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Updated: June 27, 2025
"Your scouts ventured no further?" questioned De Artigny. "No, 'twas not safe; one man scaled the rock, and reports the Iroquois just beyond." "They hide in covert where I suspected then; but I would see with my own eyes. There is crevice here, as I remember, to give foothold. Ay, here it is, an easy passage enough. Come, La Forest, a glance ahead will make clear my plans."
And so De Tonty said, and he gave Cassion the lie straight in his teeth. I heard their words, and but for De Baugis and De la Durantaye, Francois Cassion would have paid well for his false tongue. Now you can tell him the truth." "I shall do that, but even my word, I fear, will not clear De Artigny of the charge.
With no purpose in my mind but to gain time in which to collect my thought and protect De Artigny from discovery, I made answer, assuming a carelessness of demeanor which I was far from feeling. "Has it been so long, Monsieur?" I returned in apparent surprise. "Why I merely sought a breath of fresh air, and became interested in the scene without."
Come, De Artigny, tell me what you know is the fort one to be defended against Iroquois raiders?" "'Tis strong; built on a high rock, and approachable only at the rear. Given time they might starve the garrison, or drive them mad with thirst, for I doubt if there be men enough there to make sortie against a large war party." "But the Indian allies the Algonquins?"
All I ask of you now, Uncle Chevet, is that you keep on friendly terms with Monsieur Cassion, yet repeat nothing to him of what I have said, and gain me opportunity for speech alone with Sieur de Artigny." "Ah! perhaps I perceive you love the young man?" I grasped his sleeve in my fingers, determined to make this point at least clear to his understanding.
Usually this messenger was an Indian, but once De Artigny himself came, and guided our canoes through a torrent of white, raging water, amid a maze of murderous rocks. During these days and weeks Cassion treated me with consideration and outward respect.
The truth was mine; I felt no inclination to obscure it. The time had come for rejoicing, and action. I loved Rene de Artigny, and, although he had never spoken the word, I knew he loved me. Tomorrow he would be in exile, a wanderer of the woods, an escaped prisoner, under condemnation of death, never again safe within reach of French authority.
I give you honor, and respect, and deem your love and trust far more holy than your marriage. My faith, and my sword are yours, Madame." I felt his lips upon my hand, yet knew not he had gone. I stood there, my eyes blinded with tears at his gallant words, only becoming conscious of his disappearance, when De Artigny drew me to him, his cheek pressed against my hair. "He has gone! we are alone!"
His hatred of De Artigny would be fanned into flame by discovery that we were alone together. He possessed the power, the authority to put this man forever out of his way. To save him there remained but one possible plan he must reach Fort St. Louis, and friends before Cassion could bring him to trial. It was in my power to permit his escape from discovery, mine alone.
"Mon Dieu! what is this I hear," he exclaimed, staring at the three of us as though doubting the evidence of his own eyes. "My wife alive? Ay, by my faith, it is indeed Adele." He grasped me by the arm, but even at that instant his glance fell upon De Artigny, and his manner changed. "Saint Anne! and what means this! So 'tis with this rogue you have been wandering the wilderness!"
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