n the Provincial army. They had told me of
men, soldiers and hard fighters, too, wearing great frizzled wigs
outside their natural hair, with ruffles on their sleeves and perfumed
laces at their throats--but I had generally discredited such tales.
Here was a man dressed more gaily than I had ever seen a woman in my
childhood--and he seemed a fine, likely young fellow, too. I fear I
examined him rather critically and without proper deference to his
uniform, for he turned upon me angrily, catching my glance.

"Well, my good fellow, didst never see the King's colors before? Where
hast thou lived then all these years?"

He seemed quite as much amused at my plain forest garb, leggings and
service cap, as I had been at his silken trumpery. I replied to him as
quietly as might be:

"In our parts beyond the seas we hear often of the King's Guard, but
never have my eyes rested upon their uniform before."

Observing my shoulder straps he unbent somewhat and inquired:

"Thou bearest the rank of captain?"

"Aye, comrade, in the service of the King in his province of Louisiana.
I pray you direct me to the apartments of M. de Serigny, I would have
speech with him."

He was a manly young lad, of soldierly bearing, too, despite his
effeminate dress; he turned and himself guided me through the many
intricate halls and passages until we reached a door which he pointed
out as Serigny's, where, with polite speeches, he left me alone.

Monsieur was out, at what business the servant did not know, but would
return at two of the clock. In the meantime I sought to amuse myself
strolling about the place. I knew I could find my way along the bayou
paths of Louisiana the darkest night God ever sent, for there at least
I would have through the trees the glimmer of a friendly star to guide
me. But here in the King's palace of Versailles, with the winding
passages running hither and yonder, each as like the other as twin
gauntlets, I lost myself hopelessly.

Clanking about alone over the tiles in great deserted corridors I grew
almost frightened at my own noise until I passed out into an immense
gallery, gaily decorated, and thronged with the ladies and gentlemen of
the court. I could not make much sense of it all except it seemed
greatly painted up, especially overhead, and nearly every figure bore
the face of the King.

From the windows I could see a strange forest where every tree grew in
the shape of some odd beast or bird, be