"You are overly free with your comments, Hugo Chevet. When I wish advice I will ask it." "And in the woods I do not always wait to be asked," returned the older man, lighting his pipe, and calmly puffing out the blue smoke. "Though it is likely enough you will be asking for it before you journey many leagues further." "You are under my orders." "So La Barre said, but the only duty he gave me was to watch over Adele here. He put no shackle on my tongue. You have chosen your course?" "Yes, up the Ottawa." "I supposed so, although that boy yonder could lead you a shorter passage." "How learned you that?" "By talking with him in Quebec. He even sketched me a map of the route he traveled with La Salle. You knew it not?" "'Twas of no moment, for my orders bid me go by St. Ignace. Yet it might be well to question him and the chief also." He turned to the nearest soldier. "Tell the Algonquin, Altudah, to come here, and Sieur de Artigny." They approached together, two specimens of the frontier as different as could be pictured, and stood silent, fronting Cassion who looked at them frowning, and in no pleasant humor. The eyes of the younger man sought my face for an instant, and the swift glance gave harsher note to the Commissaire's voice. "We will reload the canoes here for the long voyage," he said brusquely. "The sergeant will have charge of that, but both of you will be in the leading boat, and will keep well in advance of the others. Our course is by way of the Ottawa. You know that stream, Altudah?" The Indian bowed his head gravely, and extended one hand beneath the scarlet fold of his blanket. "Five time, Monsieur." "How far to the west, Chief?" "To place call Green Bay." Cassion turned his eyes on De Artigny, a slight sneer curling his lips. "And you?" he asked coldly. "But one journey, Monsieur, along the Ottawa and the lakes," was the quiet answer, "and that three years ago, yet I scarce think I would go astray. 'Tis not a course easily forgotten." "And beyond Green Bay?" "I have been to the mouth of the Great River." "You!" in surprise. "Were you of that party?" "Yes, Monsieur." "And you actually reached the sea--the salt water?" "Yes, Monsieur." "Saint Anne! I never half believed the tale true, nor do I think overmuch of your word for it. But let that go. Chevet here tells me you know a shorter journey to the Illinois?" "Not by canoe, Monsieur. I followed Sieur de la Salle by forest trail to the Straits, and planned to return that way, but 'tis a foot journey." "Not fitted for such a party as this?" "Only as you trust to your rifles for food, bearing what packs we might on our backs. With the lady the trail is scarcely possible." "As to the lady I will make my own decision. Besides, our course is decided. We go to St. Ignace. What will be your course from Green Bay?" "Along the west shore, Monsieur; it is dangerous only by reason of storms." "And the distance?" "From St. Ignace?"