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The Heroine of the Strait
\
:-..iM'^m
The Heroine of the
Strait
A Romance of Detroit in the
Time of Pontiac ''
■M c/x.
By
Mary Catherine Crowley
Author of "A Daughter of New Fra
nee," etc.
Illustrated by
Ch. Grunwald
TorontQ
'^^m^ n. Morang and Company, Limited
1902
* Hi
">a" i .". '
The Heroine of the
Strait
^ Ro*nance of Detroit in the
Time of Pontiac
Mary Catherine Crowley " ^
Author of "A Daughter of New France," etc.
Illustrated by
Ch. Grunwald
Toronto
George N. Morang and Company, Limited
1902
■ i
Copyright, igoa.
By Little, Brown, and Company
All rights reurwd
Published April, 190a
iraiVERSITY PRESS • JOHN WILSON
AND SON . CAMBRIDGE, U. S. A.
" To the dear Home-folk "
<>t
Preface
^EARLY three-quarters of a century ago. a time-
^ ^ faded diary, written in the French language and
the neat chirography of the early missionaries, was
found in the garret of the old St. Aubin house of
Detroit, where it had lain unvalued for fifty years
The manuscript proved to be the story of the Siege
of Detroit by the Indians under the Ottawa chief.
Pontiac. told from day to day. with a close regard to
detail. **
Antiquarians suppose it to be from the pen of either
the Jesuit Father Potier of the Huron Mission, or
the RecoUet. Monsieur Bocquet, cur6 of the church
of Ste. Anne.
The carefol record became the basis of Francis
Pontile"'' *'""'^"' "History of the Conspiracy of
Now. fifty years after the publication of that great
work, the writer of the present unpretending novel
has sought in the old diary a background for this
narrative of love, adventure, and war, into which are
woven several historical incidents that have come to
light since Parkman's day.
The author wishes it understood that, although she
has read the latter historian with attention, and has
occasionally quoted him. other quotations, which
might be considered as from Parkman. are cited by
him from the original manuscript.
VIII
PREFACE
The translation followed is the one preserved in
the collection of the Michigan Pioneer Collection.
Among other authorities consulted may be mentioned
Schoolcraft's version of the Pontiac Manuscript ; the
short diary of the Siege, thought to have been written
by the secretary of the British commandant ; General
Bradstreet's Report ; the correspondence of General
Amherst, Sir William Johnson, Major Gladwin, Cap-
tain Campbell, and others ; Farmer's " History of
Detroit;" Ross and Catlin's " Landmarks of Detroit;"
Mrs. Carrie Watson Hamlin's book of legends, and
the register of Ste. Anne's Church.
To the researches of Mr. Clarence M. Burton and
Mr. Richard R. Elliott, the work is especially in-
debted ; also to the latter's publication of the Account
Books of the Huron Mission, and to the traditions of
the old French-Canadian families.
Ang^lique Cuillerier was a veritable character, as
was also James Sterling, who stands forth from the
pages of the missionary's diary a strong and heroic
personality.
Other personages who once lived figure in the
pages of the romance, but in all cases the reality
has only served as a foundation for the creative work
of the author's imagination.
Dated from
"Thb Sparrow's Perch under the Eaves,"
January the first, nineteen hundred and two.
Contents
CHAPTtR
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter.
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
First. A Meeting in the Wilderness .
Second. Strangers at Le Detroit .
Third. "Heigh-ho, for a Dancing Frock ' '
Fourth. On the River at Sunset .
Fifth. Sir William Johnson ....
Sixth. The Black Rain
Seventh. Indians and Flintlocks .
EiGHTf. 'For the Mastery of a Soul
Ninth. In the Miision Orchard .
Tenth. An Awkward Encounter .
Eleventh. A Message to Major Gladwin
Twelfth. A Cluster of Fleurs-de-lis
Thirteenth. The Great Ottawa
Fourteenth. The Envoys of Peace
Fifteenth. A Noble Gentleman .
Sixteenth. A Daring Adventure .
Seventeenth. Courage Breaks lU Luck
Eighteenth. The Ottawa's Hour
Nineteenth. Angclique's Scheming .
Twentieth. The Price of Vengeance
Page
I
12
27
39
52
67
84
96
III
122
•34
»45
158
•75
186
200
217
234
248
265
i
CONTENTS
381
Chaptir Twinty-First. Love Thrivei in War .
Chapter Twenty-Second. A Bold Sally .... 299
Chapter Twenty.Third. "Give Love Good- Morrow" 315
Chapter Twbnty-Fourth. AMcMenger toSirWilli«ni 329
Chapter Twenty-Fipth. Jacques Godefroy ... 343
Chapter Twenty-Sixth. Conquest in Surrender . . 357
.•Y • • "^ * . ./ s* "
#
!
%:
Illustrations
From Drawings by Cb. GrunwaU
" Were those tears for me. sweetheart, I would bid you
dry your eyes" . _
Frontufeec*
" I cannot say ' yts, ' you wiJI not h c me «iy • no ' ' •
As he spoke these words. Pontiac turned to his host with
fierce inquiry . .
^07
' Every Englishman in the to^. v ^ kjij^j^ ^ut not .
l-renchman will lose his-scaip
Pontiac interposed his powerful figure between them .»=^
the door ....
Drawing a knife from her belt, the girl placed hersdf be-
fore the mother and the little one ,^a
• • • . 308
THE PHOl»E«Ty tF
SCARIOR*
PUBLIC LtlRARr.
hrf
r
The Heroine of the Strait
CHAPTER FIRST
A MEETING IN THE WILDERNESS
JT was the Indian summer of the year irfio tk-
«nd,ng its silver arrow, deep into Zhtrt °f ^k'"
.nd. w2d by 4^e '^ l^l"- "' 'P"'t canof
neath fh- u ■ , °' *"'*'• disappeared be-
c^^tut d' hr„-g VatL" *: -iTr' *•« "-«'
*-wa,a,o„,.tir"r:?t;'^'?:rrJ:™f
was It becoming overcast with clouds. ^ ^
2 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
framed with shadows. A party of sturdy men clad in
leather jerkins and trousers, and armed with hatchets,
knives and guns, they might have been mistaken for
any ordinary company of boatmen and adventurers
• accustomed to traverse these waters. But, at a closer
view, their larger physiques and fair complexions
would at once have shown that they were neither
French-Canadian voyageurs nor half-breed coureurs
de bois, while despite the wood-ranger's garb of the
tall, muscular man who stood in the prow of one of
the boats, his military bearing and air of command
as readily proclaimed him to be a soldier and an
officer.
Presently the rowers, seeking safety and shelter,
with strong strokes swept the foremost bateau around
a point of land and into the harbor afforded by the
entrance to a little river, toward which they had been
steadily making for the last hour.
With muskets levelled at the neighboring thickets
or knives in grasp, the weary travellers awaited the
moment when they might leap out upon the beach.
One of the men, fancying that he heard a stir in the
bushes that overhung the stream, and saw the branches
move, fired into them. His companions jeered i an
owl hooted mockingly, and he execrated his senses
for the trick they had played him, wondering if he
might lay it to the draught of " fire-water " he had
shared with a comrade but shortly before, the last in
his flask, as he regretfully recalled.
No one but the abashed fellow who had been so
ready with his firelock felt the presence of the
shadowy figure that, 'creeping noiselessly through *
the underbush, soon passed swiftly on to carry
through the forest and beyond the news that an
Ottawa runner had crossed the trail of a party of
A MEETING IN THE WILDERNESS 3
IhTZt^.'T^" '"°'^'' '°"g"« t'*^" the French;
that the British were coming up the Lakes anH ;„?
the fastnesses of New France. ^ '"'°
Rash in the easy self-confidence that belongs to
those accustomed to dangers, hilarious and active
after the long day in the boats, the torch bearers
a fire. Several of the men quickly cut the ereen
saphngs near by and added them to the blaze others
brought water from the river, and prepared a meaT
to which all did ample justice, the lake breezes hav-
rz/trn^r '-'-' «- - - ^^'per
Then before long the soldiers, all but the euard
contentedly cast themselves at full length upfn. he
fhtX- T. *'" *■"' '" ""= «■•« ""d. enwrapped ta
to m,ght have suggested some great sacrificiS
Of the officers, a lank lieutenant, in his first cim-
pa.gn, had succumbed to slumber also; butThet^I
leader of the expedition, his captain and a liSe
young man who v.as habited in cloth orEurepea^
make, appeared in no haste to avail themselves of tje
opportunity to obtain a few hours of rest
Having thrown down upon the withered grass a
Pile of bear and buffalo skins, they half rfchned
fr/„ ^ '""Old" men kept themselves warm by
EnS-whrcf ?. 1 !!'°" "^"°"S waters of the
be/„„ M fi ^ *^ '"'''^" ^"^^ °f the French had
begun to find as potent as the Canadian " eau de
ure' 1° mth"t1,f "V ff''^' ««?» '" "'h m«s.
ure as might fill a lady's thimble," exclaimed the
^Mm^m^m^mmm!^'^'f''m:'TWT^':s^x!m
4 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
white chief, clapping a rough though friendly hand
upon the shoulder of the young man beside him.
" Zounds, before the winter is out you will find a man
cannot live in this climate without something to
warm his heart."
Sterling laughed, — a careless, boyish laugh.
" I fear I am not so abstemious as you would make
out, major," he answered deprecatingly. " But I am
not a soldier, and, should a party of redskins arise of
a sudden from amid the desolation of this wood, I
would fain not see each warri. r double."
The leader threw back his head, and shook with
mirth at this sally.
" Did we think them five times as many it would
but make the fighting brisker. Is it not so, Captain
Campbell ? " he said, addressing the third member of
this his immediate company.
" The warfare of the aborigines counts for little
when matched against our ammunition," returned the
captain, a thick-set man in the prime of life.
" As for your not being a soldier, Mr. Sterling, that
is all gammon," continued the major. " In the en-
counters we have had with the savages, you showed
that you can handle a fusil as well as any man in my
troop, while with a rapier — "
"Oh, I was wont to practise at fence with my
father, and he learned the art in France, as also the
use of firearms," was the careless response.
" Then why, by all the Indian gods, do you not
join the service? Come, I wih obtain for you an
appointment in my regiment."
" I thank you, sir," answered Sterling, as he rose
and bowed with the respect of a subaltern to his
superior officer. " I could ask no better commission
than one under Major Rogers, whose brave deeds
m^M£mr'^m^m^smF'w.:^*^f^.;^Mmmss''^.f^-
A MEETING IN THE WILDERNESS j
sTdt ta1hL"^.f ""'""»"' '""""''^ "y ""y fire-
side m the Colon.es. But, you have forgotten, I am
^fnreaaHfe..^'*" """'' "' ^''"°'"» f<" ^'^^^
"Humph, the cause of the Stuarts will not be re-
v,ved m our time, young man," said Rogers "U
us dnnk to your advancement as an offi^of Ktag
ca^lT,?'' T'^" '•'•^-S'" <■<" hi-nself. and the
^orth K , r'u !""• '^y'-S he too was from the
S'';f''a"'so';die''r!' ^"" "° '"«' "^'o- h™ -e'
Sterling, however, shook his head.
he in'sLTed ' '"" '"'^^^"^^ ^° ^^^^^^ °^ "-over,"
iVresSfbleX?'^ T'^ '' ^'^'"^^ ^^ ^ ^'^^ «^ore
irresistible than is this ferment of treacle," suggested
the captain m bantering fashion. "The sSess
of a maiden's smile, the -vitchery of her glance S
McZZ' :l:''^'''V'^'^' Ah, SterlitToua'd
Mcuougal, who is sleeping so audibly yonder had
lat r 'r • 7'' ''I' ^°" '"^^ ^^" v^<^«-'to the
^'y^ end n r^ '"«-»«^ when we reach our jour!
^.ys end. Unless, f a truth, j^«r fancy is alreadv
caught by some cl .rming demoiselle of Mont'eat
But no, you rest and eat too well to be in^Lve to
this I will testifv V«f :r j ^^' '^
soldier wh^lo ' ^°" "^^ "°^ wish to be a
soldier, wh> have you come into the wilderness?''
cap tar ThTf H ' r """'" ^^"^ ^^ odds Xthe
to thTh ^^^^"^^ °<^ annoyance that had mounted
to the brow of the civilian died away at this ranierv
and he answered with frank, good Lmor '« I W
my fortune to make, and I hope to tradTL furs as
some . f my people did in Prince Rupert's land a
hundred years since. Being neutral, I U' be 1,: .
'Mi^'^
'wmEwsm?''!mm:^
-'^^^i^^BHBaHi
Htmnammtam
V
6 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
to deal justly with all parties, French, Indians, and
English."
" You are not wanting in the canniness of the Scot ;
I marvel it did not occur to you that you might bag
two birds at once," laughed the major, closing one
eye and nodding with significance.
The captain stiffened perceptibly, and a look of
haughty protest passed over his usually amiable coun-
tenance. Thereupon Sterling bethought himself of a
rumor he had heard that Rogers, dauntless soldier as
he was, had not been above using his authority for
his own pecunicii^ g^in. He reflected further, that,
but for the strong ferment of the juice of the sugar-
cane, the tongue of the leader had not waxed so
free
" In any event, your sword is not like to rust in its
scabbard," pursued Rogers, flinging away his drinking
cup. " As for these strong waters, in faith at times
they do steal away a man's judgment, and make him
rash even to foolhardiness. A fine signal would this
camp-fire be to the savages, for instance, had I not
intelligence from my scouts that all the Indians who
spend the summer hereabouts have gone northward
for the hunting."
Scarcely had he ceased to speak when the sharp
report of a musket ringing through the darkness
aroused the sleeping men, causing them to spring to
their feet and look to the priming of their weapons,
while, with drawn swords, the officers stood ready for
whatever might ensue.
Presently, the Irish sentry O'Desmond, whose shot
had given the warning, appeared out of the gloom, and
beside him there strode into the light of the fire an
Indian youth, straight as an arrow and slender as a
young birch tree.
''■^•:Mf#;
iM^^m^iL'^W^^.
I* I
I
A MEETING IN THE WILDERNESS 7
" Sir," said O'Desmond, saluting the commandant,
•• I walked up and down among tjie trees, keeping me
eyes glued upon the dark beyond, and thinking what
an omathaum I was to expect to see anythin' there,
with the night that black you could cut it with a
knife, and even a witch's cat could spy nothin* out of
it — Whin, lo and behold! I heard the whisper of a
sound comin' through the tangle of small wood. ' Ho,
ho, 't is a fox,' says I to meself, • or a thief of a wolf!
By good fortune it might even be a bear cub to fur-
nish a breakfast to the major, with a bit over and
above for the men.' Well, I let fly a charge of bul-
lets, thinking it safer to shoot first and ask an explana-
tion afterwards. By the powers, at that what should
arise before me but this red naiger, with his hatchet
upraised. ' Me last moment is come,' thought I, « me
shot is fired, and I cannot say I like this spalpeen's
way of explainin'. A gun is a gun though, even if
it is not loaded, and the red naigers have much re-
spect for the same.'
" • Your 're me prisoner,' says I, thrustin' me blunder-
buss into his face. So I 've brought him to you.
sir."
Despite the self-satisfaction of O'Desmond over his
supposed capture, it stfaightway became evident that
the Indian had accompanied him not as a captive but
as an ambassador.
The right hand of the savage grasped a glittering
tomahawk, but in the left he held a branch of por-
celain which he offered to the white leader as an
assurance that his errand was one of peace. The re-
doubtable wood-ranger accepted the token and then
inquired through his interpreter,—
" Young brave who are you, and from whom do
you come?*"
mm^'^'k^s^:^^m^^w^m^m^
• THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
ii '
«('
' I come from my father," answered the youth. •• A
band of warriors attend me."
" And who, by all the manitous, is his father? " ex-
claimed Rogers, sotto voce.
The Indian eyed him with unflinching coolness, and,
having as imperturbably surveyed the group of armed
men who surrounded him, proceeded as though he
had understood the query.
" My father is lord of all this country; he forbids
you to advance further into his territory until he has
had speech with you."
The bluff provincial major swore under his breath.
He was too well versed in a knowledge of the aborig-
ines, however, to give grave offence at the outset to a
tribe through whose country he was struggling. By
means of the half-breed interpreter, he replied with
formal ceremony, and in the picturesque language to
which the Indian was accustomed, —
"Son of the Great Chief! We will gladly hold
council with your father."
'• To-morrow at sunset he will come," announced
the youth laconically. And therewith, passing boldly
through the group of astonished men before they
could stay him if they would, he vanished amid the
darkness as mysteriously as he had appeared in the
vicinity.
The aftermath of balmy weather called by the pro-
vincials the Indian summer, and by the French the
summer of St. Martin, was now passed. The next
morning was cold and stormy. It would have been
folly to set forth again on the rough lake. Moreover,
Rogers decided that, however annoying to his pride
as a British officer, it was the better part of valor
to await the interview with the sachem, whoever he
might be.
.^••^^
A MEETING IN THE WILDERNESS 9
The company remained encamped on the margin
of the nver a 1 that day, therefore, the woods affording
them a partial shelter from the rain. In the afternoon
the skies began to change from a dull leaden color to
a softer gray; then the wind veered, and at last Mil
*''/''ti :^'^"^ ^^^^-'" *^^ spectral aeial'ba^'
so dreaded by the habitants of New France, the light
the west, for a brief space shone forth as with a new
rJ\Z^^ *^^ ^r yP°'"ted by the mysterious chief
for the council, and the white men held themselves
brXh'. '" ''Tu' ^'"- ^^^°'^ ^°"^' their scous
brought in word that a number of Indians were ad-
named^ TT^""' '''''''' ^"^ P^^P^^^ ^^ the hour
named a band of warriors entered the camp
It was a startling picture. On one sidef a step in
advance of his intrepid followers, waited the New
f^a't3 in r "'"^'^^'j"^ Rogers, tall and heavy
featured, in his pioneer dress of buckskin, with a ^n
resting in the hollow of his arm ; and fadig he pa^v
r.Tnt TrW"' ^°^'^ "' '^^ ^--*' without' wl^
paint, but still impressive in their tunics of buffalo
pelts and gaudy ornaments.
nZV^l^^^"" ^^^^ °^'^^ ^"^'^^ ^°^diers took small
uoon 2 r ^f^^y'/^'lth^'^ attention became riveted
ZZ with 1' v'^ '^" '"'"^^"- ^ ^P^^"^'^ bronze
hgure, with flashing eyes, and straight flowing hair
crowned with eagles' feathen, as he stood in mfjest^
di-nity against the disk of the setting sun. he might
wHdernr T'^'^'^" '^ ' superstitious native oTfhe
Tnlr tJ?' 'T^ ^"'^'^^ S°^' th« fierce Kabibo-
nokka. or Manabozho. the Great Hare Manitou the
Hiawatha of the Ottawas. *«»"iiou, me
" How is it that the white chief comes into my ter-
^.WV"^!aF>^^5'
I
iB^K^^^?
lo THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
ritoty without invitation or permission?" he asked,
stretching forth his hand as regally as though it held
a sceptre. " Is the stranger's mission one of peace,
or war?"
When his words had been interpreted, Rogers
replied, —
" Great Chief, I wish to be no longer unknown to
you. I am come in the name of the King of England
to take possession of this region."
"This is my country; it does not belong to your
king," answered the sachem in haughty protest. " To
me and to my people belong all the lands bordering
upon the Lakes, from here even to Michilimackinac,
the dwelling-place of the Great Spirit."
"We have not come to take your hunting-
grounds," answered Rogers calmly. "We want to
trade with you, as we trade with the Iroquois in the
east. We will not defraud you of your furs as do the
French."
"But the Onontio of Montreal and Quebec?"
queried the redman.
" Our king is greater than all the Onontios that
ever lived, greater than the King of France. Our
troops have conquered those of the French, and
received their submission at Montreal. When our
people come to settle here you will be glad."
The interpreter again performed his office, but the
chief did not at once reply.
At length, ')y an imperious gesture silencing the
murmurs of oome of the braves, he said, again
addressing Rogers, —
"White man, I will stand in your path until
morning, and will protect you from harm. At day-
light you may proceed on your way." Thereupon,
gathering his blank*;! about his shoulders with the
T*: i^HW'^M^^z
A MEETING IN THE WILDERNESS n
air of an emperor, he passed into the wood, followed
th. Jh J'°'''' ^""^ *" ^^'^ '°°" ^°«' ''^Sht of among
the shadows, now growmg deeper at the approach of
the early November twiliglt.
Dazed and in wonder, the soldiers looked at one
another, some half believing that the proud warrior
and his braves were not living men at all ; others in-
clmed to jest at his extravagant pretensions.
T . °.""u'' l^^ ''^'^^^'" "**^^ no surrender to us
Instead, he has taken us under his protection, as
though he were the commander of an unconquerable
army, cried Rogers, nonplussed and angry
"I would give up a guinea to know 'how his
majesty is called," avowed Sterling rashly.
"A second Lucifer, he seemed to me," reioined
Captain Campbell " Could one imagine a haughtier
bearing even in a fallen archangel ? "
' Shure, 'tis the devil himself," O'Desmond was at
the same time declaring to his comrades.
" In truth, it is better to have this strange person-
age for a friend than for an enemy," dryly observed
the practical Lieutenant McDougal.
" ^^''" »"^Pif d Rogers. " Though I prefer a good
fray o the rdle of diplomat, we have been wisfr to
conciliate this red king of the forest than if we had
continued the expedition yesterday, as I had half a
mind to do, notwithstanding the storm. To-morrow
we will take to the boats betimes and press on The
fort of the strait must be ours by the end of the
month."
I
l\
CHAPTER SECOND
STRANGERS AT LE D^ROIT
npHE Moon of Beavers, an old moon now and
■■■ growing pale, looked down upon ^ strange
commotion at the isolated military post of Le Detroit
As the night died, and the light of morning strength^
ened, bringing the hour of reveille, the garrison,
usually so listless and heavy with sleep as they
turned out in response to the stern call of trumpet and
drum, were wide awake and eager, as though under
the influence of some extraordinary excitement.
The people of the rude town, too, were nearly
every one astir, both those who lived in the small
bark-roofed or straw-thatched houses within the en-
closure of the fort, and those whose honjes were
along the river bank, each dwelling protected by a
palisade of its own.
At this early hour of the morning, the habitants *
outside the stockade flocked to the gates and beat
upon them, noisily demanding admittance of the sen- -
try. Those within, traders, voyageurs, coureurs de
bois, half-breeds, and Indians, women and children, ♦
thronged to the Place d'Armes, whereon fronted the
barracks and the quarters of the officers.
The garrison lined up for morning drill, but with a •*
cry of protest the populace took possession of the
little square.
" The commandant ! Where is Monsieur de Bel-
lestre?" they called, in French of cou- je, for it must
«
I
I
\
'■'P^.'^.
iim^jm"!
I
%
I
I
3
\*
STRANGERS AT LE DETROIT ,3
be understood in this narrative that the Canadians
always speak in their own language unless the con-
We would fam have some explanation of this report
brought in during the night by Ottawa runners."
The shouts continued and increased in volume
The disturbance had become well-nigh a riot, when
the door of the commandant's house was flung open
and there strode out upon the gallery, in quick, fear-
less fashion, a handsome man of about forty years of
age. wearing the bright blue uniform of an officer of
King Louis, his three-cornered hat set firmly on his
head, and his peruque as faultlessly curied and pow-
dered as that of any chevalier in the army. It was
Francois Picot^ de Bellestre. beloved by both gar-
rison and townsmen as one of the bravest soldiers
one of the most courteous gentlemen of New France.
People of Le Detroit, what means so unseemly
an uprising?" he demanded with severity
" This news I " they reiterated hoarsely. •• Are we
to see our lands confiscated, - are we to be turned
WK f °"': ^^'"".fnd cast forth into the wilderness?
What of the intelligence that our foes the British are
approaching to take possession of Le Detroit? "
Monsieur de Bellestre shrugged a shoulder. " Eh
bien, If the redcoats come, what matters it? We will
chllance ^^^"^ ^^""^ ^^^'"'" ^^ ^^'^ "^''^ "'^ "°"-
LJ^"" characteristic gesture, his air of careless
indifference, did more to reassure the volatile people
than would have been effected by a long harangue.
A wave of laughter swept through the square.
Ay, they repeated one to another in jocular
humor, "we will send the redcoats home again, even
as the gallant Beaujeau, though but captain of a gar-
€P^
ii!iwr*sz«wiiTt"<;« '^r
I
I
14 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
itno. K"*.r* ***'u ^r''^^' ="^ ^~^« »«»ders and
troop, back over the border, only five years since."
But the savages," cried the sharp voice of old
Cmpeau. " will the savages side with^us now. or w l1
they go over to the English ? "
frie ^l!""'" ^^TA'''^ "°' "P°" *hat score, good
fnr Is. answered De Bellestre with official dignity
re^en'T'^'r ^^^-'""^'^ ' Proclamation ^otJ^
redmen. Go and read it. where it hangs upon the
forest gate of the palisade." "H^n me
So saying he turned upon his heel and passed
agam ,nto the house, while, satisfied for ?he nonce
and w.th curiosity aflame, the vociferating to wnfoS^
trooped away to the gate. There they encountered
the crowd outside, - a company of merry-makers now
who roared with mirth and cracked many^ests "t the*
expense of the British, as they viewed^ ^thc clever
S::tHr 'V5' '"'T allies of the French. Fo
Hf.4 L^ f ^"^^i^ ^'^^' ^^^'•^°" ^^«« roughly
panned the figure of a crow pecking at a mans
J'hJll ^^ I ^^.' '^^^ '*^^'^'"' themselves could do
Antornrrnl,P-''"r,^f"^''' '"'•^^^"">^ exclaimed
^ his l^^^^^^^^ half-brother to the commandant,
as his glance fell upon the glaring effigy. "Tis
&.? '^1"°'" u" °i^^'^ ^^" '^'' *he c7ow is De
BcUestre. who, with a single blow, will destroy these
daring southerns if they presume to come so far in o
the wilds of New France."
bor?K W^"^^"^"^*^ continued i his neigh-
bor Charies Parant, as a yell broke from a party of
Ottawas who now bore down upon the fort '^he
rwi7rir^ """'.f "^ that whoop pleasant to their ears.
1 will risk a pelt on the surmise."
T*
1
^.yr^.T*.!- *"•::;:,,■;•. i.^?^mM i
STRANGERS AT LE DETROIT ,5
noon, a .entiC^r/rom ,?- \ ?" ^'^^ ^0°" after
the river gaTr niJce of ,L ?'°" ""e' o'"'""''"'
from 0.e ircctr^f fh. La^e^'onL^F " """'
canoe bearing a wh:t<- flag "■" E"es,-a
.hru^htX-eVt'sStflt'''' ■■' ^"""""^
to the water-pat*. L r^ soldiers were ordered
i« iiic wacer-gate, to form an escort fr»r fK-. *
Kr-jtri»3;^;r
horv:^t%;:ivra:.he^'aV'?' 'r'"^-'''--
although the visitorJere EarbL Til- %KT '""''
rangers, their leader Jore a slrrfK^"^^'^ ""'°''-
..cppcd ashore he resH^rs hTnd" upo ' rg„"de':
«n Wete?n:;ce"''r°" ?.""' "'^ °*" "* '"■"'
Jacques cZlhoy "Tm v Z R v'k^°""« "■'■* "'
incr 't:» j!^ ^ '^"v'*ne British are well-Ioolc.
oy ner bright glances, no doubt. T^e,
THE PRt^ERTY tF
SCARIOR*
.w. PJILIC LliPlARY,
i6 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
why do you shake off my hand, Ang^lique ? Were
I not married, I might also grow tender-hearted at
sight of these handsome strangers. Indeed, I fear my
Jacques will not like it overmuch that T hncY:? ,un
out to see the brave showing they make. He is ever
wont to say that the people of position i . t le tow.i,
the descendants of those who obtained liieir bads
from the Sieur de Cadillac, should hold somewhat
aloof from the newcomers, and keep in their houses
when others rush out to watch the sights and gather
news. But, misericorde ! it would be dull were I at
home and all this going on. Besides, it would not be
fitting for me to leave a maid like you alone in this
motley gathering, Angelique, my dear. How is it
your father did not bid you remain within doors ? "
'• In truth he did enjoin me not to come beyond
the wicket of our own palisade," responded Angelique
coolly, " but let us make haste ! If we delay thus,
discussing the wisdom of our elders, we shall neither
hear nor see what goes on at the Place d' Amies."
That lil^le squib about their elders was " good cat,
good rat " (tit for tat) for Clotilde's pinch ; for Gode-
froy, a fine fellow whose age a glance at the parish
register would have shown to be thirty-eight, was
some twenty years older than his wife, and had been
a widower when he married her. On this account,
she was, on occasion, twitted by the merry demoi-
selles, the companions of her girlhood ; yet more than
one, perhaps, envied her good fortune.
In the present instance, however, Jlotilde let the
jest pass. She did not believe Angelique to be
jealous of her because she had obtained a happy
settlement in life, since the beauty had ever a string
of ivaliers from among whom to choose a bride-
goom. But, although Jacques often averred that,
#-■'
l^TTT? tZW- /•''■" T'
STRANGERS AT LE DETROIT ,7
before he led Clotilde to the ahar h^ u.a . u
Clous friend, ^was content that Angelique should
consider her ^sband as old and stafd aT!t S
please her to do. Clotilde was blessed with rfair
n-l^th^f^a/^^ -^ -^^ ^^^ - P-d £r
When the two girls arrived at the square it pre-
-*.ed and emb Jdte^'tit^Latto™ ^ \t
voyageurs, the gay jupes and head-dresse" of h^
women, and the blue uniforms of the earrison Lh-
a picture of varied coloring. g"n»n, made
The door of the commandant's house stood a!,r
and the great fire of forest logs burnrng in the w de
chimney of the council room, to the S ^fTh.
row hallway, so lighted the interior ,h!? he lutlfnt
^^d^Td-tinctsfen''^'^ "--'" '"'^-^
-^i:hV^r c;mtv.\^ tr^'ii-txr
voys thinking perch, ce they were sent^to!', « wkh
them, and presently they had gained an excdlem
2
'wtj^^'mst^it'if'^^ismiw^*ipmiaM3m7^'mw^ wm^-^'m
1 8 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
point of vantage, where they could hear as well as
observe all that went on.
The two strangers who seemed %| occupy posi-
tions of authc'ity had now stepped upon the gal-
lery, leaving their little guard of un-uniformed men
below.
" Monsieur de Bellestre ? " interrogatively said he
who wore the heavy sword, as he saluted the French
officer with formal courtesy.
" I am Monsieur de Bellestre," returned the com-
mandant graciously, by a wave of the hand inviting
them to enter the house.
But, at a sign from his companion, the other of lill|||[u
newcomers came forward. ^
" Monsieur de Bellestre," he began in French,
" this gentleman, Monsieur Campbell, captain in the
service of his Majesty, King George of England, hav- ^
ing been commissioned to present to you certain
communications, has selected me to be his interpre-
ter. He judges from your evident unpreparedness .
that our appearance here is a surprise to you, and i
therefore would not take advantage of your courteous
invitation to pass beneath your roof without warning
you that he is the bearer of intelligence that will be
in no wise pleasing to you. Nevertheless, it were
better this message should be delivered in the seclu-
sion of the council room."
The commandant bowed with hauteur.
"Accept my thanks for your consideration, mon- *
sieur," he said satirically. " You have my leave to
state your mission here before all the people of Le
Detroit. If of importance to me, it is of much more
moment to them."
As he looked across the square, the sea of expec-
tant faces told him that the multitude would not await
,€-
r'i,l' ■"--'".
SMd^"^ awL-fi^^maM^SF^'Mm .^^r^-dBBOoxw^'
wms^LS^T^
t
STRANGERS AT LE DETROIT 19
calmly the result of a conference with closed doors
The hberty-lovj|g French-Canadians of the strait
could not alwMe governed according to the rigid
rules of civil W military etiquette that obtained in
Montreal and Quebec.
"The youth essays to speak French ; but parbleu !
heard any one ever such an accent ? " exclaimed An-
gghque in a low voice, as she hid her laughing face
on Clotilde's shoulder. t> & ^^
"Chut! would you expect a barbarian to speak as
one but now out from the court of Versailles > " re
sponded her friend. " He does not ill, to my think-
Pjr though, to be sure, compared to the readiness
MTsh - " ""^ ^'''^"'' 'P''^' '^'^ ^""Suage of the
Ange'Iique laughed again. Godefroy's monosyl-
labic knowledge, picked up from a trader at Montreal
and . prisoner at the fort, although regarded with re-
?.T^J ^u ^°"f^^'-^«' mounded to her shrewd ears
httle like the speech of the southerns. She speedily
forgave the stranger interpreter his flat vowels, how-
ever, for he certainly was a pleasing representative of
young manhood as he stood before the commandant,
his strong, well-knit frame shown to advantage by his
civilian's garb of brown. ^ ^
n" ^J'll^ ".""^ ^°" ^^"^' - *^'^ o"^ o»- the other ? "
queried the irrepressible Mademoiselle Cuillerier of
her youthful chaperon.
' "The other is taller, and of more commanding
presence." hazarded Madame Clotilde. ^
felfrf ' i^l '' pompous and over-robust ; line of
feature, perhaps, and amiable, but of too rubicond a
complexion, and his hair is touched with gray "
argued the coquette. " Now. this one has an ^^/.l
able carriage, and the red that burns upon his smooth-
«AfnN r:.vk-«^
.1 v-fAWRfeT?* s.")i«««aafc>-^ viir..^
k
20 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
shaven cheek is like the blush on the Normandy
apples of good Father Potier acrosa^e river."
" Fi done, Angelique ! to compaflHie visage of a
heretic to the fruit of the toil of the^oly father, the
matchless * pommes de neige 'which grow nowhere so
well as in the enclosure of the Jesuit Mission," cried
Clotilde in horror.
" Mis^ricorde ! the apples are not holy because
they grow in the orchard of a holy man," rejoined
Angelique, with a toss of the head ; " and how do
you know the stranger is a heretic? Mayhap he got
his faith where he learned his French; though, if 't.is
no better than his French, I pray le bon DidHJH
have mercy on him. But do you not like the ghnt
his brown hair has in the sunshine, and — "
" It matters not to me whether his hair be tawny,
black as an Ottawa's, or crisp like that of the Ethi-
opians brought in the slave ships from Africa," an-
swered Clotilde indifferently.
" Of a verity I am glad I am not married ! " said
Angelique, with a sigh of content, as she pressed a
trifle farther to the fore of the spectators.
The encircling arm of the youthful matron quickly
drew her back.
" Have a care, ch^rie," pleaded Clotilde anxiously,
" or your uncle. Monsieur de Bellestre, will notice
you ; and, later, your father will chide you for min-
gling with the crowd. Also, there is Godefroy on the
other side of the square. If he catches sight of us, he
will make his way hither, in dread lest we meet with
rude speech; then I must needs carry myself more
sedately, and there will be an end of this innocent
frolic with you, sweet one. Also, be silent, I pray,
else how shall we hear the news ? "
Meantime, Mr. Campbell had begun and finished a
STRANGERS AT LE d£troIT „
long address to Monsieur de Bellestre in the Enelish
language, whereof no one, save possibly Jacqu„
Godefroy, und«.tood so much as a single wor"
But now the interpreter again took up his task and
all m the throng bent their ears to listen
the' iTrZ'/',^^^''"'" *■" P'-<>««ded. handing ,o
the commandant a paper which the capuin oassed
T' i? '"'"; ::.""■' '" ">« «="' of the document that
.t add the translation duly written out. It?, you
hfsTu^TA'T '''''" ^°^"'- ^"owas depu'^:d
Dy bir Jeffrey Amherst to ascend the Lake«! Ho :„
aitiyed at the mouth of Le Detroit, and herfwlth
sends due notice of his coming to you as commTn?
ant and to the settlers at Fort^Ponfchartrah^ "'"
Eh bien, what care I or the people of Fort Pont-
chartram for the vicinity of your Major RoJers'"
returned De Bellestre haughtily, '• except thTit
behooves us to give him a warm reception?"
At h's scornful words a cheer, followed by a chorus
of laughter, broke from the crowd
captam. He disdamed even to look toward the
clamorous rabble; but Sterling's clear eyis lent
aXe of^hdr'"'"'^ '""'Tj'"' ^ glance'^mS
ative of their ignorance of the true state of affairs
Monsieur de Bellestre," he said quietly " t is
manifest you have not been informed tlat th; powe
hL felle^'^S '' 'I ^" ^"^ '" the north. MontrTa
Vaudrif l' "!f ''"° "^^^^^^^ ^'"^^ the Marquis de
Vaudreuil surrendered Canada and all its dependencies
to the troops of King George " pcnaencies
tho^^ll"""";'"^ ^^ ^^"^^t'-^ stood motionless a^
hough turned to stone. Had he been called upon^
to combat singly for his country, like Horatit"s^o?
22 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
old, or to lay down his life for New France, his noble
heart would not for an instant have quailed. But to
be told of her humiliation, and yet be unable to bid
his sword leap forth for her defence ; to listen to such
news and not run through the body the man who had
the temerity to bring it !
The cry of rage and incredulity that burst from the
populace aroused him.
" Sir envoys, do not try my forbearance too far," he
threatened in wrath. " Depart with your men. I
would not wreck upon you the consequences of my
just indignation, and the anger of the people of Le
Detroit because of the trick that Major Rogers and
this Sir Amherst have sought to play upon them."
" But, Sir Commandant," protested Sterling, " you
cannot be ignorant of the fall of Louisbourg, Quebec,
Niagara, and Fort Frontenac? "
" And if these good fortresses have been compelled
by the hardships of long sieges to yield to the force
of your superior numbers," admitted De Bellestre
unwillingly, " when spring comes again we shall win
them back for his Majesty Louis the Fifteenth."
*• Sir, the articles of capitulation are signed," inter-
posed the captain hotly. " Major Rogers brings with
him not only a copy of this document, but a letter to
yolf from the Marquis de Vaudreuil, late Governor of
the provinces hitherto known as New France, direct-
ing you, as commandant, to deliver over this post to
my chief, in accordance with the terms agreed upon
between Monsieur de Vaudreuil and General Am-
herst."
When Sterling had duly translated this speech, Mon-
sieur de Bellestre drew himself up to his full height.
•' Messieurs," he said, " tell your commandant I am
not to be decoyed by any ruse of war. Louisbourg
'k\WM'iM'\ riir^^mf^iM:<:
STRANGERS AT LE DETROIT 23
may have fallen ; Quebec may have fallen, and even
Montreal; but if one military post of New France
remains to King Louis, it shall be the fort of Lc
Detroit. My soldiers and I will struggle on to vie
tory or death under the banner of the fleur-de-lis.
Go, you have my answer."
Cheer upon cheer from both the soldiers and towns-
people greeted his spirited words. To them neither
the captam nor Sterling made response. Having exe-
cuted the commission whereon they had been sent
'^lU^T-"^ '" '"u"""' ^"^' "^'^°"gh '^^y had with
them but SIX or eight men, fearlessly marched through
the menacing assemblage of French-Canadians, es-
corted by the squad of soldiers whose hostility was
thevT.H ° Ir by "Military discipline. Even when
tZ f^^^^'^t'f >^fd, and the boatmen pushed out
from the beach, the irate inhabitants stood upon the
after tit' -'"f '^"'' ^'^' ^' '^' ^*^^"S^^«' ^nd calling
after them ,n terms of imprecation and derision.
The following forenoon, however, Major Rogers
sent up to the fort, by Captain Campbell, the papers
n whose^ existence De Bellestre had scorned ?o be!
lieve, and the gallant commandant and knieht of
^e Order of St. Louis was forced to declare himself'
and his garrison at the disposal of the English con-
querors without so much as striking a blow for the
cause of New France.
The twenty-ninth of November, 1760, was a fair
lt„r ''^- A- "^'* ^"°" '^y "P°" *he meadows and
Itin L"rf •°^"^' *° '^^ ^'^^"^^' *h^ broad river was
fn iln^ '"'^t^Z^'' '^^ "^^""g'"^' ^"^ 'be sun shone
m glory upon the blue waters and white fields. Yet
char?^^fn"''w /"'"'" \'°"^^' "° j°y *° F-ort Pont-
chartrain W,th angry hearts and grave faces, the
soldiers of the garriso . and the people of the colony
t^YW^^ '='^/"«kf">ri«-™V*k'lliBj --SW"^
■■«"ssr-
H THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
watched the long boats of the New Hampshire
rangers coming slowly up against the current, be-
tween the prairie margins of Le Detroit. Nearer
they came, past m rsh and woodland, and the small
white farmhouses of the habitants on either shore,
on the right side leaving behind them the village
of the Hurons, and on the left the settlement of the
Pottawattomies. On they came, until they arrived
opposite to the bark-roofed town above which the
standard of France was still proudly flying, while
to the sorrowing Canadians within the palisade the
sunbeams seemed reverently to kiss the folds of the
white banner, and the north wind to flaunt it in
the faces of the victors.
Landing on the south bank of the river, the rangers
pitched their tents upon the frozen prairie, and Major
Rogers, with Captain Campbell and a small escort,
crossed the strait to take possession of the post.
With roll of tambours and a salute of guns, the
golden fleur-de-lis, never before lowered at Fort
Pontchartrain to conqueror, civilized or savage, sank
slowly from the flagstaff", never more to wave over
Le Detroit. SaHly the dauntless little garrison de-
filed out of the gates of the fort, and laid d' .vn their
arms.
To triumphant music of drum and flageolet, the
British marched in, and the crimson ensign of
St George was raised aloft, while the Indians, until
now the allies of the French, quickly transferring their
allegiance, greeted the new government with a wild
shout of congratulation, and their late friends with
yells of derision.
"A memorable day this has been," exclaimed
Major Rogers, as, having supped wJth his official
family in the house of Monsieur de Bellestre, he
!i
!|
STRANGERS AT LE DETROIT 25
sat with Captain Campbell before the fire of the
councl room; for the late commandant being o^
mnJ" J"*^"*^'-!^'*^ day I Yet, zounds, there had been
more honor m fighting out the quarrel with this
French commandant. He would have made a ga
ant resistance, by the manitou of the strait and the.l
trea^. surrenders are but tame affairs " ""
JewL"J'V^'ll"'!; V^' ^°'''^^"^' ^^' a «»ost rude
gateway, laughed the captain jovially. " There hal
been overmuch ado about a weatherbeaten palLd^
and scarce a hundred houses " pansade
Lieutenant McDougal. who. at the farther end of
!,/!i°'"' ^^' '"S^S^d '" burnishing his sword
nodded assent but said nothing. ^ '
Sterling, too, was silent. He had seated himself
upon a settle in a shadowed corner, apart from he
major and the captain, that his preien^ce 4h^ fot
be a constraint upon them if they chose to con-
verse in low tones regarding the happeninV of °he
stTH • ^°.r ^?^''"^ ^'' P'P^' ^' *°°k to absTracted^
studying the fire. Although in the camp of the con
querors to-night at Fort Pontchartrain, he had "
Sement^? h. F '^k^'^''^"' °^ '^' ^"^bub and
the chTer. of P ^^'"^ '"''^""^ '"'^ ^^ ^'"^^ town,
the cheers of Rogers' rangers, the mutterings of the
mhabitants. the many visages bent upon hfm as he
marched in with the troops, visages sa^d or rowning
hfrS" °;-Pu^' ^""'"'"" °'- ^''^^' there arose before
him the frightened face of a girl.
his^^TLn'i?'"' ' P"'' °^ "PP"^""S black eyes met
his. Then their owner recoiled, a look of pride flitted
over her charming features, and, snatchin^at a curl
-'I*?;
26 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
of the soft dark hair that hung loose about her
shoulders, she drew it across her brow like a veil;
while, with a vague longing to see those eyes again,
he had passed on.
