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What light there was flickered over naked bodies, and revealed savage eyes gleaming from out masses of black hair. De Artigny stepped forward on the exposed root of a tree to where he could see his dusky followers, and La Forest climbed the bank, and joined him. A moment the two men conferred, turning about to question Sequitah. As they separated I could distinguish De Artigny's final words.
Boisrondet stepped back, and, hat in hand, bowed to me. "Adieu, Madame; a pleasant journey." "A moment, Monsieur," I said, a falter in my voice. "You are M. de Artigny's friend, an officer of France, and a Catholic." "Yes, Madame." "And you think that I am right in my choice? that I am doing naught unworthy of my womanhood?"
There is one man here who can turn the trick. He is De Artigny's comrade and friend. Already he has outlined a plan to me, but I gave no encouragement. Yet, now, that I know the truth, I shall not oppose. Have you courage, Madame, to give him your assistance? 'Tis like to be a desperate venture." I drew a deep breath, but with no sense of fear. "Yes, Monsieur. Who is the man I am to trust?"
"'Twill do no harm," returned De Artigny, still clasping my hand. "There is time yet before we make our venture." He disappeared in the shadows, leaving us alone, and I glanced aside at De Artigny's face, my heart beating fiercely. "You did not like to hear me speak as I did?" he questioned quietly. "No," I answered honestly, "the thought startled me.
I glanced at De Tonty, who yet stood with hand on De Artigny's shoulder, a little cordon of his own men gathered closely about them. My eyes encountered those of the younger officer. As I turned away I found myself confronted by Cassion. The very sight of his face brought me instant decision, and I spoke my acceptance before he could utter the words trembling on his lips.
I looked at the soldier, and his eyes were grave and honest. "Yes," I answered, "it can do no harm." De Artigny's hand was still on my shoulder, but his glance did not seek my face. "There is some low trick here, Barbeau," he began soberly, "but the details are not clear. Madame has trusted me as a friend, and confided all she knows, and I will tell the facts to you as I understand them.
I cared not what had occurred; I had De Artigny's head in my arms, and his eyes opened and smiled up at me full of courage. "You are badly hurt?" "No, I think not; the thrust was too high. Lift me, and I breathe better. The man must have been mad." "Surely yes, Monsieur; think you he had hope of escape?" "'Tis likely he thought only of revenge. Ah, you are here also, De Tonty."
We may have proceeded for half a league, when a fog swept in toward the land enveloping us in its folds, although we were close enough to the shore so as to keep safely together, the word being passed back down the line, and as we drew nearer I became aware that De Artigny's boat had turned about, and he was endeavoring to induce Cassion to go ashore and make camp before the storm broke.
"It is late, and we must not linger here," he insisted, touching De Artigny's sleeve. "The guard may discover your absence, Rene, before we get beyond the stockade. Come, we must move quickly." "Ay, and with more than ever to give us courage, Francois. Yet how can we get Madame safely over the logs?" "She must venture the same as we. Follow me closely, and tread with care."
Ignace, the night Hugo Chevet was killed. Tell it in your own words, Madame." As I began my voice trembled, and I was obliged to grip the arms of the chair to keep myself firm. There was a mist before my eyes, and I saw only De Artigny's face, as he leaned forward eagerly listening.
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