The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1916-09-29

/ pany had departed before our arrival.
nor did | again obtain glimpse of
D'Artigny for many days.
! would not say that Cassion pur-
posely kept us apart, for the arrange
ment might have been the same had
| not been OF the party, yet the only
communication between the two divi-
slons occurred when some messenger
brought back warning OF dangerous
water ahead. Usually this messenger
was an Indian, but once D'Artigny
himself came and guided our canoes
through a torrent OF white, raging wa
ter, amid a maze of murderous rocks.
During these days and weeks Cassion
treated me with consideration and out
ward respect. Not that he failed TO
talk freely. and TO boast OF his ex-
ploits and adventures, yet he refrained
from laying hand on me, nor did he
once refer to the incident OF the bluff.
Nor was the journey lacking in in
terest or adventure. Never shall |
forget the charm OF those days and
nights, amid which we made slow and
toiisOme passage through the deSOlate
wilderness, ever gaining new leagues
to the westward. Only twice in weeks
did we encounter human beings-once
n camp of Indians on the shore Of a
lake, and once a Capuchin monk. alone
but for n single voyageuT as COM
panion, passed lis upon the river. And
when, at last. we made the long pOr-
tage, trampinC through the dark for
est aisles, bearing on our shoulders
heavy loads, scarcely able to see the
sun even at midday through the leafy
screen OF leaves, and came forth at
twilight on the shores Of the mighty
lake, no words can express the rap
lures with which | stood and gaZed
across that expanse Of heavlng, rest
less water. The men launched their
canoes upon the surface and made
camp in the edge OF the forest, but
| could not move, could not restrain
my eyes, until darkness descended and
left all before me a void.
1t was scarcely more than daybreak
when we broke camp and headed our
canoes out into the lake. With the
dawn, and the CLINT OF sunlight over
the waters, much OF my dread depart
ed, and I could appreciate the wild
song Of delight with which our Indian
paddlers bent to their work. The
sharp-prowed canoes swept through
the waters swiftly, no longer battling
against a current, and the shore line
ever in view was fascinating in its
green foliage. We kept close TO the
northern shore. and soon found pas
sage amid numerous islands, forest
covered. but with high, rocky outlines.
For four days we coasted thus, never
ont Of sight OF shore. and usually with
islands between us and the main body
of water. In all that time we had no
sign of man-not even n wlsp OF
smoke, nor heard the crack OF distant
rifle. About us extended loneliness
and desolation. great waters never
still, vast forests grim and somber,
tall, menacing rocks, bright-colored in
the sun.
As last we left the chain Of islands
behind. and one morning struck out !
from the shore into the waste OF wa
ters. the prows OF the canoes turned /.
westward. the steersman guiding our
course by the sun. For several hours .
we were beyond view Of land with .
naught to rest the eye upon save the .
gray sea, and then. when II was nearly /
night. we reached the shore and |
beached our canoes at st. Ignace.
So much had been said OF st. Ignace, |
and so long had the name been IA
millar throughout New France, that
my first view OF the place brought
me bitter disappointment.
The miserable little village was upon
a point OF land, originally covered with
heavy growth OF forest. A bit OF this
had been rudely cut, the rotting
stumps still standing. and from the
timber a dozen rough log houses had
been constructed facing the lake. A
Few rods back. on slightly higher land.
was a log chapel and a house. some
what more pretentious than the others.
n which the priests lodged. The whole
aspect OF the place was peculiarly
lesolate and depressing. facing that
-ast waste OF water. the black forest
behind. and those rotting
tumps in the foreground.
Nor was our welcome one 10 make
he heart rejoice. Scarce a dozen per-
ons gathered at the beach 10 aid US
n making landing. rough engage
mostly. and not among them all face
amiliar. II was o.hy later. when
wo priests from the mission came
urrying forward. that we were greet
4 by cordial speech. These invited a
ew OF us 10 become guests at the
mission house. and assigned the re- !
nainder Of our party 20 vacant huts. {
Cassion. Chevet and Pere Allouez
ccompanied me as / walked beside a 4
oung priest up the beaten path. but 7
rArtigny was left behind with the Z
'en. overheard Casslon order him
, remain. but he added some word d
! lower voice which brought a flush 7