The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1916-09-29

the room. but l suddenly felt courage
to address him.
"You were not of our party" said
gravely. "Are you a soldier of NJ. de
Baugis?'
"No. madame" and he turned fac
Ing me, his countenance a pleasant
one. II am not a soldier at all. but l
serve NJ. de Tonty."
"Ah. am glad of that. You will
bear to your master a message"
Perhaps. madame" his tone some
what doubtful. you are the wife of
Monsieur Cassion?"
do not hesitate because Of that"
FASTENED to say. believing understood
his meaning. "While 1t is true I am
legally the wife of Francois Cassion.
my sympathies now are altogether
with the Sieur d'Artigny. would
have you ask M. de Tonty to confer
with me-"
Eyes, madame"
'You have served with D'Artigny?
You know him well?"
Three years. madame; twice he
saved my life on the great river. NJ
de Tonty shall receive your message"
| could not eat. although I made the
endeavor. and finally crossed to the
window, opened the heavy wooden
shutters. and gaZed without What
marvellous scene that was! Never be-
fore had my eyes looked upon so fair
view, and I stood silent and fasci-
mated. My window opened to the
westward, and | gazed down from the
very edge of the vast rock into the
wide valley. Great treetops were be-
low. and I had to lean far out to see
the silvery waters tapping the base
of the precipice, but. little beyond.
the full width of the noble stream
became visible. decked with islands.
and winding here and there between
green-clad banks, until it disappeared
in the far distance.
had neglected to bar the door. and
as l stood there gazing in breathless
fascination, sudden step on the floor
caused me to turn in alarm. My eyes
encountered those of De Tonty, who
stood hat in hand.
"'Tis fair view, madame" he said
politely. "In all my travels l have
seen no nobler domain"
ut hath a peaceful look" an.
swered, still struggling with the mem
DRY. "Can it be true the savages hold
the valleyT"
"All too true-see, yonder, where the
smoke still shows. dwelt the Kaskas-
ksas. Not lodge is left. and the t,od-
les of their dead strew the ground
Along those meadows three weeks
since there were the happy villages Of
twelve tribes of peaceful Indians; to-
day those who yet live are fleeing for
their lives"
"And this fort. MONSIEUR
"Safe enough, think, although no
one Of us can venture ten yards be-
yorh the gate. The Rock protects us.
madame, yet We are greatly outnum.
bered, au,1 with 70 ammunition to
waste. Twas the surprise of the raid
which left Us thus helpless. Could we
have been given time to gather our
friendly In1sans together, the starry
would be different"
''They ere rot towards. theDT'
"Not with rroper Leadership. We
have seen thehl fight often since W.
invaded this lard. IT'S my thought
many Of them ase hiding now beyond
those hills. aid iiiIy nud some way to
reach us. l suspected such an effort
last night, when l sent out the rescue
patty which brought you in. All. that
reminds me, madame; you sent for
me?H
Eyes, NJ. de Tonty. l can speak to
you frankly? You are the friend Of
Sieur 6'Artigny?"
Faith. hope I am. madame, but
l know not what has got into the lad
he will ten me nothing"
81 suspected as much. monsieur. II
was for that reason have sent for
you. He has not even told you the
story of our iourneyT
"Ay, as brief as q military report
not a fact l could not have guessed.
There is a secret here. which l have
not discovered. Why is NJ. Cassion so
wild for the lads blood, and how came
there to be trouble between Rene and
the furtrader? Bah! know the lad
is no murderer, but no one will tel;
me the facts"
'Then l will. monsieur" I said
gravely. at was because of my be-
lief that Sieur d'Artigny would re-
fuse explanation that l seit for you.
The truth need not be concealed; not
from you, at least. the commander of
Fort ST. Louis"
Pardon. madame. but ain not that.
La Sale left me in command with less
than a dozen men. De Baugis came
later. under commission from La Barre.
! but he also had but handful of fol-
lowers. To save quarrel we agreed TO
divide authority. and so got along fair-
~ we'll, until NJ. Cassion arrived with
his party. Then the odds were alto
gether on the other side. and De Bau-
gis assumed command by sheer force
| of rifles. Twas La Sales wish that
| no resistance be made, but, faith. wish
| the Indians scattered. had no power.
This morning things have taken new
| phase. An hour ago NJ. Cassion as
sumed command Of the garrison by
virtue Of commission he produced
from the Governor la Barre. narlirg
him major of infantry. This gives him
rank above Captain de Baugis. and,
! besides, he bore a letter authorizing
him to take command of all French
troops in this valley. If. in his judg-