White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1931-02-12
CHAPTER Iv-Continued

CHAPTER IV-Continued
-
Jeems did not go again to Tonteur
manor, though occasionally he heard
news from the seigneurie. Every one
was in high humor there because Of
the activities going on in preparation
for the exit of the entire family for
Quebec early in September. Toinette
was going to school at the convent of
the Ursulfnes. Jeems had feeling Of
loss. 1t was as If the fire Of his
dreams had not only burned itself out,
but even the ash were being cleared
away.
Autumn came, and with 1t great
glory in the wilderness. Jeems loved
these maturer days of golden ripeness,
Of first frosts, OF painted hardwood
forests, and Of crisp, tangy air when
all life seemed rejuvenated and his
own veins danced to the thrill of un-
ending promises and expectations. But
this year heaviness Of heart was in
him with the changing Of the seasons.
bee, and one evening, week later,
Hepsibah gravely announced that he
could no longer delay his departure
for the far frontiers of Pennsylvania
and the Ohio, where his obligations as
trader called him. Catherine was
silent for while, then cried softly to
herself. Jeems drew back where his
uncle would not see him clearly.
Henri's cheerfulness died out like
lighted candle extinguished by a
breath Of wind. Hepsibah's face was
grimly set, 80 hard was he fighting to
hold grip on his emotion. He prom
Used that he would never again remain
away long at time. He would re-
turn during the winter. If he failed to
come, they would know he was dead.
When Henri got out Of his bed to
build the fire the next morning Hep
sibah was gone. He had stolen off
like shadow in some still hour of
the night.
More determinedly than when his
uncle had been with him, Jeems con-
tinued at his work and at the mental
efforts with which he was struggling
to reach out into the mountains and
valleys Of experience ahead of him.
Through the fall and winter the Blu
lain cabin was visited by wandering
Indians who had learned that food,
warmth, and welcome were always
there. Jeems' friendship for them
was tempered by the things Hepsibah
had told him, and while he brought
himself closer into intimacy with these
unlimited guests winning their conf
dence and making himself more eff
cient in their speech, he was also
watching and listening for the signs
of hidden dangers against which his
uncle had repeatedly warned him.
Most Of the Indians were from the
Canada tribes, and among them he
found no cause for unrest, but when
occasionally an Onondaga or an
Oneida came. he detected in their man.
ner a quiet and sleepless caution
which told him these visitors from
the Six Nations considered themselves
over the dead line which marked the
country of their enemies. And he
made note that they always came
through that part Of Forbidden valley
which Hepsibah had predicted would
be future warpath for the Mohawks.
This winter he went farther in his
adventurings. Captain Pipe, the old
Caughnawaga, had habit of spend
ing~several Of the hardest weeks near
the Bulains, and with his two sons,
White Eyes and Big Cat, Jeems tray
eled to the shores of Lake Champlain
for the first time. He was gone q
week and planned with his friends to
make a longer expedition the follow.
ing year, as far as Grown Point and
place called Tlconderoga, where the
French were going to build fort
some day. On this excursion he ex.
perienced the real thrill Of danger, fol-
White Eyes and Big Cat, both OF
whom were young braves who had
won their spurs, moved with caution
which was eloquent in its significance
With Toinette and her people away
from the seigneurie, Jeems had nc
hesitation in going to the Richelieu
and made trips there with his father
on snowshoes; and in March, during 6
break in spell of intense cold, he
went alone and remained overnight II
the house of the barOn's overseer witt
whose young people he had become &C
Quainted. This overseer was Petel
Lubbock, an old veteran for whom
} Tonteur held n warm affection. ant
through his son, Peter the younger
Jeems had his first news Of Toinette
She was at the Ursuline school, ant
her parents had taken fashionabl,