The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1916-10-06


again"
"Pouf! do not be so easily pricked,
l spoke In jest. Ay. look nj the pa
per, but the tracing is So poor it's no
better than a guess where we are. sit
you down, madame, so the fire gives
light, ana | will show you our posi-
ton the best | can"
Did not D'Artigny know?'
"He thinks he does, but his memory
is not over clear. as he was only over
this course the once. 'Tis here he
has put the mark. while my guess
would be few leagues beyond"
bent over, my eyes seeking the
points indicated. had seen the map
before, yet II told me little. for |
was UnaccuStomed 10 such study. and
the few points, and streams named
had no real meaning 10 my mind. The
only familiar term was Chicago por.
tage, and pointed TO II with my
fingers
"Is IL there we leave the lake. mon
sieur?"
"Ay: the rest will he river work.
You see this stream? 'Tis called the
Des PLANES. and leads into the iii
noiS. D'Artgny says II is two miles
inland. across fiat country. Twas
Pere Marquette who passed this way
first. but since then many have trav.
ersed IT, 'Tis like 10 take us two days
TO make the portage"
And way up here is Port des. Morris.
where we crossed the opening into
Green Bay, and we have come since
all this distance. Surely It's not far
along the shore now to the portagcf"
"Mon dieu. who knows! 1t looks
but step on the map. yet it's not
likely the distance has ever been
measured"
what said the Sieur dArtlgny"
bah! the Sicur d'Artigny; ever IL
IA the Sieur d'Artigny. 'Tis little he
knows about II, I'm my judgment. He
would have 1t thirty leagues yet, but
! make II we are ten leagues 10 the
south OF where he puts us. what are
you going already? Faith, had hopes
you might tarry here while yet and
! hold converse with me-"
| paused, in no way tempted. yet
uncertain.
You had some word you wished TO
| say, monsieur"
"Therc..re words enough II you
would listen"
"'Tis no fault OF yours If I do not.
But not now, monsieur. II is late and
cold. We take the boats early and I
would rest while | can"
He was on his feet. the map grippcd
in his hand, but made no effort 10
stop me, as ! dropped him curtsy,
and retrcatcd. But he was there stlll
safety OF the tent, his forehead creased
| by frown. When he finally turned
away the map was crushed shapeless
in his fingers.
The morning dawncd somewhat
warmer, but with every promise OF a
storm, threatening clouds hanging
| above the water, sullen and menacing.
| their edges tipped with lightning The
roar OF distant thunder came 10 our
! ears. yet there was no wind. and Cas-
! sion decided that the clouds would
! drift southwark, and leave us safe
! passage along the shore. His canoe
! had been wrcnchcd I'm making landing
! the evening before, and had taken In
! considerable water during the night.
/ This was bajled out. but the interior
was so wet and uncomfortable that |
begged 10 be given place In another
4 boat. and CassiOn consented, after
had exhibited some temper. ordering
soldier I'm the sergcants canoe 90
exchange places with me.
We may have proceeded for half n
/ league, when a fog swept In toward
the land envcloping us In its folds.
/ although we were close enough 10 the
shore so as 10 keep safely together.
/ the word being passed back down the
line. and as we drew nearer ! became
aware that D'Artlgny's boat had
| turned about. and he was endcavoring
! 10 induce Casslon 10 20 ashore and
make camp before the storm broke.
( The latter. however. was obstinate.
\ claiming we were close enough for
safety. and finally. in angry voice. in.
sisted upon proceeding on our course.
DArtigny, evidently feeling argu-
ment useless. made no reply. but 7
noticed he held back his paddles and
permitted Cassion's cnnoe 10 forge
/ ahead. lie must have discovered that
| ! was not with monsieur. for I saw
him stare intently NJ each of the other
canoes a. though 10 make sure of my
| presence shading his eyes with one
hand. az be pcered through the thick.
/ oning mist This action evidenced the
I first intimation | had for days ~ his
l continued interest I'm my welfare. and
my heart throbbed with sudden pleas
ure Whether or not he felt some pre-.
| monition Of danger. he certainly spoke
words ~ instruction 20 bis Indian pad.
/ dlprs. and 80 manipulated his craft as
% keep not far distant. although slight.
ly farther from shore, than the canoe
In which sat.
Casslon had already vanished IN the
fog. which swept thicker and thicker
along the surface ~ the water. the
.