t my words brought him no comfort was plain enough to be seen, yet
I doubt if it ever occurred to his mind that I simply made sport, and
sought to anger him. It was on his mind to say more, yet he choked the
words back, and sat there in moody silence, scarce glancing at me
again during the long afternoon. But when we finally made landing for
the night, it was plain to be seen that his vigilance was in no wise
relaxed, for, although he avoided me himself, the watchful Jesuit was
ever at my side, no doubt in obedience to his orders. This second
camp, as I recall, was on the shore of Lake St. Peter, in a noble
grove, the broad stretch of waters before us silvered by the sinking
sun. My tent was pitched on a high knoll, and the scene outspread
beneath was one of marvelous beauty. Even the austere pere was moved
to admiration, as he pointed here and there, and conversed with me in
his soft voice. Cassion kept to the men along the bank below, while
Chevet lay motionless beside a fire, smoking steadily.

I had no glimpse of De Artigny, although my eyes sought him among the
others. The chief, Altudah, glided out from among the trees as it grew
dusk, made some report, and as quickly disappeared again, leaving me
to believe the advance party had made camp beyond the curve of the
shore. The priest lingered, and we had our meal together, although it
was not altogether to my liking. Once he endeavored to talk with me on
the sacredness of marriage, the duty of a wife's obedience to her
husband, the stock phrases rolling glibly from his tongue, but my
answers gave him small comfort. That he had been so instructed by
Cassion was in my mind, and he was sufficiently adroit to avoid
antagonizing me by pressing the matter. As we were eating, a party of
fur traders, bound east, came ashore in a small fleet of canoes, and
joined the men below, building their fires slightly up stream. At last
Pere Allouez left me alone, and descended to them, eager to learn the
news from Montreal. Yet, although seemingly I was now left alone, I
had no thought of adventuring in the darkness, as I felt convinced the
watchful priest would never have deserted my side had he not known
that other eyes were keeping vigil.

From that moment I never felt myself alone or unobserved. Cassion in
person did not make himself obnoxious, except that I was always seated
beside him in the boat, subject to his conversation, and attentions.
Ever I had the feeling the man was te