The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1916-09-08

Ddu! lie eNCldiiIcu Ut last, Iue
riddle is not so hard to read, al
though. no doubt. the trick has been
we'll played. l know Governor la
Barre. and this Francois Cassion. for
l have served under both, while Mon
sicur la Chesnayne was my captain
and friend. May tell you what. in
my Judgment. seems best for you to
dO?"
glanced Mt D'Artigny. and his
eyes gave me courage.
Monsieur. you are a French SOL
der" I answered. "an educated man,
also. and my fathers friend. I will
listen gladly" u z5
His eyes smiled. and he swept the
earth with his cap. Er.s,
"Then my plan is this-leave Mon
sieur Cassion to go his way. and let
me be your guide southwark. I know
the trails, and the journey is not diff
cult. NJ. de la Durantaye is camped
at the portage of the Des PLANES.
having but handful of men. to be
sure. yet he is a gallant officer and no
enemy to La Sale. although he serves
the governor. He will see justice
done, and give you both safe convoy te
Fort st. Louis. where De Tonty knows
how to protect his officers. Faith! l
would like to see Francois Cassion try
| to browbeat that One-armed Italian
'twould be one time he would meet
| his match"
D'Artigny laughed.
"Ay. you are right there. my friend.
have felt the iron hook, and wit
messed how he wins his way with
white and red. Yet he is no longer in
command at Fort st. Louis: I bring
him orders now from Sieur de In
Sale bidding him not to interfere
with the governors !ieutenants. IT'S
the Chevalier de Baugis with whom
we must reckon"
"True, he has control. and men
! enough. with Cassion's party. to en-
| force his order. And he is a hot-head
conceited. and holding himself a bit
better than others. because he bears
| commission in the Kings Dragons
IT'S said that he and De Tonty have
had many a stiff quarrel since he
| came; but he dare not go too far.
There are good men there ready to
draw sword If it ever come to blows
De Tonty, Boisrondet, LEspirance.
De Marie. and the AlgonQuins camped
on the plain below. They would be
tigers If the Italian spoke the word
while l doubt not NJ. de la Durantaye
would throw his influence on the side
| of mercy: he has small love for the
captain of dragons"
I spoke quickly. and before D'Ar-
tigny could voice decision.
"We will accept your guidance.
now the only one. for the time is past
when we can expect the return OF
the canoes. Can we not at once begin
the journey?"
1t was an hour later. after we had
eaten, that we left the bluff, and
| turned westward into the great woods
Barbeau led the way. moving along
| the bank of a small stream. and
followed. with D'Artigny close be-
! hind. As we had nothing to carry
| except the soldiers rife and blanket
we made rapid progress, and in less
than half an hour we came to the
Indian trail. which led southwark
from Green Bay to the headwaters of
| the Des PLANES.
1t was late in the afternoon Of the
second day when we arrived at the
forks of the Chicago river. There was
a drizzle of rain in the air, and never
saw more desolate spot; bare
dreary plain, and away to the east.
| ward a glimpse of the lake.
A hut Of logs. a mere shack scarcely
| fit for shelter. stood on slight emf
nence. giving wide view in every di.
rection, but it was unoccupied, the
door ajar. Rarbeau. in advance
stared at 1t In surprise. gave utter.
ance to an oath. and ran forward to
peer within. Close behind him.
caught a glimpse Of the interior, my
own heart heavy with disappointment
If this miserable place had been
the headquarters of NJ. de la Duran
taye, evidently it was 80 no longer
Not vestige Of occupancy remained
save rotten blanket on the floor, and
broken bench in one corner. Rude
hunks lined two walls. and a table
| hewed from log stood In the center
of the dirt floor. On this was a papef
pinned to the wood by broken knife.
blade. Barbeau grasped it. and read
the writing. handing it back to me
1t was a scrawl Of few words, yet
told the whole story.
Francois Cassion, under commits.
sion of Governor la Barre. arrived
with party of soldiers and Indians
At his orders we accompany the force
to Fort ST. Louis.
"DE La DURANTAYE."
perhaps it is as WELL" commented
D'Artigny lightly. "At least as far as
my good health goes; but tbs like to
make a hard journey for you. ma.
dame"
lis it far yet until we attain the
fort?"
"a matter Of twenty-five leagues: OF
no moment had we boat in which to
float downstream, but the trail. as
| remember. is rough"
"Perchance there may be a boat
intercepted Barbeau. There was the
wreck of an Indian canoe mile be.
low here on thu Des PLANES, not so
damaged as to be beyond repair. and
here is a Ratchet which we will find
useful" He stopped and picked it up
| from under the bench. Zone thing is
| certain-'tis useless 20 remain here