Middletown transcript., 1916-09-16

ana rr1end. May l tell you what, II
my judgment, seems best for you tC
do?'
glanced at D'Artigny, and his
eyes gave me courage.
Monsieur, you are a French sol
dier," answered, ian educated man
also. and my fathers friend. I will
listen gladly"
His eyes smiled, and he swept the
earth with his cap.
''Then my plan is this-leave Mon
sieur Cassion to go his way, and lei
me be your guide southwark. know
the trails, and the journey IL not diff
cult. NJ. de la Durantaye Is eamped
at the portage of the Des PLANES
having but a handful of men. to be
sure, yet he is a gallant officer, and nc
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!
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 viii
white and red. Yet he is no longer in
command at Fort ST. Louis; bring
him orders now from Sieur de Ia
Sale bidding him not to interfere
with the governors lieutenaHts. 'Tis
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 BIZ
better than others. because he bears
commission in the Kings Dragons
'Tis 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 1t ever come to blows
De Tonty, Boisrondet, L'Espirance
De Marie. and the Algonqulns 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"
spoke quickly, and before D'Ar-
tigny could voice decision.
"We will accept your guidance.
monsieur. 1t is the best choice, and
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 southward
from Green Bay to the headwaters of
the Des PLANES.
It 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 / a more desoIate spot; a 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 a slight emf
nence, giving wide view in every d.
rectfon, but it was unoccupied, the
door ajar. Barbeau, in advance.
stared at It In surprise, gave utter
ance to an oath. and ran forward to
peer within. Close behind him,
caught p glimpse of the interior, my
own heart heavy with disappointment.
If this miserable place had been
the headquarters of M. de la Duran
taye, evidently 1t was so no longer.
Not a vestige Of occupancy remained,
SdNC a AOllCn UtdnhCA OA lAC AOOAg anu
a broken bench in one corner. Rude
hunks lined two walls. and q table
hewed from a log stood in the center
of the dirt floor. On this was a paper
pinned to the wood by broken knife
blade. Barbeau grasped 1t, and read
the writing, handing 1t back to me.
1t was a scrawl Of a 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 It's like to
make a hard journey for you. ma
dame"
ais it far yet until we attain the
fortY'
"A matter Of twenty-five leagues; Of
no moment had we boat in which to
float downstream, but the TRAIL as I
remember. is rough"
"Perchance there may be a boat"
intercepted Barbeau. There was the
wreck of an Indian canoe a mile be-
low here on the Des PLANES, not so
damaged as to be beyond repair. and
here Is a hatchet which we will find
useful" He stopped and picked 1t up
from under the bench. Zone thing is
certain-'tis useless to, remain here;
they have left the place as bare as
a desert. 'Tis my choice that we make
the Des PLANES before dark"