realize yet
that this Fort St. Louis occupied the summit of a great rock,
protected on three sides by precipices, towering high above the river.
Sharpened palisades of logs surrounded us on every side, with low log
houses built against them, on the roofs of which riflemen could stand
in safety to guard the valley below.

The central space was open except for two small buildings, one from
its shape a chapel, and the other, as I learned later, the guardhouse.
A fire blazed at the farther end of the enclosure, with a number of
men lounging about it, and illumined the front of a more pretentious
building, which apparently extended across that entire end. This
building, having the appearance of a barrack, exhibited numerous doors
and windows, with a narrow porch in front, on which I perceived a
group of men.

As we approached more closely, De Tonty walking between De Artigny and
myself, a soldier ran up the steps, and made some report. Instantly
the group broke, and two men strode past the fire, and met us. One was
a tall, imposing figure in dragoon uniform, a sword at his thigh, his
face full bearded; the other whom I recognized instantly with a swift
intake of breath, was Monsieur Cassion. He was a stride in advance,
his eyes searching me out in the dim light, his face flushed from
excitement.

"_Mon Dieu_! what is this I hear," he exclaimed, staring at the three
of us as though doubting the evidence of his own eyes. "My wife alive?
Ay, by my faith, it is indeed Adele." He grasped me by the arm, but
even at that instant his glance fell upon De Artigny, and his manner
changed.

"Saint Anne! and what means this! So 'tis with this rogue you have
been wandering the wilderness!"

He tugged at his sword, but the dragoon caught his arm.

"Nay, wait, Cassion. 'Twill be best to learn the truth before
resorting to blows. Perchance Monsieur Tonty can explain clearly what
has happened."

"It is explained already," answered the Italian, and he took a step
forward as though to protect us. "These two, with a soldier of M. de
la Durantaye, endeavored to reach the fort, and were attacked by
Iroquois. We dispatched men to their rescue, and have all now safe
within the palisades. What more would you learn, Messieurs?"

Cassion pressed forward, and fronted him, angered beyond control.

"We know all that," he roared savagely. "But I would learn why they
hid themselves from me. Ay, Madame, but I will make you talk when once
we are