Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1916-07-06
3v RANDALL PARRISH

do mems work. Ills no kid-glove job
you have, Monsieur Cassion."
The insulting Indifference of the old
fur traders tone surprised the COM
missaire, and he exhibited resentment.
"You are overly free with your COM
ments, Hugo Chevet. When l wish
advice l will ask It."
"And In the woods ! do not always
wait to be asked" returned the older
man, lighting his pipe, and calmly
putting out the blue smoke. Though
it is likely enough you will be asking
for it before you journey many
7 leagues further"
"YOu are under my orders"
$50 La Barre said, but the only duty
he gave me was to watch over Adele
here. He put no shackle on my tongue.
| You have chosen your course?"
eyes, up the Ottawa"
II suppose so, although that boy
yonder could lead you a shorter pas
| sage"
Glow learned you that?"
"By talking with him in Quebec.
He even sketched me q map of the
route he Travelled with La Sale. You
knew it not?"
"'Twas of no moment, for my or
ders bid me go by st. Ignace. Yet it
might be well to question him and
| the chief also" He turned to the
nearest soldier Tell the Algonquin,
Altudah, to come here, and Sieur
d'Artigny."
They approached together, two speci-
mems Of the frontier as different as
could be pictured, and stood silent,
fronting Cassion, who looked at them
frownlng, and in no pleasant humor
The eyes of the younger man sought
my face for an instant, and the swift
glance gave harsher note to the COM
missaires voice.
eve will reload the canoes here for
the long voyage" he said brusquely.
1.-THE sergeant will have charge Of
that, but both of you will be in the
leading boat, and will keep we'll in
advance of the others. Our course is
by way of the Ottawa. You know
that stream, Altudahp
The Indian bowed his head gravely
and extended one hand beneath the
scarlet fold Of his blanket.
Give time, monsieur"
| "How far to the west, chief?"
ITO place call Green Bay"
Cassion turned his eyes on D'Arti-
gny, slight sneer curling his lips.
"And your he asked coldly.
|
the Ottawa and the lakes" was the
quiet answer, "and that three years
ago, yet 1 scarce think 1 would go
astray. IT'S not a course easily for
gotten"
"And beyond Green Bay?"
81 have been to the mouth of the
great river"
your in surprise. "Were you of
that party"
Eyes, monsieur"
"And you actually reached the sea-
the salt water?"
Eyes, monsieur"
"Salnt Anne! 1 never half believed
of your word for it. But let that go.
Chevet here tells me you know a
shorter journey to the Illinols?"
"Not by canoe, monsieur. I fol-
lowed Sieur de Ia Sale by forest trail
to the straits, and planned to return
that way, but tits a foot journey"
"What will be your course from
Green Bay?"
"Along the west shore, monsieur
it is dangerous only by reason OF
storms"
"And the distance"
"From st. Ignace"
cay! from st. IgnaceI What dis
lance lies between there and this Fort
st. Louis on the Illinois?'
"'Twill be but venture, monsieur
but think It's held at hundred and
fifty leagues"
"Of wiiderness?"
"When passed that way-yes; they
tell me now the Jesuits have mission
station at Green Bay, and there may
be fur traders in Indian villages be
yond."
mo chance to procure supplies?"
"Only scant ratlons of corn from
the Indians"
'Your report is in accordance will
my instructions and maps, and nc
doubt is correct. That will be all
Take two more men in your boat ant
depart at once. We shall follow Inn
mediately."
CHAPTER VIII.