Middletown transcript., 1916-08-05

an actor playing a part assigned him
by the governor; while you and | do
the same. Listen, Monsieur Chevet,
the property at st. Thomas Is mine by
legal right, and 1t was to gain pos
session that this wretch sought my
hand"
Your legal right?'
cay, restored by the king in special
order"
ut ls not true; had the records
searched by a lawyer, Monsieur eau
tier of st. Anne"
l gave gesture Of Indignation.
"a country advocate at whom those
in authority would laugh. tell you
what l say is true: the land was re-
stored, and the fact is known to La
Barre and to CassiOn. 1t is this fact
which has caused all our troubles.
overheard talk last night between the
governor and his aide-de-camp, Colonel
Delguard-yOu know him?"
Chevet nodded, his interest stirred.
''They thought themselves alone.
and were laughing at the success Of
their trick. was hidden behind the
heavy curtains at the window. and
every word they spoke reached my
ears. Then they sent for CassiOn."
"But where is the paper?"
II did not learn: they Lave it hidden,
no doubt, awaiting the proper time
to produce it. But there Is such a
document: La Barre explained that
clearly. and the reason why he wished
CassiOn to marry me. They were all
three talking when an accident hap
pened, which led to my discovery"
"Ah! and so that was what hurried
the wedding. and sent me on this wild
wilderness chase. They would bury
me I'm the wOods-sacre!-"
"Hush nOw-Cassion has left the
canoe already. and we can talk Of this
later. Let US seem to suspect moth
ing"
This was the first meal Of many
eaten together along the river bank
in the course OF our long journey. yet
the recollection of that scene rises
before my memory now with peculiar
vlvidneSs. CaSSion had divided us into
groups. and. from where had found
resting place. with small fat rock
for table. was enabled to see the
others scattered to the edge OF the
bank, and thus learned for the first
time the character OF those with whom
I was destined to companion OH the
long Journey. There were but four
OF us in that first group. which in
cluded Pere AlIOuez. a silent man.
lingering his cross, and barely touch
ing food. His face under the black
cowV was drawn. and creased ny
strange lines. and his eyes burned
with vagueness. II I had ever dreamed
of him aS one to whom I might turn
for counsel. the thought instantly van
ished as our glances met.
A soldier and two Indians served
us, while their companions. di-'ided
into two groups. were gathered ut the
other extremity of the ridge. the sol
diers under discipline of their own
underOfficers. and the Indians
watched over by Sieur D'Artigny. who
rested. however. slightly apart. his
gaze on the broad river. Never once
while ! observed did he turn and
glance my way. counted the men.
rs | endeavOreil to eat. scarcely heed
ing the few words exchanged by tlIOSe
about me. The Indians numbered ten,
including their, chief, whom CasslOn
called Altuda. Chevet named them aS
AlgOnuuins from the Ottawa. treacll-
erOus raScalS enough. yet with eX-
pert knowledge OF watercraft.
AItudah was tall savage. wrapped
in gauIy blanket. his face rendered
sinister and rcpulSlve By scar the
full length of his cheek. yet he spoke
French fairly well. aud someone said
that he had three times made journey
to Mackinac, and knew the water
ways. There were q soldiers, includ-
ing a sergeant and corporal. OF the
regiment Of Picardy: active fellows
enough, and accustomed to the from
tier. although they gave small evil
dence of discipline. and their uniforms
were In shocking condition. The SER
geant was heavily built. stOcky man.
but the others We're rather unttersized.
and OF little spirit The same Thought
must have been In the minds of 9th
ers, for the expression OIL Monsieur
Cassion's face was not pleasant as he
st lred about.
"Chevet." he exclaimed disgustedly,
did ever you see worse selection for
wilderness travel than E.a Barre has
given us? Cast your eyes down the
line yOnder; by my faith! there Is not
real man among them"
Chevet, who lIad been growing to
with scarce Thought other
than the food before him, lifted bis
eyes and looked.
"No worse than all the scum. lie
Baugis had no better with him. and La
Sale led gang Of OutciStS. With
right leadership you can make them
do mems work. 'Tis no kid-glove job
YOU have, Monsieur CaSSiOn.
The Insulting Indifference OF the Old
fur traders tone surprised the cOnl-
missaire, and he exhibited resentment
''You are overly free with your c"u'-
ments, Hugo Chevet. When wish
advice I will ask it."
"And in the woods I do not always
wait to be asked" returned the older
man, lighting his pipe. and calmly
pulling out the blue smoke. Though
it is likely enough you will be asking
for it before you journey many
leagues further"
"You are under my orders"
$50 La Barre said. hut the only duty
In rnr.n mo runs to Mnf,ii over Adele