heir 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. Yet I can
hardly say that, for once he glanced up, and our eyes met, and
possibly he would have joined me, but for the sudden appearance of
Cassion, who swore at the delay, and ordered me back to where the tent
had been hastily erected. I noticed De Artigny straighten up, angered
that Cassion dared speak to me so harshly, but I had no wish then to
precipitate an open quarrel between the two men, and so departed
quickly. Later, Father Allouez told me that in the overturning of the
canoe the young Sieur had saved the life of the Algonquin Chief,
bringing him ashore unconscious, helpless from a broken shoulder.

This accident to Altudah led to the transferring of the injured Indian
to our canoe, and caused Cassion to join De Artigny in advance. This
change relieved me of the constant presence of the Commissaire, who
wearied me with his ceaseless efforts to entertain, but rendered more
difficult than ever my desire to speak privately with the younger man.
The _pere_ evidently had commands to keep me ever in view, for he
clung to me like a shadow, and scarcely for a moment did I feel myself
alone, or unwatched.

It was five days later, and in the heart of all that was desolate and
drear, when this long sought opportunity came in most unexpected
fashion. We had made camp early, because of rough water ahead, the
passage of which it was not deemed best to attempt without careful
exploration. So, while the three heavily laden canoes drew up against
the bank, and prepared to spend the night, the leading canoe was
stripped, and sent forward, manned only with the most expert of the
Indian paddlers to make sure the perils of the current. From the low
bank to which I had climbed I watched the preparations for the dash
through those madly churning waters above. Cassion was issuing his
orders loudly, but exhibited no inclination to accompany the party,
and suddenly the frail craft shot out from the shore, with De Artigny
at the steering paddle, and every Indian braced for his task, and
headed boldly into the smother. They vanished as though swallowed by
the mist, Cassion, and a half dozen soldiers racing along the shore
line in an effort to keep abrea