The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1914-06-04
"Of course"

you care enough then? You inter
est enough to ask heeln who l was
Where come? You try learn all about
me? All, bien; an what he say, mon
sieur?"
THAT you we're from the Illinois
country-Kaskaskia your ia.
Their. voyageur with Vtgo, from town
to town."
She laughed again, her hands ma
king an eloquent gesture.
The poor man! Eet was quite sad
monsieur. l know not l toll eet so
well. Non. non, eet not l who told
heem; eet was the voyageurs with
whom l came. l tell nothing. Eet was
hard to tell nothin', monsieur, when
he WAIT to know so much; when he
ask question, an roar in hees loud
voice. But Get was fun, too; l laugh,
an talk about ozzer things, an he get
so mad, re American general He
put me in re guardhouse, only l was
a girl. You are angry?"
NO But I am a soldier on duty;
under orders to the north"
ITO my people,"
$50 you said before. What does it
mean? You are not indiana"
Il am of quarter blood; my father
was officer of France who died in bat
tie. l was born in an Indian tepee."
But not brought up an Indian? You
possess education; you have known
civilized life"
II have been at Montreal and Que
bee, monsieur. l was three years at
the convent of the Ursulines."
But came back into the wilder
ness?"
Il returned-to my own people; the
great woods called me. am a Wyan-
dot"
And here at Fort Harmar, under a
false name, pretending to be from the
French settlements?"
She touched my hands, where they
gripped the rifle barrel, and her whole
manner changed.
II am not here under false name,
monsieur, nor for any purpose of evil"
she exclaimed eagerly. you must not
think that of me; will not permit.
'Tis my name, Rene DAuvray, and l
came to this fort from the French set
Elements. l cannot tell you why, but
there is no harm done. All l seek now
is the opportunity to return to my own
land. That Is why l came here to meet
you; why waylaid you, and told you
the truth. heard enough of what was
said by the American general to
know that you we're going north thro'
the forests to my country, to hold
council with the Wyandots. That is
so. is eet not?"
"Yes."
Then, monsieur, take me with you!
NO, listen; you must; you shall not re.
fuse. l know the way, the woods, and
all their secrets. can guide you, and
travel faster than your Kentucky
hunter. Let me go. monsieur"
hesitated just moment. actually
tempted by this opportunity to have
her with me. to learn more of who and
what she really was. Yet the knowl-
edge that Harmar would never approve
Of such an arrangement, and that he
would surely learn Of the matter II l
her into the boat, decided
me. She read the decision in my face.
You will not? You will leave me
behind?"
u cannot take you, mademoiselle.
There are reasons in plenty, but can
not stand here and discuss them. You
will let me pass now?"
She drew back, but with eyes still on
my face. She must have read there
that no pleading would change me, for
she only said regretfully:
Il have angered you? You do not
trust me, because l am Indian?"
Il do trust you," burst forth. II
hardly know why, but do. 1t is hard
for me to say no, but l must. l wish
to remain your friend mademoiselle, to
TO meet you again somewhere"
Her face, white in the star-shine,
smiled.
you shall, monsieur" confidently,
and she pointed with one hand into the
north, "yonder in the villages OF the
Wyandots."
AOo MCdA yOu Will SO lucIc dlOu0
All those leagues alone?"
Perhaps; there would be nothing to
fear. have travelled as long a wilder
ness trail before. Yet l need not 20
alone; there is another here who must
return to Sandusky."
Simon Girty! Good God! Would
you dream of companioning with that
foul renegade? Do you know what he
is?"
Yes, monsieur" quietly, land be
knows what l am. He Is not reckless
enough TO offer me insult; did he do 50
he would be torn limb from limb. You
do not know my people, but Simon
Gritty does. do not fear him, yet /
would rather go with you"
Il cannot consent; it would cost me
my commission to take you. / must
say good-by."
She held out her hand.
"Good-by. monsiedr." '
left her standing there, Z slender,
dark shadow In the starlight, feeling