•' Larron, who is the most beautiful demoiselle of
Le Detroit ?" the young Scotchman asked the next
morning with affected carelessness, of an obsequious
coureur de bois, who, since resistance was useless,
had hastened to take service with the new masters of
the fort
" Ah, monsieur, it is without a doubt Mademoiselle
Ang^lique Cuillerier, the niece of Monsieur de
Bellestre," replied Larron readily. "I have heard
our French officers say there is not a ' grande dame *
of Montreal or Quebec but might envy her beauty.
Yet the lady is not like to be soon seen abroad now;
her father loves not the British, — pardon, monsieur,
— and she will, I dare say, remain closely indoors for
some time to come."
Sterling smiled quietly.
" I have seen Mademoiselle Cuillerier," he said to
himself.
\
CHAPTER THIRD
"HEIGH-HO, FOR A DANCING FROCK"
T™ foT °^^"'°'"\C"i"erier was outside of
f • J I- *• ^°^ y^^" he had been on term* of
o7t"hf sTraf 'h'^ ^"''^^ ^^^^^^ °^ all^^frTgiol
foresTjn ?•' *^°"''^"" ^^ bo« traversed the
riv.rl H *^^*'>'J^>';«^^t'°"; his boatmen paddled the
river and coursed along the shores of Lake Ste Clair!
and ar away, trading for furs with th^ redmen and
supplying them in exchanr^e with euns and hnfA ?
blankets, scarlet cloth eau^de 111 k !^ Ratchets,
hawks' hVll« \m! L . '^' ^^^^S' paints, and
ml^r.u ^^^" *^^ sachems came to the settle-
S h / ^'yi^'' ''^^'' ^"^ sometimes sleTt a
night before his hearth-fire. ^
Having no fear of the savages, therefore, and may-
had ::±7^: ^^^^ ^- p-p-« of barLT
ftad settled beyond the palisade. like several rival
'commergant voyageurs." Antoine's farm Hke aH
those of Le Detroit, stretched far back into the fores
but had only a narrow frontage on the Ter Thus
he was not isolated from his fellows. Campeau's
house was but a short distance away, and t^e ^ews
friend'. ". "'' ''T'^^'^y transmitted to him br^s
friends, and passed on by him to Casse St Aubri
du nord "^ I '" u"''^^^^'" ^^°"S the whole " cdte
du nord. Even when Dame Godefroy below the
fort wished to inform her dear friend Ang^rqurthat
her godchild, the Godefroy firstborn, ha3^cut\ tooth
N
ItfMMIF^mi
a8 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
or taken his first steps on the pathway of life; or
when Madame des Ruisscaux, sister-in-law of the
late commandant, Monsieur de Bellestre, desired to
ask her charming young relative to an assembly at
her house within the stockade, — the invitation and
the weighty Intelligence were in the same manner
conveyed by word of mouth along the river bank.
The house of Cuillerier, built of squared logs and
clapboarded, was one story high, but in the long
sloping roof was an additional half-story, which re-
ceived light and air chiefly from two dormer windows
on the front. The main door was painted green and
divided horizontally in the centre, the upper section
being kept open in fair weather and the lower part
closed, lest perchanqe some vagrant fowl, guinea
pig, or mongrel cur, straying from the roadway that
followed the margin of the river, might find refuge in
the dwelling. Indeed once, when Ang€Hque was a
child, this door being inadvertently left ajar, a roving
bear cub had crept in and awakened the drowsy little
maid from an afternoon's slumber in the hearthroom,
by poking his inquisitive nose into her pretty face.
The building was covered with a coat of whitewash,
and across the road was a small wharf, supported by
stakes driven into the marsh. To this point the Pani
women slaves came to fill the birch-bark buckets with
water for use in the menage. Here, too, was tied the
canoe, so indispensable in fishing and trapping, and
as a means of getting down to the fort in the spring-
time when the road was bad, or in summer when it
was hot. Within doors there were several small
apartments beyond the hearthroom, and from it a
ladder-like stair ascended to the loft, where Ang^-
lique had chosen a corner for herself. Often, during
the leisure hours of a summer's day, with the river
w
m
^■^■ii^^iS^mS^^
■'■'i^.'
M'-ji
h.i
" HEIGH-HO, FOR A DANCING FROCK" 29
breezes blowing in at the window, or in winter when
the heat from the hearth below tempered the air
above to a pleasant warmth, here in her nest under
the eaves she spent many happy hours and planned
many splendid *• castles in Spain."
Here she might have been found one balmy after-
noon m the early part of September. 1761. seated
near the recess of one of the dormers, before a plain
chest of drawers, a testimony to the rude skill of the
town carpenter. The young girl had pulled open
contents "' ^"^ "^^^ critically inspecting its
" Ma foi the result might be better." she said to
herself, with a laugh, half of fondness for the feminine
frippery about whose folds lingered recollections
sweet as the fragrance of the withered little prairie
roses strewn among the simple finery, half in disap-
pomtment that the gewgaws necessary for a " grande
toilette " had already been worn many times, at the
informal levees at the stockade or the ffite-day danc-
ing parties given at the homes of her kinsfolk and
acquaintance.
" Helas. this jupe will never more make a brave
showing, she sighed, shaking out a skirt of red gauzy
s^uff; "that rent is past all mending. I got it at
Dame St. Aubin's birthday f<&te when I danced a
gavotte with Robishe Navarre. Ha. ha, ha ! I cannot
but laugh when I recall the merry romp I And that
bodice. — misericorde. like our old dog Trouveur. it
has seen its best days. This other which was sent
to me from Quebec by my cousin is well enough,
but, having been made for her, by ill-luck it is small
for me, and will not meet at the waist. Now this blue
petticoat might serve; also. I co'uld make for my-
self a bodice out of the red jupe, with a sash of the
30 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
Irf
same. This string of corals is fair enough to set off
even a plainer costume, though I have worn it a
hundred times. And the little lace handkerchief, — ,
phouff, Robishe Navarre stole the handkerchief for a
keepsake I Well, there are the lace mittens. Helas,
Monsieur Sterling kept one of the mittens as a
souvenir of our tate-^-t^te in the moonlight on the
gala night at the fort Mon Dieu, did the gallants
but know of the annoyance they put me to by pos-
sessing themselves of these bits of my belongings, to
wear next their hearts, — so they say! Tis verily
provoking. I have scarce a bright riband left, never
a shoulder knot nor a rosette; but the mitten is a
serious loss. T was most audacious of this Monsieur
James Sterling thus ^o make off with it. I must see
that he pays dear for the heft. What is to be done
with the other? Shall I go to the ball wearing one
mitten — so?"
With a pout she stretched forth her hands and
contemplated them in comic despair, one half hid-
den, save for the finger-tips, by the dainty white
lace, the other shapely and dimpled, if a little brown,
like her rich olive complexion, and showing a strength
that could guide the home loom or paddle a canoe
with skill. " Does not this Scotch monsieur know
that a demoiselle at Le Detroit is fortunate if she
possesses one pair of lace mittens for the evening?
Fortunate am I that at our f^tes they are regarded
only as an addition to the costume, ' a bit of pride,'
as Xante Josette says. Parbleu, I must have a care,
or presently a bold cavalier may purloin one of my
dancing slippers, and then I should be put to ab-
senting myself from all routs, — which, no doubt,
would please good Father Potier well, since he Is
ever chiding me for my frivolity.
■^■.^mn^mm
"HEIGH-HO, FOR A DANCING FROCK" 3,
"Eh bien, the sum of this inventory is that h„t i
oe neld at the house of the Eni»liQh ,- j
to-morrow evening what an, r 7^ ? 7 """"andant
The and ha„ ^t ^p^^ t Sir°^^S
sucWcr,'"" """' ^"'""'^ -^ attended'^
,„;i'!^ 'f*""' '^"'°'"= Cuilierier, hates the British
and so, of course, do I ■ but «iii i 1, ''nt'sti,
ma foi, since the days o the sTeu; LrZT"' '"''
has Le Daroit seen a finer Da«,„/T,.'"f "'""
^V! ^-^t"'^"^^^ <^°->'e""tt^
rmeturl'-^fta^irmtif :hr t'.!r "7 l"
fromTh" "'": '""" g-ba-lst d 'a he^d" tk
from the swords and epaulettes of the officers And
nyeLra'nd^r""? "'"' """^ "«'• » '"-n yott
m years and somewhat austere of visao-e h,,t L.^".
a splendid mould of manly beauhr ^t' he !^f '"
more personable than is M^onsieuTste'^Sg"' " "'^"
by the pta±Ta!t*'V"'"''l'^ ""^' ""^ «™rted
wLt trd, i se^mrof'alf ^V- ""^ ^'" J"""""'
English hav; omr Heieh ho!' ~'"'"^' ?'"« the
£ror'tfei!^lTh:^«rmrtotr'^^^^^^^^^^
me„t'':ntr;o no7°""'; '-"^ «"■""• -" -"
"AnV *f ' • °* "'" f"' " "«' J"Pe and bodice
ki„H r ''':"'°"°"' "'S'" *"« " «<> be a ball wWch
fend Captain Campbell asks the French ladils o^
32 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
the post to honor with their presence. Where is
.t I put the billet ? Ah. here it is in the little Wrch
of thiMr M?' '°" °^ '^^ P^<^"^ ^"d'-" chief
rlni . A" ^^''^ P"""'^"*"^ *° "»« ^'th as much
scenic uu!"'"'' ^?"" °^^^^""- Yes, this sweet
scented b.llet .s most legibly writ and in fairly proper
French by Monsieur Sterling, who has made much
improvement m the language of late, having paid
diligent heed to the lessons of his teacher."
note of invitation with a smile that told in what
quarter the young Scotchman had prosecuted his
studies with such commendable assiduity
" Ah, but it is difficult to hate these strangers " she
continued to herself. " Moreover, it is a sin to hate
any one ; so say our ^ ure at Ste. Anne's and the mis-
su>nary Father Potier, across the river. Thus, in
this matter. I am not bound to yield obedience to my
father. Antoine Cuillerier. No; Father Potier says
we must love our enemies. Love ? Oh, it s very well
to be loved at a distance; but to love Monsieur Ster-
ling and the handsome newcomer Major Gladwin,
and dear old Captain Campbell, and Jphouff. tha
^too much to demand, even of so sad a coquette as
Mamselle Ange'lique Cuillerier de Beaubi^n. N^
Angejique, love thy neighbor, but pull not down thy
She laughed again in a soft, murmuring fashion, as
she thought how shocked the good vicar and the
missionary would be at her frivolous interpretation of
the little homilies wherein they counselled their
^rench and Indian parishioners, and the English
dwellers at Fort Pontchartrain. to mutual forbearance
that, despite their rival interests, the people of Le
Detroit might live in peace.
^£!.^i^-> sftcli
'W-Wr^--M'
"HEIGH-HO,FORADANCiNGFROCK"33
finger and resumed h«'rcfic!"i%v°:;' ""' '°''-
When a young demoiselirh!! ■ '""'""8 ^'oud-
the house: it is pleSant foA ? !"' """P^-ion in
voice debating t&n dnemn,l°s 'ra^ ''"" "="
her decision, even tlioMoh ,t ■ "'""' "P for
"A pretty plight am ll' t\lT: "l "" °«"-
wealthiest trader of the "irait, M f "^""^ °^ "•=
fabric to be bought in th- •' ™ *" °'' «"«
eveo^stuffof beauty is "naoLr"' ^'""' "^ '='»'™.
demoiselles as soon as Th/ J ""^ *^ "="»" «d
Montreal. The autumn a J'^"^'"' """ve from
until the end of the mon^ ' T" ""' >>= h^e
stantial cloths trX^Se' tt"' J,^'"k •"' ''^ ^"''-
Marianne de St Our, nr^.l j S '" '"""£■ Ah,
ersa marigold cr"d^!,^^ "^^""l rf^*"'' buy!
the same, since L brother ii",'/."", """^ "=''='• *»"•
"I might buy ft of her y1 f r " ""'«'•
n this reticule, and could make unT 1°?^ '"™'
lengths of linen, or some Trtket "^ Bu't """r" '"
not buy it, for Marianne hJ. 1 "' ""• ' *'"
ladies of quality in a' °«w. f '"'"'" '' "> »» the
fair it might ^k some 1"™ l"" "°"""" '•°«'
' There is Angfflque c„ilt "°'". ^°"'^ """W ^"X.
fineo- of Mam?e;?e de S Ou". "f 1 °"' » th^
for it a score of times N„Tt t ''' """"eh I paid
dimity overstre«-n with i^e 1 ?"TT*= *hite
my father brought 1^x1 1 If*?"' """'S"^' *«
will let me have 1 1 w^U^n^'l''^ l^siye^rl If she
gown of silk so heavy Aat it ^11 r T ^^ '°' "^ "
morrow I will sew until ™r ■'°."'' ^'°"«- All to-
a^ft her for it whek she rT 'r " *"'"'"'• ' "M
vi.t to my siste?,'"D:f?rnVK;e"''""°°"
She rose, passed beyond the deertk^-'c^rtain that
■f^^T.
34 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
divided her own especial nook from the remain-
der of the loft, and, after a moment of hesitation,
raised the lid of a green-painted chest, where were
laid away in lavender the treasures of the spinster
aunt who idolized her.
" The dear Tante will not be vexed if I just take a
peep at it," said the precipitate Ang€lique, as, after
some search, she drew forth the gauzy fabric. " Never
has it even seen the shears."
Throwing a fold of the cloud-like drapery over her
shoulder, and hastening back to the window, she
peered into a small mirror that hung upon the wall.
"Yes, mademoiselle, you could not have a more
charming costume," she decla:* d to the piquant face
that looked back at her from the glass.
Then, with a qudm of conscience, hastily restor-
ing the stuff to the chest, she returned to her low
chair in the recess of the window, took down the
mirror and, resting it upon her knees, gazed critically
at the bright reflection that had so promptly decided
the question of the " toilette du bal."
" Ah, it is good to be young, — and not ill-favored,"
she exclaimed with a sigh of content. " To be gay,
and dance, and sing, and laugh! To be loved, —
and to love, — sometime ! What tales this old
mirror might tell, had it a voice! My uncle, De
Bellestre, gave it to me. It was found in the loft of
his house among some effects left there long ago by
the erstwhile commandant, Hugues Pean, knight of
St. Louis and Lord of Livaudiere. 'T is said, little
glass, that you once belonged to the wife of this
proud chevalier, the beautiful Ang^lique de Meloise,
and he brought you here as a keepsake. He loved
her to the end, although she declined to come with
him, having no mind to hide her beauty in the wilder-
"HEIGH-HO, FOR A DANCING FROCK
35
ness. Ah, show me for once thaf ^i,. •
framed by its aureole ofLu^^ u- J^^^^'^g face
as the he'lvens. ^e exqulte wh^f "' ^°'' .'^" ^'"^ '^ M
matchless complexion r*' ^''' ""^ ^"^ ^^ '^^t y g
Angehque renewed the studv nf i,^.
nance with manifest disLSon " iTouTd""'"
visage was not so brown thaj ™,. u • ?"''' "^
u^ent::«:sercrp3 - '
a.' gi^d":;; far:^d' :;:st^ S' "t-*'^- ■■ ^
brown after all An^^iZ !■ ., , '' *"'' ""^ ^^in is
woman, and I tou^d ?' Toot ^u°'^ ""' " "'^'''d
in the ^orld.' ' '°°'' " ^''^ *<» fo' anything
ha^^h^rfed^'lr'Th? T '° *' "P» "^ *e
giv« to innoce„Tcoqnetr7 A„"S7 '"' '°"'=*''="
less litUe demoiselirwh7de1kfd ri^hT " ^^If"
shrines of Ste Ann«v j1 with flowers the
strove to keep ht Tfe a1 fa r w^Tr""" ''^''' """
within, as wefe the appt^rat Tr^"" '"u ="'"■""=
orchard: theaDDl«fW 'T'e?" 'n the mission
over with such care J/° ^^"'" ^°"" "^'^h^d
years she had eveTshow'"""'"' ''°'" ''" ^"^'^t
danger. E«n when aTa f"' ~"™Se in face of
and found the tear cub V^^ "'"""' '"* ^''°^'
of his growline she had „ t ^' u? """ ''"' heedless
him frfm till f ouse wift'a stk ^^'IT'- '"f ''"^'"
an Indian who had imbib d too freelyT &."
pa„aSrretnXotTr T--
lusee, and compelled him to leave instantly.
[i
36 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
Humming the lively refrain of " Malbrouck," she
descended the stairs to the hearthroom, where her
young brothers were taking their simple supper, at-
tended by a Pani woman. Dame Cuillerier and
Tante Josette had not returned from their visit, and
Antoine and his older sons were away in the forest.
Ang^lique joined the children, and, after the meal,
wandered out with them along the river bank. Like
a great flaming rose the sun was setting away down
in the direction of Lake Erie, for here, from the many
windings of Le Detroit, the points of the mariner's
compass seem oddly changed. Near the shore the
river was a swift current of opalescent tints, and afar
off a gleaming sea of silver. Now from the tower of
Ste. Anne's rang forth upon the soft September air
the calm tones of the Angelus, while across the water
came the answering antiphons from the bell of the
Huron Mission.
" Ave Maria," sang the fresh, true voice of Ange-
lique, the lads adding their shrill treble.
" Tendre Marie, Reine des cieux,
Mfere chdrie, patronne de ces lieux !
Veillez sur notre enfance, 4
Sauvez notre innocence,
Conservez-nous ce tr^sor pr^cieux."
Scarcely had their tuneful chant died away when,
with surprise, they heard its melody borne back to
them upon the breeze in the clear notes of a flute,
sweet as the fabled song of the dying swan.
Not a skiff was to be seen on the placid strait,
but still the dulcet s unds came nearer and at last,
around a point of land, appeared a canoe paddled by
an Indian boy.
It was not he who produced the music, however,
but a young " paleface " who sat in the centre of the
'W ^
•.HEIGH-HO.FORADANCmGFROCK"37
"Her eyes so brighUy beaming, V
Her look so frank and free '^
In waking and in dreaminif
Are evermore with me.
Hiro, my nut-brown maiden.
Hire, my nut-brown maiden
"•;;°''"yn"t-brown maiden,
Oh, she 's the maid for me.
" With her fair face before me
w"°^ !,\«% fle'v the hour.
When all her beauty held me
A captive to its power.
H>ro, my nut-brown maiden,
«»re, my nut-brown maiden.
Hiro, my nut-brown maiden,
Oh, she 's the maid for me.
""hV^k^ ^jth kindness glowing.
Her heart that hides no guile
The hght grace of her going, '
The witchcraft of her smile.
Hire, my nut-brown maiden,
«>re, my nut-brown maid-r.
'A°u' y ""'-brown maiden,
Oh, she 's the maid for me "
" l^f^iau ^ wnari with noisy welcome*
Weigh, my canty friends'" cri*.H Qf! ••
leaped ashore. " Jaco hJrl ' u I ^'^'"^'"S' as he
bows and arrows." ^^ ^"°"g^t you new
of ttfattn Ind hTs^'" ^^T^^^"" ^'^P-<^ both
gracious as to favo me whh hTr c """'"'"^^ '^ ^°
n-de on the river .> " he^sLH u ^^^^ '" ^ ^^"^^
head and bowed forma^^y ' ^ ^^ ""covered his
%
i!
38 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
The teasing demoiselle hesitated only so much as
that he must need press his invitation. At Le De-
troit the liberty enjoyed by the pretty French maiden
would have aroused the envy of her sisters in more
conventional surroundings.
The young Scotchman, as an interpreter and trader
not in the service of the English, occupied, in effect,
the position of an intermediary between the con-
querors and the French-Canadians of the strait. His
ingenuous face and courtly manners had won for him
a degree of favor with Antoine and the good Dame
Cuillerier, and Ang^lique was free to go canoeing
with him now, if she chose.
** The twilight is long, and we will return by eight
of the clock," he urg^.
" Eh bien, by eight it must be then," she answered,
and stepped into the canoe with agile grace. " Am
I to paddle, or will you, monsieur? I know not
whether you would fain be musician or boatman?"
W#-
*» VA »^'
CHAPTER FOURTH
V
ON THE RIVER AT SUNSET
S^Ji^^n^i.'T''^ M^"'^"^- "^^ Charming de-
•Mt ZT" ^^ '''"'i: "''''' tantalizing humors.
It may please you, mademoiselle, to make a iest of
. my want of skill with the paddle." kc sa^aloud " yet
even a poor boatman performs wonders when his
heart ,s m h,s work, and with you to smile upon my
STik" '' ' '"''" '"^^"^'^^ *° -pro'vemen^
" In faith. I am certain to smi/e upon them, even
though at the same time I may be imploring th; pTo"
mgly. I fear me it needs a clear conscience an
adventurous spirit and a kind providence to risk the
overturnmg of the skiff in a canoe ride with you
Monsieur Sterling." y°"'
f1,r!"'i!"^°'^ ""/''" reconcile with your conscience
the unkmd speeches you have been making for the
light and dexterous stroke his paddle dipped into
the limpid waters, now on the right hand, now on the
leit, and the canoe bounded forward fleetly as the
fawn of the forest. For the young Scotchman was no
such novice in the management of the Indian's fairy-
like craft as the perverse Angllique sought to pretend.
As for the boldness of your spirit," he continued
after a few minutes, during which they had glided
mto the current of the river, " I admire it mightily
!
40 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
Ever have I noted that a woman's courage mounteth
on occasion."
The scene was tranquilly lovely. The broad waters
outstretched before them, still rosy with the glow of
the sunset, and on either side of the strait green
prairies extended to the horizon, save where a grove
of hickory, birch, or maple lent variety to the land-
scape. In the foreground, bordering the shores, were
the lodges of the Indian villages and the habitants'
white farmhouses. The latter half embowered in
trees or standing alone, as though they courted the
sunshine, were surrounded by a high palisade of
cedar pickets, here and there overgrown with the
wild honeysuckle vine and the clematis, whose small
snowy blossoms were at this season giving place to a
cloud-like furze. Within the enclosures, the carefully
tended parterres were now ablaze with the flame
color and red of autumnal blooms, marigolds, zinias,
and the purple and rose china asters. Behind the
homesteads lay the orchards, the branches of the
sturdy trees now bending with the weight of the
maturing fruit; and still beyond, for half a mile or
more, the fields of grain and vegetables extended to
the edge of the forest.
In the marsh land, tangled growths of pond lilies
edged the river, — a fact whereof Sterling had been
mindful on his way from the town, for now a cluster
of the white star-flowers rested upon the knees of
Ang€lique, as she sat in the bow of the canoe, smiling
into the frank eyes of the young man, who, as he plied
his paddle with half-indolent ease, bandied merry
words with her, and answered her shafts of raillery
with flashes of wit or a well-framed compliment.
There were other canoeing parties this evening
also ; in the summer and early autumn the settlers of
I
ON THE RIVER AT SUNSET 4,
U Dftroit took to the river like a covey 4f „«,.,
birds Now a long bateau came up the ,tr«m
fabled charger of the 5ea and manned by a crew of
red<apped voyageurs, who bent their .trong back. °o
*oaL°ng:'-l:"'""'= """ ""^ '"« ''y^'- °f a Jovi«S
" Mon pire a fait bati maison, —
Ha, ha, ha, — frit i Thuile, —
Sont trois charpentiers qui U font, —
t ntaine, friton, fritou, poilon I
Ha, ha, ha, — frit k I'huile,
Frit au beurre k I'ognoa."
aw^v'wtl!!*^' '?°l' °^'^' ^^"eh'"g ^^fr«'*n died
away, when there shot by a solitary Indian skiff its
dusky p.Iot silent and inscrutable.Ts though hLaid
^dKeT "^' "-''' °"^ '-'''' '"-^ ---r
nJilfK^^r' Jr"'l°^ '^"^ French-Canadians jour-
steads ont-fh ^':?^ '''°" '^^ ^^^^^"^ '^ '^^ hime-
steads on either side or to and from the town, their
occupants mtent upon business or social v si^
from the fort, navigated by British soldiers, who
raced one against another, joking ahd singing and
making merry among themselves
aJ'n«^fK '" *"*!^'' Ange'Hque joyously, as there floated
across the water snatches of their song, —
" We be soldiers three, — -
Pardonnez moi, je vous en prie, --
Lately come from the Low Countrie,
With never a penny of monie.
" Here good fellow, I drink to thee, ~
Pardonnez moi, je vous en prie, —
To all good fellows wherever they be
With never a penny of monie.
^H''
4a THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
"And he th,t wiU not pledge me thi.,-.
Pardonnez mol. je vou. en prie,^
^^y*^^' the shot whatever It It,
With never a penny of monie.
Pardonnez moi, je vou. en prie. --
A. long a. there I. any ink in thy pen.
With never a penny of monie."
thafr of D^u- u x? """'ng in midstream. It was
mat of Robishe Navarre son nf *k« u t '. '
*!"''"'''' "f Sterling and Ang^liqne was blacS"
Such w/r. Ih ' '° "■"' ""'K" '«'<'* *e fort.
,hut ' '""" "P"" 'he river highway at
tad hahif'"/'"-"""^-*! drama, wherein b«.^
sta.d habiunts, savages and merry-makers olavS
omintd -.het ^'"""^ l"" MademoiseU: CuS
contmued their voyage, the young man dropoed the
tone of respectful gallantry wherewith he had meJ
her spnghtly sallies, and a note of tenderaess creoJ
"«rt,'nr, T' '1'""^ *= "S"' "aft dXhe s"5
ON THE RIVER AT SUNSET 43
r Eh ^;«n. Mademoiselle, if it was Providence who
set us adrift thus together. I am emboldened to tell
you somcthmg that is on my mind."
qui'ckltslon' ^"^ J"*'" »^— red Ang^lique in
•• Ma foi. why is he so different from other cava-
/n^ "^T ^^"^ ^"^ '° ^"^"^^' " The gallants of
Le D€tro,t may attempt to speak of love, and one can
check them with a merry word, but ' ce monsieur ici '
pays no heed to my warnings."
" Ah. mademoiselle," he went on with quiet tenac-
ity you must know it is a great happiness to me
to have you with me. here in my boat, even for
this short twilight hour. I love you, sweet one.
w.th all my heart. To me you are the most beauti-
ful woman m the world. But. though your beauty
fascinates me, I am still more drawn to you by the
guilelessness of soul that is mirrored in your dear
eyes. Be my wife. Ang^Hque. - tell me that you
will voyage with me in the canoe of life. For you I
will do and dare great things, - whatever you ask
At least grant me leave to hope that sometime you
will love me a little because I love you so fondly, as
one who is cold grows warm at the hearth-fire; that
you will plight with me the marriage vows before the
altar of Ste. Anne's? "
In his earnestness he leaned forward. Beyond his
eager, mgenuous face Ang^lique saw the western sky
a pale sea of green and amber; a star gleamed faintly
above It. while at the horizon gathered the violet
mists of evening For a moment, indeed, it seemed
to the girl as if the gates of paradise were wide open,
and, floating beyond them in this frail barque, she
and Sterling, the husband of her choice, might voy-
age on, forever young, forever happy. Ah yes it
ms^M^m^-'J^M
*:-i ';''
44 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
would be sweet to be loved and cherished as deariy
as he vowed that he would love and cherish her ^
i-ike one in a dream she listened. The young man
from h.s position in the canoe could not see the fe'r
afterglow of the sunset; he beheld only her counte
nance radiant, gracious, sympathetic, as though her"
gentle sp.nt were attuned to his. Then, all at once
this rapt expression faded. '
Alas for his hope! As Ang^lique lowered her
eyes from the peaceful sky. they Lted an InstanI
upon the bastions of old Fort PontchartraL Si
remembered that Steriing had co^ to Le D^trd'
th ban to'b'e""" ' r'^^'^^"' ^^^ '^-^^^ S W
the ball to be given by Colonel Campbell the next
evening, and of the distinguished officers who woufd
be his guests. Nevmheless. if she did not rov7the
stiZTt ^^°'^^T"' »^- heart was ore dee^!
before. ^ "'"'^ "'^^'"^ *^*" '' ^ad ever been
T .1^"'"^^' ™'' Angllique," he entreated; "or may
I take your silence for permission to still further pS
my love, my respect and admiration for you ?'• ^
Oh, monsieur, do not. I beg of you. so interpret
It, she broke out at lenrth " v^^.. ,, '"'erpret
T - n"!. V . *cngcn. you are a stranger at
" "^"^ »« 'hose who will afBrm what I have toM
you W.I1 „ot have me say 'no;' what thJc^it
.cJirTee*r,:ir;/4:t ''■''"'' '^ ^^^""^ '»<'
1^*
ON THF .vIVEL AT SUNSET 45
" Let it remain unspoken, then, ' ma belle,' until it
can be yes,' " he rejoined, as he essayed to touch her
nand.
"Oh, monsieur, have a care, lest you overturn the
canoe exclaimed the teasing demoiselle, in pre-
tended alarm. '^
Sterling was wise enough not to weary her with his
love- making.
" You are right, mademoiselle," he said quietly.
I would only beg you to believe that I did not ask
you to come upon the river so that you must needs
hs en to my suit If I chose an untimely moment to
tell you of my love, it is because of late whenever I
have been with you the avowal has trembled on my
Ups. If I have vexed you, it is my misfortune."
By a clever manipulation of the paddle he brought
the canoe about, and headed it toward the Cuillerier
homestead. For a few minutes there was an awkward
silence. But Sterling, refraining by an effort from
further expression of his hopes and emotions, sought
to lessen his own and Ang€lique's embarrassment by
talking of indifferent matters.
watched him half shyly. Not in this wise would
have acted Robishe Navarre, Jasmin de Joncaire, or
one or two others she might name. The wooing of
Robishe would have been more fervid, perchance;
but she could have put it aside with a jest. And no
fear, either, that he would carry around a broken
heart ; was not Archange de Mersac ready to con-
sole him? While, had Jasmin laid at herMet Ws
lands and fortune, and met with so little success, he
would have sulked all the way home. How consid-
era e was this young Scotchman I Although not so
well-favored as the English officer who arrived yes-
I--.
46 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
terday. he was well built, and as with light, steady
strokes he drove the canoe onward, the exertion dis-
played his fine physique and manly strength to ad-
vantage. Moreover, he had a most frank and honest
countenance. After all, she was almost sorry she
had not sa.d " yes " awhile ago ; of a sudden, life had
taken on a dreaiy grayness. She and her lover had
turned back from the Gates of Happiness; she no
longer looked upon the western sky, but before her
in the distance the dusk began to settle down upon
onl^^ .°^/''* ^^^"'' ""^ '" '^' foreground were
only the shadowy woodland solitudes of the Isle au
Cochon and the Isle au P^che.
But what is it this singular Monsieur Sterling is
saying now? He is telling of his first coming to\e
S /T 1,1° *"*r*^>^ ^^^ '^^ ^^^" thinking of him
that she had paid small heed to his words
'! P^'-don. I was regretting that the lilies have folded
their petals over their golden hearts." she faltered,
bloomf "^ *^ ^'""^^ °^ ^'th^red
Ah, yes, full well I remember; it is near unto a
year since the Enghsh took possession of Le Detroit
Major Rogers is gone to Michilimackinac. and Captain
Campbell is commandant here. He is only to be
second m authority, you say? This young officer
who came yesterday, - how is it you call him, -
Major Gladwin, is to be commandant? That is news
indeed. What is that about a parley the English had
^fEries?^?'' " "^^^ "P ^'°™ ^^ L^^ °^
Steriing repeated his remark, and then went on to
tell her of the Indian youth and the escort of warriors
W^y'^'f
ON THE RIVER AT SUNSET 47
sent to Major Rogers, while with his rangers he was
encamped on the borders of the forest, the haughty
message brought by the envoy, and the coming of
the unknown chief at sunset.
ur"^^ ^?"*. "^^^ "^^ *° Panigwun, 'the Strong
Wmg-Feather ; and of what appearance was the lord-
her savage?" inquired the girl, who had listened with
parted lips to his strange recital.
J'^^rZ^ "°* ^ *^" "'^"'" continued Sterling
thoughtfully, "but his muscular figure was distin-
guished by remarkable symmetry and vigor In
complexion he was darker than the other warriors,
darker than are the Indians here at the strait: his
features were stern and bold, his bearing imperious,
nice that of a man accustomed to sweep away all
opposition by the force of his determined will. He
wore his crimson blanket with a native majesty, and
his feather head-dress could not have lent to him
greater dignity had it been a crown of gold. He was
willing, he said, to live at peace with the English: he
will suffer them to remain in his country so long as
they treat him with due deference, forsooth. In fact
we heard later that four hundred braves lay in am-
bush at the entrance to Le Detroit to cut us off, but
the mfluence of this king of the wilderness was hap-
pily exerted in our behalf, and they were turned from
their design.
" And not one among the English was able to learn
the name of the powerful warrior who gave them so
.^^SnaU proof of hb queried Ang€lique
rl'^l'u ^fj°f .Rogers and, after him, Captain
Campbell asked it of every brave who came to the
fort. As one neutral in regard to all the rival interests
Here, I was requested to make inquiry of the French •
48 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
ev"e/r sat:"' ''t"' '^"'^f*^' *^^ '^P'^ ^^^ »-en
Chi J' ^ ' " ^' '^^^' ^>'hout doubt, the Great
Chief. Moreover, this remarkable man seem, f^
have utterly vanished. At the councils whh the
looked for, but he did not aooear <ii. ^fr
Johnson is most curious to dl Jv^h, ^jj^^;:,
tlttn6.^l":t r.'-^' "J^'^^ °"^ distinguished Tipper!
Ss of LenA"> f''" ^"'^ *°"^^y ^'th all the
selle f „ '; ^' ^^' "°* P''^^^"^ Mademoi-
selle can you explain this riddle? Who is this
mysterious savage,-do you know?" '
Angeljque nodded.
"It can be no other than the mighty chief of the
Ottawas my father's friend," she rejoined at once in
at the H^ T.t''°"; " ^^'^" ""^^ he warmed him;df
atjhe hearth-fire of Antoine Cuillerier and sat aTht
Jlt'}'''^ u^'^t ^* ^^' '" ^^^"^^ amazement, for
asjhe spoke she raised her head with an air of
He had seen in Britain, in France, in Puritan New
England, many fair and modest damsels, bu neverl^
seemed to him, had he met a young maid of sweeter
nature or more natural delicacy than w^ thi7w
C.OUS, naive little demoiselle who had been born Ind
S[e worldV/ f' '^^"''^^ P°^^' - ^- -moved from
the world of elegance and refinement. Any belle ^f
the old world or the new might envy her exquisite
Doasted of the familiar footing whereon her father
utT^ a redskin of the forest. """'
What anomalies are to be met with here in fi,«
J«ld«n«C' he reflected. " How I wT h I eo"ld tat
thu capfvahng Angllique away from so rude a We "
5rc#Ti^
'XW^M
■ft
ON THE RIVER AT SUNSET 4^
'• But, mademoiselle," he said aloud with nn of
tempt to conceal his surprise •• it is no/ J^ -k, u^'
The g.rl broke into a peal of musical L^hter
Oh. no monsieur." she answered. "Whe„ th.
Indian warriors visit AntnJn- n n • ."'"^n the
She laughed again at the ease wherewith th. ^tt:
.,'.' ^'H" y°" ^"°^ **»e name of the Great Chi^r
nrng. how could sh« dXelo "ns^rX""- "7"
question, especially when he hid tusTlln h 'Th
greatest proof of his confiH-n^. k .^ . '"' *''*
trust her th huyr° .*^"B "''• "« "M willing to
Z'X. :" Shi'tjuuT'oVh""'^'" ?' "°'^''
less; nothing , , inZe tht Frt„ 'h^ ™.^ "T'^'"=-
allies. trench or their Indian
rnqXtunde^Med"" '° '"™ '"^ *'"Ss'"shc
ae'SLt^ctf b'^pac^-'^ir '"= '"'■"■'"'■'' <"
Mcure a lone neace IV^ nl P-"'"''' *"'' ""us
-MfainaidSC<-i:.^p„^^:'-.---^;
50 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
cement this peace unless they know in what part of
the forest he lives?"
" Ah, yes, it is peace we need, above all else," im-
petuously exclaimed Ang^lique. "And it is well
that the English should propitiate the Indians of the
strait, for, I will tell you something, — the red men
are not well pleased; they think the English esteem
their friendship as of small account. The Great
Chief IS now away in the north, among the Ottawas,
the Ojibwas, the Pottawattomies and Hurons, yet his
warriors keep him informed of all that goes on at
Le Detroit."
" But when he is in this vicinity, where may a mes-
senger be sent to him? " insisted the young man.
"Turn the canoe across the stream, and I will
show you his haunt," returned the girl.
So unexpected was her answer that Sterling nearly
dropped the paddle as he hastily complied with her
request.
•• Now look yonder," proceeded Ang^lique. " Be-
yond the Isle au Cochon you have often remarked
that other lonely island in the river; how black its
groves appear to-night! We French call it the Isle
au Pfiche, because of its fine fisheries, but to the
Indians it is known as the burial-place of the Prophet.
When the Great Chief is in this region, it is there he
has his lodge; there he holds council with the mani-
tou of the strait."
"And his name?" reiterated Sterling.
" He is called Pontiac," replied the girl in a fright-
ened whisper, as though the very utterance of the
word aroused her fear. " Ma foi, monsieur," she
added with a shudder, " paddle swiftly, I pray you.
The air has grown chill, and I would gladly be at
home before the dark falls."
ON THE RIVER AT SUNSET j,
Sterling dallied no more, but applied himself ardu-
ously to h,s task. The gloom of evening »Lf«t
creeping over , he river; but as they rLlTd tte
mle wharf before the Cuillerier farm, there came to
them agam upon the cool night breeze the song"rom
th': toir- ' "" "="'*« ™^»8eurs returnU to
" Fritaine, friton, fritou, poUon !
Ha, ha,ha, — fritkl'huile,
Frit au beurre k. Tognon."
■^"T^-'^.'M''
CHAPTER FIFTH
SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON
'T^HE next afternoon, a glance into the living-
-■. room of the Cuillerier home would have shown
a typical picture of life at Le Detroit in the year
1 761. The room itsfelf, with its many contrasts of
light and shade, presented an interior that would
have delighted the eye of Chardin, the peasant
pamter, who, with his charming genre pieces, was at
the time winning fame in France. The sunlight,
shinmg in through the open door, brought out into
relief the dark rafters hung with yellow-seed com,
dried pumpkins, and hanks of unbleached yarn, an
effect of color splendid as a golden tapestry. It fell
m a broad stream upon the puncheon floor and the
huge mat of plaited river grasses, the work of the
Pani slaves; it burnished the flintlock muskets
crossed upon the wall, and touched lightiy the
great mass of golden-rod, reed mace, or " cat's tails "
and sedges, wherewith Ang€lique had filled the dark
cavern of the chimney.
It peered also into the faces of a group of men
who, from force of habit, had drawn the rudely made'
chintz-covered chairs up around the hearth, where
they sat in a half-circle, smoking their red clay pipes,
and chatting in the inconsequent fashion wherewith a
group of idlers discuss the affairs of the hour, pojitical
or social.
SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON 53
Antoine Cuillerier. a small man, past middle a^e
w.th a swarthy shaven face, restless' black eys. and
a thm straight nose; there was thick-set Bar^tSc
M^loche; Charles Parant. hale and jovial; shrewd
Jacques Campeau; besides St. Aubii, the !?urdy
handsome Jacques Godefroy. and keen-fitted Jacques
Baby,» from across the river
K..«i, . ""** *"* *^o"» and leave vou th*.
husks; nevertheless, let us be friends' A nH t
wiU find «,a? we have"^"', J^t^dTu'r dL""^
.^^«:^ ''"■°"«'' "« """ '«' *« -l-'ion r«. S
the drt,^ Vr . ■"" '■'' "•* <"■« 8°« back to
* Pronounced Bawbee.
^cC#'«i.-
54
THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
u- I I ''. *^ran-e, Here at the strait"
broadly. To ot ga^™;^;'™'""/ «"? Baby grinned
ever, or questioned ,he.Jf'°'« '" r"?. ""ow-
other title than hi. r,f=£ L° "" *='''""«' ^y no
amused or too careless ' P*'""*!"- «oo
long King LouTs wUl «nH ^ *"' P^P'"' ^^f""
I unde^taLTcrm^Vrda";^^^^^^^^ ^ ^°" -"•
the ball given to-night by the Enl^^K « *"'^'*"' ^*
request of this Sir WilliL t.k ^ ^ ^Z^*'^"' ^* '^^^
h«e .^^ngthen T-J^'^rS:^^^^^:-^
"wtrthV^onafe:^;^^^^^^^^^^^
atsoXx'^Ln^ivr'n'""^^^^^
Campbell?" ° '^^ **°"se of Captain
" Parbleu I it is because he buys from ^. u
corn meal, and eau-de-vie," reSiTbywii^^;
^^' 'yfm
SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON
55
good-natured laugh. " No man smites the hand that
puts money m his purse."
aai7*'^*l-^°"u ^*''* '*'" '*"°"^*^^ Antoine; "one
gams nothmg by quarrelling with the redcoat until
will bl%Yr-- '' "' '° ""' *"^^ "'^^^ '^^^' they
t^aLr,^W t ? ««;"'««• numbers their own lawless
traders. We hate them, but there is no reason why
we should despise their gold. Yes. the true ruler of
the world ,s gold; they who have it hold in thc°
fs ?heVe /""' °^ P°"" ^' ^°^ '^' »>^^ to-night
Iw ""^^ ^"°"S y^" ^^° ^*><^« not know that
'what a woman wills. God wills '? My daughter is
t mren"'""^ '° *'' '^"' ^"^ ^^^ " --"<>"
hav^fK •'*'^"'" ""''"''''^^'^ ^^''^"*' " the demoiselles
L wVh\TerrsT'^^ °' ^^"^"^^^'"^ ''^ ^'^'^'' --
^hl' Jr "^ ^rT'^r^!'^ Campeau. " I think it well that
t^ theT,? v' ^^*;f .«h°"Jd accept the invitation
to the festivities. The r sharp eves anH ft.m;«;«J
intuitions will disce.n for us wi?t ^Taler of mT^e
ctuld?eTrnT'""' ''4 '°^ "°^^ speedily than we
a man. t ^ uf™^' • ^^ust a woman for finding out
a man s vulnerable point. - ha. h.i. ha ! I made no
ado when my wife announced that she would tto "
Paran?To'lJLcr. "" ' ^'"^^ ^^"°-'" ^^^P-^
"I think not with you all," Godefroy broke out
brusquely. "I will have nothing to do with Sie
for.gners. even in pretence of amity, and my w^e
shall not attend the ball ! " ^ *
A laugh went round.
JJ^^ ^'^ '^^^^'' ^ P°""^ °^ tobacco there will be
Jacaues " cH r T"" '* T"*" ^°^^" *^"'ght, friend
Jacques, cried CuiUerier. clapping his knee.
S6 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
'I No, no, my word is law, and my vfiL most duti-
ful, retorted Jacques, as, vexed and impatient at
their continued laughter, he rose, pushed back his
chair with a jerlc, and flung himself out of the house.
Could Captain Campbell of the fort have heard
this conversation, he would not perhaps have so con-
fidently assured Sir William Johnson that the people
of Le Detroit had accepted the English rule with
good grace. As it was, sanguine that there was no
trouble to be feared from the French, and satisfied
after his great powwow with the Indians that they
were glad to be allied with the party in power, when
evening came Sir William was in the most genial
of moods. . •
"Adzooks, captain, you have transformed this
council chamber, erstwhile so dreary, into a most
festive ball-room," he remarked approvingly, as he
glanced about the main apartment of the British
headquarters, once the residence of Monsieur de
Bellestre, who, at first sent a prisoner to Niagara, had
been released and permitted to return to Montreal
Captain Campbell smiled, gratified by the cnco-
miums of his chief.
