"How can a man with a copper hand be of service in the wilderness?" The first ranger shrugged. "That I know not. But having been maimed in European wars and fitted with a copper hand, he was yet recommended to Sieur de la Salle." "But why hath an Italian the uniform of France?" "He is a French officer, having been exiled with his father from his own country." The coureur de bois, who had reached the settlement later than his companion, grunted. "One would say thou wert of the Griffin crew thyself, with the latest news from Quebec and Montreal." "Not I," laughed the first one. "I have only been in the woods with Greysolon du Lhut, who knows everything." "Then he told thee the name of this Italian with the copper hand?" "Assuredly. This Italian with the copper hand is Sieur Greysolon du Lhut's cousin, and his name is Henri de Tonty." "I will say this for Monsieur Henri de Tonty: a better made man never stepped on the strand at St. Ignace." [Illustration: Autograph of Tonty.] Greysolon du Lhut was the captain of coureurs de bois in the northwest. No other leader had such influence with the lawless and daring. When these men were gathered in a settlement, spending what they had earned in drinking and gaming, it was hard to restrain them within civilized bounds. But when they took service to shoulder loads and march into the wilderness, the strongest hand could not keep them from open rebellion and desertion. There were few devoted and faithful voyageurs, such as Pierre Porteret and Jacques had proved themselves in following Marquette. The term of service was usually two years; but at the first hardship some might slip away in the night, even at the risk of perishing before they reached the settlements. St. Ignace made a procession behind La Salle's party and followed them into the chapel to hear mass--French traders, Ottawas, Hurons, coureurs de bois, squaws, and children. When the priest turned from the altar, he looked down on complexions ranging from the natural pallor of La Salle to the black-red of the most weather-beaten native. [Illustration: Totem of the Hurons.] The Hurons then living at St. Ignace, whom Father Marquette had led there from his earlier mission, afterwards wandered to Detroit and Sandusky, the priests having decided to abandon St. Ignace and burn the chapel. In our own day we hear of their descendants as settled in the Indian Territory, the smallest but wealthiest band of all transplanted Indians.