Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1916-09-26

westward, and | 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 1t disappeared
in the far distance.
had neglected to bar the door and
as 1 stood there gazing in breathless
fascination. a sudden step on the floor
caused me to turn in alarm. NV ewes
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"
1T hath peaceful look" / an
swered, still struggling with the men,
DRY. "Can it be true the savages hold
the valley?"
"All too true-see. yonder where the
smoke still shows, dwelt the Kaskas-
l.,
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. monsieur?"
"Safe enough, I 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. IT'S 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 l sent out the rescue
party which brought you in. All, that
! reminds me, madame; you sent for
me?"
Eyes, NJ. de Tonty. can speak to
you frankly? You are the friend of
Sieur d'ArtignyT'
Faith, / hope I am, madame, but
1 know not what has got into the lad
he will tell me nothing"
81 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 a military report
not fact l could not have guessed.
There is a secret here, which | 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? Bahl l know the lad
is no murderer, but no one will tell
me the facts"
'"Then 1 will. monsieur" said
gravely. at was because of my be-
| lief that Sieur d'Artigny would re-
fuse explanation that sent for you.
| The truth need not be concealed; not
from yor. at least, the commander of
Fort st: Louis"
Pardon, madame, but am not that.
La Sale left me in command with less
| than a dozen men. De Baugis came
| later, under commission from La Barre,
but he also had but handful of fol-
lowers. To save quarrel we agreed to
divide authority, and so got along fair
| ly well, until M. 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, l had no power.
This morning things have taken new
phase. An hour ago NJ. Cassion as
Sumed command of the garrison by
| virtue of a commission he produced
| from the Governor la Barre, naming
him major of infantry. This gives him
rank above Captain de Baugis, and.
| besides, he bore a letter authorizing
him to take command Of all French
troops in this valley, If, in his judg-
ment, circumstances rendered 1t nee
essary. No doubt he deemed this the
proper occasion"
"To assure the conviction and death
of D'Artigny?" I asked, as he paused.
THAT is your meaning, monsieurT
81 cannot see it otherwise" he an
swered slowly, although / hesitate u
make so grave charge in your pres
ence, madame. Our situation here Is
scarcely grave enough to warrant his
action, for the fort is In no serious
danger from the Iroquos. De Baugis,
while no friend of mine. Is still fair
minded man, and merciful. He cannot
be made a tool for any purpose of re-
venge. This truth Major Cassion has
doubtless learned. and hence assumes
command himself to carry out his
| plans"
| looked into the soldiers dark,
clear-cut face, feeling a confidence In
him which impelled me to hold out my
hand.
M de Tonty," i said, determined
now to address him in all frankness.
1T is true that 1 am legally the wife
of this man of whom you speak, but
this only enables me to know his mo-
! tives better. This condemnation Of
Sieur d'Artigny is not his plan alone;
it was born in the brain of La Barre,
and Cassion merely executes his or
ders. l have here the written instruc-
tons under which he operates"
I held out to him the page from La
Rarre'S letter.