Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1916-09-07

mo, madame" and he turned fac
ing me, his c~ountenance a pleasant
one. 81 am not a soldier at all. but l
serve NJ. de Tonty."
"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" l
fastened to say, believing l understood
his meaning. while it is true l 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"
"You have served with D'Artigny?
You know him well?"
Three years, madame; twice he
saved my life on the great river. M.
de Tonty shall receive your message"
l could not eat, although l made the
endeavor, and finally crossed to the
window, opened the heavy wooden
shutters, and gazed without. What q
marvellous scene that was! Never be-
fore had my eyes looked upon so fair
q 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 l had to lean far out to see
the silvery waters tapping the base
of the precipice, but, a little beyond,
the full width of the noble stream
became visible, decked with islands,
and winding here and there between
green-clad banks, until it disappeared
in the far distance.
had neglected to bar the door, and
as l stood there gazing in GREATNESS
fascination, a sudden step on the floor
caused me to turn in alarm. My eyes
encountered those Of De Tonty, who
stood hat in hand.
otis a fair view, madame" he said
politely. "In all my travels l have
seen no nobler domain"
ut hath a peaceful look" l an,
swered, still struggling with the mem.
DRY. "Can it be true the savages hold
the valley?"
"All too true-see, yonder, where the
smoke still shows, dweIt 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 o
twelve tribes of peaceful Indians; to
| day those who yet live are fleeing fol
their lives"
"And this fort. monsieur?"
Safe enough, I think, although M
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 tt
waste. Twas the surprise Of the rait
which left lis thus helpless. Could VIZ
have been given time to gather oul
friendly Indians together, the story
would be different"
'"They are not towards, them"
"Not with proper leadership. W,
have seen them fight often since WI
invaded this land. TITS my though
many of them are hiding now beyont
those hills, and may find some way Il
reach US. l suspected such an effor
last night, when sent out the rescu'
party which brought you in. All, tina
reminds me, madame; you sent TO
me?"
yes, NJ. de Tonty. l can speak t
you frankly? You are the friend 0
Sieur d'Artigny"
Faith, l hope l am, madame, bu
I know not what has got into the lad
he will tell me nothing"
81 suspected as much, monsieur.
was for that reason l have sent 70
you. He has not even told you tn
story of our Journey"
"Ay, as brief as a military report
not a fact l could not have guessed
There is a secret here, which I hav
not discovered. Why is NJ. Cassion S
wild for the lads blood, and how can
there to be trouble between Rene an
the furtrader? Bah! l know the Ia
is no murderer, but no one will tie
me the facts"
"Then | will, monsieur" | sal
gravely. at was because of my b.
lief that Sieur d'Artigny would n
fuse explanation that | sent for yor
The truth need not be concealed; NJ
from you, at least, the commander {
Fort st. Louis"
Pardon, madame, but | am not tina
La Sale left me in command with les
than a dozen men. De Baugis can
later, under commission from La Barr
but he also had but a handful of 70
lowers. To ave quarrel we agreed
divide authority, and so got along fai
ly well, until NJ. Cassion arrived wit
his party. Then the odds were alt
gether on the other side. and De Ba'
gis assumed command by sheer for
of rifles. Twas La Sales wish TIL
no resistance be made. but, faith, vii
the Indians scattered. | had no powe
This morning things have taken a ne
. phase. An hour ago NJ. Cassion a
sumed command of the garrison |
virtue Of d commission he produce
from the Governor la Barre. namir
49,.
T" him major Of infantry. This gives hi
| rank above Captain de Baugis, an
besides, he bore a letter authorizil
him to take command Of all Fren,
+ troops in this valley, II, in his jud
| ment, circumstances rendered 1t ne
| essary. No doubt he deemed this L
/ proper occasion"
"To assure the conviction and dea
OF D'Artigny" I asked, as he pause
THAT is your meaning. monsieurf"
n 81 cannot see II otherwise" he O
swered slowly, although I hesitate
make so grave a charge In your pr,