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Tonty camped and waited for him, fired guns, called, and searched; but he was gone all night and until the next afternoon. The stars were blotted overhead, for a powder of snow thickened the air, weirdly illuminating naked trees in the darkness, but shutting in his vision. It was past midnight when he came in this blind circle once more to the banks of the St.

My eyes encountered those of De Tonty, who stood hat in hand. "Tis a fair view, Madame," he said politely. "In all my travels I have seen no nobler domain." "It hath a peaceful look," I answered, still struggling with the memory. "Can it be true the savages hold the valley?" "All too true see, yonder, where the smoke still shows, dwelt the Kaskaskias.

"I am not a soldier at all, but I serve M. de Tonty." "Ah, I am glad of that. You will bear to your master a message?" "Perhaps, Madame," his tone somewhat doubtful. "You are the wife of Monsieur Cassion?" "Do not hesitate because of that," I hastened to say, believing I understood his meaning.

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 am sure of that," he said gallantly, "and so think it best to return while the night conceals my movements. There will be hot words when M. Cassion discovers your escape, and my chief may need my sword beside him, if it comes to blows. Is my decision to return right, Rene?" "Ay, right; would that I might be with you. But what plan did M. de Tonty outline for me to follow?"

"Yes, lad; there is small use for me yonder. You are not seriously struck?" "I bleed freely, but the thrust was in the shoulder. I could stand, I think, with your aid." On his feet he leaned heavily on us both, yet would not be led away, until La Forest joined us. He held in his hand some papers, yet neither of us questioned him. "Monsieur de Tonty," he said, "I would have private word with you."

The chiefs house contained an audience room forty feet square; and there he received Tonty in State, surrounded by sixty old men clothed in white cloaks. There was a temple in the town, with a mud wall about it ornamented with skulls of enemies sacrificed to the sun.

He was officer of La Salle, friend of De Tonty, and through his conviction they could strike at the men they both hated and feared. More, they realized also that such action would please La Barre. Whatever else had been accomplished by my exhibit of the governor's letter, it had clearly shown De Baugis that his master desired the overthrow of the young explorer.

'Tis little use for us to quarrel, M. Cassion the order is genuine." "Mon Dieu, I care not for such an order; it does not supersede my commission; I outrank this De Tonty." "Hush, do not play the fool." "Better the fool than the coward." "Wait," said La Forest sharply, "the matter is not ended. You are Francois Cassion, of Quebec?" "Major of Infantry, Commissaire of the Governor La Barre."

The interview was very friendly; and the chief returned well pleased with the gifts which his entertainer bestowed on him, and which, indeed, had been the principal motive of his visit. On the next morning, as they descended the river, they saw a wooden canoe full of Indians; and Tonty gave chase.