.1. " ' ^^^^}^ presents a rude appearance compared to
the splendors of Johnson Hall," he answered politely
•• Some day perhaps, we may be able to bring fine
furnishings from England; at present there is little
of the sort in the town, save a few pieces in the
houses of the French, brought from France during
the old regime; but we have done what we could "
"And the effect is excellent," repeated Sir William,
as he raised his eyeglass and again surveyed the
long, low-studded room, the sombreness of whose
age and smoke-darkened walls was relieved by cur-
^' ..'W^-
^¥
* M»A.^
SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON 57
? oair^hiff **". '"*""f*^*»^«' - B'-^^at clkskins tanned
nin. « -11 ^'^J"!^*"? ornamented with dyed porcu-
were ii! f hK *^."^'' ^^'^ ''^" ^^ the aparLent
were st.l I further decorated by the antlers of giant
he buffalo, fl.nt-headed and feather-tipped arrows.
and strings of wampum ; the rafters with festoons of
the red cotton cloth which the traders were wont to
sen to the savages in exchange for their furs. The
hall was lighted by hanging lamps of bears' oil. and
the floor, in other times worn smooth by the feet of
the councillors of the commandant of the French
King, had now been made smoother by a coatine of
wax for the gay tread of dancers.
Now the band of the garrison struck up a spirited
air; the guests began to arrive ; and as the ladies with
their cavahers. some French, others English, were
presented to the gallant superintendent of Indian
affairs, for each dame and demoiselle he had, on the
spur of the moment, a special compliment or word
of flattery.
"Truly •• exclaimed the captain, when all had been
made welcome, " I congratulate your Excellency
upon the popularity you have already attained at the
strait. Here are twenty ladies, all of the best families
of Lc Detroit, come to grace this happy occasion."
tgad, and handsomer women it has never been
my fortune to meet," returned Sir William.
" With whom will your Excellency open the ball? "
continued Captain Campbell. "Shall it be with
Madame des Ruisseaux, the white-haired dame who
has the air of a duchess, or Madame Campeau ? The
first lady is connected by marriage with the late
r rench commandant, and "
" I depute to you, captain, the honor of dancing
VH^M.:
MO'. Kr<rVW.«*Tr'tfVMtfr.U
58 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
with these • grandes dames ' in their prime," inter-
rupted Sir vVilham, with a quizzical look. " I have
given the day to arduous affairs; this evening I shall
please myself. Tell me, Campbell, who is that
charming creature who has just entered the room
upon the arm of a young man whom I think you
made known to me this morning? How is it you
named him?"
Again he raised his eyeglass, as if forsooth his eye
was not noted for its keenness.
•' Ah, I do not Aronder that you call her charming,"
was the prompt reply. " It is Mademoiselle Cuillerier,
the bourgeois' daughter ; her escort is Mr. Sterling,
a Scotchman, of whose services as French interpreter
we sometimes avail ourselves."
" Humph," ejaculated his Excellency, growing ab-
sent during the explanation, " it is with the exquisite
little Watteau figure Mademoiselle Cuillerier that I
will open the ball."
"But, sir—" began the captain.
"I shall lead out the beauty first," insisted Sir
William.
"Well, well, after all. Mademoiselle Cuillerier is
also related to Monsieur de Bellestre, and your choice
thus explained will, I hope, mollify the other ladies
present, since you cannot dance first with all of
them," responded Campbell dubiously.
" In faith I care not on what ground you put it,
only delay not to seek her. For if upon nearer view
she is half so prepossessing as at this distance, I shall
tread on air during the measures. Besides, it is not
seemly to keep the guests waiting," rejoined the
baronet dryly.
Radiant Ang^lique certainly appeared. Tante
Josette had evidently sacrificed upon the altar of
iif^'^fiK'-''' '
•>V-^:
;-:it
SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON 59
affection the "white dimity bestrewn with httle pas-
toral designs. As clearly, too. the girl had sewed
with di igence all day. and now in her fleecy draperies
she looked not altogether unlike a white cloud over-
sown with tiny garden-plots.
Sterling mentally likened her to the white river-
ilies with golden hearts that he had plucked for her
the evening before. He too was happy. Ang^lique
had come with Madame des Ruisseaux, but she had
promised him her hand for the opening dance ; and
since she ha. not answered him " nay" on the river
last evening, he began to take on the air of an ac-
cepted lover Already he was looking forward to
thTh/n t tf' ^!'\^'' "P°" '^' ^^"^'•y. when
the ball should be at its height.
" A handsome pair they make." whispered Madame
bt. Aubin to Madame des Ruisseaux. •• Monsieur
sterling is most personable, clad thus in silver gray
and I esteem well this new manner of wearing the
hair unpowdered and tied back with a riband As
for la belle Ang^lique. never has she appeared more
engaging. Where got she that frock ? In vain I tried
to buy a new one in the town."
"Let us stand aside a moment," said Ang^lique to
her cavalier. " Before I meet his Excellency llould
fain see. to better advantage than yesterday, what
manner of man he is." ^
They drew back against the wall, and she darted a
quick glance at the noted personage who. among all
the English, was reputed to have the greatest influ-
ence with their terrible Iroquois allies.
" He is tall and erect, if somewhat heavy of weight "
she added, well pleased with her scrutiny; "and his
features are. to my thinking, strong and manly. He
IS near unto fifty years of age. you say. Monsieur
'^,^i-^^si«'^^si^^mBH^mgssrmp'iif^^eimt:
J »
6o THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
Sterling? I„ truth, he does not look it in that ruby
colored coat, so richly guarded with gold lace. SurelT
too, and vastly becoming to the wearer "
«i^^^^"^^'.^°"^'^"'' ^^ Capitaine," she replied
Monsieur Sterling has just offered t^ conduc me to
pay my respects to his Excellency "
Sterling threw back his head ' proudly, but his
satisfaction was £,oon dashed. /• ""' ms
"Pardon mademoiselle, if I still beg the privilege "
continued the officer. " Sir William has depute' me
to request you to open the ball with him "
As he concluded, the bright eyes of Ang^lique
grew brighter with surprise and pleasure at so marked
a compliment, and, vouchsafing only a smile of apology
to the Scotchman, she suffered the colonel to lead her
away. "^^
Ja"t man^'^"" WMp' '^' ^"^ ^^^^''^Y'^^S before the
great man. Sir William in turn bowed low over her
hand, as he took it in his own.
"You will pardon me. midemoiselle, that from
among all the fair women present I have singled you
out as the most beautiful." he said impressively.
The girl blushed rosy red.
mirS"' ^''""^"^^y '" "^°«* eracious." she stam-
" And you will do me the honor to tread the
hTsJm r^Sn^d.' ^^P--^'P-'ng the little hand
he^^eJ;onif '"°" '' "^"^' ^^"^ ^^^^"-^^•" --
SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON
6i
Forthwith, to the music of " Rule Britannia," al-
though the prettily confused damsel knew not the
air, nor did the other French among the company, he
led her to the top of the room, followed by the other
officers and gentlemen, who had already engaged their
partners.
To simple little Ang^lique it seemed as though the
ceremonious court dance could never before have
been so stately and graceful. Her uncle, De Bellestre,
was the personification of courtliness; but this Sir
Johnson not only bowed to her as though she were a
princess royal, but as though she were a princess
royal for whom he entertained a most respectful but
hopeless devotion.
When the minuet was over. Sterling pressed for-
ward to claim her for the Sir Aoger de Coverley, but
he presently muttered a forcible epithet under his
breath, as the doughty baronet declared that Made-
moiselle Ang€lique must again favor him for the
reel.
By the time it was finished Ang^lique felt on terms
of old friendship with Sir William. He laughed and
jested with her now, an J she grew vivacious, spar-
kling. She even told him the story of the odd silk
mitten, and confided to him how, when presented to
him, she had worn it on the right hand, although
It was meant for the left, and had tried to conceal the
mittenless hand in the folds of her frock. Thereat,
he pretended to have detected the ruse, but vowed
she should have, by an early English convoy, a pair
of the finest gloves to be obtained from London, as
a souvenir of this evening, which he would always
remember.
Yet the other ladies were not neglected. While
the gallant superintendent was making peace with
6a THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
ling secured fron, her bat a " «^ol .•TU'"^, • '"j
deux," wherein he acquitted hiS u, "IVh"? ^
^n..I«r with these French gamMs/'t surellyTe?
dared. His heart was hot with anger. ^
se-^^JSeThTarS'-ht::^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
strangers, of distinguished position though thevw.^
her apparent forgetfulness of himself ellledT'
almost to madness. Whv even ulk- 1 J """
two dances with her ,n T • '^"■"she Navarre had
de Me««, who had len ^-r'-l-"". Archange
seemed .'out "ofttras" htl'jl? '"' "-"""-
."ed^.^3;M?e":atcKr •^?^i:j'\7r
r !' ,f ^ "■"« " P-«y. white wood pig"on b :
when the p,geon ventures out of the wood rt'i. •
^ °:ho^t«Un \:-z:JtB
itir..*r h?r^ xr ::;' j'f^^^
^ he^^S^: -- q ^e «ve minutes
the moment disengaged, he abruptly checlT^ W,
morose medtations and hastened to her side
gaiie'^^;^-^^^.-" ^- ''^^ ^ '-ton the
almtf t™. '°°''"' "•' '■"" "" f-^ ''- grave.
__.^M.-^E<L
SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON 63
" I have been unkind to him anH h*. ;- ^i
courteous to me," she said 't^'h" '^.^^bt
he saw me promenading with Major Gladwin "h
I promised him quarter of an ho..r . f^*"""' »"<^
light. Well, the Ion did LrriLTnt^nt^^H"-
sudden remorse rendered her very sweet and ^n'
nmg as, folding her silken scarf abo^uther'shLldes"
she tepped out with him into the mild evening air '
with the hP^ ""f u' "°' ^^^ "'^^°- 'o bTfonent
In^ ^tu r ""l '^^ ""^"^^"^ ^'thout torturing Ws
soul with thought of the past or the future ?^No
he must needs dash from him the cup of his present
happmess before he had tasted it ^
he'bll?'''" f'*^ ' P''''""i ""'"'"^' mademoiselle."
fte began. 'For my part, I seldom watch a woman
dno"V.''';;' -^Salome, the daughter of h""
head Tf the .^ '' '^' '"^"^^ °^ ^'^ dance the
AnaXr P*"?^^' ^^--^^d "P on a golden salver."
" Vr^™:'. /''^^'^'^ '° °^''''°°'^ ^'^ brusqueness.
sieur tC ' " '"°'' commendable in you. mon-
sieur, that you sometimes reflect upon Holy Writ "
she rejomed serenely. " Nevertheless, why do peo-
pie go to a ball if not to dance ? " ^
" Oh. as a diversion, or a healthful exer. it mav
be well at times." was his inconsequent rep . " Ye^
thi-S' ^ °" »"^'- to-night, mademoiselle, to my
thinking, you were not altogether fortunate in y^ur
choice of partners." ^
n.Jn\^\'} Y ""'^"^^ ^'^^ * ^"^'1« h^lf of amuse,
ment. half of incredulity, to his wiseacre remark but
as he concluded she let fall her hand fro"'arm
aSmir'J n'r^"''' ' dignity which he would hive'
64 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
to t.^""''?/'" '^^ '^'^ ^"'^^'^y- "yo" have no right
to take me thus to task. At a ball, L in life, a woman's
choice depends often upon what comes o her iJ
the .uest'n? ,*=r^""^'"''^ ^y ^^'"^ attention from ^
the guest of the evenmg and the new commandant
I fail to see wherein I have done aught to merii
eiAer pra.se or blame from any one."^ "'
Ah, Ang^hque. your pretty head has been turned
son'J^crLT?. ?^"',^" °' *^" Sir William Johr.
son, cried Sterhng. losing the remnant of his self-
command ''He would have you believe 'hat h fs
heart is already beneath your feet: it is his wav wli
women.^ I thought, however, that' yV: h^edTotl^
;; He calls himself an Irishman." she argued.
He IS such only in his agreeable manners, his wit
and cleverness, and in the fact that he happened to
be born on the western shore of St. George's channel
But able and brilliant official of EnglanI tLugh he
be I do not care to have the woman I would make
my Jife honor him again with her hand in the
Ang^lique's spirit rose. It was clear that h«.r
mdifference to me, yet you had best look to ftthat
she be one willing to remain at home by voir fire
and^not sfr abroad, for she will have no^^y"task!
.J,t"f*"?r'" ^' "««rated, "I did not mean to
Tnd ,J ■''• '"-r^"" ' ^'^' ^'o provoked bl!
yond endurance. It is my i^ve for you that hL
kmdled this anger. But. if you continue to coqtS
SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON 65
with this man, who, though ready enough to make
love, is M ready to forget; if you prefer the poisoned
honey of idle flattery to the love of an honest heart,
then dearly as I love you, I will banish my yearn-
ing for you from my soul. I will not love you any
more. '
Ang^lique was now as exasperated as himself.
Perhaps it was for this reason that she answered his
passionate speech by a ripple of careless laughter,
that reminded him of the music of a woodland cas-
cade as it fell over the sharp rocks and hid in the
stony heart of the ravine.
"Of a verity, monsieur, you have a taste for
romance, she cried; "you should have lived at the
strait m the day of the Sieur de Cadillac. Yesterday
you told me that you loved me; you love me now,
you say, but you will not love me to-morrow. Eh
bien, I value not a love that alters thus with every
wind. You had best begin at once not to love me
1 am free, and you have much effrontery to expect
me to govern my actions according to what may
please you. Such audacity is not to be lightly
pardoned." ^ ^
" Ang^Iique, I have been far too blunt, and I beg
you to forgive me," protested the young Scotchman,
as he laid a hand upon her scarf to detain her. But
petulantly withdrawing the soft silk from his clasp,
she re-entered the ball-room and sought out Madame
des Ruisseaux.
That night she passed at the house of this lady
within the palisade, returning home the next after-
noon.
How glad she was to get back to her day dreaming
in the recess of the window of the loft. Above her
little looking-glass hung a chaplet of prayer-beads,
5
66 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
strung of white wampum shells by the deft fingers
of Indian maidens under the instruction of Father
Potier of the Huroh Mission. For a moment the girl
hesitated before them. Had she taken the chaplet
perchance many things would have been more fortu-
nate for Sterling; but it was the fateful mirror of
Ang6Iique de Meloise that she chose.
•• Ma foi. if we do not suit some folk, there are
others who think us pleasing enough," she said to the
piquant face that looked out from within the circlet
of the old carved wood frame, and smiled back at her
reassuringly. " We will not be lectured, you and I
No; we will dance, and laugh, and be merry when^
ever it is to our mind." ^.
She kissed her hand to the demoiselle in the elass
and then, a little ashamed of having wasted a whole
half-hour, hurried down to the hearthroom, to live
over again the happy moments of the evening before,
in relating the incidents of the ball to the confidante
of her girlish triumphs, " cette chSre Xante Josettc "
CHAPTER SIXTH
THE BLACK RAIN
'pHE fortnight that followed was long remembered
each dav to'tif '^-^"r^"'""* J°^"«°" ^--°ted
each day to the affairs of the post, and held manv
spent m soc.a p easures, and so great a popularit^
d,d h,s gemal disposition win fo7 him among the
French Uiat he was fdted with lavish hospitahty by
the best families of the little town ^
He himself gave a ball, which was even more bril-
hant than the first. He entertained at dTnner the
Vicar Monsieur de Bocquet, cur^ of Ste Tn„l's
and Father Potier, together with all the French
gentlemen of Le Detroit, including Colonel Du
Quesne and Major La Mothe, who had not long before
village, where the warriors were drawn up in line and
fired a military salute in his honor. ^^rL^j
Poder'Tinall"' f'^^'^'l '°°' ^"^^^ ^^^^r
rotier Finally when, on the i7th of Seotember h^
embarked for his return homeward, he kft behind
him a most favorable impression '""*
h J^f*" ^^f!? '^"^*'"' *^*^ ^"^^'' ^"d the missionary
an offi f r^f ^"P^""^«^"<i^nt of Indian affairs to b^
tty. He had gamed the respect of the redmen bv
the consideration he showed ti»cm. the atten"^ e^
68 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
he lent to the story of their grievances, and his
promise that these should be speedily righted.
While, with the fair sex, his witty and gallant
speeches, his deferential manner and unfailing good
humor, had rendered him so great a favorite that
what the capitulation had been powerless to effect, he
accomplished by the charm of his personality ; the
women of Le Detroit had become, for the time being
at least, the firm friends of the English.
Not that they were grown cold in their allegiance to
New France -far from it; but as Charles Parant had
said at the house of Cuillerier, the capitulation had
been a bad bargain, and they must make the best of it
After the departure of the British convoy down the
Lake of the Eries, the season of merriment, so well
inaugurated, continued for many weeks. Among the
French there was dancing to the strains of the violin
at one another's houses. The men had horse rac-
mg, since, if somewhat tardily, the hardy Canadian
pony had been introduced into the settlement some
twenty years before; and, when winter came, these
contests were continued on the frozen surface of the
strait and of the small river Rouge. There were
games of lacrosse between the coureurs de bois and
the Indians; sometimes, too, the French and English
played at bowling with cannon balls in the narrow
streets within the stockade.
For both young cavaliers and heads of families,
dames and demoiselles, there were gatherings for
story-telling around the broad hearths, whereon blazed
great logs from the forest; skating and snowshoeing
parties, and merry drives along the icy roadbed of
Le Detroit in rudely made but comfortable "train-
caux," or sledges, lined with the thick furs of the
buffalo and bear.
THE BLACK RAIN
69
Major Gladwin, having suffered much from the
fever of the marshes which he had contracted during
the journey from Niagara, had gone on furlough to
England, leaving Captain Campbell again comman-
dant at the fort. The gallant captain, Lieutenant
McDougal, and the other officers took part in many
of the diversions of the French.
During this pleasant winter. Mademoiselle Ang€-
lique CuiUerier was the gayest of the gay. At the
ball given by the able superintendent of Indian
affairs, as a leave-taking, no pretty demoiselle had
danced more blithely than she, none had received
more attention from the distinguished host. " A fine
girl," Sir William had named her, with bluff candor"
and for the "jour de I'an " (New Year's Day), a
letter came to her written in his own hand, and
couched in the language of flowery compliment.
Nevertheless, now the sprightly damsel only laughed
at Its flattering phrases.
"Twas diverting enough to be the envied of all
the dames and demoiselles because of the distinction
he paid me while he was here," she confided to Tante
Josette. •• Ma foi, the gallant Sir William is a great
man, but he is also almost an old man, as old as my
father. Moreover, although he was never wanting in
respect to me, his jests were not always to my liking.
I fancied him not nearly so well as I do Major Glad-
win, for instance. Rarely handsome is the English-
man, do you not think so, ma Tante ? Brusque and
taciturn he is indeed at times, but much esteemed in
the service, think you not, since, though still young,
he IS in command of so important a post to the Eng-
lish as this, our Detroit ? "
Of Steriing she said not a word ; whereat the good
Tante Josette was much puzzled,
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70 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
Jl V"."''/"^^"''"* ■"<* ""^d" more than one
ZlX °,fr *' ''°""S Scotchman back to her
side but all her pretty ruses were unheeded. Witt
I.fe of many a (ires.de company and as a story-teller
had few equals. At lacrosse and bowling, as weU as
all the wmter sports, he was a vigorous player wit^
Archange de Mersac, Marianne de St Ou s ^d
o hers he was affable enough, but toward hirs^K
^nA T^I Tu "" *^"'"'- This behavior pfqued
the FSfr''"H- T''t-°'«'"' light-heartednes's 0?
the French-Canadian character, its excitability its
p oneness to sudden anger and as sudden ignSg T(
acter that could be sportive and yet inflexible she
she r^TP'^"**""- U"''- ^i-nil^r c?rcumsunces
a^ oT:^ "^^ '-" -Te'/sere'd'
a wall of adamant between herself and him
Of a surety, he thought her vain and' frivolous
How often his last words to her on the even™rof
S -"rw'jirh"-''.i."'«'''' '» heri:r«fe°i
« ni, r * y°" *"y ""ore-"
Oh, he does not understand, either" the mrf
somefmes ejaculated passionately when alone n he
a FrencTr""'',:- ""J''""- " "= <'°" "°' k""^ 'ha
a French-Canadian demoiselle must be eay that
words of compliment are to her as the comfe'made
women h?" °/ *' r^'' '««' "hich the I„X„'
women bring from the forest ; that if she is ev™
hTbefutr" tr"'"' ="; '°°'- '» "' «'"-<< ^or
ll,,«h, '^^ .. coquetry is as harmless as her
laughter; and. notwithstanding her seeming indiffer'
5i7jr- ^>
^m-:'-
■r\M
THE BLACK RAIN 7,
ence, she can feel deeply. To the cavaliers of New
th^mM • '' P?^'" ^"°"^^ ' ^^'^^en herself and
them there is an innocent camaraderie that has noth-
ing to do w.th the heart. But this flute-pCng
Scotchman must make an ado over a slight quarrel
talk a?'a" '' '''' ''"' '^ '^^ "^ "^^^ *°' ^^^ -e to
Ang^lique was uneasily conscious that she had
swept away his sweet illusions regarding her. 1 she
who would not ruthlessly brush aside a spider's web
I TAl '^x!"'^^' ^""S ^'' misfortune. But she
deeded that she would trouble her head about Ster!
hng no more. "No, not while two such courteous
chevahers as Colonel Du Quesne and Major La Mothe
resided on parole at the strait," she soliloquized :'°not
while the officers at Fort Pontchartrain w^ere so agree
able and friendly." ^
Time slipped away, giddy pacea as the feet of
summer fT'' "°°'/ '"''^'' ^°°^ ^ their luxurian
sTrnd fl '^'' f"^ P'-^l^^tly were ablaze with crim-
son and flame-color, as though the whole forest were
some mighty Indian council fire, kindled by the t^rch
of the autumnal sun. Beneath the ripplfng tide of
gayetyat Le De'troit there had been^all flong a„
the fort of discontent among the older settlers and
disaffection among the savages.
One day, in the first part of October, pretty Ane^-
Llotilde Godefroy. set out tc return home. She had
some distance to go, but the walk along the riVer
bank was usually attractive. To-day the skies Tad
h:rberb"' ^'^^ ^^^^ "^°^"'"^' and Lt hour
Had been becoming more overcast.
Angehque. however, little minded the "sullen
:<X*,'J^
"'^m'^^mt.
If
i
72 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
weather" (for thus to Clotilde she termed the heavi-
ness of the clouds). Folding her cloak of scariet
cloth around her lithe figure, and drawing Tt launtv
capouch well over her head, she tripped onward
stopping occasionally, now to possess herself of a
spray of red sumach leaves, again to gather a bunch
of Michaelmas daisies along the way
tun^t^n^fl^°''"'''^' Pk'^'"^ '^' P^^^'^ ^f the for-
tune-teing flower, one by one. as she put to it the
query. "Does he love me ? Yes. a little. -not a
nT" ^^'"^""OP touched her soft cheek.
"Ma foi I should have been at home before this
and spmmng by the hearth-fire." she said. •• I must
make haste. How dark it has grown « "
««^^^"'i°^ "^'""^ *'^"Sh' ^^' ^^°3l^ and began to
sport with ,t. as though, like her pestering Lers!
fain to claim of her a souvenir.
To get the better of the gale, she wheeled about.
The loneliness of her surroundings, the dreariness of
ne Jr K f"^^"' ^'"""'"^ '" ^^' ^ disquietude she had
« «ru "'^ experienced when thus alone.
hr. V^ . ^f^^^^ ^^^^^^ '" "^"'^"5 °n the river, and
fncT. "f.^'^ '^" "^'" '" *^^ hateau yonder are pull-
mg down the stream, as though they would leave even
the swift current far behind." she reflected. "And
those Indian canoes, how they dart for the shore I
The savages must apprehend a severe storm when
^7nT^ '"? '°"'"'"- ^^"* '^ *hat cry from
the Ottawa village across the strait- a barbaric
chant and incantation to the manitou of the tempest?
It must be; at times like this, the children of the
forest forget the teaching of Father Potier. and return
tLnVR P^g^" "t^s- How it frightens me! Ah,
thank Heaven it is ended, at least for a time. But
Pion Dieu, how the marsh?s of wind-mill point are lit
r. ij
*.^i:^_
THE BLACK RAIN 73
upbythefeufolletM How its flames burn about
not thfr i'"? r"' ^ ^^^"'^ ProvidLc I have
not that part of the road to travel, since wandertr!
are ever in danger of being enticed a^ay byThr pha„
torn hghts and forced to grind the devH^ griS j'
have heard of more than one who thus disappeared
m other years, and left no trace behind." ^
Angehque shuddered, and made the sign of the
cross upon her forehead and breast, as she'q'uickened
eves^^ Jt fA^ ^""f : ^»^^ g-^Ped, rubbing her
eyes. But no. her sight had never been keener- it
was the whole world that seemed on the pofnt o
being blotted out. The rain had begunT faU
steadily; ,t dotted her cloak as with bullet marS
She caught some of it in her hand: the dropTwere
black as soot A darkness enwrapped the forest and
houses of the cdte disappeared from her view. Now
she could no longer see the angry waters of th^
strait, ^though they must be wili^ Tfew rods of
where she stood. Soon the road was shuroff by a
dark thick mist. but. fortunately, not before she had
caught a glimpse of the red chimneyfand 3tro^^^
timbers of a habitant's home. ^
"I will make my way there," she said.
Yet, where was it now? Between this apoallin^
darkness and the wind tugging at her cloak. for^fnJhef
round and round, she had become utterly confused
The alarmed girl listened for the voice^of the river
rushrnl T^^^"'^t^^^^"^^^y- The sound of the .
lamentinrnf't'^ ^^.^' ^°^^^^-'' ^ost. so loud was the
lamenting of the wmd. One might almost as well be
» Will-o'-the-wbp.
74 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
out on the strait in a canoe without a paddle! She
could not see two feet ahead, and to go fertheV ,right
be to plunge into the swirling current ^
Disheartened, Ang€lique sank down beside a bush
^o whose branches .he had clung, as her only Lnd
fields and far.-sheSs, '.t "^^^'^^ ^t
has a°rrved'?"'ex;i'-'* '^/'u^' ^''' ^^^ °^ '^' ^^^^Id
knees AnHno.u^'"'''^ '^^ girl, getting upon her
fu" sound T 1^^^^.^^"^^ t° her a still more dread-
the heart ;rthe' .7^'"^ °^ '^' ^^^^^^- Even to
fhfc u^^ . ^•^^^'■ness must this strange terror
dr ven th"^ °' '''^"^^' ^^^ penetrfted and
driven these savage creatures to the edge of the
wood. Their hoarse bark drew nearer a^r^Tr a
wouM .hey fall „po„ and devorh" ta tW^aSt'
The rain, now pouring down in torrents emitter' :.
noisome odor that made her faint and T sTe "erk
lower upon the grass, ejaculating,- ^ ^ '^''^
has ^^tedtii '' ^:f ""^ '° ^'•'"^Sle longer? God
m?^?c „ ^' 7^*^ "P°" "^' »f we are all to die I
may as well die here as elsewhere f " '
At this moment, above the furv of the <!M..«, fu
came to her through the sulphZ^ '^r tZ^'^^of
ouTLw .r f= ""' °f *^ P"'^" church r?„%
the good Ste. Anne, any wayfarers who mieht be
We :" tLeV "\ ""J"" P'^-^'y- f™" *e o*er
K.n f .u "'^"' "''°^<' "«>« fointly the call of the
be of the mission chapel. Like angel vote the«
bells also warned the inhabitants of L I^^roii, dv"
■XSf
THE BLACK RAIN 73
shells from beneath her kerchef;h^K ""P"™
the beads devoutly, gaining^fur/g/l-^p^:^:;! '^^;«
stood directing the work otT'p.T ^ '''">'•
loon,, while sight and'grlmi'T n^Wt^: fof
the tToffhVstie""'""' "^"^ C-'-'^-arrestef
r m''^", !I° '°"S" see," she said.
;.ri'wt\;M-ra;'Jr/z,nit^^
the wool upon the distaff." ^ aiscern
76 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
tII^^T' \^ "°' '° affrighted, madame." counselled
Tante Josette, seeking to control her own fcars in
order to calm those of her sister-in-law "m"
brother Antoine and your older sons a^e at th^
su,ckade and will stay with some of our fr ends
'• Toussaint," interrupted Madame Cuillerier turn-
appeared forthwith. Aoussamt dis-
th."^' li^^ searching party passed out of the eate of
the pahsade, a horse galloped in AnnluT ^
and he stood before the door n • ^?°^''^'^ moment,
• ment. while a yoZ trader flutT"^ Z''r '"'''"
saddle, threw tL ^i^l^.^ ^a d e'n^eJed
" M77;irnd^rir"^ ^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^"^- "is
my mend, you have come in nut rxf fi,»
^ , ^^"'^ "» the chimney-corner " T #»f tuJ^j> •
take your cloak • amncr^f. -j , " '"^ ^ani
cider! will u »""& ^^ c»dre au charbon ' [mulled
ciderj will keep you from a chill. Or shalMf hi
rather, a 'petit verre d'eau-de-vie ' ? " ^ ^^'
Joined'X'?'' ^°"'' ^'"^ hospitality, madame," re-
Son^oT^LTd' .t't I r ^^^""^"^ ^^^
speak a word to J^ CuUler l rT thrUt o?
some furs for which T u/.cK f u . matter of
redden .efo.e t!;;'' iep^ f^. fen.!;* '^
THE BLACK RAIN ^^
them." " """"^ ' "'" <<"' justly with
Iherc irtomc exSlent ,1 "' """L *"' '«"™-
.'fo r =""*«■ excellent tobacco on the sh^lf -,«j
ts fragrance is not unpleasant to u Jean" it
added to another little slave who crc.rh^^' •
corner, "a pipe for your master's gues"'"" '" '
" SmilT^.-u "'^"'' y"" ^g»'»'" --'Plicd the latter
SstiiriiTttxrht'^vr ?!
G^lf S ft wS""!"": "'^ "^ °"' '" "•« storm ,
exclaimed ^° *' °"" *° »«k her," he
n.o'f;ri::retc&''te:rd"' - r---^
stdrer;- -- - - "- ".n-
" Why has not some one been .jpnf fr^«, u
meet m<»>" o»,^ uu 7 7 ^"' "^<*"™ home to
f«ra„Tfatigt "Xdtl"'"" """"""^ '"■"
sue. Why did I remain so long with
ii
78 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
c;>.e the ,a.p^ musVhatlt "n^h.'';r"& *«
ooking Indian ' I may be able tn ^^ ,. '^^P« ^^
glow of some friendly hearth nol. ^'.'*'"S"'«^ ^^e
to reach it." ^ "°' *°° '^'stant for me
friend w/o -nighrtrX Iff o"^ t plain" ^r""^."
were enabled to announce th, , •'^ , ^'""^ ""y
Ws before be ^p^^^.^:: XlT^^^Lt '"^'""•
A^^enlSr,—^^^^
hearth-fire or a torch? ""^"^ °' » ^'gnt ; was it a
H-VTaf%r^°^-rrc£|f"
Indian would guide her home ^^'^^' ^"
beside her Was it tht t a "''"^ Presence close
tall grassP IZ^^^ ttZ^lt-'l'^'r''' ^^^
stretched out her hTnl? "^"/^^ fS^'^st her. She
object, and now a hef^ '''^^'^'^ ^ «oft. furry
apoeared r1 "^ "^'^^ ^wo burning eves
rtre:^istt^rarcv" ^ ^^^^ ^^^'p'- '^"
terror, and stumbled on T^l^^^^^^^^^^ ^ f''^ <^'
she had seen, or was^t tZV T' *^^ ^^^^t
was It the flaming glance of the
i
THE BLACK RAIN y^
w-irrU .ifK ^ u '• ^""^ ^^'^ "ever traced after-
wards, although a coureur de bois averred he had
me among the woods a wolf dressed in the clothes
some'h""^'""''f ^^^"^^^^^^- "-- another vent re
some hunter moulded a bullet from a silver cob and
lT:tor:i^f''''- ^"^ -^en^t rit he
fnstead nf 1. .. ^°"P ^"'■^"' '^^ ^^^'"^^^ bullet
shiooed hv th« T J- ' ^"^ ^v^s even wor-
sniped by the Indians as a powerful manitou
frightened neigh of a horserMcrcifuTH " *" "•"
the musion, of one. d.ir/ho'^r:;:: in"T;o";r
Angehque ! Angelique ! "
"Here! Here !" she called.
So THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
•• Monsieur Sterling." she faltered, and weak and
trembling sank to the ground. ^
sto'rm' t"' ^'^'"' '*"? *°'^ ""' y°» >^<^^c out in the
storm. Toussamt and Raphael are scourine the
farTeld hT' °^ ^^I"- ^^"'>'' ^^^ »»-ve wTndered
far afield, but you will soon be under the shelter nf
aTh^t'd^Ve^lr ^'"r '''' thtLt hma
as "e knelt beside her and put to her lips the cruse
f,„l'""i5 f if '''/' ■" "'™"' *« ho™ toward the wav
^rr?r t-aaar ^t^faJlT. t'^ ,'• ^
arm,, he se. her light weight upon theVtt dJ 1?^'
and,^pr,„g.„g up b.hi„d her. gave it the coZZdt
•• You will pardon me, there was no time to be l™t
m parleying for your permission." he declared L he
would have humored a child A„Li-
exhauUoH =-j , ij . Angeiique was too
cxnausted and cold to reply. He drri, hi. _i ■
^uritvTs^T"""' ^' '*"' '*" f"' =" happy
security m Sterling's protection, in the knowledge
,„ " V^ he who had fou Id her. ^
besW^tLem," tl ■"'""l "" '""'P'"^ ^•"' shining
h!n.?V J • . ^.'"''"B Changed the rein to his left
scarcely had he drav^n it forth when the crestur,
w. h a sharp bark which was succeeded by a c™e!
ydp leaped for the horse's flanks. Nom de D™u
it was the mother-wolf, or else the r^„„ r >'
Angelique feltthe horse 'staggf^.'h'L^-sL'^Sk
♦^
THE BLACK RAIN
1 »'
Closer to her preserver buf ~:.i.
mind, soiothered th^sc ream ,h '"1 f"'"" "'
her, for she was aJarc th^t h • "'"'^ ^'°'"' f™-"
upon hi, attention b"ng»Lnr„"''"*' i'"""'''^
that must ensue ^ ^ 8""" "» 'he battle
«h]i'ri.^r ^,<,":,t "tr t;v° "- r- '"^ "-«
only wounded, it m ght fe,"^"-' ^^i;' '! 'h-""" he
cate flesh during fh, \.„7 } ■ ^"8' '" her deli.
Byapowerful bfow :i,h''^X^ e°nd'of1,""' """'''■
beat the wolf dowr and ,L? ,, ^" ""=^P°" h»
At the shot the bruteVel" Jh ''« "" *"^^"-
pain. The bullet had evM.„M .u ' """ '■°"' ^'
heard nothing more fZThU '" '"'"'• '"' "■<>'
only the sound of he whTnlnJ frs\P"""", and
.hem as they rode on ZrH '"^ """='P '""-"J
Ster«,:'g"."'"' "^^ '•"™' "■-demoiselle," whispered
« W chf^Ta'nfprserf to'"i °t '-•«<•
;hought She had faint^ed, ^^d L' wi-sVa^lat I
door':rht^^^::,LX":^!•,«-^«rth^
Tante Josette, rushing o„th t """ '"^" " -nd
into the hear hroom and ;or ''" ?""'>' '">•" him
bright Indian blankets Th. '""'' 'P'"'"' *'"'
he had taken care of ierl^ "' "'°""'"*' *hen
the realization, even wWleThe T"' "' ''^^"' «
him volubly, and LZv *° *■""«" tanked
coherent woVsoftf^ilur ""'""'"''' =■ ''" "alf-
Dame Cuillerier. " When . ^' ^^'^ Practical
niarrowofhis bones as voa -""^'^ '\"^'"^^ ^° ^he
Dones. as you must be, there is nothing
^h
82 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
nkeagood dinner, with a 'petit verre' to begin it
The Pan. boy will conduct you to the sleeping oo^*
rLr t'' u-^r^ >^°" ^'"^ fi"d ^ change of di^
^f K "^; J '^""^ y"""" ^"^ "^y fi'-^tborn. Alexis, ar^
of about the same height." -^tcAis, are
fl,r ' w ,'""^^^1 °^"sed to you, madame. for your
tha might wart upon further drenching. I may "
weU coohnue on to the town. Good-day, mesdame?
good-day mademoiselle." And he wi gone ^1
fore Ang^hque could collect her wits to urfrhlm to
This adventure momentous as it was to those
o t^^r"™*"' "" •"" °»* "f ""^y incide?^
? u el?'"^'/i°.'"- , Throughout the winter, " ll
PIme de Suie" (Ram of Soot) was the favorite topic
of fireside stories among the people of the strart ; «d
to^ r° n" *'^ '^°''"' ** Writer, having c".
letted a small quantity of this •• black rain " in a dish
had wnt w,th the fluid a letter to the King of Fr^ce'
W,at was the purport of the letter no one could
exllr^S'i"'" *"'■ *' '"' °f ** English strove to
explain the phenomenon by various theories. "The
sS'd™ 0?^""'"*^^ */°*" ««P«of the sun," some
sa.d. Others spoke of distant forest fires, and of the
burnmg of grass upon the marshes; of the vaoor^
and^of gases possibly set free by the digging of n^'
i^:Am
THE BLACK RAIN g^
scornful '■ Ugh ! " '""°'"' ^nd the Indians by a
a P^°r.S':f disaster T/f " "t I""' "^ ^"'^ " -«
evil Jay h^4^TLt^'Tlf °' ■■"P'"'""«
setUement. ' "^ "°"'e'i of the
CHAPTER SEVENTH
INDIANS AND FLINTLOCKS
'pHE Indians have a saying, " When the beaver
v^r T?fi? f^' ^°"''' .'P""^ ^^' ^<^"^^-" In the
year 763 the young " Aumick " must have gone
a-woo,ng eariy, for by the first week in May^the
forest about Fort Pontchartrain wore a tint of green
the pra.ne where the long grass had been cut !n th^
autumn was hke a soft emerald carpet, dotted with
violets and "bouton d'or;" the air w£ sweet wUh the
odor of egantine and arbutus, that came fortfl ke
the spirit of fragrance from the woods
It was on one of the fairest of May mornings that
Toussamt. who had been sent by Madame Cumerier
upon an errand to the home of a neighbor, on Ws
re urn brought a message for Ang^lique.
The Dame St. Aubin has ordered her Pani rowers
that .h '" T'' *^' ""^^ *° *^^ Ottawa Xge
laid " .n';;'^.^"^: !?"" ^""'^°" °^ *^^ Indians,- he
said, and she bade me say she would be glad of
her S" "^ °^ "mademoiselle if the excursion is to
halflf'lt'V''" ^f ^•'"f'^ *e girl, as. from the open
half of the house-door, she looked out upon the clear
tTevToo "-' ?^^-'\dancing in the su^nshlne i i
ZX ^T \^Pr '^^' '^^ '°"& ^»»t^r was past.
nl^^''\^" ^"'^-^^^^ Ange'lique had take^n her
place m the strong elm-bark canoe with Madame
INDIANS AND FLINTLOCKS 85
St. Aubin ; and anon, guided by the two dark-skinned
boys, who were as much at home when strugXe
agamst the current as if it were their nat„r=.r .u 5
the little skiff shot out upon the strait ^^ """""•
cried *L "J^r? \r ""l' ^°" '""' '"' "«. d^-ne,"
X'ht strSCetbtttaf '■" '"''^•
^ with his great ^..r^^lt^'SZl
Because of the mildness of the air she \,,A .
donned her scarlet cloak with ite caoouch T
wore upon her ntPfH, u^.j .u capouch, but
thi h,d come to her "aftJ'rT^,."'' "?"'h>''dise
from the St. Lawrence a„H ^ P""« ~"™>'
his storehouse The r^'Z-KK'" "°" °" ^'= »'
trasted wellTith Sl^Tue of't^e litV^H "'f ""'
rgi^i'tttar '■r*^^-^^^^^^^
s: -^'he^^ r;;u^°gt°Xr°r:h''- ^'••'""' =■'
face the kisses of^he l^^^^rlt^: l^^
x„ciir^^°:--'.^™fi?'»^^^^^
father has just got from Montreal " *" """"^ "^
thi^nd o7thtr:5iS;:nt;Thir ""dT i^^'-^
th« she might feel theTexture " r fo^Snger,
to procure fome of thVC^o. beTo^ irS ^i.tj!
86
THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
li
ll'i
!ho . T^u ^."^ ^'^ ^^'^ ^"^°"& ^^ g^ods other
shawls/ The blue color is just suited to you. ma
belle, but for myself I would choose one of a more
sombre hue; a soft brown or gray would give ser-
viceable wear." ^
" My father has them of all the tints of the rain-
bow and the shadow colors as weU," was the reassur-
ing answer.
" Ma foi, but you are looking as sweet as a spray
of eglantme this morning," continued the older
woman m a low tone, so as not to be overheard
by the servants. " I would that some of your cava-
liers might ;iee yoir. Major Gladwin, who, in
spite of his a^ue, had such an admiring eye for
Campt^71" ' ''"* ^'^°"' *^^ ^^^ °' ^'P^^
ar'J^'f ^^^^ *=^P**»n'" interrupted the girl lighUy;
I think he must be the most amiable of men. And
he IS ever so courteous and gallant. But you mis-
take ; Major Gladwin gives me not a thought, and
Mr. Campbells heart is bestowed upon la jolie Ma-
thunne at the red mill." ^
"Eh bien, there are Robishc Navarre and Jasmin
de Joncaire ; though in truth, my dear. I once sup-
posed we should see you marry th voung Scotch
* wu Vr*"' S^"^'"&'" P""ued the ^cious dame.
What have you done to him, chferie, that he still
keeps aloof from you? His rescue of you on the
awful day of the Black Rain should have put an end
to the estrangement between you and so faithful a
lover."
"Phouff! a fig for your romancing, madame."
exclaimed Ang^lique, suppressing a yawn. " Mon-
sieur Sterling and I are on the best of terms. But If
he prefers the society of Marianne de St. Ours, for
INDIANS AND FLINTLOCKS 87
instance, and I incline to the company of Major La
Mothe. each is better pleased, that is all."
If the flush in her cheeks deepened, perchance it
was because the breeze, balmy along the shore, was
while the dame took to considering how she might
best secure from the Ottawa squaws the choice pieces
of venison. *^
"Entre Paris et Saint-Denis
II s'^Ifeve une danse ;
Toutes les dames de la villa
Sont alentour qui daiuient.
Sur la feuille ron-don don don,
Sur la jolie, jclie feuille ronde,"
trolled the girl, with an air of careless gaiety.
" II n'y a que la fill' du roi
D'un c6t^ qui regarde.
Eir voit venir son messager,
Son messager de Nantes.
" * Beau mesas^r, beau messager,
Quell's nouvell's va k Nantes ? »
• Les nouvell's que j'ai apportdes :
Que votre amant vous mande, --
♦♦ ' Que vous fassiez choix d'un amant,
Pour lui a une amante.'
• Est-elle alors plus belle que moi.
Ah, est-elle plus savante ? '
" « Elle n'est pas plus belle que toi,
Mais elle est plus savante ;
EU' fait neigur, ell' fait grfiler,
Ell' fait le vent qui vente.
"♦EU'faitreluirelesoIeU
A minuit dans sa cbambre ;
88 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
Eir fait pousser Ic romarin
Sur le bord de la Manche.'
