Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1916-07-25
Beyond the Frontier
By RANDALL PARRISH

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 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 Adele
here. he put no shackle on my tongue.
You have chosen your course?"
Eyes, up the Ottawa"
II suppose. so, although that boy
yonder could lead you shorter pas
sage"
How learned you that"
'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 or
ders bid me go by st. Ignace. Yet 1t
might be well to question him and
the chief Also" He turned to the
nearest soldier. "Tell the Algonquin,
Altudah, to come here, and Sieur
d'Artigny"
They approached together, two speci-
mems of the frontier as different as
could be pictured, and stood silent,
fronting Cassion, who looked at them
frowning, and in 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.
we will reload the canoes here for
the long voyage" he said brusquely.
The sergeant will have charge of
that, but both of you will be in the
leading boat, and will keep well in
advance Of the others. Our course is
by way Of the Ottawa. You know
that stream, Altudah?''
The Indian bowed his head gravely
and extended one hand beneath the
scarlet fold Of his blanket.
Five time, monsieur"
How far to the west, chief?"
ITO place call Green Bay"
Cassion turned his eyes on D'Arti-
gny, slight sheer curling his lips.
And your" ne asked coldly.
"But one journey, monsieur, along
the Ottawa and the lakes" was the
quiet answer, land that three years
ago, yet l scarce think l would go
astray. IT'S not a course easily for
gotten"
"And beyond Green Bay"
Il have been to the mouth of the
great river"
"You? in surprise. "Were you OF
that party?"
Yes, monsieur"
"And you actually reached the sea-
the salt water?"
Yes, monsieur"
saint Anne! l never half believed
the tale true. nor do l think overmuch
of your word for it. But let that go
Chevet here tells me you know a
shorter journey to the IlIinois?"
"Not by canoe, monsieur. l fol
lowed Sieur de la Sale by forest trail
to the straits, and planned to return
that way, but tits a foot journey"
what will be your course from
Green Bay?'
"Along the west shore, monsieur
it is dangerous only by reason OF
storms"
And the distanceT
"From St Ignace"
GAY! from st. Ignace! What dis
lance lies between there and this Fort
St. Louis on the Illinois?"
I "'Twill be but a venture, monsieur
but think it's held at a hundred and
fifty leagues"
"Of wilderness ?"
when l passed that way-yes; they
tell me now the Jesuits have mission
station at Green Bay, and there may
be fur traders in Indian villages be-
yond."
mo chance to procure supplies"
"Only scant rations of corn from
the Indians"
your report is in accordance with
my instructions and maps, and nc
doubt is correct. That will be all
Take two more men in your boat and
depart at once. We shall follow i'm
/ mediately."