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He was always gruff and bearish enough when we were alone, seldom speaking, indeed, except to give utterance to some order, but this night he appeared even more morose and silent than his wont, not so much as looking at me as he took seat, and began to eat. No doubt Cassion had brought ill news, or else the appearance of De Artigny had served to arouse all his old animosity toward La Salle.
And I knew instinctively the course the man would pursue. His one thought, his one purpose, would be revenge nothing would satisfy him except the death of De Artigny. Personally I had little to fear; I knew his cowardice, and that he would never venture to use physical force with me. Even if he did I could rely upon the gallantry of De Tonty, and of De Baugis for protection.
'Tis not far to the summit, and no danger. You can see yourself the trail is not steep. Faith! I will go now, just to show that I am at liberty." He laughed, an unpleasant sound to it, yet made no effort to halt me. 'Tis probable he felt safe enough with De Artigny camped above the rapids, and he had learned already that my temper might become dangerous.
If that be crime I answer for it now, or when you will." It was in Cassion's heart to strike. I read the desire in his eyes, in the swift clutch at his sword hilt; but the sarcastic smile on De Tonty's thin lips robbed him of courage. "'Tis best you curb your tongue," he snarled, "or I will have you in the guardhouse with De Artigny. I command now." "So I hear.
The men got ashore, saving the wreck, but lost their store of provisions, and we were a day there making the damaged canoe again serviceable. This delay gave me my only glimpse of De Artigny, still dripping from his involuntary bath, and so busily engaged at repairs, as to be scarcely conscious of my presence on the bank above him.
"That I cannot say; yet the bullet entered behind the ear, for I was first to reach him, and he had no other enemy in the Regiment Carignan-Salliers. The feeling against M. Cassion was so strong that he resigned in a few months. You never heard this?" I could not answer, but stood silent with bowed head. I felt De Artigny place his hand on my shoulder.
I will not remain the wife of Francois Cassion." "Yet you would make him love you?" "In punishment for his sins; in payment for those he has ruined. Ay! 'tis a duty I shall not shrink from, Monsieur de Artigny, even although you may deem it unwomanly. I do not mean it so, nor hold myself immodest for the effort. Why should I? I but war against him with his own weapons, and my cause is just.
The loneliness and peril of our situation had tendency to keep us silent, although De Artigny endeavored to cheer me with kindly speech, and gave Barbeau careful description of the trail leading to the fort gate. If aught happened to him, we were to press on until we attained shelter.
The truth is my thought was principally concerned with De Artigny, and whether he would really gain admission. Still of this I had small doubt, for his was a daring to make light of guards, or any threat of enemies, if desire urged him on. And I had his pledge.
"What, Madame," exclaimed De Tonty, "you here also?" he paused as though in doubt, "and the Sieur de Artigny had he part in this feat of arms?" "A very important part, Monsieur," returned La Forest, staunching a wound on his forehead, yet bowing gallantly to me. "'Twas indeed his plan, and I permitted him command as he knows these Illini Indians better than I." "But does he live, Monsieur?"
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