Sur la feuille ron-don don don,
Sur la jolie, jolie feuUle ronde." »
defend*' """^ '^" "'■ *'= """ "<""»" ^'"
^■■The pr.-tty coquette is heart whole," reflected
Madame St. Aubin. Then she returned to her c^
eulabons as to how much of the deers' meat she
*"^*«t Paris gay and St. Denis
The dance was up one day,
And aU the ladies of the town
Looked on in brave array.
Sur la feuille ron-don don don,
Sur la joUe, jolie feuille ronde.
" A? '*r ?* P."??"' P™"^ -*ho watched
Afar the broad highway,
To see her trusty messenger.
Ride from where Nantes lay.
"'9^"«^«n8er id messenger,
What news from Nantes, pray?'
•The only news I bring, ma belle,—
Your lover bade me say,
•"Choose you another gallar t now.
He has a sweetheart rare.'
' Ah, is she wiser far than I,
Or is her face more fair? '
" 'Her beauty is not like to yours
But secret lore she knows;
She makes the snow, she makes the hail,
She makes the wind that blows.
** 'a^}" ^^^ ^^^ '"" *o sWne again
At midnight in her bower ;
And on the borders of the sea
The rosemary to flower.'
Sur la feuille, ron-don don don,
&ur la joUe, jolie feuUIe ronde."
J
\}
I
INDIANS AND FLINTLOCKS 89
r«t»f H 1 "'■?'"■,'" ""■*"g« <■<" «•= homespun
brought " ""'^' ''""' °' '«^''' »>■= h"d
Nevertheless, despite her affected indifference An-
&:r:r""°^=' K ^'"""^'^ induct si;^ce *at
alone uL^^hT°°" •"''™ ""^ '■"""'' ^" ^""'"'"e
alone upon the prairie, was as inexplicable to her a!
t appeared to this kindly friend. Instead of profit
Z.^ «■« °pportu„ity for a reconciliation wherewith
fortune had then favored him, he had avoided her
s«mer,h' "'' '"""^fo^^- Like a dream now
seemed the moments when, with his protectins arm
about her and her head pillowed upon his breS sh^
had prayed with all the ardor of her cure ^Ifn
heart that God would keep him during lo'ng years ^
H^r' M k"^"*'' •"■■ '° 'hink of the adventure
How cold he must be, forsooth, or did he regard h~
lect'ion "h "k°!; ''r"'"-"8 •» "" was the „col
lection. He had taken Angelique Cuillerier in his
arms,_Angaique Cuillerier who, with al Iher c"
of holdmg her hand. And she had clung to him
even <^ a g,ri who fears a cruel fate may Mrt W
from her lover. Yet, notwithstanding, rt^ were
agam upon no more cordial terms th;n those o7
pohte ceremony. ■• AUons, if he does not wish to
hl^ .. . ^ "°' ''"" '° *"'' and chilled when
LI fh r"' ' "^u" """^ '"'^^ "•" he seTme
^^sit "Cthf wt^A^'^"'"" ^""^ '- *^ -0 "X
It was usually at this stage of her meditations that
^m^e ^allL;??" '° t^ "' '""^^ "' '" '-"'l- «P0"
some gallant, if any chanced to be near.
J
90 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
Now the slave boy. who paddled the canoe ran ,.
op on the beach of the «,„thern .hore oTthe "e
Angehque sprang agilely out on the strand, Msi«ed'
Madame St Aubin to alight, and the two ^ml„
a,cend,ng the steep bluff, passed throug" tr° e«e
of th^well-budt palisade that surrounded^the Qti:^'
" I am always filled with wonder and curiositv
when find myself i„ one of the*; UduT,^^
ments, whispered the girl to her companion "How
ingeniously constructed are these long lodeaZ
spUlt^gV"' "" "™^" *' ■»"■« » a"'^/
"Chut," sniffed Madame St. Aubin. "Even this
P«smg glimpse of the lodges suffices to shTw AaJ
Zt'T^J"' l"J""" """'^= and I have heard
of fh, H 'J'!"' "«"<"«> well tilled asthMe
S.e hut^fThe'oM '"" '"'/r »■" '«' "' '""'"^
tne hut of the old squaw Okeemesemaw ; she who i.
fte^ mofter of seven warriors. It i, with her IZst
Obediently, AngSlique kept up with the H,™-
y«W bright eyes took note^of ^.i^J^W^^^
At the entrance to one wiewam thr«. «, r
trnM/haT"' ""T, *'~- O^hedt:
tween his hands a roughly moulded bowl of red clav
wherein were some six or eight small pebbles colored
yellow on one side and black. on the othe? S
he tossed up in the air with fierce JJ, La i.
they fell back into the dish, all the mfn'be"'o«ri;
^?fr^*KKrr'"*"^*'' ■>'«•' <" the yeloHMe
Tn J ."n". "r "'" '■^''" "PP""-"", and begarSk!
■ng all together m angry tones. They were pfa^ng
INDIANS AND FLINTLOCKS „
"bowl." the Indian gambling game, and a di,pnte
had arisen over the result of a throw. °"P»«
Farther along, the white women saw the saoawi
tretehmg upon frame, the hides of the dee? th"
o^Auh'e fire°'k^"' """S'-'e ■•■'-od f^om'tt
lorest. At the fires before some of the lodees women
were cookJng chunks of venison, and thfodor o?
burnt meats pervaded the vicinity
In one arbor hut a number of girls were dancing
wVhisrof ifo: " ''''""-" " "^'^ «' ^o"^'
was the sp,r,t of unrest abroad in the villagl^xre
the braves lounged upon their rush mats, o^ sXd
about, arrayed in their blankets, with an Z^lf
ru"|h :^the?ndia*%hta«r:o f^Z^L'^'Z
nerself and her companion. She caught a Elimose
wa-^ior to°Jfrr"" "!;° r' •^""S" <*« ""S
wamor to wamor. As he spoke a word in the ear
ofllT'rir °' "°"'"' '"« '^i"> that the ^
of each kindled; and although in no other way did
he Z^dde^lS^'^K^P'"''"" "' ■"•» visage Zngl
She shuddered with an unaccountable sense that he
had rec«ved some ominous communication
were AevnoT": !" "'! "-e party of dancers, -
were they not busied as they were wont to be he.
» «n?;r^ °"' °' '"'" '"■'» '»' 'he hunt <^upo"
an «pedit,o„ against their enemies? What coJdTt
Iod« ofV"" ""^'""' ^'^ '^-''in. she reached the
lodge of Okeemesemaw. The old squaw was nowhere
9» THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
in sight, and the dame was ahmif ♦« ,«~ i.
the opening into the hu? at "cU oTwtn AnT/
lique laid a hand upon her arm. ^"^^"
cried^th.^'LirT )"'*'''"',*"^ "°t« what they are doing "
cried the gir^ m an alarmed whisper. ^*
1>= grasped the barrel of a mu,Z; J! K °"\ '"';''
the leig* of about ,'ylri £'.'•"'"' """ "J"' '°
a bear skin, was a„« h^ you„g""rar'.rr T"
t..ea,edf r^^Ll/IlITels*''"' ""'^ '-O
lod^fn sel^h'of tlif " 1""=- *"". "^-ehter enter the
£.„anrl1:.rher1-^^^^^
St A^^:.:^^^^^^^^^^^^ Madame
^ghl I was talking to mvself" r»vni,:«oj r^i
mesemaw " Vnn «r;cK * l ^ ' ®^Pla»ned Okee-
I will sen* vn.. ^ *° ^""y ^^"'son of me? Yes
skinned Tt^' ^°' ^"''''^">'- 0"^^ °ow have I
' •
INDIANS AND FLINTLOCKS 93
While they were bartering for the flesh of the deer.
the son of Pontiac, whom the white women had noticed
in the cabin, stalked noiselessly around to where
they stood His erect figure was almost enveloped
n a gay blanket, but as he for a second flung open
the lat cr in salutation, Ang€lique caught the gleam
of steel, and knew it to be the shortened barrel of the
gun. The next moment he thrust close to her face
his own grinning visage, smeared with vermilion and
ochre, and said in the halting patois half Canadian.
half Indian, —
"The White Song.Bird is Fre .h; she need have
no fear. Her father loves thv .reat Chief Pontiac:
and Panigwun loves the White Song-Bird."
The girl pressed closer to Madame St. Aubin, and
was only restrained from shrieking aloud by the
'^ ri'i^f'i^r *^^' '° *^° *° ""'S^* '"»P"" their safety.
Old Okeemesemaw promptly interposed, for she
(rum) ^"''*'* ^^^ """^ drinking English milk
"Has Pontiac a son or a daughter in Panigwun?"
Wing-Fea^Jier nothing to do but to stir the silly
fright of a young maiden, when there is the grand
game of lacrosse at the fort of the English for which
to prepare ? Ugh, he will never make a warrior I "
Panigwun strode away in disdain, and the squaw
insisted upon conducting her customers back to their
boat, after the demoiselle had hastily bought of her
a mocock of maple sugar.
As they again passed the hut where the music had
been, a girl came out and placed herself in their
path.
She was beautiful as a fawn of the forest, straight
as an arrow, and of a fairer hue than her Indian com-
m
94 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
ptnions, although now her fitt-t^ ^m. a l j i.
••omping. Her eves w.~ k • u 'L""***** ^'^'n «»»«
two long, shining braidl ^*' •^°"'***" '"
" Catherine I" exclaimed Anjr^linn- »:»i. ,
recognizing i„ the charming apoaHtinn' P'*-*!'^'
ance whom she had been wont to ™. "I •^*J»»*n'-
" I am not Catherine here," she said •■ it i. ..
Iwasbaptiiedat»h»mi-.:« "'""a""- It is true, so
am .till NVdaw^i* A^Jf," V.""' ^.""8 ""' P"?'' I
"Your peo^er *k„!,^w'5 °' M^katfpelicW."
tHbe^^nte^nf;;^; ^:::^ '-!°sf - r
I *e Indian shrugged her shouldera with fK- „
of some ancestral coure-r de bol, ."d * ,t ~'"'
No, I do not go; I think of other thine,"
•nd pray for him: I would if?,?'', "ot'^^""'
>P"J,V
INDIANS AND FLINTLOCKS 95
wL?>*" '""*' ^^u^ ^'^ ^'^'^ '"*^" ^y th"«^ strange
ine Indian. What has angered you? Well von
tTi A* 5' u**"'. ***" " ''^ b« » ganie between
o fi^ k'Tk" ""^ ^^"^ ""'■°"»' '» '^ "°t? Make haste
to finish the moccasins, for the commandant wil pay
you well for them. And — and — FafK-., p V- -^
m-plea.ed .h,t you do not ,o .^^,71^ h'Z:.
rd,«J o„ you to lead .he choir of IndiaS girl, fn .h"
Catherine laughed harshly, and, before Aneflion.
:r.oTheTo':i "'"'"'' '• ••-^■•""-'•^■fe'r'r
paddled swiftly out into the current.
lio?.^ ! -^ «P"ng games." weaiJy responded J.
Iique, strivmg to argue away her fears
ened gun barrels." pursued the dame, with a degree
of asperity. " I shall counsel my good man to cf ^
new. to the stockade of what we have seen Z 6^'
a^eed ;if.""f ^^ *""'' ^^ ""* '° ^^j^'' Gladwin."
agreed the girl, now grave again. "Those dark
words that Catherine let drop v ere. I believe but the
promptings of a childish jLousy The commit
dant has bought bead trinkits of her. alS beca^ he'
onr.:l^.' '^[ ^r '"^^'^ ^"^ ^Poi^- kindly Ther
an?rdenraS/h ' '?'"'^'' ^°^ ^•'"' '* «^^"^^' -the
not wS ^^T'^ll °'' ' P,^^'°"^'« hatred. I know
•ee to It that the major is warned, dame ? "
" I will surely see to it," was the decided reply.
p
4
CHAPTER EIGHTH
FOR THE MASTERV OF A SOUL
QN the first of May, the Chief Pontiac had ao
«»"ouc cne town. When the ceremony was over fh««
all returned quietly to their village. ' ^^^
It was to a continuance of these festivities that fh^
vtrofTh:"v/^°°'^' '°^^^^^ ^' the tSe oVt'
visit of the white women to their squaws.
Notwithstanding Dame St. Aubin's assurance th.f
a messenger should be sent to the fort w.^i J r
what she and Mademoiselle Cuilerierharse^^^^^^^^
came in her way with nervous energy.
^
FOR THE MAS PER Y OF A SOUL
. - 97
b^!:%^r^ :t:ry '° i"' "«'^ "««" that
Carer on the road above "^ """"^ "'J-
She wanted to be alone to <,^ -.„
she had already recal ed a?.„^ r ■ °"" "«"■»• «
cidents of the vi"t to thrnf. °^ '"""• '" *e in-
ponder again the allul* „? Zn'f''^"'''''' '°
strive to determine whethe, thert w^s't'th' ^'^ '""
Ffr"'°'V,'''V="^ feminine malke *"" ''"^■
"VS: e4 1 *etirsr;^„7:'i^,^^^^^^ ^^ ^e
mood to pick UD a flat n.kM ^ of from her serious
the surface of the wa ef^Sd ' ''?1". '""PP'-g ^'°"g
depths, wishing she mrrtf?K T"* I' ''""^ '"to thl
Again, she cas^t ntlThf cut"nt s7 "f. •■""«'™e'-
brushwood, whereat h! m ? t"" **'» <"• "t of
after it. with a sp'^Vets" lat^M"^^" ^'""^"^
P«sed by .„ yLn;~^^ t cX" "^ ""' '
PafanVsTreSc-a :S'l?.- ^ " *' ^'^ °f
minutes lIZtL ?^°' '"'" ""e river, and a few
the btix^s nrLTof' the"? ,f "^ "p -
sands. "-^^ °*^ '"« stroller on the
had^"S":S'n^!;^ 7°"tft^ « her thoughts
Ojibwa maiden ' ^ ''"^" ""^ ^tood tte
A growl from the dos save nr^r i.
her visitor was no emh„H^ /T ' '"'"ever, that
" Catherine! "she Tried rr ' ""'"'=" ™^«^-
thatycu come byThe creek HadT'"'' " """^ " "
all, I should have looked 1 expected you at
ming across the strai? fro™ ?>,'''^ ^°'" P'™g"« ^™-
j ;Mycanoeisrib°d :h?Lts.'^„r/' •
I fly; .t swims the Rigolet des^ ^utrampTa?:
p^
98 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
rivulet, and this clear stream, as well as Le Detroit
It and I are free as the air and the swift-flowing
waters," answered the girl, with her scornful smile
We are lovers, my canoe and I. On the prairie, my
feet are his feet; over the waters, he carries me in his
arms."
" Oh, it matters not at all to me from what direc-
tion you come," replied Ang^lique. "But if 'tis I
whom you are come to see, what is your errand?"
"No, it matters not, unless mayhap I come from
the direction of the fort," continued Catherine mock-
ingly. "Yet, be not so brief, mademoiselle: there is
much I might tell you."
"In God's name, what do you mean?" exclaimed
Angehque, exasperated. " If by speaking you can
save another, or others, from harm, speak, I implore
you I She laid a hand on the arm of the savage in
earnest entreaty. * #*^
A wave of em^on swept over the usually im-
mobile face of the Ojibwa; two natures seemed to
struggle for the mastery of her fierce soul, the one
noble and the other evil. At one moment she ap-
peared to soften almost to tenderness; as though
moved to some heroic action, she darted toward her
canoe, evidently intending to depart in haste. But
alas, she turned back. Coming close to Ang^lique,'
who had followed her every motion, first in wonder-
ment, again with quick sympathy, and now with
horror, she peered into the beautiful face of the
French girl, laughed gutterally as she had done earlier
m the day, and cried, "Bah, I will not do it. Gitchie
Manitou, let him die with the rest."
Ang€lique caught her by the wrists.
"You shall tell me what you mean," she said, "or
I will cry out for my father. I will keep you here
>
■■"■.; i^
'^^^fi^''
m
M^^mm--m^^^fwmsm^^
FOR THE MASTERY OF A SOUL „
"itil he sends me aid. I mav not h.
y°" are, but Tronveur willhei ml '^ """S as
At the mention of the ^aol fh^ • i ,
that discordant bitter TauXwhereS'A^'"^^!^'^ ^^^'^
veiled that her voice had ev^^r K * ^"g^lique mar-
"If you would havetrtldinrr"'''^^^^ '^''''
returned the Indian. IhaSL^ffS' ^Z^' '^"'" 'hen,"
white antagonist, as tSul fh ' ^'"^ ^""^^ °f her
touchofa',e;oodpteon '^^^'^^^^^ as the
that you, a French girf dare no. ^ ^1^ ^'^^ ^"°"^
finger to give warning to those .^ """.'^ "^ '"^•^^ ^
tection of the Great SoUh.! 1^^°'" '^e pro-
you attempt to warn tC' LS-p''^' '°^ '^
pluck out your heart and e'at it" °"''^" ^'"
Ange'lique felt the blood i„ her v.'
and A tremor ran through i r ?'"^ ^'■°^ ^^Id,
f^^ But she be Xed to ; ^^^l^"' ^'^^^^'"^
chevaliers to New France L '^'^ '^"' ^ad given
by the threats of th,ssava' Th"""' "°' '" ^e cowed
"mother, Madame Trot^r^de Z"'J'"'''^r^''Srand-
Picot^ de Bellestre, Sa^ed in if ''"' ^'^ ^er uncle,
unflinchingly.- ' ^^ '" ^er eyes as she said
"Tell me."
hisle? N^d\trJ,^7n a"''" '"^'^ ^'"^ -^ People."
white warrior? es't die IITZ' *^P^^- "The
guns gather rust, the roods'" the stockade; their
bards. They th nk bv Z t ^'T ^'"^ ^'^ '^e scab-
to make slaves of L'^edr^^^^^ ""^t ^"' P^^^^erings
the King of the forest s awaT; m '^ "''" ^'^^^P' ^ut
the sun risen and set since P ^^^ ""any times has
down at the little river Ecors^fK^' ' ^°""-'^
eyes of the red-coated does whnT ' f' ""^^" 'he
niats. Not for a necklace o7fh T^ ^'^^^^ «" 'h^''
necklace of the finest beads of the
I(
100 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
French would I have missed the scene. There were
warriors, women, children, and young maidens shin-
ing with bears' oil and ruddy with vermilion, like to
Red Swan the bride of Singing Sands; handsomer
than was ever milk-faced woman. Stealing from
bush to bush on the newly green prairie, I saw the
council; many chiefs seated in a wide circle upon the
grass. The face of each was changeless, as though
pictured on the cliffs near the Father of Waters,^ or
carved from the heart of a forest tree. But I who am
of their blood, — I know what fires burned beneath
those visages of stone. Pipes were lighted and passed
from one to another. Then I saw the Great Chief
Pontiac rise from his place ; one might have thought
the war-god himself stood before the nations. He
spoke in a loud voice that stirred my soul, and at
every pause there broke from the warriors deep mut-
terings of assent, like the bay of the wolves in the
wilderness."
"And what did he say?" interrogated Ang^lique,
catching her breath, lest a sob of anxiety should
escape her.
" I heard no word," answered Nedawniss, abruptly
breaking off her recital.
" You know why the council was called," persisted
the French girl.
This much I know," pursued Nedawniss evasively.
" I would not give a wampum shell for the lives of
the red-clad dogs at the stockade. There is one
among them whom I would save if he loved me. But
my heart has lain at his feet, and he has trodden upon
it. Another white brave has found the breath of an
Indian maiden sweet, her heart warm. My father is
an Ottawa chief, my mother's father was a Frenchman,
* Lake Superior.
I
\rm-rsm''
FOR THE MASTERY OF A SOUL .o,
skin the beaver the a,Z ^f'J^J"^ "n more deftly
stretch them more nea.iV " „I %r"'^' *»" '• »'
should not .hi, veHowSed ^r "" '^'"""- ^hy
the alur of Ste. Ann"s oTfh, '"°' "«■ "«= ''^''<'«
said Captain Campbel Zml ""°^ ""P'^'- « " "
Whom the French tu\rl,re''MUti„^?^ ^"""
Despite her terror a««^i- ***'-""nnei'
pity "Ti;: tXu^o^Z'"'"''' ^^^ -^« half in
La jolie Mathurife Ts nJZ "'^'7- ^"^'"" "^^'^ens.
has been reared by Dame C^aba'/'"r I' ' ^"'^ ^he
La Belle Fontainef andTou ^re 1' » °^ '^^ -^ mill at
addeJ forTe"^' '"^ ^^^-"- Passionately
sla^y^'nornoa'^T..^^^^^^^^^^ «toop to be his
Great Chief. But if he wo^H f ' '°""*='"°^ °^ '^^
fain be loved -ah then T wo t^°^^ "^ ^^ ^ ^0"W
baqueti kiss. Yes llLaf ?^' '^ ^'^ ^ ^•^«<'-
has never even dreamed t '"'^.'^'"'""^ ^s he
my breast and soothe him S^' ^'"°" ''^ ^^^^ -"
caresses and sings to herTh.'M !^^'' ^ ^ "^^^e**
pigeon, cooes to^he^maJe^" '^^' "' ^"''™^' *^ ^°°d
The voice of the daughter nf fU- r
musical cadence as Anal- r ^^ ^°'"^^' ^^^^ on a
But all at once the sofSTi'''^^ '" ^^^^ement.
of the Indian gwtrhlf
light. ^ ' ^""^ '^^>' hurned with a fierce
vehem
ancestor,
No, he does not love me," she
lence inherited perhaps fro
'^•" "He loves you — you,
» Sireet.
exclaimed
^ her pale-
Mademoiselle
with a
faced
Cuil-
i^B^k:r
||_.;
102 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
Major GUdwm you speak," continued Ang^linue in
the pato.s ,vitl. wl,icl, tl»y were both so famSur
But your words are strange indeed to rae. You say
forth ^^°L ""i"'""' '""'' >"' y" »"• not s°reeh
1 French', "m '° *"" " ^'''^- " '^ »<" «"■ *at
En^lfr ^!^ '°''^'; "°' y'* I <>'"■< •>«="•<) does an
lovel herlnTt ""^ "°" ''" heart, whether he
loves ner m return or not.
"She may do it; but not if /«> heart is eiven to
another woman," said the Ojibwa vindicHvil/ "The
pale-faced maiden may be gentleness itseTyet her
over had best beware the jealous anger of the do"
I shall be revenged. I have told yL °„ part thS
your soul may be plunged in anguL; you?; to
know enough to help him, even if you shou°d risk ?he
thi^''^%^""^ *^'' *^""* ^* *^^ Shrinking demoiselle
bark ^ '"''^' ^°""^"^ ^°^^^'^ ^'* an angiy
picltd .^.n"^'""!, ^aI ,'P;^"^ ^'^^^^y ^•^^' however,
tn^ ?M ' 'P^.!.^'"& across the little beach with in
mcredible swiftness, leaped into the cani .nH
wjth^a stroke of the padSle drove Itl^Tfr^rnt.
wate?s°ed^?^ ! "oh"^ ^""^uT' ^"""'"^ ^<'-" ^o the
water s edge. Oh, come back ! I do mt wanf ft,^
heart of Major Gladwin ; he says not a wo^d To me of
love. Go and tell him what you know T'the ^^Tde-
* '
FOR THE MASTERY OF A SOUL ,03
signs of these warriors. Thus you will win his grati-
Li K ^"^%^""' ^"d I will pray that one da/you
may be loved, even as the fairest and purest of white
women wish to be loved ! " «i 01 wnite
Like the call of •« Kawyawshe," the soft-plumaged
gull, her voice rang out over the water; but Nedaw-
n.ss, the daughter of Makatepelicite. looked back with
L'!!^i'r.T '' '"r^^'"^ mockingly, shook her head,
IrLl^f fu^^^'hT""^ Ange'lique to wonder dis-
tractedly ,f she would heed this last appeal, or whether
she was stonily resolved to keep locke'd'within Lr own
hZ: Z it '''' '"'^'^ "^^^" '^ '"-^ *° '^^ E"^-
me" In^T ^^•"' ^"' ^^*^'""" only wanted to frighten
selleTo herTel/; " ""*^' '' ^"'" ^^'^ '^^ "'^^ ^--
As she started to return to the house, a snow white
pigeon from the wood winged past her, so near that
she could almost have caught it in her hand. Angl
u^in ^""^ Tt' '^' ^'^" °^ '^' ^ross upon her
breast; she shared the Canadian superstition that a
fr iendT'" V^"' u 'l^' ^' '^' ^°"^ °f ^^'"^ departed
friend for whom she had forgotten to pray.
^ ^"""g the evening she could not shake off the
spell that the Indian's visit seemed to have cast upon
her ; and when she retired to her own little nook under
^.le eaves, ,t was to dream of the Chase-Galore -that
phanton. barque which to the French-CanTdian t
dearto'hT't'"^ ^^'t^'""^ ^^ ^'"^-'f - '^osc
dear to him. Scarcely had it vanished than, in her
troubled sleep she saw black, rough-coated Igs
coursing as if in the scent of game upon the wa^frs
of the strait,, and running up the cdte to evade them!
she found that the clear stream of Parant's CreS
flowed red with blood, ^
104 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
From this uneasy slumber Angdliquc awoke rouwd
by some subtk ,ub-c„„scious„efs rather thanby any
fhe "^M Tt "'u"S''- *"" » Preliminary grumU^
the old clocl^ ,n the hearthroom presently spokran
nouncng the time to be two hour? past m'^dnTght
The oft was dark, but in the angle opposite to her
Tante Josette was sleeping the slelp of The just A
few moments elapsed, then it seemed to the gir Uh^
oom'bet'ilt^r "' "' ^"'''"«' conversation „ the
room beneath. Yes, a strange man was talking to her
A visitor at this hour? What could it mean ? ITn
o ""T " m"P''" ""^ '•"''^ "' Lc De tr^had b«n
so simple. Now some hidden seheme might lurk
under the most commonplace incident oTfhe day
fcrence held .n the heart of the night I The Chase-
GalSre the hunting dogs I Was this straLer the
en,bod,ment of still another warning of calamly tje
sohtajy spectral huntsman with gaunt, browed face
somehmes seen in the sky after funse^ rifleYn hand
W >^^"' ^^ ^ P"'' °f "o'fi^h hounds ? At this
•..n,e ,t behooved every one to know what was going oa
Noiselessly Ang^ique rose. Like a shade of^the
n ght m her dark woollen robe, her soft curls falling in
cmaf„"ar" ^f """e"- ^Xe raised the deeS n
curtam and entered the outer apartment of the loft
Here ,wo of the younger children lay in a sound
sleep Passmg them, she crept to the opening from
wh.ch the stair led to the first story of the build ng
The a>r was cool, and, as she expected, the remnaS
of a small fire, kindled to prepare'.he belated suppe
anoth' T /' """ '""''=• ^^^ *>«" "ked out and
another brand cast upon the embers, but for the pur
pose of givmg hght rather than heat, the blaze being
^^■=,-%«i^rv**fj
FOR THE MASTERY OF A SOUL .05
nril/ror ""'""*"""'>'«•"««•« hanging,
her ey„ caused her .0 shrinkiack „uX and T
by a rare presence of mind did she refrah; f "'^
exclamation of amazement '°'" '"
heat m° "^ l^^^'^'J-] "-« «"«- °f the
that usually stood^'tsld fth^tarth""' T""'"
S ^^nc^-sjsvtd ^:i^-^^^^r-:^
his wontfdTHirt^h'norr^e'cll-ror'™ miJr"'' °^
of azure color ho,„:i *s'="»s wore a military coat
from theTer;hould^r ZTsT'l! "'* «°""'«
h"- d ugrraltnte*!* """" °'*'« -"' ^^ "'^
ing belongtfVlCsle rr'^eUet^'l^e" '/-
inclined ?„'te^'.' WastotlhT"' '"' "" ""^
evidence that his mind h^H *",!»«q""ading an
fading away o(i:'llit1,f%Z%:iT^''' °^" *'
had sometimes feared w"uld''b:"therer"" " "''
pas^ntm MmT t^ht ^^TXha'^r ^-"i -°"
expected, yet of whose^resele S.^ . : 'J'"'^'
the household were imor^nt %, * '«""""<ier of
with his back tolas he f'..^ ^u"" *' ""• ''"'
i^^'chtf-^otiHr--«-^^^^
- p~ ^^^, Ze" tKr ti"
•:;??i^5S]3^^?^^r^ ..„..
'^ ^"^ HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
dTtetrl^7-t .^^^^^^^^ Of CumeH„
»ec lying wrapped in hi. hi, i. f !'"' '«" «>« Mv-
-ould have biin St wt^'l''''^" *«««.. he
this covert council? Why did hi r"^!''- ^"' *'•/
b'«rre and pompous slat^;. =?", '^,"'" »ff«t th,^^
muscular form of the indL i^!"' '«>''«' again; ,he
cloth *a, finer in ts phyS o^rf" f- '""''= "' "«°n
the .plendid bronzes in K^'L P,"'^''"'" ^^n any of
Versailles. AngZ'e „« if °"" "reat palace of
by its strength. Afif^r' ''°"'""' ""P«ssed only
dark features were in ^ih"''' *"' ''"<' «° that h s
the fire, she '^"'ut^ZTnT"^''' ''^""^
was thrust a single eagle's fcltherl'"'' ^"- *''«««
"■as intelligent and ' bo d the n^^'. "" T-P""'*' f'"
eyes remarkably keen and pLS "'"''"'=• *»" *«
«altrKr:erLr'^-«'-'^"tPo.
Wilderness and AnS CuH *"" *' ^'"5 °f the
' Wit'h L""'" --"^P-anr """' "- «'-
was speaking. "* intently, for the chief
and '^/:T.:^::,'v:^iTr "' -^ f«-.
ers of the redmen " h,7,-^ •"'* ""'^ a« the broth- *
she had convened tltrteL^.r " l" ^^^^
of the beaver, the FrenchmanT, J^°' *<> »Wns
eun that speaks with fire and S"!.*"' "" ''"*er a
food for the gun H^"' 1.^°'^''" and bullets as
Once the refman "ult'Z d™ w",? ""' "''-''«"
«"th jasper, and knew no meat cl^;? ""*' '""''=''
other than that he found in th, f ^"^x °' ""P°ns
3o, and these new people give ul V^ ^"^ " '' ""t
fenngs, and deathstare us Ith, r°*'"°«' ""»'• '"f"
' "s '" the face. When J and
sea:
i
FOR THE MASTERY OF a SOUL .07
my warriors paid visits to the posts of th^ v u
were treated with resoect I «? 1 ^'*'"*=''' ^^^
but fallen aslcfp, and This ,U |nH,",S . '^"'I" *""
fort, and the lands oh", red alH f m *!,''" ''''
not wake him? Tell Z BlLcZ, ''^° >'°''
r. h™ he„ the pucrof'^t ?arha:r°j2
As he spoke these last words in a fnn- «r
pre,.d pa„l„n, Pontlae turned t 'IVZ^^I.^
ions of tik« . , ^^' conceit that they made himobhv-
;?£:.ed^^^^^^^^^^
The Ktng of France is so rich he cares n^t if he
loses many forts while he sleenQ " »,« .
it IS well, returnc ' Pontiac sullenlv " Yef T ^«
no care to await the pleasure of the French k1 1
W.11 begin the work, and when he sends hU^-
canoes to the strait and to the Lake. h(= i^- ^^'
finish it I am h^.^ f l-akes, his soldiers can
fhlr^'u T ^^"^ ''^ "'^ny tribes. The Ottawa,
the Ojibwas. the Pottawattomies, obey my will S
delay only until the time I have namedT ^
^'r-Mrr-s»{fjmu
sf^^^r* •I..,,,
io8 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
" And you have held a council, I hear," said Cuil-
lener. w.th a gracious .od of the head, ;hicTnWght
have been becoming in a prince, but was somS
ludicrous from a man perched thus upon the tTb^
H,s ostentation might have impressed other of his
forest friends, but Ang^lique's quick eyes read be
neath the imperturbability'of the'creat^h ef at^^^^^^
she fe t h! ' t"L' P^^^^-'°-' -nd in the darkness
she felt her cheeks grow hot with mortification that
savaie '^°"'^ '^"' '°"^^ ^^"^^^^f before die
"Tie Blue Coat has said it," replied Pontiac " I
spoke to many warriors at the Ecorse. The moon
now shows but little of her face; when she shows al"
her face the English will have vanished from th's
rhea^rd it^?;^'- But. what is that? Once before
1 heard ,t! Twas like a bird stirring in its nest
or:,X^;:'''''' ''''^'" -^^^ ^^^ ^'^^f, breaking
leaves fn';het'^*t ^''"'' l^' '^'^^'''' ^"^«e of
leaves in the forest, had caught the sound of some
slight motion of Ang^lique's.
" One of the pappooses in the loft has no doubt
grown uneasy in his sleep," answered Cuillerier wiUi
a shrug of the shoulders. '
Pont^ac"^ ^"' pappooses are there?" demanded
"None but pappooses." responded Antoine- and
JoLte '"' ^"^ ^' ^"^ ^°'S°"^" Tante
The Great Chief eyed him for a moment with
nothing to lose by the splendid conspiracy planned
by the masterly brain of the Indian ; and Anto"ne
FOR THE MASTERY OF A SOUL 109
Cuillerier professed to hate the English as bitterly as
did Pontiac himself. It dH not seem possible, there-
fore, even to the wily -iv^agc, tliat, under the roof of
the man who assumed be the rev./esentative of the
French power at the s rat, tliere ,ight be listening
one who would wish to iliwait his bold design to
banish the intruders from the region which his fathers
and the nation of the fleur-de-lis had for so long gov-
erned together in peace.
At his inquiry, Ang^Iique lay motionless upon the
floor above, scarcely daring to breathe, and expecting
discovery at every moment; discovery that would
mean, as well, the loss of all opportunity to warn
those agamst whom the Ottawa was maturing his plot
with such remarkable sagacity, opposed only by a
lukewarm expression of deprecation now and then
on the part of her father.
"Angel of the night, shield and hide me beneath
thy protecting wings," she ejaculated mentally.
But Antoine had met the glance of the visitor so
frank y that the latter's momentary suspicion was
dispelled. In a species of exultation, as though he
verily believed himself chosen by the Gitchie Mani-
tou for a sublime task, and rendered rash by his
indomitable pride and a generous draught of eau-de-
vie which Antoine had hospitably pressed upon him,
he went on, revealing to his friend the French trader
more of his scheme than his customary caution would
have permitted him to do.
In the gray of the early morning he left the
house as silently as he had entered it. Antoine Cuil-
lerier had long since descended from his chair of
state to join his guest in a potation. Now, at the
departure of the chief, being in a heavy stupor,
he sank upon the settle. When his regular breath-
"o THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
»ng, punctuated at intervflU k,
gaique ventured to seT^^u f """"'' '"'■"' An-
bones and a chill of terr^rA I"' *'"'' "'"' "Wng
back to her alcove at 7h?l„r^"^' "'''<'= '•""V
sleep, however, but to remafa ,h "'' '"''• N°' '°
praying, „„«,', he XTof ,t V''"l.'''!"e ''"''
astir. "^ °' the household were
^^m^^mrmm^'f^B^uz'w
CHAPTER NINTH
IN THE MISSION ORCHARD
A^ Fafhl^p" "''"'xi '*?"'" ^'^'""" b^^°^ the fort.
six feet in height, and l^lcllTnr.Tl:'^^^^^^^^
a Jesuit s gown of rusty black, was strong as irin He
Lta'th ht Ir/T^,^ '''''' ''' gra/hair showed
beneath his black skull-cap; a thin fringe of beard
outlined rather than concealed his chin; and h's
gat trtVori' ^T':r ^° P-etratiigTn the
gaze that both French and Indians often felt that he
read their motives and actions as though their hearts
were a printed page before him ^
of The 6tf nf^lr'' ' t'^'^f 'P°' °" *^'« afternoon
of the 6th of May, 1763. Seen from afar, it resem-
CrL" ^?"1 :f' ^^^^^"'' N^*"-'« offer ing^othe
Creator, laid before the door of the mission chapel
even as the children of the forest were wont to
s^eV ittif ''^^^^^ ^' ^ "-- ^^-' th: Whirls
resolved itself into a score of apple and pear trees
offshoots of orchards in old France, planted here
some thirty-five years before, when the mis^on wl!
founded by the beloved Father de la Richa d'e
As Monsieur Potier paused occasionally to con-
template now one carefully nurtured tree Tnd agafn
Tue ThTfi T"''l' ^" ''''''' '^^' - beautiful boT
?u.u J ^/'^' P^'-'^^Ps. white as the snowflakes
that had so often rested upon its branches durrngThe
112 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
long winter ; the last pink-tinted, like the modest
flush ,„ the cheeks of the little French maidens when
they came across the strait to kneel beside the Indian
girls ,„ the chapel, and, awaiting their turn with the
latter to kneel at the feet of the missionary, and con!
fess their simple faults. For he was thought to be
more forbearing with his penitents than was the
zealous cur^ of Ste. Anne's.
Among the blossom-laden boughs the birds chirped
and sang, busied with their wooing or nest-buildfng
f~"'Th' "'' ^"-Pj-^^-S. the very air wfs
iragrant. The grass under the trees was soft and
green and dotted with violets. White and yelW
would ralf'1? *'^ ^°""^ F--h -a "e-
would have called them the souls of little children
would h"' K° ""''' •" *'^ ^P""^ --l^^ne! bu they
would ha. e been gravely chided for the pretty super^
stition by the good father. The bees. too. sa^g the r
spring song, as they flew about thdr v^ork Was
honey ever sweeter than the honey garnered from
the blossoms of this orchard, and store^d in he hlve^
beyond the mission house?
The quiet spot was indeed a peaceful retreat T„«f
eZl ''f^H"^°' '''' •^^"^^ '^'' extends along^the
edge of the stream sinks to the water's margin and
ends m a crescent bay. with beautifully sanded ho^es
If M 1 1^ ^'"^"'■'''^ ^^^ «»ed the place PoTnte
de Montreal; and as the latter's successor walked to
and fro. repeating the psalms from the brrvTart he
commanded an extensive view of the river. boTi in
owarH^'l. T f '^'}'^^' °^ '^' Eries, and upward
the^fiL^of T" '^''^''' waters.-yonder. blue as
the Bay of Biscay across which he had looked for
.■^U^yV ?^cy ^^ffr^w^ytiff|n^ fT ^i^.^^wE^^BW|F J*
IN THE MISSION ORCHARD ,,3
the last time upon the land of France, and in the
distance a gleaming flood of gold and sJlver So
tranquil was the afternoon, so folitary the Environ
*Xd°™r '? ,""= ""'• '""S'' ""<• plain, but well
buUded as forest logs and honest toil could maJit
that ,t m.ght be for many years the headquarters of
any Jesuit missionaries who roamerf th. , m
south of Michiiimac.i„ac.''°B::;:,rtL'^ir rod
the Huron chapel, also constructed of squared nine
^mbers upon solid stone foundations. Near by were
a forge and a storehouse, the place being a fur!
trading centre Here the Indians could sdl their
pelts, and obtaip supplies by just barter, without fea
vL or" w'h''"' °' *"^ '"'' ''y " '^^^'"" of «"-de-
they dealt^wfthZ' "V '° "''"^ "'^ '^ "hen
mey aealt with the ordinary traders.
On this bright May afternoon, all the building
often to the personal exertions of Father Potier To
tt'atnf'herrr t^'^.^ "-«' '"-^^"-'^^
ine care of their souls, but the friend who tauoht
them, as far as they were capable of lerninlrt.
agricultural arts of civilizatioS. The m'sZ farm
was intended to be to them a model, as we 1 as J ,av
up a store of food for them in time of famine LcT
fertile as was the region, the frequent warraming ti,^'
hrnge-r^nSr """'''" '"^ "^^^^^
It was the hour of the " sie«!f^ " r^,- ^a
pose which the French.Can:dia:'ob:e^rwirhex:
treme conscientiousness. The accustomed sound of
O
"4 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
Itnii??""!!^ ""S'"& "P^n the anvil of the forge was
stilled for the time being. L'Esodrance th^I- ^
about many tasks since early morning. Even the eves
of Father Pofer gre«r a trifle heavy, but his alert nef
vous temperament scorned the .. siite/'andtht hoi;
he was wont to keep free for a walk in the o cLd
'Great are the works of the Lord; exquisite and
tfIT u "^."' "" "^"'g-'^" '-"d he prie from
n.s book. Then fc, looked up, meditatingon T
Tce^A^r'"'',!-"* "=^ ^" forcibly exempHfifdh^ the
a smaU °dark""v'^ "'^ ^"^ '"'=" "'»» '"erijer!
a smaU dark object on its surface recalled him
from h,s P.OUS abstraction. It was a little canoe, and
thAf/ .T"'" °f oh^n'ation sufficed to ;how
the mtfo;"""" """""2 '"' *' "'-'h ■■» fro"* of
concealii TTt/ u"^ '^'"'^' *' "=="««'■« ^^^ "ow
«ncealmg the hght sk.fT among the high reeds of the
Who was the visitor? A messenger from the
town, a hab,tai.t or Huron come to buy anTxe or
some farm implement at the forge? So'^ tardy wL
Tn,.lT^" '." "PP'^-'S *at^ Monsieur Poti^
.tr:&f',:^Tjr - '"-''"• -' — -^ -
green trees a young girl, whom he presently reco^
CuiUerieV"' ''"^'"" "' "■' -" 'rader.^S
IN THE MISSION ORCHARD ,,5
"Little Ang^Hque!" he exclaimed paternally
when, anon, she came up to him and bent her head
for his b lessmg, " was it your canoe I saw on the
river awhile ago?"
" Yes, my father," she answered demurely
It was not necessary to explain that, fearing le.t
water-soaked moccasins might attract attention ^o
holt !, u ''?' Y' ^'' ^""^'"S' '^^'^ ^ff shoes and
ho e and, having beached her boat, had stopped to
put them on again. ^^
nnnn^"* ""'A ^u""^ """^ '''^•" '" ^^^ ^^^P^^ t^''^ after-
to Z n ' "^^^•^"^ry' " and you should not come
to the southern shore unaccompanied "
" That I know, Father Pierre," she stammered in a
low voice ; " still, I had to come."
"Tut, tut," continued the holy man, with a shade
o impatience, thinki .g she had brougit to him some
girlish matter of conscience. " Say your oravenT
try to do your duty, and wor^. not U^Lrrt with'
foolish scruples. Remember. God is not a stepfather
and come to confession on the regular day - P'^'^^''
As he concluded, looking fixedly at her for the
first time he noted with surprise that her round face
usually glowing with color, was quite pale; ur eyes'
so quick to light up with merriment, were g aveTnd
quiet; and her red lips, ever so near to smiHng wore
a determined expression that betokened the presence
of a stronger character behind the charming youthful
sTpoTsL?^" ""' ''' '^' '^- ^^^- '^-n thai
"Angelique, my daughter, what has happened?"
he mqu.red. with his habitual kindliness, hifconcern
being at once aroused at the trouble he aw mTrmre™
m hor earnest ga«. " Go into the chapel, and before
the altar you shall tell me if you wish "
'^im^^:
■T^m?r-w^^*c'sai
ii6 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
•• No, no," cried the girl, " even the walls of the
church might have ears. I will tell you here under
God's own sky; here, where the river and the land
can be seen on every side. Take your place on the
bench under this apple tree, my father, and I will
kneel by your side and whisper it to you. I have
not come to tell my own sins to-day, yet what I have
to say should surely be ^poken on bended knees."
" Child, you cannot confess another's guilt. But
if there is some wrong that in charity or justice I can
right, tell me where we stand. If you need the
counsel of the missionary, speak without fear."
" My father," began Ang^lique, " from before the
light of day until an hour since, I have been praying
and considering, seekjng to know how I had best act,
and at last I decided to ask advice from you. On the
one hand. I am a French giri with all my heart, and
I would not for the wealth in the King's grand palace
of Versailles do anything that would put off, so much
as by a day, the restoration of the power of New
France. Would you not like to see the white banner
of the fleur-de-lis floating again above the fort across
the river. Father Pierre?"
