t M.
Cassion in the fort yonder?"

"'Tis a long tale, La Forest," broke in De Artigny, laying his hand on
the other's shoulder, "and will bide a better time for telling. I am a
soldier, and you may trust my word. We are La Salle's men; let it go
at that, for there is graver duty fronting us now than the retelling
of camp gossip. Madame is my friend, and my hand will defend her
reputation. Is that enough, comrade?"

"Ay, enough. My best regards, Madame," and he bowed low before me, his
words ringing true. "Whoever Sieur de la Salle has learned to trust
hath my faith also. You have come from the fort I take it, De Artigny?
How are matters there?"

"Ill enough; the officers at swords' points, and the men divided into
three camps, for where De la Durantaye stands there is no evidence. M.
Cassion holds command by virtue of La Barre's commission, and knows no
more of Indian war than a Quebec storekeeper. The garrison numbers
fifty men all told; two-thirds soldiers, and a poor lot."

"With ammunition, and food?"

"Ample to eat, so far as I know, but Boisrondet tells me with scarce a
dozen rounds per man. The Iroquois are at the gates, and will attack
at daylight."

"You know this?"

"The signs are plain. We passed one party clambering up the cliff--no
less than fifty warriors, naked and painted for war. Tuscaroras,
Madame said from the words she overheard as they slipped past where we
hid. 'Tis not likely they made reconnoissance alone. The fiends have
been a week in this valley, and have swept all clear of our Indian
allies; now they can bring their full force against the fort."

"No doubt you are right."

"'Twas my judgment, at least, and we sought help when we ran into you.
What Indians have you?"

"Illini, mostly, with a handful of Miamis and Kickapoos. We met them
at the crossing, hiding in the hills. They were sadly demoralized, and
filled with horror at what they had seen, yet agreed to return here
under my leadership."

"Who is their chief?"

"Old Sequitah--you know him?"

"Ay, a real warrior. 'Tis better than I dared hope, for I have been in
battle with him before. Do you number a hundred?"

"And fifty more, though indifferently armed. Never have I seen the
Illini in action, De Artigny; they seem to me a poor lot, so
frightened of the wolves as to be valueless."

"So they are if left to themselves, but under white leadership they
stiffen. They will fight if given the Indian style. They will never