Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1916-07-25

Ahead of us, now sweeping around
the point like wild bird. amid
smother of spray, appeared the advance
canoe. AS it disappeared | could dis
tinguish D'Artigny at the stern. his
coat off, his hands grasping a paddle
Above the point once more and in
smoother water, was aware that be
turned and looked back, shading his
eyes from the sun. | could not but
wonder what he thought, what posi-
bic suspicion had come to him. re-
garding my presence in the company.
In some manner | must keep him
away from Cassion-ay, and from
Chevet-undl opportunity came from
me to first communicate with him.
Insensibly my head rested back
against the pile of blankets, the CLINT
of sunshine along the surface of the
water vanished as my lashes fell, and,
before l knew it, 1 slept soundly l.
awoke with the sun in the western
sky, so low down as to peep at me
through the upper branches of trees
lining the bank. Behind us stretched
space Of straight water. and one
canoe was close, while the second was
barely visible along a curve Of the
shore. Ahead, however, the river ap-
peared vacant, the leading boat hav-
ing vanished around a wooded bend.
My eyes met those of Cassion, and the
sight of him instantly restored me to
recollection of my plan - nothing
could be gained by open warfare. 1
permitted my lips to smile, and noted
instantly the change of expression in
his face.
~ have slept well. monsieur" l
said pleasantly, "for was very tired"
"'Tis the best way on a boat voy-
age" assuming his old manner. "but
now the day is nearly done"
! AS we skirted the extremity of shore
saw the opening in the woods, and
the CLEAN of cheerful fire amid green
grass. The advance canoe swung half
hidden amid the overhanging roots of
a huge pine tree, and the men were
busily at work ashore. AS we nosed
into the bank, our sharp bow was
grasped by waiting Indians and drawn
safely ashore. l reached my feet,
stiffened, and scarcely able to move
my limbs, but determined to land
without aid of Cassion, whose passage
| forward was blocked by Chevets huge
bulk. AS my weight rested ON the
edge of the canoe, D'Artigny swung
down from behind the chief, and ex-
tended his hand.
"a slight spring." he said, "and you
land with dry feet; good! now let me
lift you-so."
l had but the instant; l knew that,
| for l heard Cassion cry out something
just behind me, and, surprised as
was by the sudden appearance of
! D'Artigny, l yet realized the neces-
sity for swift speech.
Monsieur" l whispered. do not
talk, but listen. You would serve
me?"
"Ayw
'Then ask nothing, and above all
do not quarrel with Cassion. will
tell you everything the moment l can
see you safely alone. Until then do
| not seek me. have your word"
He did not answer. for the commits
, saire grasped my arm, and thrust him
| self in between US, his action so swift
that the impact Of his body thrust
| D'Artigny back a step. saw the
| hand of the younger man close on the
| knife hilt at his belt, but was quick
enough to avert the hot words burning
his lips.
"a bit rough, Monsieur Cassion,"
cried, laughing merrily, even as l re-
leased my arm. "Why so much haste?
l was near falling, and it was but
courtesy which led the Sieur d'Arti-
| gny to extend me his hand. 1t does
not please me for you to be ever
seeking a quarrel"
| There must have been that in my
face which cooled him, for his hand
fell, and his thin lips curled into sar-
castle smile.
''If l seemed hasty." he exclaimed.
'it was more because l was blocked
by that boor of Chevet yonder, and
| 1t angered me to have this young
| gamecock ever at hand to push in.
What think you you were employed
| for, fellow-an esquire of danes? Was
there not work enough in the camp
yonder, that you must be testing your
fancy graces every time boat lands 2"
There was no mild look in D'Arti-
gny's eyes as he fronted him, yet he
held his temper, recalling my plea, no
doubt, and FASTENED to step between
1 and furnish him excuse for silence.
Surely you do wrong to blame the
young man, monsieur, as but for his
aid l would have slipped yonder.