Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1916-10-05
CHAPTER ix--continued.

Leaning far out, grasping branch
to keep from falling. | distinguished
the canoe at the upper landing. and the
Indians busily preparing camp. AT
first I saw nothing of any white man.
but was gazing still when D'Artigny
emerged from some shadow and
stepped down beside the boat. know
not what instinct prompted him to
turn and look up intently at the bluf
towering above. scarcely compre-
hended either what swift impulse led
me to undo the neckerchief at my
throat and hold II forth In signal. An
instant he stared upward, shading his
eyes with one hand.
must have seemed vision cling
ing there against the sky, yet all ut
once the truth burst upon him. and.
with a wave of the arm, he sprang
up the low bank and Joined his In
dams. could not hear what he said,
but with single word he left them
and disappeared among the trees at
the foot of the bluff.
He must have scrambled straight up
the steep face of the bluff. for 1t could
have been scarcely more than a min
ute when heard him crunching pas
sage through the bushes, and then
saw him emerge above the edge. Cling
ing to tree limb, his eyes sought
eagerly to locate me, and when
stepped forward. he sprang erect and
bowed. jerking his hat from his head.
There was about his action the en-.
thusiasm of boy, and his face glowed
with an eagerness and delight which
instantly broke down every barrier
between us.
"You waved to meY' he exclaimed.
you wished me to Gomez" II
"Yes." confessed. swept from my
guard by his enthusiasm. II have
been anxious to confer with you, and
this is my first opportunity"
"Why thought you avoided me-"
he burst forth. ut is because felt
so that have kept away"
"There was nothing else could do
but pretend" exclaimed. gaining
control over my voice as spoke. "My
every movement has been watched
since we left Quebec; this is the first
moment have been left alone--if,
indeed, l am now" And glanced
about doubtfully into the shadows Of
the forest.
"You imagine you may have been
followed here? By whom? Cassion?"
"By himself or some emissary. Pere
Allouez has been my jailer, but
chances to be disabled at present. The
commissaire permitted me to climb
here alone. believing you to be safely
camped above the rapids. yet his sus-
picions may easily revive"
"His suspiclonsr' the sieur laughed
softly. $50 that then is the trouble?
II Is to keep us apart that he bids me
make separate camp each night; and
assigns me to every post Of peril. |
feel the honor mademoiselle. yet why
ana I especially singled out for SO
great a Distinction
"He suspects us of being friends.
He knew I conferred with you ut the
convent. and even believes that you
were with me hidden behind the cur
tain IN the governors office"
"Yet II all that be true" he ques-
toned. his voice eyidencing his sur
prise. "Why should our friendship
arouse his antagonism to such an ex-
tent? | cannot understand what crime
have committed, mademoiselle. 1t
Is all mystery. even why you should
be here with us on this long journey?
Surely you had no such thought when
we parted last?"
"You do not know what has oc-
curred?" | asked, In establishment. "No
one has told youg"
Told me. How? I have scarcely
held speech with anyone but the Al
gonquln chief since we took to the
water. Cassion has but given orders,
and Chevet is mum as an oyster.
endeav ored to find you In Montreal.
but you were safely locked behind
gray walls. That something was wrong
/ felt convinced. yet what II might be
no one would tell me. ] tried ques-
tioning the pere. but he only shook
his head apd left me unanswered.
.rerl me tleiA pademoiselle. by what
right does thiS Cassion hold you az q
captiveT FAp