, reached out his other
hand, and lifted me to my feet.

"Perchance," he said coolly, "if I were a stickler for etiquette, I
might ask you first for some explanation of this attack. However, we
have made some heads ring, so I waive that privilege. I am the Sieur
de Artigny, a lieutenant of La Salle's."

"_Mon Dieu!_" the other stepped forward, his hand outstretched. "'Tis
no unknown name to me, although we have never before met by some
chance--I am Francois de la Forest."

"La Forest! You were in France three months ago."

"Aye; I was there when Sieur de la Salle landed. He told me the whole
tale. I was with him when he had audience with Louis. I am here now
bearing the orders of the King, countersigned by La Barre at Quebec,
restoring De Tonty to command at Fort St. Louis, and bidding De Baugis
and that fool Cassion return to New France."

De Artigny crushed the man's hand in both his own, dropping the rifle
barrel to the ground. His voice trembled as he made answer.

"He won the King's favor? he convinced Louis?"

"No doubt of that--never saw I a greater miracle."

"And the Sieur de la Salle--has he returned?"

"Nay; he remains in France, to fit out an expedition to sail for the
mouth of the Great River. He hath special commission from the King. To
me was given the honor of bearing his message. Ah! but La Barre raved
like a mad bull when I handed him the King's order. I thought he would
burst a blood vessel, and give us a new governor. But no such luck.
Pah! I stood there, struggling to keep a straight face, for he had no
choice but obey. 'Twas a hard dose to swallow, but there was Louis'
orders in his own hand, all duly sealed; and a command that I be
dispatched hither with the message."

"How made you the journey in so short a time?"

"Overland from Detroit, the same trail you traveled with La Salle;
'tis much the shorter."

"Alone?"

"With two _courier de bois_; they are with me now. But what is this De
Artigny you have with you--a woman?"

CHAPTER XXXIII

WARRIORS OF THE ILLINI

"Yes, M. de la Forest," I said, stepping forward to save Rene from a
question which would embarrass him. "I am the daughter of Captain
la Chesnayne, whom the Sieur de Artigny hath taken under his
protection."

"La Chesnayne's daughter! Ah, I heard the story told in Quebec--'twas
La Barre's aid who gave me the facts with many a chuckle as though he
held it an excellent joke. But why are you here, Madame? Is no