The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-09-29
{ Continued from Our Last Issue.

/
/ The soldiers approached In D.
lence. Those In advance boret a
helpless body in their arms, aed
my heart seemed to stop It's beet-
ing, until l heard De Attigny's
voice in cheerful greeting.
Madame Cassion, this is my
comrade, Francois Boisrondet,
whose voice l was never more
glad to hear than this night!
commend him to your mercy"
] Boisrondet swept the earth with
his hat.
81 mind me the time," he said
courteously, when Rene did me
equal service"
Some among you are hurt ?"
/ "Barbeau hath an ugly wound,
but as for the rest of us, there is
no serious harm done"
/ l was gazing at De Artigny, and
marked how he held one hand to
his side. ee.s4
And you. Monsieur; you are
unscathed?"
i Except for a small wound here
and head which rings yet from
savage blows-no more than a
nights rest will remedy. Come,
Madame. it's time we were with
in, and the gates closed"
i We were scarcely within and
the gates closed, when man
pressed forward. A blazing torch
cast its red light over him, reveal
Ing a slender figure attired in
frontier garb, a dark face, made
alive by a pair of deep brown
eyes, which met mine in stare
of surprise.
Back safe. Boisrondet," he OK
claimed sharply. and have
brought In a woman. IT'S a
strange sight in this land. Were
any of our lads hurt?"
i None worth reporting. Mon
sieur. There is an old comrade
here"
AN old comrade! Faith, there
are so few left | would not miss
the sight of such a face"
He stared about at us, for an
instant, uncertain; then took a
quick step forward, his hand out
stretched.
\ Rene de Artigny!" he cried,
his JOY finding expression in his
face. "Ay, an old comrade, in
deed, and only less welcome here
than M. de la Sale himself. You
bring me message from Mon
sieur?"
| Only that he has sailed safely
flor France to have audience with
Louis.-Monsieur de Tonty, Mad
anne Cassion."
i For an instant he stood motion
less; then swept the hat from his
head, and bent low.
You naturally seek your hus-
band. Madame" he said, pray
follow me-"
| The torches led the way. At
the farther end Of the enclosure
was a building, having the ap-
pearance of barrack, with a nor
row porch in front, on which |
perceived a group of men.
i AS we approached more close
i ly, De Tonty walking between De
Artigny and myself, a soldier ran
up the steps. and made some re-
port. Instantly the group broke,
and two men strobe to meet us.
One was tall, in dragon uni
form, a sword at his thigh; the
other was Monsieur Cassion.
Mon ,Dieu! what is this |
hear" he exclaimed. my wife
alive?" He grasped me by the
arm, but even at that instant his
glance fell upon De Artigny, and
his manner changer.
Saint Anne! and what means
this! So tits with this rogue you
have been wandering the wilder
ness!"
i He tugged at his sword, but the
dragon caught his arm.
Nay, wait, Cassion. Twill be
best to learn the truth before re-
sorting to blows. Perchance Mon
sieur Tonty can explain clearly
what has happened"
i 1T is explained already" an
swered the Italian. These two
with soldier of M. de la Duran
taye, endeavored to reach the fort,
and were attacked by Iroquois
We dispatched men to their rescue
and have all now safe within the
palisades. What more would you
learn, Messieurs?"
Cassion pressed forward, ant
fronted him, angered beyond con
troll.
I'VE know all that" he roaret
savagely. But l would learn why
: they hid themselves from me. Ay
D Madame. but l will make you tall
when once we are alone! But nov
l denounce this man as the muir
J derer of Hugo Chevet, and ordel
I him under arrest. Here, lads
: seize the fellow"
. De Tonty never gave way al
2 inch, as dozen soldiers advanced
3 3 at Cassion's order.
Wait mem" he said sternly
/ IT'S no time, with Iroquois about
c to start quarrel, yet IL han,
be laid on this lad here in anger
we, who are of La Sales com
D pany, will protect him with gu
: lives"
you defend a murderer"
mo; comrade. Listen to me
Cassion, and you De Baugis,
know naught Of your quarrel. o
your charges of crime against d
Artigny. but the lad Is going 4
have fair play"
He was my guide; / have au
thority."
Not now, Monsieur. With
these palisades, he is an officer o
/ this garrison, and subject only
1 me-"
|. De Gaugis spoke. his voice cold
contemptuous. slsrGt
You refuse obedience to tn
: Governor Of New France?" Ists
No, Monsieur. There will be n
I II l.