himself
a bit better than others, because he bears commission in the King's
Dragoons. 'Tis said that he and De Tonty have had many a stiff quarrel
since he came; but he dare not go too far. There are good men there
ready to draw sword if it ever come to blows--De Tonty, Boisrondet,
L'Espirance, De Marle, and the Algonquins camped on the plain below.
They would be tigers if the Italian spoke the word; while I doubt not
M. de la Durantaye would throw his influence on the side of mercy; he
has small love for the Captain of Dragoons."

I spoke quickly, and before De Artigny could voice decision.

"We will accept your guidance, Monsieur. It is the best choice, and
now the only one, for the time is past when we can expect the return
of the canoes. Can we not at once begin the journey?"

It was an hour later, after we had eaten, that we left the bluff, and
turned westward into the great woods. Barbeau led the way, moving
along the bank of a small stream, and I followed, with De Artigny
close behind. As we had nothing to carry, except the soldier's rifle
and blanket, we made rapid progress, and in less than half an hour, we
came to the Indian trail, which led southward from Green Bay to the
head waters of the Des Plaines. It was so faint and dim, a mere trace
through forest depths, that I would have passed it by unseen, but both
my companions were woodsmen, and there was no sign their trained eyes
overlooked.

Once in the trail, however, there was no difficulty in following it,
although it twisted here and there, in the avoiding of obstacles, ever
seeking the easier route. Barbeau had passed this way before, and
recalled many a land-mark, occasionally turning, and pointing out to
us certain peculiarities he had observed on his journey north. Once he
held us motionless while he crept aside, through an intervening fringe
of trees to the shore of a small lake, coming back with two fine ducks
dangling from his shoulder.

Before dark we halted in a little opening, the grass green underfoot,
and a bank of trees all about, and made night camp. There was water
near at hand, and the fire quickly built gave cheer to the scene, as
the men prepared supper. The adventures of the day had wearied me, and
I was very content to lie on Barbeau's blanket, and watch them work.
While the soldier cooked, De Artigny swiftly erected a shelter of
boughs, within which I was to pass the night. After we had eaten, I
retired at once, yet for a long t