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"With every throb of my heart," he said solemnly. "It is my love which makes me dread lest you regret." "That will never be, Monsieur; I am of the frontier, and do not fear the woods. Ah! he has reached the rock safely 'tis the signal." De Artigny drew up the cord, testing it to make sure the strands held firm, and made careful noose, into which he slipped my foot. "Now, Adele, you are ready?"
I believe the man to be innocent; in my heart there is no doubt, yet there is so little to be proven." "Cassion speaks bitterly; he is an enemy." "Monsieur Cassion is my husband," I said regretfully. "Your pardon, Madame. Ah, I understand it all now. You were supposed to have been drowned in the great lake, but were saved by De Artigny.
'Tis called the Des Plaines, and leads into the Illinois. De Artigny says it is two miles inland, across a flat country. 'Twas Père Marquette who passed this way first, but since then many have traversed it. 'Tis like to take us two days to make the portage." "And way up here is Port du Morts, where we crossed the opening into Green Bay, and we have come since all this distance.
De Artigny did not answer at once, his eyes looking out on the white crested waters of the lake. "No, Madame," he said at length gravely. "The last time Chevet was seen alive, so far as I now know, was when he left the boats in company with Monsieur Cassion to return to the Mission House." "At dusk?" "It was already quite dark."
I looked up in surprise, scarce comprehending the unexpected outburst. "You mean the Sieur de Artigny?" "Ay! Don't play with me! I mean Louis de Artigny's brat. Bah! he may fool Cassion with his soft words, but not Hugo Chevet. I know the lot of them this many year, and no ward of mine will have aught to do with the brood, either young or old. You hear that, Adele!
All their fear now was centered upon me, and my possible influence. If I could be kept from any further communication with either De Artigny, or De Tonty, it was scarcely probable that any of the garrison would make serious effort to interfere with their plans. De Tonty's apparent indifference, and his sudden friendliness with De Baugis and Cassion, did not worry me greatly.
It was a wearisome tramp over the rough ground, for while De Artigny found passage through the hollows wherever possible, yet we were obliged to climb many hills, and once to pick our way cautiously through a sickly swamp, springing from hummock to hummock to keep from sinking deep in slimy ooze.
Monsieur you must make your meaning more clear." "Mon Dieu, is it not clear already? Then I will make it so. You are my wife by law of Holy Church. Never have you loved me, yet I can pass that by, if you grant me a husband's right. This De Artigny has come between us, and now his life is in my hands.
However, the experiment gave me education, and led to comradeship with those above me in station discipline in the wilderness is not rigid. Many a night at the campfire have I talked with my captain. And I have heard before of this Sieur de Artigny, and of how loyally he has served M. de la Salle. Monsieur de Tonty told the tale to M. de la Durantaye, mayhap a month ago, and I overheard.
"'Twas my thought that it be brought for your use; and if Monsieur de Artigny will consent to stand aside, it will give me pleasure to escort you thither." The younger man's eyes glanced from the other's face into mine, as though seeking reassurance. His hat was instantly in his hand, and he stepped backward, bowing low.
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