Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1916-09-21

no more than penniless adventurer;
an actor playing a part assigned him
by the governor; while you and do
the same. Listen. Monsieur Chevet,
the property at st. Thomas is mine by
legal right, and 1t was to gain pos
session that this wretch sought my
hand"
your legal rightT'
"Ay, restored by the king in special
order"
at is not true: had the records
searched by lawyer. Monsieur Gau-
tier Of st. Anne"
gave a gesture OF Indignation.
"a country advocate at whom those
in authority would laugh. tell you
what I say is true: the land was re-
stored. and the fact is known to La
Barre and to Cassion. 1t is this fact
which has caused all our troubles. l
overheard talk last night between the
governor and his aide-de-camp. Colone!
Delguard-you know him?
Chevet nodded. his interest stirred.
"They thought themselves alone.
and were laughing at the success OF
their trick. was hidden behind the
heavy curtains at the window. and
every word they spoke reached my
ears. Then they sent TO! Cassion."
But where is the paper?"
81 did not learn; they Lave 1t hidden,
no doubt, awaiting the proper time
to produce it. But there is such a
document: La Barre explained that
clearly. and the reason why he wished
Cassion to marry me. They were all
three talking when an accident hap
pened. which led to my discovery
"Ah! and so that was what hurried
the wedding. and sent me on this wild
wilderness chase. They would bury
me in the woods--sacre!-"
flush now-Cassion has left the
canoe already, and we can talk of this
later. Let us seem to suspect moth
ing"
This was the first meal of many
eaten together along the river bank
in the course of our long journey, yet
the recollection of that scene rises
before my memory now with peculiar
vividness. Casslon had divided us into
groups, and, from where l had found
resting place, with small fat rock
for table, | was enabled to see the
others scattered to the edge of the
bank, and thus learned for the first
time the character of those with whom
was destined to companion on the
long journey. There were but four
of us in that first group, which in
cluded Pere Allouez, a silent man,
lingering his cross, and barely touch.
ing food. His face under the black
cowr was drawn, and creased by
strange lines, and his eyes burned
with vagueness. If bad ever dreamed
OF him as one to whom might turn
for counsel. the thought instantly van
ished as our glances met.
A soldier and two Indians served
us, while their companions. divided
into two groups, were gathered at the
other extremity of the ridge. the sol
diers under discipline OF their own
underofficers, and the Indians
watched over by Sieur D'Artigny, who
rested, however. slightly apart. his
gaze on the broad river. Never once
while observed did he turn and
glance my way. counted the men,
as l endeavored to eat, scarcely heed.
Ing the few words exchanged by those
about me. The Indians numbered ten,
including their chief. whom Casslon
called Altuda. Chevet named them as
Aigonqulns from the Ottawa. treach-
erous rascals enough, yet with ex-
pert knowledge of watercraft.
Altudah was tall savage, wrapped
in gaudy blanket, his face rendered
sinister and repulsive by scar the
full length of his cheek, yet he spoke
French fairly well, and someone said
that he had three times made journey
to Mackinac, and knew the water
ways. There were "a soldiers. includ-
ing a sergeant and corporal, of the
regiment of Plcardy; active fellows
enough, and accustomed to the from
tier. although they gave small evil
dence of discipline. and their uniforms
were In shocking condition. The SER
geant was heavily built, stocky man,
but the others were rather understood,
and of little spirit. The same thought
must have been In the minds of 9th
ers, for the expression on Monsieur
Cassion's face was not pleasant as he
stared about.
"Chevet," he exclaimed disgustedly,
did ever you see worse SELECTION for
wilderness travel than La Barre has
given us? Cast your eyes down the
line yonder: by my faith! there is not
a real man among them"
Chevet, who had been growing TO
himself, with scarce a thought other
than the food before him. lifted his
eyes and looked.
"No worse than all the scum. De
Baugis had no better with him, and La
Sale led gang of outcasts. With
right leadership you can make them
do mems work. 'Tis no kid-glove job
you have, Monsieur Casslon."
The insulting Indifference of the old
fur traders tone surprised the COM
missaire, and he exhibited resentment.
You are overly free with your COM
ments. Hugo Chevet. When wish
advice I will ask IT,"
"And in the woods do not always
wait to be asked" returned the older
man, lighting his pipe, and calmly
putting out the blue smoke. Though
It is likely enough you will be asking
for 1t before you journey many
leagues further"