face of the mighty Father of the
Waters.

"By our Lady!" cried Du Mesne, at length, and tears stood in his
tan-framed eyes as he turned, "'tis true, all that has been said! Here
it is, Messasebe, more mighty than any story could have told! Monsieur
L'as, 'tis big enough to carry ships."

"'Twill carry fleets of them one day, Du Mesne," replied John Law. "'Tis
a roadway fit for a nation. Ah, Du Mesne! our St. Lawrence, our New
France--they dwindle when compared to this new land."

"Aye! and 'tis all our own!" cried Du Mesne. "Look; for the last ten
days we have scarce seen even the smoke of a wigwam, and, so far as I
can tell, there is not in all this valley now the home of a single white
man. My friend Du L'hut--he may be far north of the Superior to-day for
aught we know, or somewhere among the Sauteur people. If there he any
man below us, let some one else tell who that may be. Sir, I promise
you, when I see this big water going on so fast and heading so far away
from home--well, I admit it causes me to shiver!"

"'Tis much the same," said Law, "where home may be for me."

"Ah, but 'tis different on the Lakes," said Du Mesne, "for there we
always knew the way back, and knew that 'twas down stream."

"He says well," broke in Mary Connynge. "There is something in this big
river that chills me. I am afraid."

"And what say you, Tete Gris, and you, Pierre Noir?" asked Law.

"Why, myself," replied the former, "I am with the captain. It matters
not. There must always be one trail from which one does not return."

"_Oui_," said Pierre Noir. "To be sure, we have passed as good beaver
country as heart of man could ask; but never was land so good but there
was better just beyond."

"They say well, Du Mesne," spoke John Law, presently; "'tis better on
beyond. Suppose we never do return? Did I not say to you that I would
leave this other world as far behind me as might be?"

"_Eh bien_, Monsieur L'as, you reply with spirit, as ever," replied Du
Mesne, "and it is not for me to stand in the way. My own fortune and
family are also with me, and home is where my fire is lit."

"Very well," replied Law. "Let us run the river to its mouth, if need
be. 'Tis all one to me. And whether we get back or not, 'tis another
tale."

"Oh, I make no doubt we shall win back if need be," replied Du Mesne.
"'Tis said the savages know the ways by the Divine River of the Illini
to the foot of Michiganon; and that, perhaps, might be our b