nsieur, who made the charges? Who brought the matter to the
attention of Louis?"

"The Comte de Frontenac; he was your father's friend, and won him
restoration of his property. Not until La Forest met him in France was
he aware of the wrong done Captain la Chesnayne. Later he had converse
with La Salle, a Franciscan once stationed at Montreal, and two
officers of the regiment Carignan-Salliers. Armed with information
thus gained he made appeal to Louis. 'Tis told me the King was so
angry he signed the order of arrest with his own hand, and handed it
to La Forest to execute."

"The Governor knows?"

"Not yet. La Forest felt it best to keep the secret, fearing he might
be detained, or possibly ambushed on the way hither."

I cannot describe my feelings--joy, sorrow, memory of the past,
overwhelming me. My eyes were wet with tears, and I could find no
words. De Artigny seemed to understand, yet he made no effort to
speak, merely holding me close with his strong arm. So in silence, our
minds upon the past and the future, we followed the savages through
the black night along the dim trail. For the time I forgot where I
was, my weird, ghastly surroundings, the purpose of our stealthy
advance, and remembered only my father, and the scenes of childhood.
He must have comprehended, for he made no attempt to interrupt my
reverie, and his silence drew me closer--the steady pressure of his
arm brought me peace.

Suddenly before us loomed the shadow of the great rock, which rose a
mighty barrier across the trail, its crest outlined against the sky.
The Indians had halted here, and we pressed forward through them,
until we came to where the chief and La Forest waited. There was a
growing tinge of light in the eastern sky, enabling us to perceive
each other's faces. All was tense, expectant, the Indians scarcely
venturing to breathe, the two white men conversing in whispers.
Sequitah stood motionless as a statue, his lips tightly closed.

"Your scouts ventured no further?" questioned De Artigny.

"No, 'twas not safe; one man scaled the rock, and reports the Iroquois
just beyond."

"They hide in covert where I suspected then; but I would see with my
own eyes. There is crevice here, as I remember, to give foothold. Ay,
here it is, an easy passage enough. Come, La Forest, a glance ahead
will make clear my plans."

The two clambered up noiselessly, and outstretched themselves on the
flat surface above. The dawn brightened, almo