"Ay, that I would, if God so willed," answered
the priest, his eyes kindling with enthusiasm as his
thoughts went back to his native land beyond the
seas, and dwelt upon the glories won by her armies
in the days of the Sun King. '* ^Vlany times have I
petitioned that Providence would give back to Canada,
the youngest daughter of the Church, the possessions
she has lost."
" Yes," sighed Angelique, casting down her eyes
and clasping her palms together dejectedly. " Yet
my soul revolts against the means by which, it is
said, this ascendency of my country may be brough*
fti-fwrrr «j
IN THE MISSION ORCHARD ,,7
about. To a woman all wars are cruel ! How can
she judge of plans that, coming to her ears, seem bar-
barous, yet may be a paying back to our conquerors
of what they have done to us? "
" My child." replied Monsieur Potier, "you speak
in enigmas We are no longer at war with the Eng-
hsh; only the Kmg can fim^ down the gage anew by
Montreal. Th.s. however, I have good reason to
believe he has no intention of doing. His northern
provinces of America must, therefore, adhere to the
terms of the capitulation. Ah, little Ang^lique, our
people love the fleur-de-lis, they love their cour^try
but more than the flag, more even than their freedom
they love their own faith and honor and the faith a^d
honor of New France."
"Yes that is it -the faith and honor of New
France, repeated the girl, as if his words made c\Z
her own confused thought. "The fair fame of my
country which must remain as unsullied as the hearts
of her daughters. Listen, then, my father "
q. A *v f l^"*-"?dly told of what she and Madame
.f^ZTu /i-f ^" '" *^^ "^"^^^ ^'"^g^' Father Potier
started, but did not interrupt the story.
" The dame told many of our neighbors," concluded
Angehque, " and M^loche. the blacksmih, said thai
of late Indians had visited his forge and tried to bor-
row files^ yet would not say for what they wanted
to tl f^^r f ''"'" ^"^ ^°--- Guyon w ;1
to the fort and repeated the tale to Major Gladwin
but he only laughed at them. He is so brave that he
makes light of every danger."
The priest shot a keen glance at the youthful face
beside him ; but the girl returned his look of shrewd
inquiry with one of perfect simplicity and candor
^^ttK,- ''■■■ jg>aT»fi iiuiii iiin afWimtvm'Mr^ T^aHBffiiF'hHiw^^r frww?.^-'^' -^ivast^fSh' ': ;^v~]Rv>aaur'v iib'^^^'M'''
■■
_^ -m
J
. _.idii
■
#"
n
=;
^^^HBi
■^■^
^^hI'
ii8 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
"It is well fc a soldier to have unflinching courage,
but foolhardiness is a fault," he said grimly. " I must
look into this matter. Is it possible the files could
have been bought at thr» mission forge ? If so, C6-
cille, our smith and cutler has been most remiss in
not having informed me of the transaction."
He turned about, and started for the forge.
•' But that is not all, Father Pierre," cried Ang^-
hque, stretching out a hand to detain him.
Immediately arresting his steps, he asked with
gentleness, —
"What more, child? Make haste; this matter
must be sifted without delay."
"It is only the beginning," gasped the little demoi-
selle, faltenng for a hioment in her excitement, but
presently recovering her former quick intensity, as
she went on to describe Antoino Cuillerier's midnight
visitor, and what she had heard iu the hearthroom
" I heard the Great Chief say," added Ang^lique.
pausing only to take breath, '• that in the Moon of
the Maize, while he fasted and prayed to his manitou
beside the bones of the Ottawa prophet on the Isle
au Feche, in a vision he saw marked out for him a
wonderful and awful plan. Before the snows came
he sent runners through the forest, and his messenger
canoes upon the waters, to the north, far beyond the
Sleeping Bear^ and the Straits of Michilimackinac:
to the borders of the river Ottawa, and south alone
the river of Le Fire Marquette. The time was set
for the Moon of Flowers, - this moon, Father Pierre.
The tribes are to rise together; each is to destroy
the English garrison in its neighborhood, and then,
like a whirlwind sweeping over the prairie, all arc to
turn against the settlements of the frontier."
» Sleeping Bear - a point of land on Lake Michigan.
f^m&'i
•wiMimv^K'^:
IN THE MISSION ORCHARD
119
"Grand Dicul what a retribution the savages
would fain visit upon the conquerors for their rapacity
and injustice," exclaimed the missionary, palirg
slightly, despite his well-known intrepidity; for he
had more than the courage of a soldier. His was the
fortitude that upholds the martyr for faith or duty.
He was ready to lay down his life at any moment in
the performance of his office. "Grand Dieu ! To
think that such a diabolical scheme was hatched
under our very eyes, yet we have known nothing of
it ! Is it not possible you may have misunderstood
the patois of the chief, my daughter?"
" I am quite sure I heard aright," was the sobbing
answer.
" And what said Antdine Cuillerier of this plot?"
" Oh, Monsieur Potier," faltered the girl, covering
her face with her hands and sinking upon the bench
under the apple tree in an agony of emotion. But
after a few moments she grew calm again, and, look-
ing up. replied, —
" My own father, Antoine Cuillerier, said nothing
in approval of the plan; indeed, he counselled delay.
Still, I grieve to tell, he sought but weakly to dis-
suade the chief, his friend. Perhaps he saw that all
argument would be in vain. He broods much over
the downfall of New France. The misfortunes of our
unhappy country have unsettled his mind, I fear;
and Pontiac humored him, saying he shall be gov-
ernor here when the Indians restore Le Detroit to
the French. He, on his part, told the savage that
the armies of King Louis are advancing up the
St. Lawrence and the river of Le PSre Marquette,
to drive the English from the hunting-grounds of his
red children."
"Juste ciel, it is false!" cried Father Potier, in
■iH:
Via', w""T*'-v» ; « ^r^vi
"o THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
great excitement. - A missionary came in from »h*
forest yesterday and was gone This mo m^r He
had been at Montreal, and brought news that h^^!
Majesty King Louis is like to sign a treaty wh^ thl
EngLsh ceding to them his provinces of nIw F anc/
all save Louisiana in the far south AnJlv '^"""'
. ."^j*"' '' sagenesS in what you sav child" ,.
joined the priest; " nevertheless, we Au« .gite "h
evil as we come to it." **
it all^o.,?'^T ^ "'"!' *° *'" y°"' ^^^ I have thought
It aU out she continued ardently. "From here I
he SL;T^h'"°^ "P '^^ "-^ *<' the'luth of
the R golet des Hurons. Paddling along the stream
hfn'c ?: the V' '°^r ""' '^^ -fthern^po'ternT^^
eat IhI ,rf °^ ""y ^""*' M^d^"^^ des Ruis-
seat who will despatch a servant for the cfnoe
She W.11 also send and invite Major Gladw „ to su^
per a her house During the evening I m contrh^
to get a few words with him apart. Thus I shaU tel!
him. and no one else will be the wiser."
leather Potier glanced again at the demoiselle !m
pressed by the readiness of her woman's Tthit' h^d"
found so facile a solution of the difficulty Was her
courage m wishing to go to reveal this p^i prompted
by a more than ordinary interest in th^rr^^\ *'V^"'P^^°
commandant, It had^bTerrep'or.*.,^ Sng trthaf
the latter would gladly gain the favor of the French
IN THE MISSION ORCHARD ,21
by a marriage with the daughter of the wealthy
Cuillcricr. However matters stood between the
Englishman and Angdlique, her project was the best
that could be devised. If he, Pierre Potier, went to
the fort now, his Hurons would, in the light of subse-
quent events, suspect him of having learned of the
conspiracy and disclosed it, and his power to hold
them in check, if ever so little, would be gone
Then he could neither aid the French nor the Eng-
lish m the coming struggle. What could be more
natural than that the girl should go to the house of
her aunt? And, since no Indians were permitted about
the fort after dusk, Pontiac would not be likely ever
to learn that the news had been conveyed to Glad-
win. Still, the missionary hesitated.
" I am going, my fath:r; do not seek to dissuade
me," repeated Angdlique, with decision.
Father Potier sighed. Yes, for the sake of those
whom he would fain save, he must refrain from going
himself; yet he was loath to let the girl have her way
^^ " Well, if you will go, my child," he said at length,
may God protect and speed you on your errand of
mercy. Say to the commandant that I regard this
as a matter of no common gravity. Tell him I will
restrain the savages as far as may be, and — may the
Fair White Mary be your shield."
CHAPTER TENTH
AN AWKWARD ENCOUNTER
A NGfiLIQUE, fearing that Father Potier might
-^ A. yet recall and, in concern for her safety, forbid
her to carry out her resolve, sped away forthwith.
Indeed, he did cry out after her, " Angelique, Ange-
lique ! " But, like the flight of partridges that, hav-
ing alighted for a moment upon the reed, jf the
swamp, presently floated over the strait in a small
black cloud, her little canoe soon shot out from the
land and floated down the stream. She met with
no obstacle in carrying out the first part of her sim-
ple programme. When she reached the residence of
Madame des Ruisseaux, a Pani boy was at once com-
missioned to go for the boat, which she had left at
the north gate. Within doors, however, a disap-
pointment awaited her.
" Madame des Ruisseaux is gone to pay a visit at
the home of her brother, Monsieur Jacques Gode-
froy, where Mademoiselle de St. Ours has been stay-
ing for a few days ; they will not be back to-night "
the slave woman Agathe informed her. " But a com-
fortable supper will soon be ready for mademoiselle
The house is lonely with only the two Pani women
and the boy here, yet there is madame's own room
ready, and it will give us all pleasure to wait on
Mademoiselle Angelique."
Yes, I will remain until to-morrow," answered
the giri, as she threw herself upon the settle. She
" '<jnifv:-.ii?^^
AN AWKWARD ENCOUNTER 123
chatted amiably with Agathe, while the latter moved
quietly about, busied with preparations for her com-
fort. The woman drew up near to her a little table,
threw over it a cloth of damask from Montreal, and
set thereon several precious pieces of blue china,
especially prized by her mistress. Then she disap-
peared, to return ere long, bringing a dainty portion
of venison, and a platter of hot crapes, or pancakes,
with bread, and a small measure of strawberry wine.
" Ma foi, Agathe, do you think I have the hun-
ger of a voyageur?" exclaimed Angelique, with a
laugh.
Notwithstanding the occasion she had for disquie-
tude, 'he did not decline the tempting fare. Worried
and distraught, she had left both breakfast and din-
ner almost untasted, and was now come from some
two hours of exercise upon the river. Despite her
assumption of gayety, she was glad when Agathe
once more withdrew. The absence of her aunt was
a contingency which Angelique had not considered.
To send for Major Gladwin to come and spend the
2vening here was now out of the question. Yet, on
the other hand, it was absolutely necessary that the
momentous information she brought should be com-
municated to him without delay.
What was to be done? Refreshed and strength-
ened, she felt it impossible to remain longer inactive
when so important a task lay before her. Should she
send word to the commandant? Ah, no, the news
she had to tell must not be intrusted to any one;
neither should it be committed to writing, even had
she been more ready with her pen. She might go
to visit a neighbor, and then send a message to Glad-
win that she wished him to come and see her? This,
however, would furnish food for endless gossip.
- •»•.• - -^'v^Ufr
»4 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
ters stood, should she nrnnJT .T' ■^"*' ^^ '"a*"
of discovery be ItMl^ZZtTw^' '"^ ^g"
not meet, what obstacles St ans!^^° !"'«"" \**
For some time she considered Ltj^ " P**'
la.t surted to her feet? e'Xt.f;;, f.'^""""'' -<> «
Crosl» tt"""' *' If"''^ y"' I »"1 do it."
<-rossmg the room, she steonprf ;„*„ .u
and, opening a door that 1p5 , ""* Passage,
called io thi Pan" ^" °''*" ■""='"=■>,
street^t:yL?&„''",r ^!l°" '^'^'-« "P «>e
me when the nexriseX'^' ^^ ■^"''"= "" *"'
will be bacic betoes " ^ ^ "" '^ '° •>= "-"d. I
The commandant of tli*. f«.^ * * - '
to avail himself of Sie bustlT *»« frequently
merchant James SteriL • ? l^nowledge of the
people of^the towrih" J.-%''=«""g' wi'h the
the afternoon of the firi, „f J happened that on
for the cleve? &o and f„/ ^T *^'^<'"'" ■>»" «nt
principal room of 'the i U sh"he:7 °-'"°'=' ■■■ *=
men had been engaged in 1- '"'"'^"^rters, the two
which had to do t1* he^S°T'?^'""P"P*«
length the comn.anJantt.f^ral'i'Vr*-. ""'
upon the coarse oaoer !nT. ^ ^ '""' """en
of Le Detroit """"^ *« merchants
the'r"er! who'hasTeT. °' ^■°''""" ^^''y «"-
hogs. co™,td'lau!de"re?!"rfaS^ ^frtd^
■tems correct and the prices high '^ei no , ptLps"
■f-- .?^,
AN AWKWARD ENCOUNTER ,jj
wm,"r Iniiat" '^ " °" '"■"' °' "°« «<"■-•»"«
"That may be," answered Sterling; "nevertheless
he has suffered through this comJadesl^p The
young Hurons stole hogs from his farm, unt*^ finally
he complamed to Pontiac, who therewith lay in wak
for the thieves. He had no weary visil- LlZll
plunderers came creeping through thf ric^m 1 ^
X.f?^ .,. ^° ^^""^ ^° y^"*" village, you Wyan-
dotte dogs,' he said sternly, • if you tread again upon
this man's land you shall die.' They slunk awav
and fro that time the Canadian's prop^ertrh'asTeTn'
because the^'or'^T J' '" *'^ "'^^^ remarkable
Decause the Ottawa had no authority over these
Hurons; ,t was his powerful spirit that commanded
their respect and obed\ nee." ""imanaea
'•And Baby?" persisted the major,
liaby ,s, I am persuaded, a man to be trusted
tho^fhtm:jn;g::^^sf-Snhr-
gufrded'thTI*° ^°' *^" '°^^'"^ O'Desmond, who
^.f A T • '^^^'^^y' entered the room.
An Injun maid is without. She asks the favor of
after sXin? r"' ^'^\y-' -'" ^e announced
cLL ^ ' commandant with military pre-
unldcomr^' "" '"''^"^^^^^^ '^^ -°-"t -o^t
;; Who is the girl? " inquired Gladwin curtly.
of her form t1^ k'"' "*'' ^"* ^^^"^ '^' "^heness
of her form, I judge she may be the maiden whom I
msf^A^
. '^6 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
have heard called Catherine ci,- .
b^ike she ha, .o.e gewf^L'^to !«'«."'"""= ""^ '°"'
here not Cgsi„'cfbr'.t-"'t'' "•"'' °J'''"» ""■«
moccasins. I Coueh tt"^ beautifully embroidered
take another pair No douht .''?' \"'' "^reed to
no«r." '^ "° "^°'''" she has brought them
n.|.:r ^^^;^ -"- -•«». for the
saj;iLt^SUt^1,oS^he "' "''• r •"^"-'' "'
and that the notion gaSfd the '"-P"'!" =" '•°">^"«-
Captain Campbell might havr?o°rK-'",°'"^'P'"'-
I"dian girl, but Gladvvh wincid ITI %^'^1 '° '"
thought capable of such foHy 1^,^"'^.°^ ^/'"S
situation. It was an eiccelle„; ,W -^ "J°^"' *=
whom in truth he kne„ ^ bi 'fT'"'' *'' "^J"'''
proud a nature to b^ r7,j-i • '°° *"*tere and
of a daughter of the forett^ T.""-? "'"' ""= <='>«">s
been interrupted by the ret„i^°'■u^ ''"'""*•'•= h^"
by a custom'^aUn/f om tl? "^ "W/ ""' ^"- ""''
diUac, no redskta wasT 't.LT "' **?"=■■=•>' "e Ca-
after sundown Few ofT """*'" '■» "«^ town
now at all Miffht „H r J""°" ""'^ admitted
thus excluded^Lte c'mm!.^""^' """'"S^emselves
cute their wo k for them p'n " f""" '° '«"
instructed her tl ooen rt f ^^P* *'>' ^^d «en
the false Ishkodah^o d„ • ^f "i"' *"'' ''^'' '""den
de la Mothe! More™; '?'^r'*=<=''^^»""
heard somewhere thar.h/n'^ ^% ^'"""e' h^d
but was scorned by GladwL''w' ^''*"'"' '°^'''
that she had been sent oTL^ , ",?' P""'"*
cord, to assassinate h m ? The ab^riLl^" °"" ""
known to foreive a sliirhf '7f'*'"g'nes were never
WfX
AN AWKWARD ENCOUNTER „,
ling, yet the latter was of too generous and noble a
d.spos,t,on to harbor petty malice when thought of
dt:dU"d "'''""'',' *« "oiSfhafr::^
It was with these reflecUons that Sterhne strode
the commandant. presence of
blatketTo fta'ttr? '■™"' ''^^'* '° <"«' '" -" Indian
■auKet, so that her face was entirely hidden Never
.hat.^e»r«.Trhfd?4^;i':aTa,r
agit rwra3ri"jrst\d-£^!:
away out of his siVht Th« • ^'" ^"""'^
PulAr Tr u "'*^*'S"** The circumstance was sin-
gular. If she had come simolv to «;p11 o r.^- r
casins, why should she fear ^hJc I ^^'^ °^ "'°*=-
their embroide^''^anh;r.l;p;reSd'rr "'
a weapon eonceal^l^^Ir fo d'tf te' t' l'"
that so completely enshrouded her? '''^'"'
■•^?!_ >.^ »»i
"» ™E HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
^^z z^r^'-'^^^ Ho. i, ,
»de?" he demanded S^L" "'''«""'"• ">e stock-
her in the p^oiso{lh^''"\'^°"-^-'^ addressing
through his mtad tL ^f"' "'''"* *«« «ashed
that.Lsecre.:;Vfte sTe :ca°d"„°' '"^ •""'"o"
same q es«„„ .^,,^ *:ir/sht1i ah" """ "■" "'^
1 he girl raised her heaH ri.c^ • r n
he had no right tol^^^tt ht"'fc "V" ?^
ng, however, she attempted to si „ bv ? J^^'^"
the door of the council room ^ ' ""'' ^ain
" VniTfJf. "'° ^''« f" her.
must undema„d° thT/'ha: ""''" ?^'""" ' ■^'»'
this matter. I have blet"'!, '"T!?'"^ '° 'V in
tionaiy of the town an^ °. appointed a civil func-
its laws are enforced '"LJV"'' "".^ '° '« that
that she should not pass „„T. t™'''' ''^"■"'"ed
him that she was not f„ . ''"* """ P™"* to
people. °' *" *""«»0' of her disaffected
it is the' ScVrf a''w:ndt' ttV Tl '"''^ '"■^"
Still the girl ifephe t Ssa-mo^ffl^H' "'^P^'^'^d.
thenfen/a--- to ="' --. hut
termined to ^compel her obeSence "Fr """^ ""
they tacitly challenged eaVh ^?^ \^^ * "o-nent
dogged and^ullenrrcooT jdti:;'ti: ; ^"""^-"^
continued, bej^n" gLfth?" ''^'■"''^•" "*
erine after all but ?nm. *'^ "^ ""t Cath-
the maiden, perha'TmetT." ^°"*' * '°^=' <"
White Chief f^. ,^-ZZ^ S^eTh-e*^
^1?^
ir.W^.'
AN AWKWARD ENCOUNTER .j,
would not rfveal ht identV '"" " ' """ ''"
.;vrj^dn.Lr:,:H^^^^^^^^^^^^^
he proceeded, s.mchi„g forth his ha^d '"'
It grasped the air, however for fh« • i
coned in amazement an A ?. ^-, r "'•'-' ""s *e-
through his breast P^.u ^ "^ °' ''"=""'"= ^h"'
the dusky feaTu's Z "•f«.~"fronted him, not
lique CuHlerer th. ' • ?' ^' ^"'^ ^°''"» °^ ^nge'-
his wife inH \ \ ^""^ '^^^'^ ^« had wooed for
'<mX ^?°;? ^^ '*'" ^°^^d ^ith all his heart
" Yes ri?T M^""'"^"' " '^ --^' aghast '
Jfes, It IS I, Monsieur Sterling " she r^nU..^ u-i
her eyes blazed with anger. " Now Vo^lnl' ''
abroad the .sMr^;. «<• • ^o and noise
an Indian ml7e„1f7„u":r ?YT ""^ f"' "'
«y to Major G,adl^,7haT is Jhy^' rr^'"^ '°
"yo^trrelv!;?^ "'"v""" ^ «Sid oUance,
I mustTa^ i^^L TodJ ''r"r- Nevertheless
this masquerade? " °' ^"""^ '° =''°-'«
9
iT!!BIBr";.WW'.'
r
i
130 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
At his words her spirit died away as swiftly as it had
arisen, and she answered with a tremor in her voice, —
•.u L. *^*^' yo" «^o not comprehend that, not-
withstandmg the liberty enjoyed by the young Cana-
dienne m many respects, in others she is trammelled
by various little French conventions. She is free to
go canoeing on the river with any cavalier of whom
her parents approve, but for her to come unattended
half L' h""' r°:J"',.T" *^°"g^ '^^'^ ««" '•'^'"^ins
half an hour of daylight, would be regarded by all
her relatives and friends as an act of fofwardness'^un-
becoming a well-bred demoiselle."
Much as she shrank from the comments of the
French counterpart of Mrs. Grundy, there was no real
Jn^'ilT^'' r^*' ^^^ Ang^lique to say to Glad-
Z^lL! ^''^ S^^ P'""'^"^' ^^*h *he readiness of a
w^or,iT- u T"". ?' ^°"^"»-"d-nt the suitor upon
whom she looked with most favor? Or was this but
some impulse of coquetry prompted by the vanity
and love of admiratic which had caused her t^
Toh!;? T Vr^^f ^* '^' ^^' g-" to Sir Wn iam
her and li^ v"' u '''"^^^*^ "^^"^* ^« ^^^e fo;
h?s w^e Her heTr. ""'*' '° "'^ ^'' ^^ain to be
tl T .\ u. ^^^*^ "^^ P"'^ ^ a forest spring, he
E.^S"h ~'?i'°T^*'"S ^^"^ ^'th the Scottish and
English maidens beyond the seas. Had one of these
thi. ? , ^*"' "*^ ^^'■S^^t ^°^ th« primness of
these damsels sometimes had vexed him ; these gar-
den flowers now seemed to him sweeter than the
eglantine of the prairie. And yet, how chanJng
:%-^
^iH^W.
il'^'l'^'ITMS
AN AWKWARD ENCOUNTER ,3,
AngfliquewasI Confound Gladwin ; if he could only
challenge and fight him. The Scot began to think
hat m love as in hunting a man begi^ where Se
likes and leaves off when he can.
" I wish I could tell you about it monsiVi.r " *u^
girl said artlessly. •• but it is a secrei" ' ^'
•• Mademoiselle, it is unnecessary for you to tell
m.^ht""pa^^^^^^^^ '' '"""^'' ^*^PP'"^ ^-^' thit she
Still she hesitated, glancing timidly up at him
in^ C wirhVad^°^"1^ T'' howe'ver'and tu "-*
rn5- T. . "^''^' ^^^ again gathered the
yo'u," tTat; " *""" ^'""' """^^ *^' "= ""• -
A moment later Ang^lique found herself in th.
Irae^oTce '"r "" °f *» French cTmmand^t
now the office and audience room of the British
The rencontre with Sterling had strangely unne^d
gaiced'ab^urZ'* ■■""'''•»'"« heai^robH^
been he * to rtl °?" '° '''""'""• S*' ^
^vLT^ ' commandant's assemblies or levees
several times since the ball given by Sir wS
scen'whiT' *^° * y'" ^eo. and yet ft w« C
scene which now rose to her recollection. ThenX
S wir.h"""!'""' ""» f^^^-'y decorSd?J„d
blazed with the radiance of many lamps, while never
had there been gayer music at the fort XwrtJ
sides of the room and the rafters were WanldTbla*"
the s lence was so dreary that she longed to ciy out
and the wamng davliffht wa« ri;«, ^ ^" "X out,
window wher.. Tk* 7"snt was dim, except near the
wmaow where the commandant sat, writing.
t32 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
On that occasion, too, she had come with a partlc-
uarly joyous heart; here she had achieved her
oot'tL'h^ir >k".?P^ '" ^^^'"^ »»««" <=^°"" to
tive that^hJ / r ulT' d'«t'"g"»hed representa-
Now «t h,H "J^ "\^'^ '^''' *° ^°^t Pontchartrain.
As^^'rh^M '"f"^ ^f <=f«ons this room had for her I
ther! . i '^"^ ^^"^ P^^y*^^ ^^*^"t its hearth; and
bent ov! V '^'"'' ^^^! ^^^'^ '^^ Englishman now
.teur de Bellestre, reading documents written in the
sutely language of Versailles. -documents that
some^tHnes bore even the seal of the great King of
^Zt!''' i^'^ui^'' ^"^^y' '"*"^ " to the errand upon
which she had come, a French commandant, per-
haps her own uncle, might once more preside ik?his
a^in Hh t"""^"'', ^'' ^"J"*y K'"e Louis might
again send his royal mandates to Fort Pontchar-
And if she spoke if she thwarted the scheme to
which a number of the French settlers, among them
her own father gave at least a tacit assent, iif sh^
sco™!r ^^k"'';^!.^"'* P"°P^«' ^°»^d «he not be
scorned and branded by them as a traitor to the
cause that was dearest to her heart? It might never
be known whose voice betrayed the plot to drive the
English from the fair provinces won from the wil!
derness by the explorations of Champlain. Cartier.
Marquette.andother3; by the toil of themis ionaries
the wisdom of Frontenac. the courage of many proud
nevefb?/-"" ^^^ France. Yet. though it'^should
never be discovered who gave the warning to save
the alien officers and garrison, would not her own
i i' J*. I . .
AN AWKWARD ENCOUNTER ,33
heart ever proclaim her false to her country? There
was time for her to slip away. Major oidwin was
still unaware of her presence, and the ui"nter
r ;'reorpli"/ °' '" ^^" ''^-'' ^'^^ '^ «^«-" n
Yes she would go. Why should she, an inexpe-
rienced g,rl, oppose her pity, her fears, against the
opinions, the sagacity of her elders? When there
was a prospect that one day the golden lilies of the
Bourbons might again wave over Le Detroit, was it
h"nd Taf " "'/^" ''^^"" *° --»» wither wak
shnl fl f''""^ opportunity, to choose v/hat ban«»
should float over the fort of the strait?
With these thoughts surging in her brain, Ane6-
hque retreated along the wall of the room. ^
iK'
.^
mr
CHAPTER ELEVENTH
A MESSAGE TO MAJOR GLADWIN
S^^M.H^^-^'r, ^^^ disguise against recognition.
. Mademoiselle Cuillerier reached the doofof the
council hall, resolved to go away as silently as sh«
had come; but when about to cross the threshcJd
The?.'ir;'' ""r'i'l^^ ^'^y^^ ^y«" invisible hand
?r' TJ. .^^l"^*^" *»»™ standing under the bloom-
Agaifshe behead h"'"' °' *'^ ""^°" ^•-o"-
^gain she beheld him. erect as a soldier, his head
nZT ^^'^'^'' .^y" ^•"d""^ -'th ardor, his count<^
nance suffused with emotion, as she pictu ed the rIo^
nous white standard of the Sun King floating once
row'tSri";'. ""fT- ^"^ '^^" ^^« reSbered
how the light of that enthusiasm died out of his
strong face, and its expression changed to horror
and contempt for the few traders who had ienra
andhin ^^.^'^^Plftt-go^ their Indian neighbors!
and had deceived the latter with rumors of an army
to come to their aid from beyond the seas And
how his ascetic visage shone wit'i the splritof a hto
the spirit of the old French chivalry, of one whose
oinlr- ''f^'" " "'^ "'^- Once'^^^ore S s^ord
sounded in her ears, like the notes of a trumpet
voicing the general sentiment of the Canad Uns^l^'
opposition to any ignoble plotters there might"; In
coun?,!!.' T?^ ^^''^ *?^ fleur-de-lis. they love their
country; but more than the banner of St. Louis'
'ts*Si»»
\ .j-JkTtA^
A MESSAGE TO MAJOR GLADWIN 135
more even than their freedom, they love their o-
Frincc " '"'' *""* ^^^ ^****' ^"'^ ^''"°' ""^ ^ •^^'
thi^J!^ ^^^^ fragrance of apple blossoms, borne in by
the breeze through the open window, conjure up the
I lusion that she was again in the quiet orchard? Was
It the prayer of the missionary, breathed for her in
the chapel across the river, that strengthened the
wavermg French girh and determined her to carry
out he project which had brought her here? She
musfnot falter. Father Potier had bidden her to
speak; and had she not given him her woH to d^
ShoJn r7 M T"''* ^'^" ^^"' ^"^'^^^ messenger.
Should she fa.1 h,m now. it would be too late for him
to warn Major Gladwin. To-morrow was the fateS
day named for striking the fatal blow at the English.
She must speak at once, for the honor of New France
was m her keeping.
Stepping out from among the shadows into the
tell. Angghque coughed softly.
wrilinr^T^^'^u"* ^°°^^^ "P abstractedly from his
writing, and as h.s eyes fell upon the slight figure
enveloped m the Indian blanket, he frowned wiS
impatience.
h." ?'%?Pr ^ ^''^ " *»«^"t''f"^ With the mysterious
beauty of the forest; her voice is sweet as the song of
the ortolan her manner fierce and innocently amor-
reflicir- -f M '' ^";"'' y^' ^^" ^^^° destroy." he
reflected irritably. "But the music of that sweet
voice fails to awaken so much as a parsing thrill
within my breast; I turn from that glowing fife. Ah
I am put to more pains to banish from my mind one
P.q-nt. radiant face! Still the little FrLTjana
dian giri fascinates me by her loveliness and her
136 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
native charm, strugg'^ against their power as I may
It IS folly, aye worse tuan folly, therefore I will not
me w^th r k"' "5^ '°^^ *^'^ ^"^-" maiden pester,
me with her abject devotion ? "
ho^e^''^'^''''''' ^" *^" ^''J"^* °^^" ^^d^"t' though
hopeless femmme passion is seldom altogether un-
pleasmg to a man, especially if he has suffered from
the apparent coldness of the woman who has rejected
h.s addresses. The knowledge that the forest m'aTden
well-n,gh worshipped the ground he trod upon ren-
dered the accents of the young commandant unusu-
l^^'^Vu^"'^'^ ^" ^'^ ^^^^'"g French,-
Well Catherine, where are the moccasins I com-
^r'r?/°" '° ""^" ^""^ "^^^ I P'-^^^me you have
brought them, since you are returned so soon "
cut th? ''^^Xff''^ '^^ his tone that xvouid have
b^L • /'■^'^ ^i;^'^" *^ *^" ^^^^^' h^d the words
been, indeed, as he supposed, addressed to her
Angelique was for the nonce disconcerted * She
had forgotten Catherine and the moccasins, and had
not meant to personate her. It was no uncommon
circumstance for a squaw to go from house to house
selling bead-work or maple sugar, and she hfrl
athTn^R'"?'^" 'T'^' becau'se'it^'as te fir^sl
at hand. Realizing that she must presently make
d" spTk"' ^'^ '''^ "^^'^^ ^° *^^ -^"<^-""t
m::?edVo:: "urtly.""^'' ^'^ "^°^^^^-^" ^<^ <^-
"No "she answere'd, so softly that he did not dis-
tinguish her voice, notais-
"And why not? » he continued inconsequently as
^K u?u"? '^" ""'" ^^"^-b<'^ fro«» the table S
shook the fine sand over the letter he had been wrh:!
ing, m order to dry the ink.
J
i
A MESSAGE TO MAJOR GLADWIN ,37
"I had no suitable skin wliereof to make them "
rejomed AngJIique. with perfect truth stiU speak-
blfni"et' '""' ""^"^ '"""e" *-= fo'ds oTtt
"No? m,y, I have a skin somewhere about"
he began, nsing from his chair and searching amo^'g
me wail. Here is a piece of buckskin thaf u,;ii
serve excellently well, will it not?" "
Ho tossed it to her across the board, hopine she
would now be gone. Instead of taking up the^sktn
however, the gi.: remained motionless. '
It would be useless for me to make the »««..,
sins for the white chief. I should not be abrto
dehyerthem to him in the spirit land, ' she said W
ing low, and for a se .d throwing back the blanket
a few inches, as is the Indian form^of salutation *
not nnfT^-r^"°"' T'^'- '^^ ^^'^^' unrecognized yet
Yet^°h?1l^°" ^'^ "°* **^^ OJ'b^«' Catherine!
yet, who then are you.?" he exclnim^A ^ •
«rhefb;t^:£-----^»Urtf
cteo ^5uo%r^oTnr "''"«' -" "-'''
stepl1racSf''"f "" ' " ■="=" *« ""-".andant.
roots of hr,h.-- ^°"" P*"=" ^-x^ "'"ring to the
no^ed eve^tuL^T"'''"'"'• "'"-^"'""S e'»«
iuoe of hZk. M "l" »PP«>™n« ■• the trimly short
stas ll tLoseof",^' 'tV""^' f«t. encased inmocca-
Te whit kT *f '""^'^" e'"'' he had thought her-
tne white bodice and red kercliii.f- fh» J 1 », ""'
lav careaninoi^ ™- '~°.'^"'^'"" ' the dark curls that
lay caressingly against her pretty neck and divided
r
138 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
in little ringlets about her brow ; the expressive eyes
now strangely serious. *
Why had she come ? More than a year before he
had asked her to marry him, and she had answered
htm nay. Now, if there were no other gulf between
them, would not his invincible pride, his self-concen-
tration and reserve be enough to dissuade him from
agam laymg his heart at her feet? Was he a man to
risk havmg his suit twice rejected? If there were
only the differences of faith, of nationality, of early
prejudices, surely these would be enough to make a
man hesitate to sue again. But above and beyond all
this there was a sweet English girl across the seas.
He and the latter had been betrothed by the parents
of each ,n their childhood. For years he had thought
little of the engagement made for a boy by others.
Yet this girl, grown a woman, had waited for him, and
now, since his recent visit to England, was he not bound
to her by every consideration of honor? Ang^lique
did not know of this, however, and— what if she had
discovered that she loved him after all, and had chosen
this madcap fashion of giving him a proof of her con-
ndence and liking?
Gladwin's brain seemed to reel. If those who
thought him cold and unfeeling could have looked
mto his heart at the moment, how astounded they
would have been to witness the emotions raging there
But he controlled the storm by a great effort, and
Angehque only noted that his glance was gentler
than It had been of late, and his tone even more
respectful than usual, as he said,—
"Mademoiselle Cuillerier, I know not to what
good fortune I owe the honor of this visit; yet do
not, I beseech you, presently fade away as a vision.
Be assured I appreciate the bit of pleasantry that led
A MESSAGE TO MAJQR GLADWIN 139
you to assume this Indian disguise, and to favor the
old council house by stopping at its door a moment
upon your way from the river. Will you accord me
the privilege of escorting you to the house of Madame
des Ruisseaux, whither, I dare say, you are bent?"
^^ Angelique flushed red as a rose of the prairie.
" Ma foi, monsieur, you must no*: imagine I would do
aught so unbecoming as to be, by design, the herald
of my own arrival at the stockade, or that I find it
necessary to drum up my cavaliers after so undignified
a fashion," she answered, with a proud toss of the
head. " No ; I am here because, having something
of great moment to communicate to you, I had no
time to reflect that my coming might be construed
as unmaidenly."
She faltered, remembering with a sense of disquie-
tude the stern inquiry in the eyes of Sterling, which,
coupled with the amazement of Gladwin, was most
embairassing.
" Maden.oiselle, it would be impossible for you to
do aught unmaidenly, and I know you have come in
kmdness," responded the commandant, with grave def-
erence, as he drew out from before the table one of
the high-backed chairs of the old councillors and
begged her to be seated.
•' No, no," she said, '* I must give you my tidings, and
return m all haste to the house of my aunt. Madame
des Ruisseaux is absent, hence I could not send to ask
you to come there, without giving to some one a clue
to what had best be kept secret. Know then. Major
Gladwin, to-morrow the great Ottawa chief Pontiac
wi come to the fort with sixty of his warriors. Each
will be armed with a gun cut short, and hidden under
his blanket. Pontiac will demand to hold a council
with you and your officers, and this request being
140 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
granted, at the council he will offer you a peace belt
of wampum. But beware, for. if all goes well from
his point of view, but most ill for you, he will present
the belt m a reversed position. This will be the sis-
nal for an attack. The warriors will, at the instant,
spring up and fire upon you and the other officers, and
without, in the street of Ste. Anne and in all the streets,
the Indians will fall upon the garrison. Every Enc-
hshman in the town will be killed, but not a French-
man will lose his scalp."
Gladwin started. At last he was aroused to the
danger that threatened the British at this fort of the
strait -a danger he must avert, or it would not only
be fatal to h.m, but would cover his name with dis-
honor for his rashness in not having been more upon
his guard against it. ^
The warnings he had hitherto received were only
rumors and suspicions, but this news brought by
Cuilleriers daughter was something palpable. It
gave the time and the details of a definite plot : a plan
to wipe out the post as a British possession, to slay
tnghsh blood at Le Detroit.
fK^^ ui^ P^'""^^ P^"^' ^^^*^^'" t°°k not a second
^Z^ \ ?-^ ^^i ^ ^"^''^ ^°^^'^'-' ^ver ready to
fight or to die in the service of his country. But his
responsibility for his command, for the royal standard
which symbolized the authority of Englan 1 in this new
province, her supremacy in the Northwest, — all these
had been committed to his keeping as an officer in
the service ot King George, and by his imprudent
boldness he had jeopardized them. It was with con-
flicting emotions that he glanced toward the girl who
had brought him the tidings, in defiance of the malice
of the town scandal-mongers should they chance to
i
n
■
■
isr* ■
I
I
A MESSAGE TO MAJOR GLADWIN 141
get report of this apparently hoidenish escapade; the
girl who had saved him from the consequences of his
own folly, since "he who is forewarned is also fore-
armed."
" Mademoiselle, it is idle to attempt to thank you
^ for bringing me this intelligence," he said, with
deep earnestness. " May I ask how such important
mformation came to your knowledge?"
" No," cried Ang^lique, putting a hand before
her eyes, as though to shut out a sight that seemed
ever before them. The scene between Pontiac and
her father in the Cuillerier hearthroom, while she
crouched in the loft above, afraid to make the least
motion lest the next moment might be her last; in
which case all hope of saving the strangers whom
she pitied would die with her.
" No. no," she reiterated, "I cannot reveal how or
where I learned these things, but they are true beyond
the possibility of doubt Moreover, the plot is no ordi-
nary one against this isolated garrison of the strait
All the English posts from Du Quesne to the north
are menaced -Venango, Presque Isle, Sandusky,
bt. Joseph, Michihmackinac, and Green Bay The
attacks are to be made when each of the forts* is too
busied m its own defence to render assistance to any
others, and while their commandants are off guard
fancymg themselves secure." '
As the girl spoke, fervidly, excitedly, even Glad-
win, brave as he was, felt for the minute appalled,
as the magnitude of the savage scheme with its
probable train of horrors arose before his mental
But the bent of his mind was eminently practical,
and had been rendered more so by his military train-
ing and experience. Might not Mademoiselle Ang^-
142 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
lique. with the ardent imagination of a young maid.
u^Toubt^^waSf "^"^' '-' '-'-''' -''''"y - '^
J':f' ff?** conspiracy." he said, with a shake of the
m^cH K '^^ K " ^P^P'-^hend that it can amount to so
much, the abongmes have never had a leader who
could plan an extensive campaign."
Ang€lique recoiled haughtily. Was it because
she was only a girl that the commandant now a^
If Vh^ ,r^* i!f' "'^' "^^*^>'^ She turned awa^
If this self-confident officer would not credit he;
Kl'' -^"fif ^ ^"^'^ '° '^^'^ °-" preservation
Out of the pity of her woman's heart, with a woman's
horror o war and bloodshed, she had spoken If
tlTl^ w *^'"r ^^'' "^y ^h°"^^ she not leave
them to their fancied security? Once more she took
Ln J ^ ^^" 'f:^^ '^' ^°°^- ^"* ^S^^ -« invisible
hand seemed to restrain her. and the message of the
missionary flashed upon her recollection. Ang61ique
turned and faced the Engfishman. ^«geiique
^A^^^l't ^IJ*" ""^"^^ ^ y°" ^'"' monsieur." she
said with hauteur; " nevertheless, you seem unaware
of the resources, and the great power of the Ottawa's
chief Pontiac. You will soon discover that not only
his nation, but the Pottawattomies. the Miamies
Shawnies. Ottagamies. Winnebagoe . Massag^J^^^^
even the distant Senecas. are in leagJe agSn^Tu;
people I will only add that I have disdosedX
matter to no one but Father Potier. He would have
come himself to warn you. but I implored him. for
the sake of the many lives at stake, not to do o
The missionary bade me tell you the plot is one of
no common gravity; but he will re traiS the Indians
m so far as is possible."
"Father Potier sent me this message?" ejaculated
I.
I ,
I
-«
i
t
A MESSAGE TO MAJOR GLADWIN 143
Gladwin. " Ah, then, indeed the situation must be
serious I "
The officer knew the priest's judgment to be cool
and calm, and that no one understood the nature of
the aborigines as did he.
All at once, too, there came to Gladwin a fuller
comprehension of Ang^Iique's heroism in hastening
to warn him of this tremendous conspiracy. From
whatever source her information had been obtained,
it was detailed. Thanks to her courage, the plan
might now be frustrated. She had come so quietly
that it might never become known who had thwarted
it; but, should the secret be discovered, could even
the authority of the Black Robe save her from the
persecution of the French conspirators, the cruel
vengeance of Pontiac and his savage warriors? That
she had done this act knowing her peril he felt sure,
moreover, as he glanced at her again, for her face,'
which he had ever seen dimpling and care-free, now
wore a look of quiet resolution, and her usually smil-
ing lips were grave and firm.
" Mademoiselle," he said, bowing low before her,
" forgive me if for a moment I failed to follow the
full significance of the momentous news you have
brought me. You have saved the lives ol the Eng-
lish at Le Detroit, and of many others, I doubt not,
smce I shall do my utmost to send aid, or at least a
warnmg, to the nearest British forts. In the cause of
humanity you have put your own life in jeopardy, to
insure the safety of your enemies, who yet can never
know the name of their preserver; since, were it ever
revealed, your life would be sacrificed. A heroine,
you yet can never reap your due reward in the
admiration, gratitude, and love which are the recom-
pense of those who do generous deeds."
