The state herald., 1916-11-03


do mems work. IT'S no kid-slovs job
you have. Monsieur Cassion."
The insulting indifference Of the old
fur traders tone surprised the COM
missaire, and hs exhibited resentment.
You are overly free with your COM
msnts. Hugo Chsvst. When wish
advice I viii ask II"
"And in the woods do not always
wait to b asked" returned the cider
man. lighting his pipe. and calmly
pufang out the blue smoke. Though
It is likely enough you viii b asking
for It before you journey many
leagues further"
"You are under my orders"
$50 La Barre said, but the only duty
he gave me was to watch over Adsls
here. He put no shackls on my tongua
You have chosen your coursef'
"Yes, up the Ottawa"
II suppose %, although that boy
yonder could lead you q shorter pas
sage"
"How learned you thatr'
by talking with him in Quebec
He even sketched me a map of The
route he Travelled with La Sale. You
knew It not?"
"Twas Of no moment, for my o..
ders bid me 90 BY st. Ignace. Yet II
might be well to question him and
the chief also" He turned b the
nearest soldier. Tell the Algonquin,
Altudah, to come here. and Sisur
d'Artigny."
They approached together, two sped.
mems Of the frontier a. different q
could be pictured, and stood siisnt,
fronting Cassion. who looked at them
frowning, and n NO pleasant humor.
The eyes Of the younger man sought
my face for an instant and the swift
glance gave harsher note to the com.
missaire's voice.
I'VE will reload the canoes here for
the long voyage" hs said brusqusly.
The sergeant will have charge Of
that, but both Of you will b in the
leading boat and will keep well in
advance Of the others. Our course ID
by way Of the Ottawa. You know
that stream. Altudahr'
The Indian bowed his head graveiy
and extended one hand beneath the
scarlet fold Of his blanket.
"Five time, monsieur"
How far to the west, chisfr"
ITO place call Green Bay"
Cassion turned his eyes on D'Arti.
gny. slight snssr curling his lips.
~And your b asked coldly.
But one journey, monsieur, along
the Ottawa and the lakes" was the
quiet answer. "and that three years
aga yet I scarce think I would 20
astray. It's not . course easily for
gotten"
"And beyond Green Bayr
II have been to the mouth Of the
great river"
"You!" in surprise. "wers you Of
that partyT
'Yes, monsieur"
And you actually reached the sea
the salt waterf'
"Yes, monsieur"
saint Anne! I never half believed
the tale true. nor do think overmuch
Of your word for II. But let that 20.
Chevet here tells me you know q
shorter Journey to the Illinolsr
"Not by canoe. monsieur. fol.
lowed sieur de Ia Sale by forest trail
to the straits. and planned to return
that way, but It's foot journey"
what will be your course from
Green Bayr
"Along the west shore. monsieur;
It IL dangerous only BY reason Of
storms"
"And the distnncef''
"From st. Ignacef"
"Ay! from st. Ignace! What dis
lance lies between there and this Fort
st Louis on the Illinoisf'
"'Twill be but a venture. monsieur,
but think It's held at hundred and
fifty Leagues"
"Of wildernessf'
when passed that way-yes: they
tell me now the Jcsuits have mission
station at Green Bay, and there may
be fur traders In Indian villages be.
yond."
mo chance to procure suppllesi"
"Only scant rntions Of corn from
the Indians"
"Your report II in accordance with
my instructions and maps. and no
doubt IL correct. That will be all.
Take two more men In your boat and
depart at once. We shall follow i'm.
mcdiateiy."
CHAPTER vii.