mpany of adventurers trading in New France."

The valets flew in and out. In a few moments the table was replenished
with huge drinking-cups, silver flagons, and all the heavy impedimenta
of the army of Bacchus.

"You are willing to become one of us, and enter the jolly guild of the
Grand Company?" exclaimed the Intendant, taking Le Gardeur by the hand.

"Yes, I am a stranger, and you may take me in. I claim admission,"
replied Le Gardeur with drunken gravity, "and by St. Pigot! I will be
true to the guild!"

Bigot kissed him on both cheeks. "By the boot of St. Benoit! you speak
like the King of Yvetot. Le Gardeur de Repentigny, you are fit to wear
fur in the Court of Burgundy."

"You can measure my foot, Bigot," replied Le Gardeur, "and satisfy the
company that I am able to wear the boot of St. Benoit."

"By jolly St. Chinon! and you shall wear it, Le Gardeur," exclaimed
Bigot, handing him a quart flagon of wine, which Le Gardeur drank
without drawing breath. "That boot fits," shouted the Intendant
exultingly; "now for the chant! I will lead. Stop the breath of any one
who will not join in the chorus."

The Intendant in great voice led off a macaronic verse of Moliere, that
had often made merry the orgies of Versailles:

"'Bene, bene, bene, respondere!
Dignus, dignus es, entrare
In nostro laeto corpore!'"

A tintamarre of voices and a jingle of glasses accompanied the violins
and tambours de Basque as the company stood up and sang the song,
winding up with a grand burst at the chorus:

"'Vivat! vivat! vivat! cent fois vivat!
Novus socius qui tam bene parlat!
Mille mille annis et manget et bibat,
Fripet et friponnat!'"

Hands were shaken all round, congratulations, embracings, and filthy
kisses showered upon Le Gardeur to honor his admission as a partner of
the Grand Company.

"And now," continued Bigot, "we will drink a draught long as the bell
rope of Notre Dame. Fill up brimmers of the quintessence of the grape,
and drain them dry in honor of the Friponne!"

The name was electric. It was, in the country, a word of opprobrium, but
at Beaumanoir it was laughed at with true Gallic nonchalance. Indeed,
to show their scorn of public opinion, the Grand Company had lately
launched a new ship upon the Great Lakes to carry on the fur trade, and
had appropriately and mockingly named her, "La Friponne."

The toast of La Friponne was drunk with applause, fol