ou will be asking for it before you
journey many leagues further."

"You are under my orders."

"So La Barre said, but the only duty he gave me was to watch over
Adele here. He put no shackle on my tongue. You have chosen your
course?"

"Yes, up the Ottawa."

"I supposed so, although that boy yonder could lead you a shorter
passage."

"How learned you that?"

"By talking with him in Quebec. He even sketched me a map of the route
he traveled with La Salle. You knew it not?"

"'Twas of no moment, for my orders bid me go by St. Ignace. Yet it
might be well to question him and the chief also." He turned to the
nearest soldier. "Tell the Algonquin, Altudah, to come here, and Sieur
de Artigny."

They approached together, two specimens of the frontier as different
as could be pictured, and stood silent, fronting Cassion who looked at
them frowning, and in no pleasant humor. The eyes of the younger man
sought my face for an instant, and the swift glance gave harsher note
to the Commissaire's voice.

"We will reload the canoes here for the long voyage," he said
brusquely. "The sergeant will have charge of that, but both of you
will be in the leading boat, and will keep well in advance of the
others. Our course is by way of the Ottawa. You know that stream,
Altudah?"

The Indian bowed his head gravely, and extended one hand beneath the
scarlet fold of his blanket.

"Five time, Monsieur."

"How far to the west, Chief?"

"To place call Green Bay."

Cassion turned his eyes on De Artigny, a slight sneer curling his
lips.

"And you?" he asked coldly.

"But one journey, Monsieur, along the Ottawa and the lakes," was the
quiet answer, "and that three years ago, yet I scarce think I would go
astray. 'Tis not a course easily forgotten."

"And beyond Green Bay?"

"I have been to the mouth of the Great River."

"You!" in surprise. "Were you of that party?"

"Yes, Monsieur."

"And you actually reached the sea--the salt water?"

"Yes, Monsieur."

"Saint Anne! I never half believed the tale true, nor do I think
overmuch of your word for it. But let that go. Chevet here tells me
you know a shorter journey to the Illinois?"

"Not by canoe, Monsieur. I followed Sieur de la Salle by forest trail
to the Straits, and planned to return that way, but 'tis a foot
journey."

"Not fitted for such a party as this?"

"Only as you trust to your rifles for food, bearing what packs we
might on our backs. With the lady t