144 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
nrl'*^? TJ" 'Jr"" " "^^^^'T- ^ ««> no heroine."
vo?. ?K t "^.I^^^'.^""' ^'*** ^"™^^ carelessness. •• Do
you thrnk. Monsieur Gladmn. that I could ever aga^n
skep peacefully had I remained dumb a»d suS
th.s massacre of the English here at the fort to take
a'^rod les^hTl" '''h^h ^°"'' ""^^•" "^ '" ^-^ ''
atrocities that I might have prevented ? "
ever known rejoined the commandant; "and I swear
never will I utter or in any way mention your name
a^^connected with the revelation you have made to
me this evening. Never will I confide to any one
"retchTJ ? 1'' 'r.' "'°' •" '^'^ ^-^"' »»--' has
stretched for^h a hand to succor the strangers at the
S- r a"*'^.' "^^^^' ^ ^^^^^ G°d that it was the
hand of Ang^ique Cuillerier."
th.^' *• '°^1-'u. *° ^'' sovereign, as a brave man to
the savior of his people. Gladwin bent a knee before
the French girl, and raised her brown fingers to his
But Ang^lique had no liking for heroics, and his
fervor embarrassed her. With a return of her saucy
spirit, she withdrew her hand from his clasp, caught
JSde/ .f "k'\''.°'^ '^'* ^^' ^°^"^^^ her disgufse
II • if ^.''"' ^" °"'^ "^°^*' a"d' her mission
accomplished, was gone before Gladwin could say
a word to detain her a moment longer. ^
-4'
CHAPTER TWELFTH
=
A CLUSTER OF FLEURS-DE-LIS
ITT-HEN gallant Major GladwJn found himself
^^ alone, he sighed heavily. Grave as was the
exigency of the moment, in his heart concern for the
safety of Ang^lique domina^'-d even his other great
anxieties. Now that she was gone, he was oppressed
by an mtolerable dread that perhaps while she dis-
closed to him the plot against the English, some
lurkmg savage might have heard, and marked her as
a victim for a swift revenge. If he could only keep
her under his own protection ; if he could set a guard
about her, even as a posse of regulars are set to guard
the crown jewels of England I But no, and he smiled
bitterly as he realized the truth. The only succor he
could give to the demoiselle was by silence She
must not be seen speaking to him or to any of the
British; It was unfortunate that she was in the town
at all. Good Father Potier by his prayers could help
her far more than could the commandant of the fort
with his soldiers, though he would gladly lay down
his life for her if need should come.
"But 'the help of Heaven is always good/ and
surely the God of armies will protect so generous and
brave a girl, he said aloud, as with his signet ring he
tapped sharply on the small gong on the table before
" Request Captain Campbell to come here at once,
and do you carry to the sergeant my order that all
to
*4
f
I
' 'f?i^^
i
1*6 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
«.Vo„"dl"»''^^°'"""'-" '"' '"'«"<' 0'D"">ond. who
responded to his summons.
Captain Campbell reported without delay. There
was a hurned conference, and he left again to issue
commands right and left. Gladwin present y went
out. made the round of the garrison and the httle
own saw that his directions as to the patrolHng of
the streets and of the inner wall were Sbe^d ?hat
to thV.'H'"" m''°" "^^^ ^'^*^" °"*' ^"^ ^h^"' ^etuining
inglwe""' '''°"'' '"' ^^^^^ °"'" "^^""^ '^ ^'^ ^"'-
thl^ZZ ^'f^^ P™^^^^*' *^^^ ^^^ ^°"Id not survive
for S^r T.V '^! T' ^'y- "^ ^^^ ^"^ ^"te out
for Sir Jeffrey Amherst a description of the conspi-
lh7:I "^""^^t '^. 'Z '^'^ ^^^^^ ^'' oppressing only
the name of his informant, and transcribing also a
copy to be sent in warning to the nearest military
retimed "'"'*"'^''"* "^^ '*""" *"^^^*''* ^^*^" ^*^'^'"g
"I was so careless as to leave upon the table some
ftiffly ""^ °'^"' ^""^ ^ ^"^ ^'^'"^ ^°' *^^"''" h*' said
Gladwin merely inclined his head. ^
The Scotchman, having taken the papers, was
about to make his exit. when, by a curious ^^
incidence. O'Desmond threw open the door and an-
nounced, —
•• Sir. the Injun girl is come back, and is bound to
see jou again. She will not be turned away at all°
"Admit her at once." replied the officer brusquely.
The guard disappeared, but Sterling paused
. _^ n/'^ ^V^!''^'^ "^'^^ ^'^'ts from the fair sex
to-day. Major Gladwin," he said, with bitter irony
IT'^fim^/i
A CLUSTER OF FLEURS-DE-LIS ,47
••You call an Indian maiden /<i,>/" inn uired ♦»,-
commandant, ignoring the sarcaW ^ ^ '*""
• Ay such an Indian as was here not lone sine*. "
retorted the other, with a forced laugh ^ '
Gladwin's brows lowered ominously.' His soul haH
whn"e TAc't r' ^""'^^'^^ cluring\hr;rio:r'
while the Scotchman was still ignorant of the danger
r^mam and witness this seconf V .::;e "b^ \. ^
Ang^ique and Gladwin, he stood .nn.:Z^^ TV
major swore mentally. What di - ..if
the demoiselle have alreadv In. ^^ ^ **"^^''' "'^-
ko^ f J "c iidvc already encouDt.^re j ^', r^ eh*.
had found .t best to return? But perhaps »; T 1
forgotten some important detail, or ha > ' ^
some meditated treachery within the f« > l '''
win could not dismiss the trader J-o* ..u •
an air of „Su„"« 1h7 ,1.'"""* ""^ '° """'«
itself. Perhaos thrf»A„^ ""'"'' '^'" ""= <>'
that, seeing themer^h,?/ T'" "'^» ''^'" '"?"'«'
await a better Lnl-' '""^ "°"''' withdraw, and
After an n^P^r"-*^ '? communicate with him.
'aBRB?f!^'^«?:MF^-^K^.l^ -.^^^
,
148 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
back, indeed, but did not retire. The guard went out
and closed the door behind him. Sterling breathed
hard, but Gladwin seemed almost to cease all res-
piration. The one man was anxious, the other en-
raged. Both knew that in another moment they
would be face to face with Ang^lique Cuillerier, the
woman whom Sterling acknowledged to himself that
he still passionately loved ; the woman from whose
fascination Gladwin proudly sought to free himself.
Each saw in the other his rival; each disliked
the other for any success he had achieved with the
demoiselle.
The muffled figure drew nearer. She threw back her
blanket and stood before them, erect and motionless.
The two men started in surprise; Gladwin laughed
shortly, and Sterling muttered an oath. There con-
fronting them stood, not Mademoiselle Cuillerier the
bourgeois' daughter, but Catherine the Ojibwa.
The mirth of the commandant grated rudely upon
the ears of the Indian, and with a sullen scowl she
said, —
" You are merry, monsieur, but it may be you will
not be merry long. After sundown to-morrow you
may never laugh again."
Here, however, her voice lost its resentment and
grew pathetic, as, with earnestness and eloquence
she proceeded to pour out to the white chief some-
thmg of the same story which Ang^lique had told
him, although she clearly had no knowledge of the
details whereon the French girl had dwelt so explicitly
Sterling stood by, aghast at what he heard, but
Gladwin scarcely appeared to heed, and went on with
his writing.
When the maiden, perplexed at his apparent indif.
lerence, paused and silentiy gazed at him, seeking to
li
II Ml ■ I IIIMI I
A CLUSTER OF FLEURS-DE-LIS 149
read the thoughts behind his stern visage, he looked
up and said, —
" Catherine, I thank you for your wish to save the
English, but you should not have remained in the
fort after the sunset gun. Return at once to your
own people."
Thereat, summoning the guard by a stroke upon
the gong, he directed him, —
•• Soldier, conduct this Indian damsel to the gate
and see that she goes out. She is no longer to be
allowed to enter the stockade."
The sullen expression settled again upon Catherine's
face, yet not daring to show any insubordination, she
turned away with a smothered sob, and followed the
sentry.
"Egad, Major Gladwin, you but ill requite those
who would fain serve you faithfully. Though dark-
skmned, the girl is a heroine, yet you vouchsafed her
not a word of commendation for what she has done,"
cned Sterling, with heat. " As to the news, — which
you scarce deemed worthy your attention, — are all
the British at Le D^roit to be slaughtered because
you hold m contempt the prowess of the most blood-
thirsty savages on earth?"
Gladwin smiled in an exasperating manner.
"My dear Mr. Sterling," he rejoined, "do you
think It would be a kindness to the girl to permit her
to remam within the stockade and be ferretted out
by Uie spies of Pontiac when he comes to-morrow?
Pardon me, for I must leave you ; there are matters
which require my attention."
So saying, he passed out of the room, to go upon
the bastion and look abroad upon the lands of the
strait, as they lay tranquil in the starlight.
As Sterling went home, he noted that soldiers were
wsmsfm^mm^^m^
150 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
being already stationed in the streets- anrf wl,.i« u
supped alone, Jaco. the Pani boy cam; fn wkh '
to be in a aJZot^'^Z. "' '"'"" *"' ''-»"
Scotchman. '"PPosed, soliloquized the
He was in no mood to lineer ovir rt.. ~.,i
from the wall and saw to it that the lock was in order
Then, proceeding to his sleeping apartment he ^ot
down upon his hands and knee! on tirfloor and
knew but himself. The lieht from So *
«»^ii u ,. . "s"^ "On^ the sconce on th*»
wall above shining into the cave revealed a r„n„
.ron-bound chest. He threw back thetd- the hn*^'
was not the repository of golden treLure'butt W "
good store of ammunition. From it Sterlioi^ fin»S k-
ponch with bullets. Then he ca eMyS the
^Mo?r ""• ''''""" '° *« "-- ~ 't
"I am no Englishman, nor yet an adherenf «f
King George •• he said aloud, " but if Ponti^ les
the concerted signal to-morrow, I will fi^ht to Z
last m defence of my friends he e at the fort n the
cause of civilization against the savage "
__* •
The night of the 6th of Mav 17^2 L.. '
watching and activity within the^old sS^klde Tth^e
margm of Le Dftroit. Arms were primed that th';
A CLUSTER OF FLEURS-DE-LIS 151
might be ready for use at any moment, powder and
shot dealt out, and the officers walked through the
town directing all preparations for the expected con-
flict of the next day.
The skies wore clear, and the stars, looking down
upon the river and woodland, beheld a scene of peace-
ful beauty. As the sentinels upon the eastern bas-
tion peered through the semi-darkness, however, they
caught the gleam of distant camp-fires in the forest,
and discerned from time to time darker shadows upon
the waters. When day broke, they reported that
many canoes had crossed from the southern shore,
landing warriors below the Isle au Cochon.
The sun rose in its springtime splendor on the
broad strait, on the newly green, flower-dotted prairie
and the budding woods; upon the rude farmhouses
of the " c6te du nord," thp buildings and blooming
orchard of the Huron Mi sion, upon the wooden
bastions and cedar pickets of the little fort and the
Indian camp, a mile or more farther up the river.
Still there were no signs of hostility. Rations were
served to the garrison, and the town breakfasted;
even a hero can be more heroic when properly fed.
Angllique Cuillerier had spent a wakeful and rest-
less night at the habitation of Madame des Ruisseaux.
One thing she saw plainly : she must get outside the
palisade and away from the river road as soon as
possible. She had told her mother that she was
going to the town to visit their relative, and would
return ttfe following day. She must now hasten
home, for •<" any of the Indians should come to the
farm of Cuuierier and note her absence, the suspicion
of Pontiac might fall upon the household when he
learned that the English had been forewarned against
his masterly though cruel scheme.
'Sa THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
to Iz tensr z f r' '" p-"--'-
whom ,he founda, ft; eate .• •'""'". ^'"P'""'
•"tries. Exact as hewS t ?'• "^•,°'''''" '^ *e
ftill held the report ofX Lr- ""''?^ ''"'>'' h'
lightly, and esteems! the nr,rr'"^ "«*='' hut
"andant as a wise but h^SiP""""' "' *** ""•-
Moreover, he Z too good'a'rjr'^/T''"''"'"-
equanimity ruffled by the rumot, nf J" *" ''^'" ^"
he was of opinion that 7™ °'/*"e"- I" fact,
would rou the ™-n r ?"* ''°"' «he savages
period of action and r™- 't' "*"ey of a lo%
excitement f"r the office""' ' "*" "''""'' '""«
he wh:"ell!:rar:l':?'^ ?'"• «■'-'»-• fat
and b ed to he^ wittL^'f^tTiT '"'""'"•
h<.ue"r„"C;h'":Sshe f'"'^--" i-'^an Ang..
English acquainUtS'tfuVdeXd'he^' 'T' "« '"
m-ght, " will you be so good S t ,1 "/' .?' "'"''
the gate? I came into th. . ^ ^o through
the night with mTaunt a'nd ^c^ntf ^ '° =^^
evening with mv frJ^n^ expecting to have a gay
find bat the whTe place ^ T """ '''"'' "'■^t dW I
at all or use for he da„c^„rr'"°"°"' "° merriment
-d n.y gloves. cl^rdZ'T-Z ' ,'"'"^^'-
Wilham Johnson ordered fo. I ^'°™^ Sir
Ciel! instead of musfcanH ""^ "■°" London,
patrolled with soM^e^s ^1 th^'^' '^ ^'""^ *"«
and French think of nothi u "'^'" '°"S- English
firelocks, rriike r h, ^ ''"' '° ■"=*'= "-"dy Aeir
hemselves were reported'a?^'"" T" *« B"tish
prepared to .,ve them a » "" ** """■ a"d *«
would have b«„ the c^e ind,""^ r"/"°" • ^^'^h
capitulation of the Marquis de Vaudtu."'"^' "■"""
1^1
I IS
A CLUSTER OF FLEURS-DE-LIS ,53
" Have a care, mademoiselle," replied the caotain
entering m.o her humor. " Some day you also'^^lv
capitulate to a gallant Englishman. La Nouv^He
France was like a beautiful widow, so fair that F„„
land sought .0 wed her; and in turn each"o!"ff
fnf V\"''t "T, *"■*" «"">"• »« '""rs to win
one of her beautiful daughteis for his wife " '
cou.^sv-'^o~7'™""-" '"''' Ang^Iique. with a
s r';hrou7'the''^^r' '"°"'''" "= """=■'-•
safefi^'ilfp^-V'"'" *''"""' Canadian bobolink
hecred an^,?"" ''^'' ""y should I set it free?"
tre:t;s:riit^^rrrat"v^ttd''"'™*^
request^ Withthe^own a^tlng^,' iXtTbS'
« .s «rta;_nly not safe for you to set out alone 'across
.__ Angflique paled a trifle, yet she persisted entreat-
-.r.?*' '.„''?""='' yo"' Monsieur Camobelll Mv
ptt:rt^e<''«-r-r'£:"i
pf^^z^tthVc^rar-^Lt
vtnf I shtlH r*'"^ happens^'And-and-
the riad the irfn -"7 '" ""«' =" '«"<' <>' '"d'ans on
c.a:;r;orAn^to?„?c sr Trhr° "••"■'
ance against the French ,„H 1,= ■ "° ^""^
154 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
" Very well, you shall go, mademoiselle," he an-
swered, " provided you accept the escort of young
Jasmm de Joncaire, who has also obtained permission
to return to the ' cdte du nord-ost' " »
Ang€liquc pursed her red lips in pouting protest,
but the officer was firm.
"You must have a protector." he explained, "and
Monsieur de Joncaire is well armed."
The girl flashed from a leather sheath beneath
her belt a long knife, such as those used by the
coureurs de bois.
"So am I," she cried, with sudden vehemence.
Jasmin do Joncaire was already at hand, having
stepped forth from behind a group of by-standers,
eager to assure her that he would guard her safety at
the risk of his life.
" I will intrust to you. then, monsieur, the duty
of conducting this demoiselle with all speed to the
Cuillener homestead' enjoined Captain Campbell.
It was expedient o yield gracefully.
" Monsieur de Jo aire is an old friend and neigh-
bor, and I shall be glad of his company," Ang^Iique
said, with a toss of her curls.
The next moment, . ^ signal from the captain, the
guard threw open the pc.ste n. the 'wayfarers passed
out, and the wicket was dosed and barred after them.
Choosing a by-path across the prairie, they con-
tmued on for half an hour without adventure. An-
gehque s spirits rose ; the sense of danger thrilled her
with a nervous excitement, which was mistaken by
De Joncaire for an irrepressible gaiety. The air was
rftL^i" **'%*'»*'i!.°" *''° "°'*^'"' "''O'-" °f the strait was called '• la
cdtedunord." The locality above the fort was sometimes more nar
A CLUSTER OF FLEURS-DE-LIS 155
sweet and fresh, and. as they walked along, the purple
eyes of the early violets looked up from the grass, the
dandelions offered them a harvest of golden coins
and m swampy places the fleurs-de-lis raised their
stately heads. The French girl plucked a cluster of
the latter, and kissed them passionately
A^ ^°y^^ the fleurs-de-lis," she exclaimed, with
ardor No blossom that grows is so beautiful, to
ray thmkmg." '
Jasmin smiled in proud approval. The journey of
the two young people together was nearly over- a few
rods more, and they would be at the Cuillerier farm
Anon they reached the gate of its strong palisade. *
Give me the fleurs-de-lis to wear in my chapeau,"
pleaded the youth tenderly. He remembered th^t
Ang^hque had kissed the flowers.
For this reason however, the captious demoiselle
was unwillmg he should have them. He argued the
matter and while averting her eyes from his admiring
gaze Angeluiue chanced to glance up the river bank
Uh, look, look. Jasmin ! " she cried
aJ^T'^ them along the road approached in single
file a hne of Indian braves, wrapped in their blankets.
As the redmen came nearer, the young man and the
giri recognized in the leader the war chief, Pontiac
crested with eagles' feathers, and arrayed in all he
savage finery that pertains to a mighty king among
^eat fcast' ^"^^ ^^ ""^'^ '^°"' '° participate in a
Now he was but a few rods away, his followers
coming close behind. The two Canadians could dis-
tinguish his fierce features, rendered more terrible by
the daubs of ochre upon his high cheek-bones, the
tracery of indigo upon the beetling brow, and the
shaven head bright with vermilion and bear's grease
J
•J6 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
,r/)!^^'^'t' "I""?" ''""*'""' »'<>'"' '■" terror, but by
lips. Her first impulse was to run to the house h..>
her hmbs jrew so we<Uc that ,he couIdTca^cdy have
Wh T .^o' '» "y out or flee would be perilous
Why ^ould she be afraid of PonUac and his'^rle,;
Were they not on terms of friendship with the French?
fro;he''rhTn°d°"'r; *"''""• """at h^ f^'„'
irom her hand, and lay concealed from the view of
any one on the road by a budding snowber^Tuth
mside the gate. The girl breathed freer a "he
qu.ckly reflected that she might be supposed t"have
come down the garden path for a word with the go^!
lookmg Jasmm. Even the astute Ottawa could ^t
ffT' h'' T "'' *^' '^' ^ ''«'• »t the fort And
■f he should learn it later, after all, what wa, more
natural than that she had been to ee herlunt and
"utshtl'rr "1' """ "'"'' '" ~"P5^" "e'
cause she had been disappointed about a dance, and
Tut u T,V "" "■^"''"dant at Le Detroit?
Although half fainting with fear, Ang^Iique re-
rshadiw"'"lh"^t^'' P~' °f *' g««^d ''ithTn
Its shadow. She dared not look up, but bent her
head low over the chapeau of De Joncaire, wh^h he
had a moment before vainly held out to her with the
request that she would fasten in with the ribbon two
or three sprays of the bright fleurs-de-lis.
Now she tightly clutched the picturesque straw
headpiece, and was thankful that Vith it she could
screen her face. If Pontiac noticed her at all. how-
ever. It was as one of Antoine Cuillerier's older pap-
pooses, who had been in the meadow gathering spring
followed by his sixty warriors, one behind the other.
A CLUSTER OF FLEURS-DE-LIS 157
At sight of the young people there flitted over the
visages of two or three of the braves as near an
approach to a smile as ever relaxed their solemn
features. Doubtless they thought the loiterers were
lovers, dallying in the sunshine.
Near the end of the file came the son of the Ottawa
chief. Panigwun and De Joncaire had often been
together on short expeditions into the forest to shoot
game and birds. Now as the young brave recognized
m the man at the gate his former comrade he laughed
a rough, mirthless laugh, and. with a jerk of his thumb
toward the blossoms in the hand of the girl, said,—
" Ugh, the flowers of the French ! Soon you shall
see them growing again in the air, down yonder."
Glancing sharply at Jasmin, he opened the folds of
his blanket. Something beneath it caught and flashed
back a sunbeam that played about his straight figure ;
the gleaming steel was a shortened gunbarrel.
Having shown his weapon, Panigwun patted it with
savage satisfaction, and pointed once more toward the
fort. Then, with a sudden lurch forward, he stretched
forth his hand to seize the flowers.
Ang^Iique uttered a low cry, and they fell from
her grasp, while Jasmin in a rage pushed him away
At another time there would have been a fierce
quarrel; but on this morning "the Strong Wing-
Feather " was pledged to follow his father Pontiac
and he had already well-nigh lost his place in the
line.
With a threatening gesture toward De Joncaire,
therefore, and another gutteral laugh, he sped swiftly
down the road after the long chain of warriors taat,
like a venomous snake, writhed along beside the river
onward, onward, to wind its deadly coils about the
garrison at the fort of Le Detroit.
CHAPTER THIRTEENTH
THE GREAT OTTAWA
M^tZ'^„^,;°" *« P™-"« outside .h. „ockade
"d armed their me„7 aJl1wai°eTw th'" 1"""'°"««
*Arr" °f ^J'PP™«hiSrv*et ''"'" """«'
«.ela::yaSd^°H:':f:atrd„''tst^^^
open. and. as he passed in his imm^Ki *'°°*^
tag ta the sunshine ' '*"" ""P""' g'"-""
he led his warrw";,„': L f''^r!r"^!''l''^'''''
while from the homes oTthe French .h??- .'1°'"!:
pistols in his b^eU Ld'atj^":. hU 'sidr^ ^h'et "^
walls aL crowded th;'h:iKar,l"'f "°""'' '"^
with them. naJIway, the place swarmed
'Ih*. m JM
"iM* ' *At II
THE GREAT OTTAWA ,59
For a time the silence was unbroken. Then the
a^ff:"e?S:^^^^ " ''' ^°'"'"-^-' -'^' ^
.fnnA^^u '* *^** '° "^*"y °^ "^y ''other's young men
stand ,n the street with their guns? Docs my faUier
expect the soldiers of the French ? "
Butte*'^!!rH T'^f .! ^'^ ^°'''** '° *^*^ interpreter La
tongue. ""' '"P""'"'^ '^'"^ •" »h^ Indian
"The commandant has ordered his young men
under arms to keep them ever prompt and ready !n
the military drill/' he said significantly. "Thus if a
war comes they will be able to fight well "
The sixty chiefs remained grim and dumb, their
dark eyes turning from Pontiac to Gladwin, and fu .
fvely watching the guards in the room. Thdr severe
trammg which taught them to endure even torture
with stolidity, stood them now in good stead not an
he deadly purpose of their coming. They were
ready to slay or to be slain; the manner wherewith
c^Tth ,Y ^^^j'^^P'-^"' *^« P^^" belt wouldT
Afte a tV p'^'r °^ "" ^""'^^^'^ ^^'"g^ ^' *he least.
" Mv father "'h''V°f" ""'^ "^^^^^^^^ Gladwin,
for the FnJ-'K V "'' "^^ "^ ^^'"^ '" friendship
for the English. You are great chiefs. You have
driven the French warriors from Le D^roit because
!l^..w °^**^^,<=<>"ntry of the strait wish to show
you their good will and to smoke with you the pipe of
S"f manv^K °' f' '"'^"'^'^'P' '' ^-^'^ ^h
a[ tL r ^ I nt f r y^" *^'^ b^'' °f wampum."
beUfrom hr-5. '^^'^'" *° ""^"^**^" *»^^ ^l^'t-
belt from his girdle, the guards in the hall clicked
the locks of their muskets, the officers half drew the^
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i6o THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
swords from the scabbards, the sentinel at the open
front ofT"'V° ' ^°"^ ^°^ °^ -^^-" stationed!"
InT/ m'"*'^""' '^^ ^••"'"^ '•°"^d the assembly,
and the soldiers made a noisy clatter of arms. ^
nes? HuT!? i".'^" "''"' ""^ ^°"*'^^ ^^^^ '^ "^^r-
ness. His hand did not tremble; the belt was un
fastened; he retained it an instant'in he^tation AU
present seemed to refrain from breathing. Then he
Del '' ^° ^^^-" - the usual fafhion,-and
Death passed them by.
It was now Gladwin's turn to speak.
uo^nT^^'"''^''!,'^^' ^"''' ^'^^ "°^^ '^^'^ he poured
re^proach ' ^°"°^''"' ""'''*= ^°«^^ °f
"False redmen. you have sought to deceive me
with 1 es and to slay me by treachery," he cried.
Uut I know your baseness. You are armed, every
warrior among you, like this brave by my side "
He rose from his chair of state, stepped to the
neares Indian and, snatching open the Ms of his
bhnket. revealed the shortened gun concealed b"
"My father does us wrong; he does not believe ; '
then we will go," replied Pontiac. getting upon hi^
J' ^^l" ^°" ^'^^^ *° hold a council with me I
Clemency, proceeded the commandant. " Howbeit
treacherous dogs, you had best make your way
made 1'"' .°V'^'°^'' '''' "^^ ^^"^ ^^n, being
you, and cut you to pieces."
rn5ri-^''/^^°" ^y" S'^^'"^^ ^'th anger, but with
royal dignity he gathered his blanket about kis broad
^^^^l'
W-'kl
THE GREAT OTTAWA
i6i
shoulders and walked slowly from th ^ r«„„.M
to^^^"VK "^ '""'"' '^^y ^^^^ °"^« ^ore through the
favorably disposed toward the Enjrlish SterlincT^ .?
uuon ne caned at headquarters to offer him«if c,
whatever future service might be requtd ^ht
«:;Mrhrtrrcrt°^""''-"-^^^^^^^^^
" Mr ^f. t f.^'^ ^^' "° ^'^'"^ to forbearance"
up t^Si^ h^^^^^^^^^^^ ^r'"^ H.reir
to explain my nosiflon ? '"^un^bent upon me
war-cloUTirsUr;";™: •"• "■" '"^ ''"'''"''
Wh,Ie they were speaking, O'Desmond entered.
i62 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
as she is, shure the creature 's a woman, and 't would
S,t H J'''7 °^ ^ ^'^"^ *° ''' '^' ^-y they bran-
. Sh^ ^1;T« t^"'T °^"'" ^^^' ^'^^^ «° many fiends.
Shtop that,' I calls to them in Irish. 'She's now
w.thm the gates, and if you hurt a hair of her head
f^T^n' ".'"' y^ "P ^' '^'S^^ an' have ye riddled
with bullets. Well, the Irish is a most commandLI
language an belike the tone of me voice had in i?
a thwack of the shillaleh. Whether or no? Ly
a"touch o?"" ','''' '"' ?"^ ^""^ '" ^'^ jibberisi, with
a touch of parlez-vous,' what I made out to be that
they d hunted the creature out of the village of the
Foxes and fetched her here for you to say. sir, if
h^. Pn f ' '°^^ ^" '^'' '^' ^^" One himself,'an'
Th. \^.°f,f' ""^"'^^ '° murder us all without shrift,
f^r t^^v '^2 ''^ " "" ''''' ^'^' '^' l^^^^kest of lies,
WH ^/'k ^^l'"^'' Peaceable creatures that eve;
s a mo^. H^ '^' '•,"?' '°^"" *^'^ M'^'h^r Pontiac
IS a most dacent. mild-mannered man."
Here O'Desmond unmistakably shut one eye. and
gnnned at the commandant. "^
Gladwin impatiently shifted his position. He was
sometimes inclined to overtook the garrulity of the
snfnHlT f; IT'' °^.*!'^ ^^""'•'^ fi^^J'V and his
splendid fighting qualities. Besides, while in im-
t^hT."'K^°?^ ^ '*"'* disciplinarian, he had learned
tftat to be too much of a martinet in regard to small
matters ,n the wilderness would have lost him the
good will of his soldiers.
. rj "^'1!."°' '^''^'''^ *^^'^ savages," he said. Then
a thought arrested his refusal. If he denied them
admittance, would they not wreck their anger upon
the squaw with barbarous cruelty?
"Stay! You may conduct them here," he ordered.
Ihey came, pushing and jostling their prisoner.
.-I^^:'
m'^m
THE GREAT OTTAWA
163
urging her forward at the points of their kniv« nn^
finaHy halting before the oLer, as he st^od X th h"s
back to the ch.mney of the council room, conversing
thus coolly with Sterling. ' ''""^^'^^'ng
With darkening countenance he saw that the
woman was the Ojibwa Catherine, or Nedawn ss
The trader was scarcely less shocked. •• What woiTd
the major do ? " he asked himself " How wa le o
tr^tlt^^sp"' "^ ^^''"^ ^-" "'"^ ^-- ^'"^^"y
mifr ^Her'a^"' '"t".^' P"-"^"'^^ ^ ^P-^^tacle of
ZeZollInf^^"^ ^^'' ''^' "°"^ dishevelled, her
With a low moan, she fell forward on her face be
fore the commandant. ^^
" Kill me, white chief." she prayed, " but do not
dehver me again into the hands of L bttawas '
Gladwm stooped, and raised her to her feet. Even
coutge'"'^ '' ''^ '^"' ^^^ -^-^^ 'o gain new
He summoned the interpreter. La Butte and
through h.m addressed the braves with stern upiraTd-
asked^^^M^ ^°" ""^l""""* '^^ y°""g ^q»aw?» he
asked. It was not from her that I learned of the
dark designs of your chief Pontiac. It was the Ah
Seemg and All-Knowing God who revealed to me
the treacherous conspiracy."
The Indians wavered, puzzled and amazed.
mentfLrv ' ^r '^''"" '' off well." Sterling com-
mented to himself, noting the unflinching Raze where
with the major cowed the savages. '4fadwi^ wa^
I
164 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
bound, in common humanity, to shield the girl from
the fury of her people. But, forsooth, he can beat
the aborigines with their own weapons. Had I not
myself heard the Ojibwa tell him the tale, I would
not know him to be lying."
" Release her," continued the commandant, as the
braves still hesitated. "She shall leave the fort
by one gate, and you will go out by the other. But
first, soldier, you will see that these men are fur-
nished with beer and bread. Provide also some
refreshment for the girl."
The prospect of being regaled with the white
man's food and drink, especially the latter, rendered
the Indians tractable for the time, and they agreed to
let the young woman go.
" Shure, to fill them up with lead would be far bet-
ther," grumbled O'Desmond audaciously, as he led
them away to the kitchen.
The next day was Sunday, and the little military
post lay tranquil in the sunshine, as though protected
by the truce of God.
Early in the afternoon, Pontiac came to the fort
with three of his chiefs, declared that " evil birds had
sung lies in the ears of the English," and asked the
commandant and Captain Campbell to smoke a
peace-pipe with him. It would have been madness
to decline. Both officers therefore smoked a few
whiffs '^f the pipe, but when the captain would have
returned it, the Ottawa said,—
" No, Eagle Heart, I will leave this sacred calumet
in your hands as a pledge of our faith."
An hour or more later many young braves and
habitants gathered on the common to play ball. At
dusk the garrison was startled by a burst of loud,
shrill yells, the drums beat to arms, and the troops
^•^"
i
i
THE GREAT OTTAWA ,65
were ordered to their positions; but the alarm was
only caused by the victors in the ball game, whi a^
nounced their success by these discordant c^rs
•
It was early fn the morning of the* 9th of May -
so early that the sun had not yet shot his go^ien
arrows before him. as a signal that he was cf^ng
from beyond the dark forests stretching for leagief
back of the Ottawa village; so early i t alMhe
settlements on the banks of Le De'troit were sUll
wrapped m slumber. "
The sky was cloudless, betokening the awakening
of a perfect day ; the blue waters flowed on in ma!eT
as they had flowed since the first dawn of their crei'
"Th. V ?'^'^u ^?,''^"'^'' called by the habitants
the Virgin's web; " a flight of gulls passed over the
river; with joyous tranquillity Nature awaited the
coming of her lover; the song-birds called to one
mebd *"' *" '^^^ '° ^'^^' ^'"^ "^'^^ ^ ^""* o^
"How fair and beautiful is the world, even as if
fresh from the hand of its Maker," exclaimed Father
Fotier, as. occupied with the points of the pious medi-
tation prescribed by the rule of his order, he walked
beneath the blossom-laden trees of the mission or
for .H. kT • ""^^ l^l "^^y '^' ^°^" '" the calendar
for he blessing of the fields. In another hour he
would begin the Mass in the chapel, and his red!
skinned congregation would gather about him; but
at present not a soul save himself seemed abroad on
either shore, though, in the mission house. Brother
Regis and Brother La Tour were already at work.
Before long the good father finished his devotions
for the nonce, but still he lingered, lost in thought
i66 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
beneath the blooming apple trees. His mind was
troubled about his people. The history of Pontiac's
visit to the fort with the sixty warriors, and his anger
at findmg the English prepared and wary, had created
much excitement in the vicinity of the mission ; for
he Ottawa chief was seeking by both promises and
threats to induce the Hurons to join his conspiracy.
On the day before (Sunday), therefore. Monsieur
Potier had preached to them most earnestly upon
the blessings of peace, and significantly warned them
that vengeance was not to be taken upon guiltless
individuals for the injustice inflicted by a govern-
moit; that massacre was not war, but murder.
Ihe heart of the missionary was filled with a deep
pity for the aborigines. Daily he prayed that their
wrongs might be righted; yet he was far-seeing
enough to discern that even should Pontiac succeed
in driving the strangers from the Country of the
Lakes, It would be only for a time. Sagacious and
clever as was the chief, he could not permanently re-
sist the power that had sent the redcoats into the wil-
derness. He might slaughter the garrisons from
Michilimackinac to Niagara and deluge the land with
blood, but from this seed there would arise new
soldiers, even as in the old fable armies were said
F°tSrp'r"u^ ""Pu^'T '^^ '°^" ^^^g°"'« teeth.
Father Potier knew that the Ottawa's scheme, bold and
brilliant as it was, meant only ultimate misery to the
warriors at the strait, suffering, peril, and destitution
for the women and children. He was resolved to
keep from this misery those who would listen to his
words; the Hurons of his mission who had been en-
ticed away from the north by the Sieur de Cadillac;
the redmen whose ancestors had greeted " Le Pgre
Marquette " with " the heart's right hand of welcome."
1
THE GREAT OTTAWA 167
Yes he. Pierre Potier, the Black Robe, was their
friend, their father, and he would save them if he
could.
Thus he continued to devise how he could best
insure their welfare, when suddenly a footfall almost
beside him caused him to stop short in his walk: and
as he turned abruptly he beheld, well-nigh at his elbow
an Indian maiden. *
•; Catherine ! " he exclaimed in astonishment, recog-
nizing the girl as the Ojibwa whose sweet voice had
until recently led his mission choir, and was as the
notes of the thrush in a chorus of woodland birds
Catherine, you have come early for the services •
see. it IS not yet sunrise. But why is it. my child',
that you have absented yourself of late from the
holy Mass and Vespers, that you no longer join
with your sisters in singing the praises of the good
" Oh, my father, do not reproach me," cried the
girl, throwing up her hands and swaying to and fro
in sorrowing fashion. "I have indeed had a bad
heart, — an evil flame has burned in my breast I
have had revengeful thoughts and prayed wicked
prayers. I have forgotten your teaching, and raised
my voice in incantations to the heathen gods of my
people. But I have been greatly punished, my father
I have been beaten with rods, -I, the daughter of a
chief I have been humbled before the man in
whose eyes I would fain appear with most favor
And now I am come to you, my father, to acknowl-
edge my fault."
" Go. then, and kneel on the step of the chapel,
daughter. Brother La Tour will open the door be-
times. Prepare to confess with the other penitents
before the Mass," said the priest gently,
i68 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
" Black Robe, I will do so ; but as the friend of the
poor Indian, listen now also." she entreated, falline on
her knees at the feet of the missionary. •• My father
the Indian girl has a heart of fire; to her the white
man appears as a god."
Father Potier sighed and raised his eyes to Heaven
How often he had heard the story; how tirelessly had
he striven to keep the lambs of his fold within the
boundaries of the mission villages; how rejoiced
he was when the forest maidens married with the
warriors of their own or the neighboring tribes!
"A Frenchman has won your love, my daughter?"
he asked. " Tell me his name, and I will speak to
Father Bocquet, who will see to it that your marriage
IS duly solemnized." ^
" No, no, Black Robe," she murmured, with a chok-
ing sob, crouching lower and clasping her shoulders
with either hand, so that her arms formed a cross
upon her breast. " It is not a Frenchman; it is one
of the strangers."
" Then, giri, you must tear this love from your
breast as though it were a viper," exhorted the priest
with vehemence. "The English marry not with
the Indian, as do the French sometimes. Strangle
this viper love, or 'tis your own soul it will feed
upon."
" My father, I cannot. It is the white chief at the
fort whom 1 love."
Father Potier's start of surprise was scarcely per-
ceptible, yet it did not escape the acute senses of the
Indian.
"Yes. the yellow-haired, pale-faced commandant.
1 love him as the summer loves the west wind. I love
him more than man was ever loved before. But the
Holy Virgin folded me in her fair white mantle; she
THE GREAT OTTAWA
169
held her holy veil before my heart, though I was un-
worthy. He does not know the fierceness of my love.
The glance of *he forest maiden is keen as the eyes of
Pawpawsay, tu woodpecker. I soon came to hate
a French dem..iselle, because upon her the paleface
chief bestows the love which to me would be more
precious than many bracelets of silver, more than
many strings of silver half-moons and necklaces of
wampum beads, more than all the jewels in the crown
of the English King. Report came to me of a plan
by which my people hoped to rid the country of the
red-clad dogs who have stolen the hunting-grounds
of our warriors. I thought I would go to the English
chief and warn him. Then the vipers in my heart
aroused themselves. ' Fool,' they hissed, ' the Eng-
lish chief does not love you ; let him die with the
rest.' "
The girl buried her face in her hands. Father
Potier waited patiently.
Presently she raised her head, and continued in a
harder tone, —
"I went to this demoiselle whom the white chief loves
To torture her I told her something of the plot, but
not enough to permit her to save her lover. I knew
too, that being a French girl, she could do nothing'
since if she tried to warn him by word or signal the
anger of Pontiac would fall upon her. I saw' her
tremble and grow pale with fear. Then I sped away
in my boat, my beloved ' Nedjemon.' She called
after me in her proud white beauty that she wanted
him not for her lover. I hated her more than ever at
the moment; to think she so lightly cast away, as
though It were ' apukwa,' a bullrush, the love I would
have prized more than ' Ketegawn,' a blooming gar-
den. I laughed at her. She besought me to tell him
iiil
/-pwsa
170 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
what I knew, saying, if I did so. she would pray God
to give me much love r la..„i,-j ^ ^ ^
The girl looked up into the face of the priest It
c^..er ur. tjz ,ih„tT, ota:
of savage revenge. Ang^hque stood forth swee InH
^or counsel, had da„d after ,U ^3^^ n^ °o
" But the last words of the demoiselle ..^h^j ■
2 ears, n,y father," pursued the Sn uf^s^'i
my charms and incantations, and prayed to the Great
Spmt whom I had forgotten. The Master of I.1?i
took p,ty on me. He sint the Holy WeS to Li' •
tJ^r. -■"^""••ed thevipe^tmXrt She
T^e fi" "i*" "P"" "^ """"e head, upon my breasY
flai":f";rcW;:„t"v?"™"°™^'*"*«
heart to be .'voXl oSg iife^l t"h "t' ""?
silver hung before the sS i , . '"""' °'
knowing tfe love^'f-^hf^e ch rrl^ne'vt Te
-rrhKrer tre^r-*^ ^- -^^^
Fa*e:V^«:r.''' ""' '"■ "'^ '""'e''ter," queried
toI^!,'r"r" °^ "'f-P'^ervation caused the eirl
to peer cautio- y around in all directions. iLfpt
THE GREAT OTTAWA
»7«
for the twittering of the birds, the orchard was
absolu dy qu.et; upon every side extended the sh^rt
grass hke a carpet, and she could see beneaVh ever^
ree. Cran.ng her neck, she looked up among th^
lurking anywhere about.^ she ttt Le^tLe","
Satisfied that no one was listening, she sorana to
her feet, and answered in a tense whifper J^^ '"^ *^
IcnJ'l'f^"^ ^°^'' ^ *°'^ '^^ commandant all I
stockad. T. '''"'" ^' ^^^ ""' '^^'^ outside the
lie a b?;d y •' ^"' \^'''' P^'" •" "^y heart. bu\
like a bird smging in the wood, there was w.>K «.
a gladness that I had spoken." *^* ""^
l,o?'I;^'' u^:, u' N^^^^"i«. then went on to relate
how she had been apprehended, accused of having
betrayed the scheme of Pontiac, and dragged beforf
^vTe^^'l"'/" "f •" ^^^^^ condemned to Heath
by the man she loved. And how then, to her amaze
ment the commandant had declared it was not fmm
her that he had learned of the dark de^Hf P^t
and thereupon the Ottawa, after beating her on the
head with his ball stick, set her free, desoii the damor
o the warriors, not daring to reck iis vengeance u^^^^^
f. ^ J^^^ '^^ commandant had said. ^
lo Major Gladwin I owe my life. Black Robe "
he concluded. " but he spoke falsely to shield m;
It was Catherine the Ojibwa who warned hS, and
when Pontiac discovers this I shall be put rdeaSi
T will be a just punishment of my wickedness I
am^come to ask the forgiveness of the M^rr'of
What a wild tale it was. ranging through the gamut
of human passions. Yet Father Potier could not
172 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
but marvel at the victory the Indian girl had achieved
over her own fierce nature. He saw rewarded, in
such manner as earth could reward, his years of patient
and often apparently fruitless toil among the savages
The gentle lessons of Christianity had triumphed ; in
a spirit of renunciation and atonement as sublime
as any he had ever witnessed, Catherine the Ojibwa
had not only risked her life to save a man who did
not love her, but was ready to yield it up in atone-
ment for her sin of hatred and revenge. Could peni-
tence approach more nearly to perfection? The girl
must not be permitted to sacrifice herself. Yet on
the other hand, Angdlique's secret must be carefully
guarded. Remorseful as Nedawniss now was, should
passion once more gain the mastery of her nature
what might she not do? If by any chance her sus-
picion should turn upon CuiUerier's daughter, might
she not betray the girl to the Ottawas?
" Catherine," began the missionary, " God would
be angered were you to throw away your life and I
doubt not, when this emotion is past you will wish to
avail yourself of all just means to preserve it You
have no right to say that the commandant did not
speak the truth."
"Could it have been the demciselle who told him? "
exclaimed the Indian abruptly.
It was a critical moment.
"You have said, my child, that you did not tell
the demoiselle enough of the p^t to render possible
the chance that she might reveal it," observed the
priest quietly.
„nn Jfi!" i^ Tu^m''*'" ' ^°' '■°'* *^°"Sh he fawns
upon the English like a tan* fox, I believe he hates
them in his heart." she continued. "Or do you
think It was Mahigan the Ottawa, my father? Ma-
THE GREAT OTTAWA
X
'73
higan is dead. This morning he fought with Wasson
on the bluff, and Wasson stabbed him."
"Mahigan the Ottawa is dead?" echoed Father
Potier. " Of a surety they cannot say it was not
Mahigan."
If Nedawniss was bent upon fixing the charge
upon some one, surely it would do no great harm
to a dead man.
" Daughter, accuse neither yourself nor any one
else of this," added the priest. "Pontiac is not like
to have you again apprehended. If he does, show
him this sacred symbol; say I gave it to you and
bade you tell him to send for me before he dare
condemn you. Although not a Christian, he will
respect my signet, lest the Almighty God send ven-
geance upon him."
As he spoke, the missionary took from the breast
of his black robe a crucifix, which he placed in the
hands of the girl.
"Now go, Catherine," he said; "collect your
thoughts, that presently the peace which is above
all earthly happiness may comfort your troubled
heart."
The Indian sped away as silently as she had come •
and anon. Monsieur Potier saw her kneeling in devo-
tion on the step of the forest sanctuary, as was the
custom among her people.
Other women joined her there; dusky children
and a few braves followed; and soon old Brother
La Tour came out of the mission house, and went
down the walk to open the door of the chapel.
