a
nose and strong, shaggy eyebrows,
which arched right up to the great
wig, which he wore full and long, as
1t had been worn in France In his
youth. On his wig was placed a white
hat, cooked jauntily at one side, with
a red feather streaming round 1t, and
he wore a coat of cinnamon colored
cloth, with silver at the neck and peck
0fS which uo ctflt xyarx, hanIonua
though it bore signs Of having been
frayed and mended more than once.
As the seigneur rose, his son, who
had returned, took De Catinat by the
sleeve.
Father" said he, "this is NJ. de
Catinat, whom you may remember
some years ago at Quebec"
The seigneur bowed with much con
~descension.
"You are extremely welcome to my
estates, both you and your body serv-
ants
"They are my friends, monsieur. This
is NJ. Amos Green, and Captain
Ephraim Savage. My wife is travelling
with me, but your courteous son has
kindly taken her to your lady"
81 am honored-honored indeed."
cried the old man, with a bow and a
flourish. II remember you very well.
sir, for II is not so common to meet
men Of quality in this country. Now
that / think Of 1t, the second son Of
your great-grandfather married the
niece Of one Of the De la Noues of An
delys, which is one Of U cadet
branches. Kinsman, you are welcome!"
He threw his arms suddenly round De
Catinat.
The young guardsman was only too
delighted to find himself admitted to
such an intimacy.
II will not intrude long upon your
hospitality" said he. I'VE are jour
neying down to Lake Champlain, and
we hope in a day or two to be ready
to go on"
"a suit of rooms shall be laid at your
disposal as long as you do me the hon.
or to remain here. Peste! 1t is not ev-
cry day that / can open my gates to a
man with good blood in his veins. All,
sir, that is what l feel most in my ex-
lie, for who Is there with whom / can
talk as equal to equalf You are weary
and hungry, you and your friends.
Come up with me to the tapestried sa-
loon, and we shall see IL my stewards
a find anything for your refreshment.
You play piquet. II I remember right.