The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1916-06-30


Il am" he answered honestly. yet
Cassion will need a guide. and there
is none save myself in all New France
who has ever made that journey.
Twill be well for him to listen to my
plan And why not? We do not
fight the orders of the governor: we
obey. and wait. Monsieur de la Sale
will tell his story to the king"
THE King! To LOUISE"
GAY. twill not be the first time he
has had audience, and already he is
at sea. We can wait, and laugh at
this CassiOn over his useless Journey
But he-he is treacherous, mon
sieur"
He laughed as though the words
amused.
ITO one who has lived as I, amid
savages. treachery is an old story. The
commissaire will not find me asleep.
We will serve each other. and let it
go at that All! we are to be inter-
rupted."
He Strengthened up facing the door.
and l turned. confronting my uncle
as he emerged in advance. He was
burly man, with iron gray hair, and
face REDEEMED by out-of-doors: and he
stopped in surprise at sight Of
stranger his eyes hardening with sus-
picion.
And who is this with whom you
converse so privately, Adele? he
questioned brusquely. "a young popin-
jay new to these parts l venture"
D'Artigny stepped between us,
smiling in good humOr.
"My call was upon you. Monsieur
Chevet, and not the young lady," he
said quietly enough, yet with tone
to the voice. II merely asked her If
l had found the right place, and IL
Monsieur the Commissaire Cassion
was still your guest"
And what. may I ask, might be
your business with the Commissaire
Cassion?' asked the latter. pressing
past Chevet. yet bowling with a SEM
blance of politeness. scarcely in ac-
cord with the studied insolence of his
words 81 have no remembrance of
your face"
"Then. Monsieur Cassion is not OBJ
servant" returned the younger man
pleasantly. ''as | accompanied the
Sieur de la Sale in his attempt to
have audience with the governor"
"Ahv' the word of surprise explod-
ed from the lips. "Sacre! tits true! My
faith, what difference clothes make. l
mistook you for courier du bois.'
Il am the Sieur Rene d'Artigny."
Lieutenant Of La Salle's?"
Scarcely that, monsieur. but a
comrade; for three years have been
for this mission"
| Cassion laughed. chucking the
gloomy faced Chevet in the side. as
though he would give point to a good
joke.
And little the trip hither has profit
ed either master or man. I warrant.
La Barre does not sell New France to
every adventurer Monsieur de la
Sale found different reception In Que
bee than when Frontenac ruled this
colony. Where went the fur stealerY'
''To whom do you refer?"
''TO whom? Heaven help us. Chevet.
the man would play nice with words.
Well. let it go, my young cock. and
answer me-"
"YOu mean the Sieur de la Salle?"
''To be sure; called him no worse
than l have heard La Barre speak.
They say he has left Quebec; what
more know you?"
"'Tis no secret. monsieur" replied
D'Artigny quietly enough, although
there was a flash in his eyes, as they
met mine. "The Sieur de la Sale has
sailed for France"
France! Bah you jest: there has
been no ship outward bound"
"The Breton paused at st. Roche,
held by the fog When the fog lifted
there was a new passenger aboard By
dawn the Indian paddlers had me
landed in Quebec"
Does La Barre know?"
Faith! I could not tell you that,
ence"
Cassion strobe back and forth. his
face dark with passion. 1t was not
pleasant news he had been told, and
1t was plain enough he understood the
meaning.
by the saints!' he exclaimed "'Tis
a sly fox to break through our guard
so easily. Ay, and twill give him a
month to whisper his lies to Louis, be-
fore La Barre can forward report.
But. sacre! my young chanticleer, sure
ly you are not here to bring me this
bit of news. You sought me, you
said? Well, for what purpose?"
In peace monsieur Because l have
served Sieur de la Sale loyalty is no
reason why we should be enemies We
are both the kings men, and may
work together. The word has come to
me that you head party for the ILL
nois, with instructions for De Baugis
at Fort st. Louis. Is this true?'
Cassion bowed coldly. waiting to
discover how much more his ques-
toner knew.
"Ah. then I am right thus far. Well,
monsieur, twas on that account [
came, to volunteer as guide"
You! 'Twould be treachery."
"Oh, no; our interests are the same
so far as the journey goes. | would
reach st. Louis: so would you. Be
cause we may have different ends in
view. different causes TO serve. has
naught to do with the trail thither.
There is not man who knows the
way as we'll as l. Four times have |
travelled it. and | am not a savage.
monsieur am gentleman of
|