Over the primeval woods the sun rose in unveiled
splendor; the swivel gun upon the water bastion of
the fort boomed forth its wonted salute; the drums
beat the reveille, and, at the same moment from both
il
174 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
Father Potier uncovered his head, and repeated in
a low tone the prayer they chanted. ThenT passed
beyond the orchard, to minister to his httSr^
gation in the rude log church. ^
^
CHAPTER FOURTEENTH
THE ENVOYS OF PEACE
A^fn^J'^u" ^^'^'' ^^"" ^^'^^' Potier invoked
u J ^[' ""''°"' ^"^ th« neighboring tribes an
abundant harvest, on the northern shfre of Le
Anne s led a procession of the French over the
ee?thrtTmi.t'' M^'^f^ °" *^^ "^^^ --«
seea, tuat it might yield a thousand-fold.
Scarcely had the townfolk returned from these
exercises, when the common behind the fort w^
Pontile. '^"°^'* ^* *^"''" ^^^^d ^^
to thesentfn\'k^'*^^ '"^ ™' ^"^ "^^ P^°P^^'" ^^ <^"-ed
with thl K i ' r/'^ "^"'^ *° ^o^d ^ great council
w Mhe E^ntltnt'^ ? ^^""^"^ -y friendship
smoVe':f^thf c^^^^^^^^^^^ ^" "^^ ^^^"- *° -«" th?
.n!!!^"!.''^.^!'^'*'"^^'^^ ^"^ «*»0"ted, Major Gladwin
»,.« I- • , ^ ^^^. ^"^ "^y *^"*" w'th half a score of
h.s principal warriors, but I will not have this red herd
ins.de the palisade." said the officer to his i4trrp^^^^^^^^
•^A^d r" r^*!^.^*"^-"-^ the proud Ottawa
f« ;/ "^ ^^'^^JO'ned, with a threatening gesture
av'to the' vT'rT' "'° y°"' C»^-- L- Bu«e!
say to the chief of the redcoats that all my warrior^
r
176 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
While Th;« b^'°"ged to my fathers."
wnue these momentous events were har.r^-«•
before the stockade, at the " cflte du n^ d " A„S"uf
MaSe'"defRuLfar,„d t' '" "^^ ""^" ""^
were absent. ^^^Z'Z:;fZT:Z£/L°Z
^tuwT"' '" "r P"«y "-O beyond a'lth
b^rrpM^rtrad^rr Z" '"" "■ '"^ """ '^
bt^'bXrt r^ ^"-"h-^;: St!™
Metai sho^uwtrk ove^L^Slt^^""^ °' *'
Angfhque was a child of the wildprni.cc
.he summoned her resourced kr a dffilult Mle "'
-^
THE ENVOYS OF PEACE
177
She dared not hide away in her Uh1« 1
stood so perfectlv fh^ nJ t ^^^^^?^^^f ' who under-
"cochon 'af 1:11^ tuc'lg ^^ "\f ^'^^"^^
flower seeds gathered ii^the Autumn ' '°''' *^"
planted; and all this she mLf J "^^'^ *° ^«
h.s sixty .^rriors sweep back dow„ L °""" *"''
:?v;r„e^'^xr'^''''''''^^-*'^^^^^^^^
^:°rs^X:.t;rf-Fsf-^^^^
scheme against the fort^ i ''"". ''»"«'' '" "><=!'
had beenV:* 'n'tite.' a^^ hrheSt'L?'"'*'"
or th:t™cr Si^h't"^'' '° ^°^^*" 0:°;
her, andr; Wm^het^ildXt r'p' T' "'*
forward to a new era of ^^,,? J* ^™'='' '<'°'''<'
next day the sra shonrK"^ l? '^'' ^ °^'™''- The
ij
f 1 'I
178 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
awful night in the loft when she had heard the Great
Chief talking to her father. While vowing her harvest
of flowers to the good Ste. Anne as a thankoffering
for the fete of the saint in July, she sang to herself
snatches of a song brought by the French across the
seas, even as the stately pear tree whose praises she
rehearsed had been brought from a famous orchard
m Normandy, —
" Par derrier chez mon phre, —
Vole mon coeur, vole,
Par derrier chez mon p^re
I ya-t-un pommier douz.
Tout doux,
I ya-t-un pommier.
"Les feuilles en sont vertes,—
Vole mon coeur, vole,
Les feuilles en sont vertes,
Et le fruit en est doux,
Tout doux,
Et le fruit en est doux.
Vole mon coeur, vo — "
As r' , knelt upon the ground, patting the soil
above the seeds of her carnations and china asters as
though they were her little brothers and sisters, and
she was tucking them into their soft beds, the girl's
heart was in tr :th ready to fly away with happiness,
to fly to the lover whom she loved, whoever this for-
tunate personage might be. But at the last words of
the chanson she rose to her feet, brushed the earth
from her hands as a bird might flutter its wings, and,
tossing back her head, trolled the "vole mon coeur"
with the joyousness of the meadow lark.
The final "vole," however, died upon her lips, as
the sweet notes die in the throat of the lark when the
sportsman's shot pierces its little singing breast. For
r\
r\
THE ENVOYS OF PEACE ,79
at this moment there burst upon the air of the tran-
quil afternoon a horrible din and tumult from the
dZV'^""' f°^' ' "^°°P'"S as of a horde of
demons broken loose. Running to the river edge
she looked toward the town. The prairie was black
with people who from their yells must be savages
^k"'^ '^ the frightened giri fled to the house, where
dre'n °an"d th^P '^"■""•"' ''^"^^ J°-"<^' ^^^ '^S-
Untn' TV ^'" "^T"" ^' ^^^••'"^d ^ herself,
^et L h K•?^'^T^*^^^"^ '■^j°'^'"g^ continued,
^r^h'a^ht'S^^la^c': '''' ^^""^^"^^ - ••^--"
All n.ght long from her window in the loft of the
Cmllener home Ang€lique watched the Indian camp-
fires on the southern bank of the river, and heard
71. "V^' '"'' ^^'^^ proclaimed Ihat the war
dance was bemg performed in the Ottawa village
When toward morning she fell asleep upon a p l7on
the floor of the dormer, the whole bizarre picture
rose before her in a dream as once she saw^it as a
chjld. when earned into the redmen's camp by her
ur.nntu-^^^ ^^^^^"^ '^^ "^''^^^ ^^^^'•k warriors seated
upon their mats, and so hideous that they looked the
mcarnate spirits of evil. She saw Pontiac leap into Z
centre of the ring, waving his tomahawk and Imp!
mg upon the ground, as he chanted his past exploits
and swore to exterminate the English. Now the
warriors closed in about him. They caught his wHd
mood; oneafter another joined in the dance. ccHng
rurd"er"'' ^'' '^^^^ ^^^'"- -^ ^^-^
wis^hinl"^^^''il^'^"^^'''?"' "^°^^ ^" ^ ^'•^"^or of fear,
wishing she had not closed her eyes. Turning hei^
gaze once more to the window, she saw with dismay
i8o THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
that during her sleep, brief as it was, a change had
taken place in the aspect of the banks of the strait
The inhabitants of the Ottawa village were crossing
the river, evidently with the intention of erecting their
arbor-like lodges at the mouth of the creek, hard by
the house of Baptiste M€loche.
"Juste ciel, so the redskins have come to live
among us," she exclaimed a quarter of an hour later,
as she made her appearance in the hearthroom, where
Dame Cuillerier was directing a Pani woman in the
preparation of the morning meal.
" Yes, truly, and fine neighbors they will make for
the young wife of Monsieur M^loche," replied the
dame, in French of course. " Poor woman, she will
wish them farther away, even though her husband
and the chief are such fast friends."
While it was still early, the Pani boys brought in
word that the Indians were gathering in a great horde,
and suddenly a war-whoop arose from the plain and
re-echoed from the woods and waters. Not only the
Ottawas, but the Pottawattomies, Ojibwas, and dis-
affected Hurons had joined in the assault.
Ang^lique rushed again to the gate. The air above
he fort was thick with flying arrows ; at intervals the
swivel guns upon the eastern bastion with a lion-like
roar belched forth flame and sent their fiery balls
among the enemy, but with what effect it was impos-
sible to judge.
After some hours, the din of the conflict ceased,
and about mid-afternoon, Tante Josette descried three
masculine figures trudging sturdily up the road.
" Madame I Ang^lique !" she called, " who are these
Frenchmen coming from the town?"
In a trice Angelique was beside her, to watch them
with her younger eyes.
THE ENVOYS OF PEACE ,8,
"They are my sister's husband, U Butte. lacouM
Godefroy and Clotilde's father, th^ old sur^on "\he
announced, and straightway hurried down the gjen
r'eturn^d.^"'"' *' "'"""' "'* "■«"" '"' ?««""/
" Bon jour, Madame Cuillerier," began Maior Cha
poton, "we have come to the cflt^ atX reoue,^ oT
Monsieur Gladwin to arrange a peace with Po" iac
"th rhrotula"""," *'= '■'■P °f Antoine's .nfluer^'
' -A . ^ ■ "• ^'y°'" eood man within ? "
in /. 1 " ""'• ■"^J"'"'" "•'joined 'a bonne mire
ma tone that said she highly disapproved thrab:
sence of ner spouse. "He took his gun yesterday
and went mto the woods after saying hf didC know
^ZZ^^ " T" ^ '^'y- B"t be seated mo*
sieur, and you also, La Butte and friend Godefrov
Hows Dame Clotilde? The ' petit enfant Ms thriv:
ing, I am sure I Plain have I seen in him from th.
first a look of his grandsire, although oreantell at
" ^^'i""-*^' •« « J«ques Godefrt/s b"y " "*
Thanks, dame, but I fear we cannot delav " nr„
tested^defroy awkwardly, as their hostess raSed'^^T
Maircye":!: "'"*" °^" *' co-tenance:"-
a h^rjt":""^^^'- ^"^ y" •>«" » zealous
" A frrlrt??^"^"?'" '^' "»""'■«' ■nockingly.
A friend to them I am not at all, madams " K.
IT'k^/ 1* ™''^'"^"«- "It is bCseTc'ouU
not ab.de the atrocities of the savages yesterdav
«.atyou see me willing to essay the f^t Tftice':
ing™;'ored^:„rjor«: *?. 'w" t"- -t
that when Ltiac visiud^"^; Glad^nT t^t
from h.s speech bag a belt of white wampTm ilTd ^^
I II
i8a THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
sented it to the commandant. Thereat Major Glad-
wm was angered, and, catching hold of the bag. drew
from It a red wampum belt, whose presence there was
a token understood among his warriors that the white
belt meant war. and not peace."
"Eh bien, you have the gist of the matter," said
r *?"**i?' ''T°'^^y^^^ «-edmen set fire to the hut
,] mT"^'^^ ^^'"^'^ ^^° pastured her cows and
sold milk upon the common. Having murdered her,
together with her two sons, they went to the Isle au
Cochon and slew the settler Fisher and his wife: you
thTrnr.?K ■"*'*' ^^' ^'^'hile since, sergeant at
the tort. The woman they would have spared, 'tis
said, for she was yourig and comely, but she pitcously
bewailed the death of her husband, and almost thrust
herself beneath their tomahawks."
"A strange tale is being repeated, too," chimed in
Godefroy, in an awed undertone, as he crossed him-
self and glanced over his shoulder, as if he half
hf.^"*" V.^- *'^^°l'* ^" apparition standing behind
him. Pettier, who lives across the strait and is
married to an Ottawa woman, - Pettier went over
to the island, hastily buried the dead, took the two
children to the fort, and gave their nurse-maid as a
servant to his squaw. Later, going again to the
place, with horror he beheld the hands of the mur-
dered man thrust out of the earth, as though in
entreaty. He covered them, but when he returned
past the spot they were once more thrust forth
Then he knew the poor wretch was pleading for
Christian burial, so in great fear he went and brought
Father Potier. who blessed the grave, and now the
unfortunate farmer rests in peace."
This gruesome history was received by the women
with expressions of consternation.
THE ENVOYS OF PEACE
183
'• That is not all," said Major Chapoton. " Des-
noyer brought in news this morning that the savages
have slam the English officers who went up to the
river Ste. Claire to sound for a channel deep enough
to permit them to send their schooner up to Michili-
mackinac. Also, the Sauteurs from the shores of
the Bay of Saginaw are on the war-path, and com-
ing to join Pontiac. I love the English no better
than my friend Godefroy here; but since we are
bound to keep peace with them. I think it the part of
honorable Frenchmen to prevent their being mas-
sacred. Moreov-r," he continued, turning to Ang^-
lique, "madero .selle, you know the White Fawn
the adopted c ild of the Cabaciers at the red mill
below the fo.c, the maiden who has s'- aptivated
Captain Campbell that he is minded to m. / her not-
withstanding her dash of Indian blood?"
" Yes, yes ; as sweet a demoiselle as any to be
found at Le Detroit. And she has given her heart
to the captain, too," responded Mademoiselle Cuil-
lerier. " I would almost forget she is of the Indian
race, she is so fair, and so well taught in thrifty
ways by Dame Cabacier."
There is one who has not forgotten her Ottawa
blood," replied- the surgeon sadly ; " the chief Was-
son, who wanted her for his bride. Enraged that the
White Fawn would not accept his savage love, he
turned his anger against the maiden. This morning
she was found on the prairie, killed by an Indian
tomahawk. Wasson is named as the assassin, and
It is said he alleges 't was she who thwarted the
design of Pontiac by revealing to her lover the plot
whereby the Ottawa hoped to gain possession of the
fort.
Angllique could not repress a start, and the color
II
1 84 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
faded from her face. Had Mathurine died for this
She covered her face with her hands, for before her
Zh ^^"Ju" '^"^ P'"'"''^ °^ ^« White Fawn lying
dead upon the meadow. ^ ^
kneJ^hetir"/'"'' .'*~''' **"l *° J"»*^^y '>'"»»«'f; he
La Bu?./ T '^"r"i °f Pon'iac'» scheme." said
sh^^'wa. '* '^°"8^^' h^^'^^ver. that when attacked,
Camn^i. ? ^K ' ^*y ;° ^" ^«^' t° ^^rn Captain
sa?Z h! .^T'' °^ ^*''°"- Thus she may be
"avenla..':? '^'1'";"*^"'°""- ^"^««« "^^^dens
already les beneath the flower^otted sod of the
praine. birds to be released with kisses and caresses
by these forest sisters when they begin to sinTth^t
wmgmg their way to the spirit land^ they may bear
^vuT '^^ '°"^ ""^ ^^ J°"*^ Mathurine."
th bien, my friends, we must be going," declared
M^or Cbapoton, starting to his feet.
Madame CuiUerier had scarce begun to lament
anew the absence of her lord, when who hould
sdf Tfv' ""^^^ ?' house^oor but Antoine him-
Si n,^ "Tl ^"""'' ^" "Sreed to accompany
the party, and they set out forthwith. ^
AltZJ^^'T. i''" '^\*^''" ""^°y^ '^t"r"«d with
Antome. La bonne m^re. with the assistance of her
slave wo^en. had ready for them an excellent supper
and Ang€l,que helped Xante Josette to wait upon the
SthTflt"^ 'k ''^ French-Canadian c'listom
While thus flitting about, she gathered from the con-
versation that Pontiac had replied by fair messages
to the commandant, and sent a splendid peace-pipe
to Captain Campbell, asking him to go to the Ind an
camp and treat with him and his warriors.
THE ENVOYS J¥ PEACE ,gj
^^o„"'»l""'"^u °?''''^°>'- ^ ^"««' »"«' »h« old «ur-
Bcon were ,n high spirits over the success of their
n .„,0D the demoiselle ncted that Cuillerie took
■ttle pat in the clamor of their Creole voices Did hr
k^o. this plan to be another .ubterfuBTrshe^c'uW
not believe so. She remembered how, durine Pon-
tiac . midnight visit to the hearthroom, her heart had
SloTd ofT?''''^ "" "■V"'""' " ">« Great
v-nief told of their wrongs. But again she saw the
A tl^h'^h"'?'"'"? ' "asteryo^ver the mndof
Antome by hi. flatteries and false promises, lulling
hiscon cience even as a snake charms and deaden!
the will po- ,r of its victim, and coil, itself "bo"
fte unhappy ,a„, for whom there is then no escaw
No ; Pontiac was not -incere in his apparent readine';
to cement a peace. What was that? The OtS„"
had appointed this veor house as the place for the
Cl"^ ^T:" "" ""™" ""^ CapWn CampbSr
should not; no, clever as he ^ he a mrl m„.!
once more ^ to outwit him. ; «/u,d S clt
age, had she not heard Father Potier say that God
sometimes sets the weak to confound the strong?
CHAPTER FIFTEENTH
A NOBLE GENTLEMAN
"IVr^ ^^^^ '* ^^^^' *"^ the air of the room
J-VA stifles me. I will go out and walk in the
twilight," whispered Angelique to Tante Josette.
As she slipped away, "cette ch&re tante" and
Dame Cuillerier exchanged glances of smiling sig-
nificance. Perchance Jasmin de-Joncaire awaited a
tSte-^-t^te with the demoiselle upon the strand; or
. mayhap, if Robishe Navarre was able to get outside
the stockade, he had come in his canoe to take her
upon the river.
The two older women had noticed with satisfaction
that of late the young Frenchmen were again in
favor. Gladwin was not liked in the Cuillerier house-
hold ; and though the Scotchman, James Sterling, at
one time stood in the good graces of "la bonne m^re,"
the latter acknowledged that she would prefer for a
second son-in-law a man bred in New France, as was
La Butte, the husband of her older daughter. There-
fore, when Tante Josette repeated to her the girl's
excuse, she answered, —
" ' La pauvre petite,' no wonder her feelings are
overwrought after the dreadful tales we have heard
this day. The evening air will soothe her, and if a
neighbor's son appears to turn her thoughts to oth? r
themes, so much the better."
Meanwhile Angelique had passed beyond the pali-
sade that surrounded the house, and, avoiding the
rm^sss^^mm^^sfum^i^fiM.
.■<,\ ■
A NOBLE GENTLEMAN
187
river road, had entered upon a by-path leading
through the fields. At first she strolled as if aim-
lessly, but, when well away from the vicinity of her
home, screened by the deepening twilight, she
began to run. True, she was a French girl, and the
Indians were friendly with her people, yet she knew
well that when the fighting spirit of the savage is
aroused, there is no telling against whom it may next
turn. At any moment a dark form might spring up
from the long dry grass of the prairie, which had re-
mained uncut for many seasons; a relentless hand
with knife or tomahawk might mete out to her the
fate of the gentle White Fawn. If there had been
time to consider all this, perchance her resolution
might have failed. But a woman is brave by impulse ;
hers is not the calm, cool intrepidity of the mind, but
rather the ardent courage of the heart, — a courage
which finds its strength in self-forgetfulness.
One thought possessed the brain of Angelique as
she ran on, faster and faster, for by this time La
Butte, Godefroy, and Major Chapoton must have
started on their return to the fort. She must arrive
before them with her warning, otherwise Captain
Campbell niisled by their representations, false,
although offered in all sincerity, would go out with
them to meet Pontiac on the "cdte du nord-est."
Now she was almost at the stockade; the lights
in the houses of the town glowed softly beyond
the pickets. Suddenly she stopped short and
hid behind a bush; she had caught the sound of
some one approaching. Was it an Indian? Her
heart seemed to stand still with apprehension. In
another moment a stalwart soldierly figure strode past
her place of concealment, and she recognized Cap-
tain Campbell himself.
=«'
^"^
rt^h^.
1 88 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
He was walking with head bowed and arms folded
across h,s breast, his whole air betokening a deep d^
jection, all the more marked in one ufuallv iLw
hearted and genial. An exclamation Leto her t"
He looked up quickly, and his hand mechanicaUv
went to h,s sword. But when she stepped ou? from
behmd the laurel shrub, he dropped the blade aeata
mto .ts scabbard, and fell back a pace or two ^
Jl^^^^T ""l' *' S"' "O" » frock of lieht.
a^H L, T°" ''f- "^''^ '■" 'he dusk looked white
and gave her perhaps an unearthly appearance Tshe
ofX Wh- " f •"'*• •-"' •"= *i"k herthel rit
strfd^ft was^relTtr"'^-- ^** '*» "' *-
ishZt" h^:'LT';at' r^'- - "'°"-
alone on the ^^ \^ .f CndX Z foTtf
tXrzirz F^"* r'"^'' ""- "een tbtrde:
to let any of the French go in or out, but I will pass
you and give you a written order that will enrWe v^
to re urn to the cdte when you chooseT '^ "
No, Captain Campbell, I am not going to the town
a Is tt Se-;. stfL^eTer^- '° -""'^ ^ ^^'
•'For my sake ? " he repeated sadly.
Yes, my good friend."
Thereupon she told him of the envoys who had re-
turned m high feather from Pontiac's camp becaus^
" Ha T H '^^',^^^"'"g t° treat with the warriors.
Ha, I have always had the good will of t'le red
men" exclaimed the captain, Jth a d^h of 1 ofd"
spint, except indeed of the black-hearted W^sonl"
f^.^MmmMm^p
A NOBLE GENTLEMAN
189
He clenched his hands, and his face hardened. " I
shall be rejoiced to extricate the gallant Major Glad-
win from an awkward predicament."
" No, no, you must not listen to the envoys " en-
treated Ang^lique. " Like many others, monsieur, I
look for the time when the fleur-de-lis will wave
agam over the stockade yonder. But, I said to my-
self, this good Captain Campbell has ever been
pleasant and kind to me. He has not been harsh
either to the French or the Indians ; the Ottawa chief
will cheat my father and his friends; he will cheat
you, monsieur le capitaine. I am only a foolish
demoiselle, but I feel this in my heart."
With grateful emotion Campbell heard the plead-
mgs of the girl, who had come alone across the
prairie to put him on his guard.
"Mademoiselle," he said, a bit unsteadily, "from
my soul I thank you for your brave friendship which
led you at the risk of danger to yourself to come to
tell me this. I shall always remember it with the live-
liest gratitude. But a soldier must take chances of
peril in order to achieve important ends."
" Oh, do not go to the council," she persisted, in
excitement. " If you do, it will be but to fling away
your life." '
" Again I thank you," he returned, and presently
added, with fierce bitterness, "My life! What if
Pontiac and his warriors do take it ? Have they not
deprived me of the only object that could make a
continued existence in this desolate country tolerable
to me .' Condemned by military duty to spend my
best years in the wilderness, I sought to conciliate
it^ wild inhabitants, and also to make friends of the
gentle little creatures of the forest; the hares and
squirrels, the bi.ds and young fawns. This w-s no
■'T"
190 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
pursuit for a soldier, perhaps, but sometimes a soldier
wearies of strife and wars ; because of the very stern-
ness of his trade he loves the relaxations of peace.
" One day in the early autumn, passing down by
the Spring Wells, I was overtaken by a heavy storm.
During the rain, the thunder roared like a battery of
artillery, the lightning played about me. With a
crash it felled a tree, not many rods from where I
walked upon the open plain. The next thing I knew
a white man was bending over me. Before many
minutes I was sufficiently recovered to seek with him
the shelter of his home, the red mill. By the hearth-
fire stood a girl, the embodiment of the mysterious,
captivating beauty of this region. Her appealing
hazel eyes, the brown tint of her hair, showed that she
was a child of New France; only the deep flush of
her cheek proclaimed her also a daughter of the
forest. After that day, I often went to the red mill.
My heart was stirred by Mathurine's shy welcome. I
grew to love her. At first I thought only of how
her timid affection cheered my solicitude. I had
always fancied my bride would be some sweet
English girl. Yet, what woman accustomed to the
comforts of civilization would be content in this re-
mote place, even were she willing to follow me here ?
A French girl would be too loyal to the fleur-de-lis to
love an Englishman. But the White Fawn, whose
heart was pure as the forest spring, I would make her
my wife and find happiness in her caresses. Forgive
me, mademoiselle, I have taxed your patience with
this tale, but you have a warm heart, and when a man
IS stricken with affliction, the sympathy of a good
woman soothes and strengthens him."
Without speaking, Angelique impulsively laid her
firm young hand for a moment on the captain's arm.
A NOBLE GENTLEMAN
191
She had often said to herself that it was well to be
neighborly with the strangers, and no great harm to
coquet with them a little ; but to marry among them
would not be fitting for a Cuillerier de Beaubien, a
niece of the commandant De Bellestre. Neverthe-
less, she knew of more than one pretty Canadienne
of Le Detroit who would have listened kindly to the
suit of the agreeable captain. Still, no doubt pretty
Mathurine of the mill would have pleased him best,
and Angelique was conscious of a deep pity for the
strong man who was withal so kind, and who had
loved the White Fawn with so tender and honorable
a love.
"But," he went on, "you have heard, mademoi-
selle, how the Sauteur chief dared to raise his eyes
to Mathurine, thinking to make her his squaw and
drag her down to savagery ? How, because she
would not heed his wooing, he murdered her upon
the prairie ? "
The captain broke off abruptly — almost overcome.
" As Wasson killed the White Fawn, so he would
destroy you, monsieur le capitaine," faltered An-
gelique.
"Whatever comes, I must meet the warriors to-
night," rejoined Campbell steadfastly. " If this Sau-
teur is there, I will charge him with the murder of .
the girl, who traced her lineage from the tribe of
Pontiac. I will demand of the chief the punish-
ment of this criminal in the name of his own nation.
He dare not refuse it. As for myself, I am willing to
lay down my life if to do so would insure the suprem-
acy of the standard of St. George over Fort Pont-
chartrain. Mademoiselle, I need not ask you to
pardon the loyalty of a soldier to his cause."
Angelique saw with dismay that she could not dis-
A'
pt
'■X:'
192 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
suade him from this desperate expedition. His last
words, moreover, droused in her the antagonism of
her people against the conquerors, and she was about
to make a sharp retort when the sound of voices an-
nounced the approach of a number of men along the
river road.
" Listen I " she cried, with a finger on her lips.
"That is Jacques Godefroy," said the captain
carelessly.
"Yes," whispered the girl, "the envoys are coming
now. I beg you once more, do not go with them."
For answer, the captain took her hands in his,
and pressed them in thankfulness for the service
she sought to render, him. But as she hurried away
across the prairie, he shook his head, and walked
toward the road to meet the Frenchman.
Major Gladwin was reluctant that his first officer
should go to treat with Pontiac.
Unfortunately, the garrison depended largely on
the Indian hunters for their supplies of meats; the
stores sent from Niagara were getting low, the fort
was in no condition to stand the threatened siege.
He therefore at last yielded his consent, and the cap-
tain set out, accompanied by a junior officer. Lieu-
tenant McDougal, and attended by La Butte, Major
Chapoton, and Godefroy.
As they passed through the town, Robishe Navarre,
who had come in from the c6te, hailed the party, and
said to Campbell, with tears in his eyes, " Monsieur,
I pray you to abandon this enterprise ; even though •
Pontiac may be acting in good faith, I doubt if he
can control his warriors."
But the feariess captain, whose spirit chafed like
that of the war horse at the scent of battle, laughed
: . 11
,dr:zwm^^!:^^mmmiMJ^imm^:
K-r- V'
'wm*^^?'%m^^^'^^^mi^
A NOBLE GENTLEMAN
193
caution to the winds, and pasned on with the others
in the direction of Cuiilerier's house. As they drew
nearer to the Indian camp, however, he reah'zed that
he h9d been overrash, for a band of savages sprang
up the steep bluff from the strand below, where they
had landed from canoes, and attacked the party.
This, assuredly, would have been an end of the expe-
dition, had not the commanding form of Pontiac at
that moment loomed up out of the darkness.
In the tone of one who would brook no resistance
of his authority, he ordered the braves to fall back,
and they forthwith slunk away, like curs, before the
lash of the master.
" The English chief is come ; it is well," he said,
saluting the captain with stately dignity. " Pontiac
will hold the redmen in check ; the chief and his
friends may go on in safety to the place of the
council."
When the officers with their companions arrived at
the house of Cuillerier, they were greeted by the
latter with an elaborate show of courtesy. So droll
was his appearance that at another time the genial
captain would have burst out a-laughin^:, for Antoine
was arrayed in his parti-colored finery, as Ang^lique
had once seen him, and looked not unlike a tame
domestic fowl dyed and tricked out in bright plu-
mage to imitate the bird of paradise.
Scarcely were the party seated when a door, lead-
ing to the pantry, was thrown open and a Pani woman
entered with a tray of pewter mugs, each filled to the
brim with home-brewed beer. After her came An-
g^lique with a flagon ; and, beset as he was by serious
anxieties. Captain Campbell started when he saw her.
"Zounds, the girl must have run all the way
home," he said to himself. •
13
:^STi^m-
194 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
Such was indeed the case, yet being an hour in
advance, she had gained time to compose herself.
If the color glowed in her round cheeks more richly
than usual, she showed in no other way that she had
fled swiftly as a hare across the prairie.
With a gay laugh, and a word of pleasantry for
everyone, she passed around, refilling the cup of each
man from the flagon.
After a few moments, Antoine turned from Mr.
Campbell to duly impress the young lieutenant with
the dignity of the Bourgeois Cuillerier of Le Detroit.
Ang^lique seized upon the opportunity to exchange
a few words with the captain.
" Why did you come? " she said reproachfully.
He smiled and shrugged his shoulders, a gesture
learned from the French.
" I shall pray that no harm may follow your ob-
stmacy," she continued, holding high the flagon to
screen her features, as she poured the simple brew
for him slowly. "It may be that all danger is
averted, for Father Potier has brought back to their
senses the most tractable of the Hurons by refusing
them the sacraments if they lend their aid to any
outbreak."
Having given him this information, she passed on,
and presently disappeared from the room. Before
long Pontiac arrived, with his principal chiefs, Maka-
tepehcit^, Panigwun, Chavoinon, Ninivois, chief of the
Foxes, and Takee, of the bad band of Hurons. At
once the gray eyes of Captain Campbell swept over
the group, and involuntarily he half drew his rapier.
Wasson the Sauteur was not witn them, however.
^ And now occurred a most extraordinary proceed-
mg. Two young braves placed an armchair on the
table, and, mounting upon the board, Antoine Cuil-
A NOBLE GENTLEMAN
»95
ener seated himself therein. I„ his tawdry state h.
hel. ".u'^Tf representation of authority Neve^
theless the Indians saluted him with respeTt
The two officers, Major Chapoton, La Butte and
Godefroy stood at one side of the dark firTni. "
wherein lay a heap of cold ashL LVh. i ^ f '
cotton wicks, floatfng in beUtt sm'oV'd Sd C'd
fitfolb.. . It was a bizarre and cheerless picture,
stepping out from among his followers P«nf:,^
sembly, and began to speak
sends Monsieur de Bellestre back to us I nH "
s'raTt'bdo"" '^'^" r- *^^"' ^^^' ^"« lanV"o? th^
bur o^ ^^ T *° '^" ^"g''^*^' "or to the French
but to the redman. as they belonged to his fathers'
The French are our brothers, and we will sLre with
akeVthli'^v'"^ ";*' "^' ^"**^^ Ength rst
take to the r sh.ps and go away, leaving Their euns
and provBions for us, and the fort to the French T
an their'' T^-"/or myself and for the chiefs of
When the Ottawa leader had finished, little Cuil
S^: ^i^' °^ -^ '""'^'-- i« sei'sz«
■ *«^^>*\'i^iWi-*v"i-.v®#:r ■' ■sw^.,^-?
SWJ^-.c »■?„-!' ■It-ZSSBSW"'.:?
196 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
" The wrath of the Indians smouldered like a hid-
den fire. It threatened to break forth in a terrible
flame, like the conflagrations that sometimes sweep
over the prairies. But I, messieurs, I poured oil
on the troubled waters," continued Antoine, getting
hopelessly confused in his metaphors. " I dared not
expect my friend Pontiac to be so lenient. All you
have to do is to sail away peaceably, — to go down
to the Lake of the English,^ or even to Montreal, if
you will."
" I thank you, Mr. Cuillerier, for whatever good
offices you have done myself anci my compatriots,"
rejoined Captain Campbell, scarcely able to repress
a grim smile. " But you do not know the English
well if you think t^ey will so readily abandon what
they have won in a fair fight. The soldiers of his
Majesty George the Third never retreat, sir."
"Bah!" exclaimed the little habitant, in disap-
pointment, as he snapped his fingers in the face of
the officer. " Your foolish old King must be crazier
even than they say, if he'd have his people scalped
rather than surrender a rotting stockade in the wilder-
ness. As for retreating,' ma foi," he added, with a
gleam of prophetic insight, dropping from the French
into a dialect which he considered to be the Eng-
lish tongue, " eef 'ees foolish Majestee's redcoats
go not now, still will Antoine Cuillerier see them
fly away gueek enough from Le Detroit, un jour;
oui, sans doubt. Ha, ha, ha ! "
Campbell disdained a reply to what he considered
a preposterous prediction, but, turning to Pontiac
and his warriors, he answered them with soldierly
frankness and dignity, —
" Chief of the Ottawas, you and your braves have
1 Ontario.
'sr;
i
A NOBLE GENTLEMAN
197
done well to trust in my wish to deal fairly witli
you," he said. " It is well that you and the English
should be friends. The English need the pelts and
venison obtained by your hunters, while you need
the hatchets, knives, guns, and cloth which we bring
to the strait. What would you do without them,
now that you are used to them? You would suffer
and die. Is it not better to be at peace with those
who bring you weapons and clothing? The King
of France has forgotten you. Without our consent,
the French can bring you nothing."
The words of the captain were not without effect.
The chiefs took counsel among themselves, and pres-
ently Pontiac put to him questions regarding cer-
tain points that he desired to have specified in the
treaty.
" Not being commandant of the fort, I cannot de-
cide upon these matters," replied the captain. " Since
it is growing late, I and my companion will return
to the atockade. I will explain to Major Gladwin
the terms you desire, and to-morrow I will bring you
his answer."
So saying, he strode across the room to depart, and
Lieutenant McDougal followed.
But Pontiac interposed his powerful figure between
them and the door.
"That cannot be," he said in his French patois.
" My father will sleep to-night in the lodges of his
red children."
With a almness which compelled the admiration
of his captors, the gallant captain drew back, and
the junior officer strove to emulate his imperturba-
bility. Nevertheless, despite the information Camp
bell had received, it was with amazement that they
found themselves prisoners.
1
198 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
-he captain shot an angry glance of inquiry at
Cuillerier. The latter shrugged his shoulders, and
spread out his hands in Gallic fashion, as though to say
he was not to blame ; he had done what he could.
From him Campbell looked toward the other French-
men. Surprise and genuine chagrin were depicted upon
their countenances. Plainly, they had not been par-
ties to the ruse whereby the English officers had been
snared. Major Chapoton and Jacques Godefroy pro-
tested hotly that the gentlemen must be permitted to
return to the fort, but Pontiac haughtily bade them
be silent, and if they would themselves go free, to
be off at once.
" Go, my friends, ' said the captain curtly, " you do
us no good by staying, and I depute you to carry the
report of what has taken place to Major Gladwin."
Downcast enough, they took leave of him. Pontiac,
however, began to survey his captives with some
uneasiness ; he had not decided where he would be-
stow them for the night. After all, the English might
regain the supremacy of Le Detroit, and in that con-
tingency, he and his braves would fare better if they
now showed Captain Campbell and his aide the con-
sideration which white men paid to officers captured
in war. To keep them among the savages would not
be wise, for should the warriors chance to get at any
English rum or French eau-de-vie, he could not re-
strain them. No, the French must lodge and feed
his prisoners, and he would see to it that they should
have no opportunity to escape.
'• My father, the Blue-Coat," he began, turning to
Cuillerier.
" As representative of his Majesty King I.ouis, I
am forced to remain neutral in this ma:ter," said
Antoine haltingly.
'%.^-^mm''rZiMm
^m^^^-
'^^
"II AHlii. .
^ A
A NOBLE GENTLEMAN 199
Uncertain how Major Gladwin would act upon
learning of the detention of the officers, he did not
wish tr. ,3,: the enmity of the English by becoming
the £■ ulcr of Fun'^ac's captives.
H« c was an ur '.ooked-for turn of affairs.
T..:- Otta^^'a chief glared at his old friend for a mo-
ment. Then he said to his followers, —
" Take the Englishmen to the house of Louis Cam-
peau, near the little chapel on the bank of the river,
and tell him the white chief is to be treated with all
the respect due to so brave a warrior."
By this time, Pontiac and his horde had the entire
c6te so much in awe of their power that he com-
manded the French at will. In any event, Campeau
and his wife were disposed to receive the gentlemen
kindly. When they arrived, no guard was stationed
within doors, but a party of Indians camped outside.
Dame Campeau and her Pani women had just pre-
pared a neat apartment for the officers, however, when
Pontiac entered the house. He promptly decided that
it was too near the town, and accordingly had his
captives removed to the home of Baptiste Meloche
at Parant's Creek.
" I am sorry you come to us perforce, monsieur le
capitaine," said Baptiste, in his soft Creole French, as
he greeted them, half an hour later. " But you are
welcome to the best my house affords, and it will be
better for you and your lieutenant to be with us than
i * the village of the Indians."
" We will do all we can to make your stay endur-
able, not to say comfortable," added Meloche's young
wife, with her bright smile.
Her womanly sympathy went out to the white men,
who had been so shrewdly tricked by the Ottawa,
THE Kh^-iL^TY OF
SC A k.B ^i)R«
PgiLiC LIBRARY
CHAPTER SIXTEENTH
A DARING ADVENTURE
ALTHOUGH Antoine Cuillerier and his compan-
ion •' commer^ant voyageurs " of Le Detroit
lived upon the " cdte du nord," or prairie extending
along the margin of the river, they all had ware-
houses within the palisade. Other traders had hab-
itations in the town, the fronts of these buildings
being taken up with stores and merchandise, while
the dwellingrooms were in the rear, but under the
same roof.
Such was the log house of James Sterling; not so
pretentious as some (ac^ ording to the simple pre-
tensions of the forest settlement), yet commodious
and well built, for the young merchant had prospered.
Integrity was his motto ; he was as punctilious as to
his reputation in matters of trade as was ever knight
of old that there should be no stain upon his shield,
as was ever chevalier of New France that no reproach
should be cast upon his courage or honor. Accord-
ingly, though a young man, he had attained a decided
standing in the town, and possessed the respect of both
the commandant and the people, while among the
Indians he was known as " the paleface who neither
cheats nor sells rum."
In his fur-press were piled high the fine pelts of the
beaver, the otter, and the silver fox, as well as the skins
of the buffalo, lynx, bear, and wolf. These products
of his barter with the aborigines he hoped to forward
■m-
20I
I
A DARJllG ADVENTURE
by the next con^^y t6 fJiagara, whfe"n*\hey would
be sent to England. ^
On the opposite side of his warehouse were to
be seen the goods wherewith he bought the pre
cious pelts, the iron implements and muskets, the
blankets cotton cloth, and a few made garments in-
tended for customers among the garrison; tinware,
vermilion, ochre, indigo, and other pigments, besides
quantities of bright-colored beads. Coin was scarce
at Le Detroit, even at British headquarters; there
was still less of it among the French, and to the
savages its use was entirely unknown. Therefore
almost all mercantile transactions were matters of
exchange.
Were the chest in the corner unlocked, so that the
lid might be raised, a glance into the interior would
have revealed a collection of more valuable trinkets
Strings of silver half-moons, crosses, gorgets, silver
armbands, wristbands, brooches, hairplates, hairbobs
earbobs, calculated to attract the savages, besides
other ornaments, designed to please the French dames
and demoiselles.
Surrounded by the evidences that he was laying
the foundation of a good business, the merchant had.
It would seem, good reason for contentment, save
that beside his hearthstone sat no gentle wife to
whom he might confide his hopes; who would
rejoice at his successes and console his failures But
It was Ang^Iique Cuillerier whom he wished to marry
In her centered his ideal of home ; and Ang61ique
cared not for him at all, else she would not have cast
aside his love for the sake of a dance with Sir William
Johnson. True, she had been gracious to him once
or twice after the day of the Black Rain, when he
had gone in search of and found her in the storm
202 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
But, doubtless, this was from a sense of obligation
and the thought galled his pride as much as it
wounded his affection. Outside his window was a
vine brought from the prairie; the more he pruned
and checked it, the more it flourished. The more he
strove to control his love for Ang€lique. the stronger
and more beautiful it grew.
Perhaps it was because "love's anger is the fuel
of love that he was so conscious of his passion
during these early days of the Indian troub'es at the
strait. For his soul was filled with a jealous rage
against the girl and against Gladwin, the more since
at this crisis he could not quarrel with the com-
mandant, even had, Gladwin of a certainty won the
|Ove of this fair demoiselle of New France. And
had he? Confusion seize him, yes, it must be!
Othenvise, why the stolen visit of Ange'lique, when
he, Sterling, had compelled her to cast aside her
disguise, and she had defied him in her youthful
beauty? Otherwise, what could she have had to
say to the commandant?
Might there not have been a secret marriage?
Antome CuiUerier would be like to refuse his as-
sent to the union of his daughter with one of the
hated foreigners; yet Gladwin was not a man
to be thwarted by such prejudices. But no ac-
cording to the law of the place, the consent of
the bride s parents was necessary to make a mar-
riage legal, unless she had passed the age of one-
and-twenty. A betrothal there might be, however.
He could imagine that some other woman might
prefer Gladwin to himself; but Mademoiselle Cuil-
lerier should have more discernment. Gladwin
'l^M-J?"*.^" ^^''°'^'^' "^^^ °^ S°°d "neage and fair
ability (if somewhat pverrated, perhaps), yet he
A DARING ADVENTURE 203
Sterling, also made a passable appearance, if the
flattering asides of the ladies of Le Detroit were to
be credited.
He possessed fair talents. In a few years he would
be able to give his wife everything in the way of
jewels and rich dress that she could in reason de-
sire. As for descent, did he not trace an honorable
ancestry U back into the misty past? Gladwin in
his cool fashion might swear to Ang^lique that he
adored her; yet Angelique ought to know he could
never give her the passionate devotion, the strong
love, that burned for her in the heart of James
Sterling.
But thoughts of love and even of jealousy must
yield to employment, and there was much for the
young trader to do, since the officers of the fort
relied upon him to show the inhabitants of the town
that their best interests lay in making commcn cause
with the English in the coming struggle against the
savages.
Despite his efforts, many of the French, alarmed at
the prospect of an attack upon the garrison, asked
leave to withdraw to their farms upon the cdtes, and
went out, abandoning their homes and a part of their
goods.
One day at the noon hour Sterling was alone in his
warehouse, engaged with his accounts, when there
came to him from without the tones of a light bari-
tone voice singing with gay abandon, —
" ' Ma Mignonette, embrassez moi? '
' Nenni, monsieur, je n'oserais.
Car, si mon papa le savait.'
' Les oiseaux parlent-ils ? '
'Oui, ils parlent frangais, latin aussi.'
• lis parlent fran9ais, latin aussi ?
^^^f«:-.^.
204 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
H«<las, que le monde est malin,
D'apprendre aux oiseaux le latin.'" »
rt„T''/if ^'^ ""T'l' ^ '''*''°" obscured the sunlight
man beheld m the open doorway a young man who
evidently affected the costume of a voyaZ? "m
showed to advantage the clear olive tint of his hand!
some face, from which looked out a pair of fine d^k
eyes, wb.Ie a jaunty red cap, set upon the wav^ bJack
locks that hung loose about his shoulders.Ten a„
a.d,tio„al picturesqueness to a remarkably ^tractive
pe sonahty It was Robishe Navarre, the son of the
notary, Robert the Writer.
" Navarre," exclaimed Sterling, with pleasure, risine
The two men respected each other, and even their
whilom nva ry for the favor of the tantalizing demo -
selle Anp'hque Cuillerier had not proved an inTu -
mountable barrier to their friendship
rloih^°^f^'^.^^'^^'^^• -^°' "°t o" that bale of
ctest' V ' t '^f ' '"' ' "•" «"^ ^ P^^" on the
^oml ^ T^''^ ^^^" ^^^y ^^y°"d the c6te for
some days. I am glad you have come back to the
town when so many of the French are leaving."
isad^ .k' "^"^"t ^^'''^' ^* '^ '^^^' within the pal- '
isade than without." responded the creole indif-
* '"Mignonette, one little kiss ?'
