The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1916-10-12


"Ah. l am glad Of that You will
bear to your master a message?
Perhaps, madame" his tone some
what doubtful. You are the wife Of
Monsieur CassiOn?"
"Do not hesitate because Of that, i
hastened to say, believing understood
his meaning. "While 1t is true | am
legally the wife Of Francois Cassion,
my sympathies now are altogether
with the Sieur d'Artigny l would
have you ask NJ. de Tonty to confer
with me-"
"Yes, madame" ..zs
you have served with D'Artigny7
You know him well?
Three years, madame; twice he
saved my life on the great river. 81.
de Tonty shall receive your message"
could not eat, although made the
endeavor, and finally crossed to the
window, opened the heavy wooden
shutters, and gazed without. What a
marvellous scene that was! Never be-
fore had my eyes looked upon so fair
a view, and l stood silent and fasci-
mated. My window opened to the
westward, and l gazed down from the
very edge of the vast rock into The
wide valley. Great treetops were be-
low, and had to lean far out to see
the silvery waters tapping the base
Of the precipice, but, little beyond,
the full width of the noble stream
became visible, decked with Islands,
and winding here and there between
green-clad banks, until 1t disappeared
in the far distance.
had neglected to bar the door, and
MS / stood there gazing in breathIess
fascination, sudden step on the floor
caused me to turn in alarm. My eyes
encountered those of De Tonty, who
stood, hat in hand.
"'Tis fair view, madame" he said
politely. "In all my travels l have
seen no nobler domain"
ut hath a peaceful look" I an
swered, still struggling with the men,
ory. Can it be true the savages hold
the valley?"
"All too true-see, yonder, where the
smoke still shows, dwelt the Kaskas-
kias. Not a lodge is left, and the bod
les of their dead strew the ground.
Along those meadows three weeks
since there were the happy villages Of
twelve tribes of peaceful Indians; to-
day those who yet live are fleeing for
their lives"
"And this fort. monsieurT
safe enough, l think, although no
one of us can venture ten yards be-
yond the gate. The Rock protects US,
madame, yet we are greatly outnum-
bered, and with no ammunition to
waste. Twas the surprise of the raid
which left us thus helpless. Could we
have been given time to gather our
friendly Indians together. the story
would be different"
'They are not towards, then"
Not with proper leadership. We
have seen them fight often since we
invaded this land. 'Tis my thought
many Of them are hiding now beyond
those hills, and may find some way to
reach US. l suspected such an effort
last night, when sent out the rescue
party which brought you in. All, that
reminds me, madame; you sent for
meT
"Yes. NJ. de Tonty. l can speak to
you frankly7 You are the friend of
Sieur d'Ardgny"
Faith. l hope l am, madame, but
know not what has got into the lad
he will tell me nothing"
II suspected as much, monsieur. 1t
was for that reason l have sent for
you. He has not even told you the
story of our journey?"
"Ay, as brief as q military report
not a fact l could not have guessed.
There Is a secret here, which l have
not discovered. Why is NJ. Cassion so
wild for the lads blood, and how came
there to be trouble between Rene and
the furtrader? Bah! l know the lad
is no murderer, but no one will tell
me the facts"
''Then will, monsieur" said
gravely. at was because Of my be-
lief that Sleur dArtigny would re-
fuse explanation that l sent for you
The truth need not be concealed; not
from you, at least, the commander of
Fort st. Louis"
Pardon, madame, but l am not that
La Sale left me in command with less
than dozen men. De Baugis came
later, under commission from La Barre
but he also had but a handful of fol.
lowers. To save quarrel we agreed to
divide authority, and so got along fair.
ly well, until NJ. Cassion arrived with
his party. Then the odds were alto
gether on the other side, and De Bau.
gis assumed command by sheer force
Of rifles. Twas La Salle's wish that
no resistance be made, but, faith, with
the Indians scattered, | had no power
This morning things have taken a new
phase. An hour aCo NJ. Cassion as
sumed command Of the garrison by
virtue Of commission he produced
from the Governor la Barre, naming
him major of infantry. This gives him
rank above Captain de Baugts and
besides. he bore a letter authorizing
him to take command of all French
troops in this valley, If, In his judg
nent. circumstances rendered it nee
essary. No doubt he deemed this the
proper occasion"
ITO assure the conviction and death
Of D'Artigny?" asked. as he paused
| THAT is your meaning. monsieur?"