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Updated: May 4, 2025
As I paused before the fire, someone rapped at the door. I stood erect, my fingers gripping the pistol which I still retained. Again the raps sounded, clearly enough defined in the night, yet not violent, or threatening. "Who is there?" I asked. "Your husband, my dear Francois Cassion." "But why do you come? It was the pledge of De Baugis that I was to be left here alone."
Chevet is rough of speech, and hard of hand, but he fights in the open; Cassion has a double tongue, and one never knows him." I glanced up into his sobered face. "He is a friend of La Barre." "So 'tis said, and has been chosen by the governor to bear message to De Baugis in the Illinois country. I seek passage in his company." "You! I thought you were of the party of Sieur de la Salle?"
"Far more than with it, especially if I furnish a good substitute. I shall be watched now, every step I take. 'Tis like enough De Baugis will send me challenge, though the danger that Cassion would do so is slight. It is the latter who will have me watched. No, Madame, Boisrondet is the lad who must find a way out for the prisoner; they will never suspicion him, and the boy will enjoy the trick.
I saw him aboard ship, and was bidden to tell you to bide here in patience, and seek no quarrel with De Baugis." "Easy enough to say; but in all truth I need not seek quarrel it comes my way without seeking. De Baugis was not so bad a bit high strung, perhaps, and boastful of his rank, yet not so ill a comrade but there is a newcomer here, a popinjay named Cassion, with whom I cannot abide.
He straightened up as he met De Baugis' eyes, and gave vent to an irritating laugh. "Sacre, 'tis quite melodramatic," he exclaimed harshly. "But of little value else. I acknowledge the letter, M. de Baugis, but it bears no relation to this affair. Perchance it was unhappily worded, so that this woman, eager to save her lover from punishment " De Tonty was on his feet, his sword half drawn.
Yet he is no longer in command at Fort St. Louis; I bring him orders now from Sieur de la Salle bidding him not to interfere with the Governor's lieutenants. 'Tis the Chevalier De Baugis with whom we must reckon." "True, he has control, and men enough, with Cassion's party, to enforce his order.
"No, only that he has been chosen by La Barre to carry special message to the Chevalier de Baugis in the Illinois country. He hath an evil, sneering face, and an insolent manner, even as described to me by the Sieur de Artigny." I caught my breath quickly, and my hand grasp tightened. "The Sieur de Artigny!" I echoed, startled into revealing the truth. "He has been here? has talked with you?"
The three officers came forth together, proceeding directly across toward De Tonty's office, evidently with some purpose in view. No doubt, angered at his words, they sought satisfaction. I watched until they disappeared within the distant doorway, De Baugis the first to enter.
To my inquiry a voice announced food, and I lowered the bar, permitting an orderly to enter bearing a tray, which he deposited on the table. Without speaking he turned to leave the room, but I suddenly felt courage to address him. "You were not of our party," I said gravely. "Are you a soldier of M. de Baugis?" "No, Madame," and he turned facing me, his countenance a pleasant one.
De la Durantaye, with a dozen men to aid, was already busily engaged in seeking the wounded, and I caught sight of De Baugis far down the western slope clambering up, a body of Indians at his heels. Cassion had disappeared; indeed there was not so much as a single guard at the gate when we entered, yet we were greeted instantly by his voice. "'Tis well you return, M. de Tonty," he said loudly.
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