Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1916-07-13

great hole torn in It's PROV by a
sharp rock. The men got Ashore. saw
ing the wreck, but lost their store OF
provisions, and we were a day there
making the damaged canoe again SER
viceable
This delay gave me my only glimpse
of D'Artlgny, still dripping from his
involuntary bath, and so busily en-
gagged at repairs as TO be scarcely con-
sclous of my presence on the bank
above him. Yet 1 can hardly say that,
for once he glanced up, and our eyes
met, and possibly he would have Joined
me, but for the sudden appearance Of
Cassion, who swore at the delay, and
ordered me back to where the tent
had been hastily erected. l noticed
D'Artlgny straighten up, angered that
Cassion dared speak to me so harshly,
but had no wish then to precipitate
an open quarrel between the two men,
and so departed quickly. Later, Fa-
Their Allouez told me that in the over
turning of the canoe the young sieur
had saved the life of the Algonquin
chief, bringing him ashore unconscious,
helpless from q broken shoulder. This
accident to Altudah led to the trans
ferring of the injured Indian to our
canoe and caused Cassion to join
D'Artigny in advance.
1t was five days later, and in the
drear, when the long-sought opportu-
nifty came in most unexpected fashion.
We had made camp early, because of
rough water ahead, the passage Of
which it was not deemed best to at.
tempt without careful exploration. So,
while the three heavily laden canoes
drew up against the bank, and pre-
pared to spend the night, the leading
canoe was stripped and sent forward.
manned only with the most expert Of
the Indian paddlers to make sure the
perils of the current. From the low
bank to which 1 had climbed
watched the preparations for the dash
through those madly churning waters
above. Cassion was issuing his orders
loudly, but exhibited no inclination to
accompany the party, and suddenly
the frail craft shot out from the
shore, with D'Artigny at the steering
paddle, and every Indian braced for
his task, and headed boldly into the
smother. They vanished as though
swallowed by the mist, Cassion and
half dozen soldiers racing along the
shore line in an effort to keep abreast
of the laboring craft.
1t was a wild, desolate spot in which
we were, a mere rift in the bluffs,
which seemed to overhang us, covered
with heavy growth of forest. The
sun was still an hour high, although
it was twilight already beside the
river, when Cassion and his men came
struggling back to report that the ca
noe had made safe passage, and, TAX
ing advantage of his good humor,
proposed a climb up. an opening of
the bluff, down which led deer trail
plainly discernible.
Not l." he said, casting a glance
| upward. "The run over the rocks will
do me for exercise tonight"
"Then will 1 assay it alone" re-
piled, not displeased at his refusal. ~
am cramped from sitting in the canoe
so long"
"'Twill be a hard climb, and they
tell me the pere has strained tendon
of his leg coming ashore"
"And what of that" I burst forth,
giving vent to my indignation. "Am 1
ten-year-old to be guarded every step
I take? IT'S not far to the summit,
and no danger. You can see yourself