"He won the King's favor? he convinced Louis?" "No doubt of that--never saw I a greater miracle." "And the Sieur de la Salle--has he returned?" "Nay; he remains in France, to fit out an expedition to sail for the mouth of the Great River. He hath special commission from the King. To me was given the honor of bearing his message. Ah! but La Barre raved like a mad bull when I handed him the King's order. I thought he would burst a blood vessel, and give us a new governor. But no such luck. Pah! I stood there, struggling to keep a straight face, for he had no choice but obey. 'Twas a hard dose to swallow, but there was Louis' orders in his own hand, all duly sealed; and a command that I be dispatched hither with the message." "How made you the journey in so short a time?" "Overland from Detroit, the same trail you traveled with La Salle; 'tis much the shorter." "Alone?" "With two _courier de bois_; they are with me now. But what is this De Artigny you have with you--a woman?" CHAPTER XXXIII WARRIORS OF THE ILLINI "Yes, M. de la Forest," I said, stepping forward to save Rene from a question which would embarrass him. "I am the daughter of Captain la Chesnayne, whom the Sieur de Artigny hath taken under his protection." "La Chesnayne's daughter! Ah, I heard the story told in Quebec--'twas La Barre's aid who gave me the facts with many a chuckle as though he held it an excellent joke. But why are you here, Madame? Is not 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?"