The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1917-03-08

luIl leHSlu OF Ills cneek. yet ne spoke
French fairly well, and someone said
that he had three times made journey
to Mackinac, and knew the water
ways. There were "a 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 a heavily built, stocky man,
but the others were rather understood.
and Of little spirit. The same thought
must have been in the minds Of 9th
ers, for the expression on Monsieur
Cassion's face was not pleasant as he
stared about.
"Chevet," he exclaimed disgustedly,
did ever you see a worse selection for
wilderness travel than La Barre has
given us? Cast your eyes down the
line yonder; by my faith. there is not
a real man among Them"
Chevet, who had been growing to
himself, with scarce a thought other
CIdI llt lOOu Dc1OIt LllJ, lIlltu Ills
eyes and looked.
y worse than all the scum. De
Baugis had no better with him, and La
Sale led a gang of o%utcasts. With
right leadership you can make them
do mems work. It's 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 | wish
advice | 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
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?"
Yes, up the Ottawa
81 suppose so, although that boy
yonder could lead you a shorter pas
sage"
How learned you that?'
by talking with him in Quebec.
He even sketched me a map Of the
route he Travelled with La Sale. You
knew it not?'
Twas Of no moment, for my or
ders bid mt 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
frowning, 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
missaire's voice.
1--WE will reload the canoes here for
the long voyage" be said brusquely.
1.-THE sergeant will have charge Of
that, but both of you will be in the
leading boat, and will keep well in
advance Of the others. Our course is
by way Of the Ottawa. You know
that stream, Altudah?'
The Indian bowed his head gravely
and extended one hand beneath the
scarlet fold Of his blanket.
Five time, monsieur"
How far to the west, chief?"
'To place call Green Bay"
Cassion turned his eyes on D'Arti-
gny, a slight sheer curling his lips.
"And your" he asked coldly.
But n journey, monsieur, along
the Ottawa and the lakes was the
quiet answer, and that three years
ago., yet | scarce think I would 90
astray. IT'S not a curse easily for
gotten"
And beyond Green Bay"
81 have been to the mouth Of the
great river"
"You!" in surprise. Were you Of
that party?'
Yes, monsieur
and you actually reached the sea
the salt water?"
YES, monsieur"
saint Anne! l never half believed
the tale true, nor do l think Overmuch
of your word for it. But let that go.
Chevet here tells me you know a
shorter journey to the Illinois?'
"NOt by canoe. monsieur. l fol-
lowed Sieur de la 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 BayY"
"Along the west shore, monsieur;
1t is dangerous only by reason OF
storms"
"And the distance"
"From st. ~Ignace"
GAY! from st. Ignace! What dis
lance lies between there and this Fort
! st. Louis ON the IllinoisT"