The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1917-04-26

AlCAC 40 y
named Cassion. with whom I cannot
abide. All. but you know the beast,
for you journeyed west IN his com
pany. Sacre. the man charged you
with murder, and I gave him the lie
to his teeth. Not two hours ago we
had our swords out. but now you can
answer for yourself"
D'Artigny hesitated. his eyes meet.
Ing mine.
II fear. Monsieur dc Tonty," he said
finally, "the answer may not be 90
easily made. II It were point of
sword, now. I could laugh at the man.
but he possesses some ugly facts dim
cult to explain"
yet twas not your hand which did
the deed?"
II pledge you my word to that. Yet
this Is no time to talk OF the matter.
have wounds to be looked to, and
would learn first how Barbeau fares.
You know not the lady; but of course
not, or your tongue would never have
spoken 80 freely-Monsieur de Tonty,
Madame Cassion."
He Strengthened up, his eyes on my
face. For an instant he stood mo-
tionless; Their swept the hat from his
head, and bent low.
"Your pardon, madame; we Of the
wilderness become rough Of speech. |
should have known. for a m had
reached me OF your accident. You
owe life, no doubt, to Sieur d%'Artigny."
"Yes, monsieur; he has been my
kind friend"
"He would not be the one I love
else. We know men on this frontier,
Of service by my side" His hand
rested on D'Artigny's shoulder.
"'Twas only natural, then. that I
should resent NJ. Casslon's charge Of
murder"
81 share your faith in the innocence
Of NJ. d'Artigny," I answered firmly
enough. but beyond this assertion I
can say nothing"
NATURALLY not, madame. Yet we
must move along. You can walk,
Rene?"
GAY, my hurts are mostly bruises"
The torches led the way, the dane
ing flames lighting up the scene. There
was hard, packed earth under our feet.
nor did ! realize yet that this Fort st.
Louis occupied the summit OF a great
rock, protected on three sides by preci-
pices, towering high above the river.
Sharpened palisades Of logs surround
ed us on every side, with low log
houses built against them, OF the roofs
Of which rifemen could stand In safe
ty to guard the valley below.
The central space was open except
for two small buildings. one from its
shape a chapel. and the other. as I
learned later, the guardhouse. A fire
blazed at the farther end of the in
closure. with a number Of men lOung-
ing about IT, and illumined the front
OF a more %pretentious building. which
apparently extended across that entire
end. This building, having the ap-
p%earance Of q barrack, exhibited nu-
merous doors and windows, with a
narrow porch in front. on which | per-
ceived a group Of men.
AS we approached more closely, De
Tonty walking between D'Artigny and
myself. a soldier ran up the steps, and
made some report. Instantly the
group broke, and two men strobe past
the fire, and met IL. One was a tall.
imposing figure in Dragon uniform.
q sword at his thigh. his face full
bearded; the other, whom l recognized
Instantly with a quick intake Of
breath. was Monsieur Cassion. He
was a stride In advance. his eyes
searching me out In the dim light, his
face flushed from excitement.
"Mon Dieu! what Is this l hearf' he
exclaimed. staring at the three o. us
as though doubling the evidence Of his
own eyes. my wife alive7 Ay. by
my faith, 1t is indeed Adele" BE
grasped me by the arm. but even at
that instant bis glance fell upon DAT
tigny. and his manner changed.
saint Anne! and what means thisl
So It's with this rogue you have been
wandering in the Wilderness"
He tugged at his sword, but the
dragon caught his arm.
"Nay, wait, Cassion. Twill be best
to learn the truth before ~resorting to
blows. Perchance Monsieur Tonty
can explain clearly what has hap
pened."
ut Is explained already" answered
the Italian. and he took a step for
ward. al though to protect us. These
two, with a soldier Of M. de la Duran
taye, endeavored to reach the fort.
and attacked by Iroquois. We
dispatched men to their rescue, and
have all now safe within the pail
sades. What more would you learn.
messieursT"
Cassion pressed forward, and front
ed him. angered beyond control.
I'VE know all that" he roared saw
agely. "But I would learn why they
hid themselves from me. Ay. madame.
but I will make you talk when once
we are alonel But now I denounce
this man as the murderer Of Hugo
5000