•Nay, nay, good sir, for I should fear.
Of It my dear papa would hear.'
• Bah, would the birds tell, think you ? '
Yes, they speak French and ^tin too.'
What, they speak French and Latin too?
Ah, tis a cruel world we live in,
Wher? the forest birds learn Latin.' "
lli
A DARING ADVENTURE
205
ferently. " But he who has not courage must have
legs ! "
" No man can answer for his courage until he has
been in danger," said Sterling, with a laugh. " What
news do you bring? You have heard, I suppose, of
J^ajor Gladwin's haughty answer to Pontiac: 'The
King of England has sent me to command this fort
andl will hold it."'
Robishe nodded, and proceeded to say that the
warriors were robbing the French of ammunition and
farm produce; that the Great Chief had sent La
Butte to ask the cure if God would prevent the Indians
from vanquishing the English in case he, Pontiac, set
fire to the church of Ste. Anne by means of an arrow
winged with a blaze of punk and tow, that thus the
stockade might be destroyed. " However, it is not
of these matters I am come to you, but because of
Captain Campbell and his lieutenant," pursued the
vivacious Creole.
"You bring me a message from Mr. Campbell?"
cried Sterling, starting to his feet.
"Ay," responded Robishe, his light-heartedness
giving place to gloom. In common with the major-
ity of the French, he liked the genial officer, and was
sorry for his captivity.
"Yes, rumor says he was bidden not to go to the
cdte by the spirit of la jolie Mathurine. Indeed, a
habitant, who was on the prairie searching for a lost
cow, avers that he saw the ghostly form of a young
maiden flitting before the captain and stretching forth
shadowy hands to detain him when he set out with
the envoys."
" I '11 warrant the teller of the story saw spirits of
another kind ere Ae went forth," commented Steriing.
"That may be," rejoined Robishe; "yet I do not
^''^mm
.^Ob^
■":jfcrjiBV«riHa'"\';fe"'
>o6 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
long distance. She seemed „.; '?' ''^'' ™" »
me. but I walked bVheT side Ln"""'"^! *° '«
home. •U „a<.er iL "'"' "' reached her
.;h-,-""^=e?isrco-^^^^
Angflique after a7?i„st"ad of\ "" T""^ '"'°"*
the commandant, had she all ,M '"'"g^'™*''! to
her father, who wa^^ known t^K^.t""* ""^ 'P^ f°'
of Pontiac? If so this ^^^M *' '?«'*' ''"«<'
interview with Qad^r st had "b ' '" "" ^"•''"^'
With some message caLlattd to decete"oTdC ^ir
ner and Pontiac h-^A o.,^-i j V "^*^^'ve, old Cuille-
mindanfs fancy for he? oti^'f" °' *' "»-
and nowagain^hey had L^r^/r '" ''" ^^"'•
tain CampWl to attend tl,r^^''^ *"■■ *° ^S Cap-
Cuillerierf OS ensiblvTn ,1/ ^7°"^ **,** '""«'« "^
envoys might Jaut^u?" '" "f^*^ "^ P«ce. The
"ptlS„oth"d-'T''°"' ■"" ">= «="»•«
pleading of thrbel fo^U 'StT""^-^J''' "^''«
merchant siehed H^ 77 , ''^°'^- The young
hrr aid to thTs Lobi? r" '^'° '^"' '^^ ^^^ ^^nt
sion that sfe wrheloU'^h"''' """" ""'^^ ^^^ d^^""
Th«- M ^ '^^^P'ng the cause of New France
These thoughts passed rapidly throu^^h hfc t "'
but presently Robishe drew forth the ktter f ""'
inner pocket of his blouse ^'°"' ^"
A DARING ADVENTURE ao;
Dutt^lnJ!f7h *' "\^'. exclaimed; and. having
ftouse '" ^''^"""^ ^^^ '*°''' •" ^'^'^ ^«^e-
of Srh^il' 'l''^'iT"''^'L"P°" *^° ^'"^"' th'" sheets
of birch bark, and fastened together with fibres of the
same, ...e «nk being evidently made of soot from the
ThuT'rTnl^'' v'^'^ '•'^'^" "'"^'^^ -*h water
inus ran the writmg, —
" ^«- Ster^'ng - 1 beg you to send me the goods men-
tioned m the hst below, since I do not find a supply in the
packet brought from my quarters at the fort, and"^ know not
Philadelphia, which I have ordered sent to me by the next
convoy and out of this sum I will repay you. FThe list
had reference to some clothing he wished to have. Then
the letter continued.]
"Young Mr. Navarre is here with a slave boy. He goes
to town, but says he will return in the afternoon upon some
errand of his own. He has civilly offered to have the Pani
tri2tTh\'''r''' '^' "'^- ' ""'^ y°" '^ ^d<l 'o it some
m1 tl^'^'u "^l ^°'''' Pennission, I may present t5
Madame M^loche, who has been most kind to me. Save
that I cnafe at my enforced inaction, I am not badly off,
and, havmg given my parole, am suffered to walk upon the
praine in the vicinity of this house. But, zounds ! my dear
U^ Vl^\^^ ^ ^''^'^ '^' ^°"°^^J °f 'the bonnie
lassie,' I should not be in this stress. You more than any
one save myself wJJ appreciate her courage. She has been
to see me You will not grudge this consolation to a luckless
captive, for short-sighted as I am, I have marked that he
mtl K r K* '^u "'"*'°" °^ y°^ "^'»^- I shall say no
more, but subscribe myself, '
" With great esteem, your obedient servant,
"Donald Campbell."
J08 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
i.«?Lrrbii" °'4v"T s.'"''"8. •!"«« the
hoA r J u II ^"* bonnie lass e " Thus
'-uiue.ier to his fellow Scot. Writincr in p«»i- l
which .0 a>I but one or two of thTrZCJ:!^^
Ihe captain shall have gratis evervthinrr fh,*
« »/ f* ^ ^*^°^^ °^ suitors." ^ '^
Monsieur de Navarre " h* o^:^ -i j .
«.e young man's .napec^^n'^/l'ttfitl^i:""''!!''^
do you return to the cflte? " "''• "'"'"
.o Jr:™:r. '•"'' ""' ' '•■'" "■"= ""^ to .he
knl^'yoTwiu'see'lhat'lf'' ""■" '^ ^"'^^' '"" '
Campbel"" *"' " " """"y^<^ 'o Capuin
.£:^ffau/rr^^^^^^^^^
"Is it true. Monsieur de Navarre tU^t
gentle disposition, too, koks it f f h "' ^
her skin is fair a^ the app e blo«oms V"" '^"'
my sweet Archange has 'a' tovt^",. " '"""•
Sfiy, ;.v .''^.ST^-,^ ..j^p"*;:"
A DARING ADVENTURE
26g
Cuillerier. After L^J,"1 *%''°"« °' Antoine
bell I cannot go there !«,'• ^ ' ""'" ^™P-
coldness that Ang^lLe h,^ ' ^ "'" ™»«"=d 'he
devotion, since. otMtL .^ •■! .""" '" ""'^ f"™"
to die is jealoisy '""'""" °' '°«. «•« last
ScottLr'rersS ^'^^ ""^ '- «•«
occurred to him that in nl ^"' "" """"gh'
press MademoiseleCuinerrerrhr^""" "*'"'■
ference to her charms 1^^ h^ ' P'""' '"^if-
messagefromanothriovlr ItLuMT"^ '" ''" »
■"'Th t ""'"^ t"'^ "'* her °"" ■•' "" "«""'
.hathtdtSlJeS-^frf/nrsi'""^- ■"""'"^ *"= P"-
>-;f .'a'^:;.„T:td"s';rnirr ''^>''"'' *'* »
the mark, but the words of »/" "'°''' "°" *"
broken fan of feath?„ tL ?'"", "« '*« »
Cuillerier warms the heart iTl^e w ™e Ku°t •t^"^^"'""
poison. Nevertheless if U • ' ' " " * sweet
billet." ''• '^ y°'' P"s.st, I will take the
" ^he demoiselle and I hav»h, J
>ng, and I would fain m/t. '' * ">isunderstand-
we of the town are sh^tthT^JT "'* ^" ""fore
Indian siege " exZ^^^A If""^ 'he stockade by an
Two hour; Se'^'rten R ''"\''°"'^^'^'"'>'■
the warehouse ottCtJjJt'^ '^^ «P-'red to
^ortheshouldersofrp::;r*;,fsf^!^=;rSt
'4
r -.'.
210 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
the young Frenchman a scented scrap of paper folded
bille doux more mtercsting to one of the fair sex
Therein the Scotchman had prayed his s„eeth«,no
?!"!„"" A" .;?'=""="'' "^'"e that he would go up
away from h.s duties at the fort, and as a sienal he
would blow three note, upon the pibb.gwin, orTii'n
Meantime, on the southern shore of the strait
brn"d"„'f H "" '"f**" ''""■"• "'"•"' 'h« "good'
ioin the F^""': *"" "'°" '■™'" ""=■" " Promifeto
next day '" "" '"'^"" "P°" ""= «°<=''»<'« *e
'•Yet to-morrow is a high holiday," thev said
"If we are not at the services, the Bla k R^be wui
know we have this design hidden in our hearts, and
he w 11 not let us go with you. After the Mass,
therefore, we will go."
The Indian girls were at the time decking the altar
of the chapel for the Feast of the Ascension. Pon'
tiac being a pagan, knew neither holiday nor Sunday,
but he agreed to wait. In the morning, so devout
was the bearing of the Hurons that theifmissiona^
obtamed no mkling of their intent. As soon as th^
services were over each warrior returned to his lodge
for his weapons. The band then crossed the river in
twelve canoes, were welcomed with cries of joy by
the Foxes, and proved the most valiant of the savages
m withstanding the rain of bullets from the stockade
The battle continued for the rest of the day!
Major Gladwin, seeing that the Indians took refuge
h Ji\ ,T' ^""u ^^'"^ °^ '^^ habitants, destroyed
these buildings by causing iron bolts to be heated
A DARING ..DVENTURE
III
red-hot, and fired upon the thatched roofs The for.
Z "": -e;'"'y''"ie6<-d^ the garrison rcraaiicd
day and n.ght upon the bastions, hearth-firerwcre
promptly extinguished after the preparatk-n of food
and women and children were ord'ere'd to ^e^'wUhfn'
tHi;>e"eh:t"fivtd'i„'xrr"a'„i '° '"-r""
of the redmen he volunteered to go to the X
reconnoitre the enemy, and bring b«k if oo„ih !'
some mtelligence of what was goinl- o^ti fhe^O^t'
?crwe-:ifra''rr^-?'dt^"£
rckade:asnl"ts!ile° C h"' ""i?^ '""" "•'
to keep L lover' tr;It " "'"''"'"" "^ °*" '"an
me^n'hlV''^^"^' "'•'" Leanderswam the Hellespont
men have done many chivalrous deeds for love'stakel
!^-^:^.-&mr:
->?;^
'%^
211 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
and among them may surely be reckoned the daring
feat which the young merchant was now resolved to
attempt. For though only the breadth of half a mile
of blue water lies between the site of the old fort of
Le Detroit and the Baby lands, the current is swift
and strong, and in the latter part of May still cold
from the snows of the Northwest.
Sterling was, however, unsurpassed as a swimmer,
even by many of the voyageurs.
Accordingly, an hour before sunset, he struck out
from the shore, carrying the costume of a habitant,
wrapped in oilskin and strapped upon his back. On
the bastion of the fort a pennant fluttered for a
moment, this being a pre-concerted signal to the
ships beyond that' the c. nmandant was sending a
messenger to the opposite shore; a necessary pre-
caution, since otherwise the swimmer might be
descried from the vessels, and fired upon as his head
appeared above the water. After buffeting for some
time with the current, he reached the small boat that,
made fast by a painter, floated at the stern of the
larger ship. Grasping the side of the boat, he rested
a few minutes, called a message to the men above on
the deck, and then continued on until, by alternately
swimming and floating, he reached the southern bank
of the strait.
Half an hour later, a man in the guise of a young
Canadian farmer knocked at the house of Jacques
Baby. It was honest Jacques himself who flung
open the door.
" Ma foi — non — mais oui I It is indeed you. Mon-
sieur L'ficossais " (Mr. Scotchman), he cried, as he
recognized Sterling. "You are welcome as the
flowers of May, but in God's name how did you
come? I thought you were of those shut up in the
"Hisi^
r-^^m.
- ?-^f^wi^m^STP^--
J
A DARING ADVENTURE
213
fort yonder, and harassed by the wolv.c r .u
forest. You swam the river? nL di n u^^
plan put you to carrv nut- u °® ^'^"' what
W4 libido ZrehTntM,rth'"'''."^''"
much of his project as hi h?H^ ?i .** S°°<' ""»" «>
•• Parblcu,'^ . i"fe^ce Se"«n !,i° "^""-'-"ge-
k«n.' I will not seA t„ 1 , *''" '""'= ""ore
die„„e you ale bent" po„ Z''ZtV°''' "^"^
My wife. Suzanne Resume was th^"'-^"'"?""-
^/^':tt.t^rnL££cWo-
°e7on:*'^^^^-a-a:fo;FS"T-^^
sena^you awa^ afterrpU^l^^ra-^^r'^
tio^Tth'toitw^res-r fr i" *' p-"-
stout, and con,ci;."°Eelur tbrtlT'""^'
peg on the wall a wide-brimn.eHV.f7v.'' '^°'" *
straw Which he was wont rr, faVe^rs"*"™"
as tht:«ei%-r;rtttoiis:t-rwt s----
brow." """'"'"='"«' yo" have bound about your
uu"\TcijThV?arbre tr- r^"' '^
ling protested. ^ '^^ ^°"s«' "^"t Ster-
" Few should know wh*.n/.« t
have gone." he said - wSl . '^'"^' ^"^ ^°^ ^
myself." ' ^''^ ^o"' leave, I will fetch it
"As you will." was the reply,
water, edge, ^n!!^!'^':--^^ ;^ ^l
214 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
river a short distance, and then make for the northern
u "T. .P^ ^"" ^^^ ^^^' ^"^ he designed to reach
the Cuillerier farm before the darkness fell, yet not
until the shadows had begun to gather, since other-
wise his canoe might be observed from the Ottawa
camp. For a time all went well ; if the French of the
southern cdte noted his skiff as he paddled steadily
on, no doubt they thought the boatman Jacques
Baby, bound upon a friendly visit to a comrade, or
perchance young Morand dit Grimard or Rivard dit
Maisonville, going to see his " bonne amie" Csweet-
heart).
On the shores were to be seen no indications of
the Indian outbreak that had vented its fury upon the
unfortunate settlers of the Isle au Cochon. The
white farmhouses wore an air of quiet; the pirogues
of the habitants crossed and recrossed the strait as
usual, and the Scotchman found that though his
boat was not likely to attract attention from the
land, to avoid discovery he must keep well away
from the other craft upon the water. For though
the wisest of the French were eager for peace, there
were others who sided strongly with Pontiac.
Now a social Canadian hailed the adventurer as a
neighbor, and the next moment called after him
." S,f /!!^/ imbecile ! " because with only an answering
ham ! he paddled on. Again, and more alarming
some redman, happy with his " Nedjemon " (canoe) a
niate more beloved than was ever Indian maiden,
challenged the supposed voyageur to a water race,
and cried out in disgust when he paid no heed.
Half a score of times he was on the point of being
discovered, once by a warrior from Pontiac's village
When Sterling recognized the savage as Wasson, the
slayer of la jolie Mathurine, his hand sought the
A DARING ADVENTURE 2,,
pistol that he carried ; he felt an almost uncontroUable
longmg to avenge the fate of the gentle girl But ,0
fer' ,f H^T" '"^1! *= '»°^ w„u!d be mad!
hf^' '■'^'''^^^"8= °f his weapon would bring about
h.m a horde of savages. As it was. there were fewer
edmen than French upon the river, but over nllr
the Ottawa camp the water was black with the heads
of Indian bathers who yelled to one another, id
sometimes ran leapmg and shouting along the strand.
As the young man turned toward the shore a
pomt of land hid them from his view, and preLmly
«hi„I"^ ?" canoe close to a secluded sfretchlj
shmgle, not far from the home of Antoine Cuillerier
The overhangmg bluff rendered this point one of he
inost secure from observatic. of any along the river
tt^Oiih r "^it"""' "^^ -coun';ered Catherine
the Ojibwa and been taunted by the Indian girl- to
rt-sspot Sterling had asked the demoiselle tfcorn^
thai he might exchange a few words with her
t„ 1^"^ '5\' 'f''""' ""•» of the gloaming sacred
iaif h^ , ° °T' '"" ""W over, - the litchi^
Mf-hour wherem the young Night, with the eveninf
star gleammg upon his forehead, impatiently waits a?
strong, feithful arms about her in a lover's caress
To the Scotchman the twilight always broaghT^."
ollechons of his own country. Now again ta fancy
he saw the heather-mantled moors and hflls he
Wackh- ; ""•°' ""= "="=''°° '" *^ »Pring?and the
blackbird singing on the hawthorn hedgf For a
momen a touch of that worst of all maladies to
the exile, a longing for his native land, swep over
him; how often had he hunted the deer among Tte
Z"?'-';,.^"'* *?■"" '" "' ^"" ^tony brooks!
But, straightway, with a laugh of content he put away
P-P^S^'^^
2l6
THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
the home-longing. No. it was not there after all that
Close at his hand lay the rude flute he had brought
I.que he felt sure. Again he |ave 4 sXlt!^
seemed TT^" *" ^''^=''- ^he white-cUd 7™*"
A third time he sounded the notes upon the mh-
bigwin, hazardous as it was to do «:« c.-ii ,, ^
silent; the white figure did not r:a;;ear''nrw
hque would not come. '^appear, no, Ang€-
int^Thrl? ^"^"*' ?^ ^°""^ "^^" «h°t his canoe out
into the s ream; after all he had endured to obtab
itue'rur"' ''?^i'^ '^"^^" ^^ h-^ braved. An^
a stone' h"'' '^ ^T^''' ^°q"^««. ^ould not wa^k
a stones throw from her home to reward him by so
much as a pleasant greeting; „ot even to giv^ him a
good wish that in the next assault upon the fort he
might again escape unharmed.
CHAPTER SEVENTEENTH
COURAGE BREAKS ILL LUCK
CTERLING'S disappointment made him reckless.
y and he paddled farther up the stream. Yonder
just above the mouth of the creek, was the house of
IJ^H. w .u^^' f '^ '^"'^ '" ^ ^'^^ ^°°«^ burned a
hght Was this the ro.m which was assigned to
Captain Campbell and Lieutenant McDougal. as
Robishe Navarre had said? He took note of its
position, hoping the knowledge might be of service
in any plans to be formed for the rescue of the
officers Then he proceeded, close to the shore.
The Sauteurs had joined with the Sacs. Foxes, and
Ottawas in one great camp, on the north bank of Le
Detroit. Surprised at its extent, he estimated their
number and remembered with concern that Baby
had said food was abundant among them and they
had plenty of ammunition, ^ ^ving taken nearly aU
the store of the French.
Darkness had now fallen and there was great ex-
citement in the village. Behind the camp, the foreste
gave to the scene a background of impenetrable
blackness; the river flowed onward in a gray flood
the few s ars to be seen shone but dimlyf as though
they would fain veil their faces with clouds; and 1«
I/e forms°of1 J' T^'^^^ ^^ ^^"^^ «^^ ^^e sav-
age forms of Indian braves dancing the war-dance
Round and round a post they circled, striking it with
their tomahawks and knives with frenzied zeal, as
msMmm
".■*5'i--v .
rm^<m
2'8 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
though each blow was meant fnr ^h^ i,- ^ t
human victim Tn <;f.!r .u '"*^ "*^*'^ ^^ some
the officers and garrison shut up in the forf bv th!
siege, and augured ill fnr r . * • J? . ^ *"®
McDoufral Tul -l Captam Campbell and
have Lrd ihT TL" ,"f"' °"''™'« ••« """wTof
We. „Uh death delayed. that'he'tiJh'ttS:
wo«M neTbTJalen'^ivf V"^H TT" *»* "■«
belt; he dre»rT, forth l{\u ^ * ''""' '" ""^
Indian he wau d usTit tJd end"'r T " f ''''*^
would be a fair chance of escape If i ' ',"' *"''
K r/Sed^ir vt::^ ^-'^ -"/
paddle now le^f ifc <.^ u ° "°* "^e his
* - ''■•^'f--:^'^^^'^^WK,^'i~'-7."S'^-
COURAGE BREAKS ILL LUCK 2,9
t^at h! ^^ft ""^^^ \^^?P^^^t<^ struggle for his life,
!,vf I, u^^ ^^'^"^ ^^'^ *° *^^ ^°rt the informa-
tion he had gathered. Nevertheless, as still upon^ls
ear smote the light paddle stroke, while the canoe
gained steadily upon him, he felt that his last hour
was come; and drifting thus, surrounded by the rush-
ing waters and with the calm sky above him it
seemed to him as if the whole world were swen
away in a flood of waters, and his soul stood for
judgment before the Creator.
On, on came the pursuer. Sterling grasped his
kmfe firmly m one hand and his paddle in thfothe
^f Zl\"'°'^',*^'" '^" '^^^'"g ^^"oe shot out
of the darkness close beside him, and he saw that i
had but a single occupant.
in'F™c\."'' ^'" ''"''" '^"^^ ' ^'"^^"^ -olcc
The young man, who had leaned forward ready to
make a thrust with his knife, drew back so quick y
as almost to upset his frail barque. ^
" Jacques Godefroy ! " he exclaimed, while the
tension of his nerves relaxed, and already the danger
he had with reason apprehended seemed a dream of
tne dusk.
"Jacques Godefroy! Who would have expected
^hhlr?" "'"■ '^' '"^'"""'^ encampment at
" Bien, little did I think 'twas you I was chasing
Monsieur L'ficossais." returned Godefroy, with bluff
good humor. "I thought I was in pursuft of a das
tardly savage who had made off with some of the
goods of the French. Ma foi, such things never hap!
pened before the coming of the English "
.rr/^^;"°rT*'°"T^!"*'^'*^*^^ ^'^''" t^^t the Indians
are lords of Le Detroit, Pontiac and his chiefs assume
I
"o THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
Godffroy r„;4:i'j°- "' ■»-■« "Bht," continue.
upofti,e'stS:J'rot*« ''?*^'I'»ti">'« called
hL hi, inflate" ^ev^SedV- 1'-"";'^' "'""*"«^
Here was anotherchalce '1 JnlS the merchant,
back to the stockade ^ 'ntelhgence to car^r
' jolie fillette • T^n be htrdfa^h" ^' *'">" "^ «
call to duty But of iM, f*"^" than the loudest
flouted her love^ 1^ hi „. '! • "J."*'""' """^ »
unwed like her auVtts'et^Tlthouth TdVr^"
t.osme, the lover of her voufh «,K« e l , ^**
H^d a hern,ifs Uk at L'oit et":!?: " " ""' ■■"
the mo";', mV" frieTd'^'d Z^ l'^"' '"'"^c like
them?" r^Sfed Steriina f ■ "°' ?*" »"" «th
there not HvS^ =^14 fte X^'s ''"^''- :^"
ing maidens as w^ mV5-,. ** "^"y charm-
•^^■JR
I 'l.fi.^
COURAGE BREAKS ILL LUCK
221
as heedlessly into danger when I was courting pretty
Clotilde Chapoton. However, have a care, Mon-
sieur L'ficossais, and steal not up again from the fort,
or your demoiselle will of a surety lose her lover, not
to any other fillette, mayhap, but to the fierce chief
Pontiac. Au revoir, au revoir, until a happier to-
morrow."
Each had involuntarily dipped his paddle in the
water, and now their courses began to diverge, Ster-
ling keeping on down the river, while Godefroy
headed his canoe toward the "c6te du nord."
Presently he disappeared from view, and the
Scotchman was once more left to his own cogita-
tions.
These thoughts might have been less bitter had he
known that, after having so resolutely gone within
doors at the sound of his flute call, Ang^lique Cuil-
lerier had hastened to the loft and from her nook in
the eastern dormer peered out into the twilight with
the hope that she might gain a glimpse of his canoe
upon the river. It might have been as a soothing
balm to his wounded pride, his flouted love, had " the
little Indian spirits who carry the news " whispered to
him the truth, that the darkness found "la belle
Ang^lique " kneeling upon the floor of the dormer,
weeping and sobbing as though her heart would
break.
Godefroy had not told Sterling that when the prin-
cipal habitants on both sides of the river received
word that the missionary wished to confer with them,
they went to him at once, and it was decided that
twelve of these Frenchmen should visit the camp of
Pontiac and strive to induce the Ottawa and his chiefs
to end the war.
"a THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
»wuac. ine ureat Chief would not li«»#.n ».«.
rigines, he promised that th... j j°'^B the abo-
«ase on condition .hi? i depredations should
cultivate corn ir* J >, "'"*»'" '« P"n>itted to
The next d™ the td.f °" ""'^ °' "■= ^'"^dians.
jng thelo™rthe'ra[;t" ^Z," brXrr'" ":•
did tr """^ *"• "y p-tuis ;rS " he ra«'
did not even cross the fields of fh« t7 u f ^^^S®*
.nforming him of the situation ahd asking his aid
As the httle ship sailed down the rivef IL
manned by Indians put off after her InH ^''f,^^^"°^^
cunning. Captain Ca'^pbelT wt;i'a:edt\hTbo7o1
the foremost craft to shield the redmen wu .u
canoe was so near the " Gladwin »tT.?* fK^" *^^
Pay no heed to me, my friends; do your duty."
<^>r.'.
COURAGE BREAKS ILL LUCK 223
The next moment a shot struck the canoe, and a
Pottawattomie fell over, dead. Thereupon the sav-
ages paddied swiftly to the shore, to be greeted when
they reached the strand by many jeers from the
trader Cuillerier, who from below the fort had wit-
nessed their precipitate flight.
Satisfied as Major Gladwin was with the result of
Sterling's solitary reconnoitring up the river, he
became suspicious upon learning of the Scotchman's
encounter with Jacques Godefroy in mid-stream.
" I do not like it, Mr. Sterling," he said decisively ;
" more than one report has come to me that Gode^
froy is in league with Pontiac. He is of those French-
men who cannot believe the King at Versailles
has yielded Canada to our victorious arms without
contemplating another blow in its defence. He
anticipates that this Indian warfare will result in the
return of De Bellestre and the French troops to Le
Detroit. Depend upon it, when he pursued you it
was as a spy of the Ottawa. Only his special friend-
ship for you, sir, prevented him' from taking you a
prisoner to the house of M^loche. Yes, Jacques
Godefroy is the ally of Pontiac."
As though in verification of the assertion, just at
this time Jacques Godefroy utterly disappeared from
the neighborhood. No one saw him go, no one
knew whither he was gone; not even his young wife,
Madame Clotilde, who, to the inquiries of his com-
rades, as well as to the teasing questions of her
friend Ang^lique Cuillerier, replied that he had told
her nothing, save that he was bound upon some
business of his own, and would return before long.
It was about this time that one afternoon, as Ang?^
lique worked in her garden on the " cdte du nord," she
saw the savages from the camp above gathering in
W^.
mF^'"'^
>a4 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
l«rge numbers on the river bank .nA
another in ercat evri.,™ . I ""'"8 to one
object o^tfe .urflce "r ?l^'' " '^'>' P"'"'*" »» »"•«
the fon. ''^" "' "■* «"" """ng up from
against r current"' ''"«'J"'« "«"«" her way
"c^rLt :h?,Sr ' The''?nH • "'" '"' ""P'-'hed
little craft with veil. If i , t"' \™""' "•« "»«»'
exulting I rhtx'pttaln'lKhfir" """'
agro^d and thusL, into ther/ctcir'" "°" '""
mire^nhiXd- ''"' '^'" «"»'""d '» bonne
Brt:sJ;pstrr„7Le;t^^— ^^^
s JraL"""' "f ""'"'' """' fro- "■ -de of the
boot n^caronthr '"'''"''"'°-'^ '°"°-^ "^^
ing the camp of Pontiac Frorr. > bombard-
a game of skittles. ^^ '***' P'"* '"
^^SWf'S ^'^
COURAGE BREAKS ILL LUCK 22s
Cuillerlcr. He was still chafing v -xation against
her. but a certain masterfulness po , ssed him, and
he told himself that he would continue to go to the
c6te until fortune should grant him the interview he
sought.
The Scotchman had been in command of the little
ship that attacked the Ottawa village, and won the
admiration of the soldier-crew by his coolness and
temerity. On the second evening after this expedi-
tion, he let himself down by a rope from the deck of
the "iieaver" into a canoe which floated at the
stern, and paddled up the stream as before. In this
mstance success favored the adventurous, for, as he
approached the shore near the Cuillerier house he
saw upon the beach a girl in a light-colored frick.
that fluttered m the breeze as she ran to and fro
sporting with a great black dog, or casting sticks o^
stones into the water, and by imperious gestures
ordering her playfellow to swim out after them It
was. doubtless, la belle du Detroit and her trusty
protector Trouveur.
Instead of heading directly for the strand, he made
a detour, and thereby shot around the point of land
which made the spot so retired, and came up almost
to the feet of Ang^lique before she was aware of his
proximity.
As out of the twilight there stepped this young
habitant whom she did not know, she called the dog
to her side and turned to climb the bank, intending
to hasten home.
But quickly beaching his canoe. Sterling sprang
forward and, not daring to address the girl lest hf
shou d alarm her still further contented himself with
a soft whistle to the dog; a summons to which he had
familiarized the intelligent animal in other days ~
«-,«-' -WK
\-
226 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
t^'e call of a Highland shepherd to his collie. Trou-
vcu/ recognized it at once. He stopped short 11^*
few paces toward the newcomer, Sen back to hi^
hTS tn "^ *V°"*=' ^^^ hand, cathl^g'
to tell h^r i . u'"^ ^y ^""^"y "^^"^ •« his power
to tell her that here was a friend whom she was
Puzzled by these queer antics on the part of her
shag^compan on, Ang^lique arrested her steps ''A
she'cH^H^TJ: ^ .''"' ^^y'^^-' ^"« thee, bouffon?^
she cried chidingly, as she faced the stranger
The dog stood for a second, wagging his tail an^
panting with satisfaction at havin? pfeva^^ef Tht
next moment he bounded toward the m?n !i
upon h» with cv*ry de™S.toT , Jh",.'"""^
Who are you, monsieur, and bv what eL™, i,,
J"™ »-/*« dog ttatnctr'blth™*
deserted me?" demanded Mademoiselle Cuillerier
The^„rr'"""' t' '•""«'">' fearlessness •
The mtnider upon her solitude came nearer. " Par
don me, mademoiselle, if I have frightened vou"
5.! "'"• f '"Soff h« wide-brimmed hi 4v'
Trouveur know, I would not willingly do so • but ?
have, sworn to myself that I will ^y, s^ih w!th
ttriUerf^^l'" P"P'«'t)'- Her whole be'ng had'
htra^^t-rvedtr """'■ "^ •^^ ^^-^ ^
a^M^'youSSchme^ordT"'''' """ '"'^'"^"^
that accent wf. if ^ *' """"y- ""^ '""iy.
m»y toes! In rtVriT' *'"'^'' ^'«= '"«'' J"««d
iar nor^nJ- f "f "'^ *"" "'»e« *" "°« famil-
iar, now strange, framed as it was by the thick hair
COURAGE BREAKS ILL LUCK ^^^
St r„« att^r "countering a lady masquer fngfn
strange attire? Truly, now the lion and the linnet
are caught in the same snare."
"Forgetfulness is dumb, and I have tri^H f« .-k. i
rwL'l'rrnTto'r"''!"^"^^""^^^^^^
A was not meant to be a witne<!(i " caJri fU- .
.ri'i;- "^i?- "^-'^i -: no*Vho""Lr
The girl trembled slightly
fathe""'s.^7em"a°nd:d°"''"HfH"' '° '"^ "P"" "^
English Havr^I; """O" not cringe to the
for ttie utoW of r!'^,'^V°" '° Wrehend him
Mci^o^g^K^, Wu:^;r liiTar'
part in this ruse of Pontiac " '^ ' "'' °°
AnWnf rMi"""- ' """^ '<=«P'«'i ">e hospitality of
I ruTd no", corn" ""' ^T""' ''" ■'"»'' '" fr^endlpl
Orany orderTr the" !"'=\"';^='"<' ^ Xo- mention,
have liWe f«r 1* "* "' >"""■ f""-" y" »«d
wm overtook ail he r' i "\''°'"'* *e commandant
Le Sit T V ^ ^°' *^ "•'= of «'» bc'lc of
hero^^ •gale-'^s^airte^^^^
be-^^'^nrwrme^-eir" ^^^^-^
tiB THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
He spoke earnestly, with something of reproach,
but more from the fervor of his love. In the gloom
he could not see that Ang^ique was moved. Striv-
ing to conceal her emotion, she answered with mock-
ing perverseness, — uuraocK
" In truth, yes I heard, though I did not come.
Saw you ever a bird fly direct to the hand that would
cTo TeV V •'''k' "'° "°"^' '^'^ P--^ '- - ™ad-
Tt lonM h '''°'" \""' '"''"^ '° ^ '"^'^' ^° yo" think
It would become her to be over-ready to catch up
toLnM .""?''? ^""^' ^Wens to cast at her in
c^W H^ • n P^'T' ^'' ^^""y • G^t you to some
monsieu"' "^ ^°"'" P"^' ^"' ^^"^ "^'"^'-^^y*
Had Sterling been better versed in the ways of a
maid he might have read in her petulance a resent-
ment of his former aloofness. As it was. the little
wmged god that. Puck-like, makes sport of mankind,
prompted him to an answer which in part disarmed
"Forgive me if I have been too importunate," he
said, with the pride that apes humility. " By the
pibbigwin or flute of polished bone, the Indian wooes
the maiden of his love."
Angdlique relented. His persistency and reckless-
ness in coming again to the cdte evoked her admira-
tion, although she feared for his safety. Nevertheless
she continued, taking him to task in the wilful man-
ner wherewith a girl who is sure of her lover con-
toTm*" ^'' ^"""^ ** ""''^ ^ ^""y ^""^ ^ '°'"*^"t
When a woman begins to look kindly upon a suitor
does she not ever coyly scheme and parade her pret-
tiest coquetries to lure him to repeat over and over
the sweet words "I love you." and plead once more
COURAGE BREAKS ILL LUCK 229
for the love she hides from him only to lead him to
ask for it again ?
" For one so given to fine language, monsieur," said
the demoiselle, with a fascinating pout, which, of a
pity, he did not see, "you showed little wit in your
choice of a bearer for your billet doux."
" How so ? Navarre reported to me that you re-
ceived It most graciously," protested Sterling, marvel-
Img at this new humor of his sweetheart
" Most graciously, to be sure. And did you flatter
yourself that my complaisance was all for your hon-
ored self, monsieur ? Ma foi, what but graciousness
could a poor maid oppose to the spite of a for-
brer"?"""" "^^^ '^°"^'* ^""''^ *^^' ^^ ^^''^ ^^' "°
" Had I not supposed you utterly indifferent to
Navarre, I should not, of course, have asked him to
deliver my message," said the Scotchman coolly.
Angdique tossed her head. He had seized his
advantage.
" A fig for such nonsense," she cried. " Indeed I
do not care for Robishe as a lover at all; and 'it
7r°r!^lAT^r J°*'"S ^° ""^ ^^^^ h^ fifty times be-
trothed to Archange de Mersac."
nof ™/°'f' ^ ^^'*'^ ^"^^^^" ^^ t^^s^ yo" would
not mee- and speak with me, although I was forced
Ipr^oposed"!" '°""'^''' °*''*'*^^'' '' ^^^P *« ^^«t
tr Ji*^ '^r^^'^ "^S?^^ Ang^lique that she had best
hlld see T r ^^--^^^^"^ foretelling when she
should see Sterling agam, and here she was. wasting
he pnceless minutes they could spend together, in
de cavilling She would not have him go aiay
o applr "^"'' "^'^'P'^ '^' hJchosZ
if
H
If
230 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
" It was not altogether because of these passing
grievances that I did not come to the strand." she
began — broke off— and presently continued in a
voice that shook with emotion. " Mon Dieu, do you
not see, monsieur, my heart was filled with dread lest
in your boldness you would fall into the power of
Pontiac ? When I heard your signal, my one thought
was.; If I go to the beach, he will linger and be taken
captive; if I do not respond to his wood-bird's call,
he will leave in angry haste ; thus he will escape
those who he in wait for spies from the stockade '
Oh, I could not. I dared not come. And yet " she
added naively, " I have walked on the sands' here
every evening since."
" Ang^lique. my dearest one," cried Sterling, taking
the girl s cold hands in his. " I have never loved you
so fondly as at this moment, when at last I learn from
your own lips that I have won your love."
"Chut, chut! how, Monsieur L'E!cossais?" she
stammered in saucy defiance, attempting to shake
off his clasp.
"Do not seek to deny it. beloved." he went on.
intoxicated with happiness. « Unconsciously, in your
fear for my safety you have told me all. Your heart
has spoken at last, and now I understand that the
teasing coquetry which so vexed yet allured me was
but a woman's shield against the shafts of love A
real coquette would have kept the tryst ; did her
cavaher rush into danger for her sake, his reckless-
ness would be but another tribute to her charms.
You thought, not of yourself, but of me. sweetheart,
therefore I know you love me."
He would have clasped her to his breast, but she
r^l ^^ ^^""^ Trouveur gave a warning
^:'^^^7.
At,M.'»\ Ji
'I
COURAGE BREAKS ILL LUCK 231
"You have forgotten the evening of the ball given
to Sir WiUiam Johnson? " she questioned, with down-
cast eyes.
" I was audacious to take the tone I did," he ac-
knowledged, — a notable admission for one so un-
yielding as Sterling.
" Perhaps you were not altogether wrong," faltered
Ang61ique, conceding a point also. " Have you con-
quered your distrust of me because I went in disguise
to the fort? For I must still keep from you what I
said to Major Gladwin," she continued, with recovered
nrmness.
Sterling hesitated. It was indeed a test for an
ardent lover.
" Angdique, I would tell you everything that con-
cerns myself. What secret is there between you and
Major Gladwm which you cannot share with the man
who hopes as soon as may be to make you his wife?"
he persisted.
Were we in a canoe on the strait at midday, with
the sun looking forth from a cloudless sky, and not a
creature nigh but our two selves, I might tell you,"
she replied. " But no, perhaps I would not. If you
really loved me, you would trust me too."
" Dearest, I trust you entirely. I love you with ill
my heart," he answered. "Say you will meet me
at the mission chapel, where Father Potier will
unite us?"
The demoiselle laughed again, but not unkindly, at
his impetuosity. This was more like the gay flute-
playing Sterling of old than the grave, stern man he
had become of late.
" Phouff, monsieur, " she said half tenderly, *' it is
to the cure of Ste. Anne's you should go under such
Circumstances. But, I beg of you, say no more to
!|
j
1
a3» THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
ri ^i:^^ z^: ,.^'«^« of «>« fort i.
The uneasiness of Trouveur continued.
she ioyu^ed.' ""' '"' '^ ^°"'"^ ' ^°' --«eur,"
his' mrstrl'"' "^ • ? ^"* grudges me the attention of
his mistress, insisted the young man. " Say at least
that I may still hope?" ^ ^^
"Monsieur, you need not despair. Now go and
^^:^^}^' ' ^^^" - --- the fal^o?
She started abruptly toward the house, but havin^r
gone a ew paces, retraced her steps ti wLre ief
lover still stood, motionless. ^ "" **'''
T "'u}^^^l '^ ^"y P^^" *o '■escue Captain Camoh*.!!
I will do what I can to aid it," she said in T P. "'
whiqni>r «« T ^ .. ' **'"» '" 3 cautious
H:nt' to he., he to.a heTC^I^ei/^f^reS "
strliJd.""^ '""'^'^ ''""'^' '"""'"e "P »<> down the
Sterling caught the girl i„ his arms and kissed her
she ij/" ""?"""'" ••' "'<^ fe-ently, adding a,
moment a mnsket shot, cris^ tL'S^ha^: ran'g"::;;
X
COURAGE BREAKS ILL LUCK 233
upon the air, and Ang^lique felt a bullet whiz past
as, with Trouveur close beside her, she ran with all
speed to the house.
"Thank God he is gone," she ejaculated, when she
had gained her nook in the loft. " May the great
warrior archangel Michael go with him as his safe-
guard I "
CHAPTER EIGHTEENTH
THE OTTAWA'S HOUR
X"!!*"' "^^^ °^^^y' "th<^ Moon of Leaves"
exhausted and bTfor SoLrr'""' *»"^ ""''^
plight would have bee„X JaVe"'' Bah ''''^' .*'''
ranged with Major Gladwin th?,K ^^\^ ar-
hog, and beeves to the stTlcade „S* *°'"'' ^"^"^
of the great need of he beSe^^ h* 1"'" "'"'■''«'
a glowing lantern near the waS^.?f„?'r"F'",8 °'
at other times by the dXTro?*e e^f' o'?'.';'
George from the flaestaff Th.,! • ^ °^ ^*-
signals, he often land:Hup Jt 'closeTS '"-^^
gate at dead of night. ° ^® "^«'
Day after day the officers w^tch^A fK- i
through their le'Ls in the hope oft '^UTh'''^'
near Lake Erie Qom- ^i^ j *^spying, far down
pthering^orrknTb^l Xhr^^^^^ *^.f'
long-awaited fleet of barges from th? f .1 *' ^^^
cataract of the Niagar^ ^°'*' ^^°^^ *^^
Daily James Sterhng went the round of the r.m
parts to make sure that th*. k..** j '**""
a. the corners were fc^^: fi ed't'^fcTateTfor"'"
and anon report reachivl fK« f ' '^^ ^^^^
attempt on th'e parofpontcrseTfirtto ITJ
On on. particular morning a,e Scotchtn loutd SI^
THE OTTAWA'S HOUR 235
Irish soldier O'Desmond doing sentry duty on the
patrol-way of the flag bastion, which looked toward
the river.
" I see you are one of those who oppose a bold
front to adversity, soldier," said he. " You manage
to be cheerful, even on half rations."
O'Desmond glanced along the barrel of his gun
and grinned comically. He was a good-looking
young fellow, with a shock of curling black locks, a
round, good-humored face, blue eyes that had ever
a laugh in them, and a reckless, dare-devil air.
"Oh, 'tis not the scantiness of the rations at all
that I mind, si-," he answered, "though I will say,
a fare made up of a little of everything and not
much of anything is like to give one confusion of the
stomach. And that same reminds me of a story I 've
heard me father tell many a time. Did ye ever taste
olives, Mr. Sterling?"
"Yes," answered the merchant simply, " once, at
a dmner in London."
" Well, I never did, but I have a notion what they're
hke from what me father said. He fought with the
l-rench m the Low Countries, and was servant to the
captain of his regiment, as fine an Irish gentleman as
ever lived in the ould land or out of it. Well, one
evemng— 't was after the fall of Tournay — the cap-
tain gave a dinner in his tent, and me father waited
upon the officers. The dfnner was not so much to
boast of. but on the table was a litUe dish of fruit of
a beautiful green color; leastwise, me father thought
t was fruit, but he knew well enough afterwards 't was
a dish of olives, no less.
" After the guests were gone, the captain said,
You did well, Dennis; I'm proud of ye. WiU ye
have something to keep up your spirits?'
x?**'
1J6 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
i^^k^yl^ylt y/thct""* """ '"'*'' "'• ' -"•
"So the captain poured a cup of Flemish sack
»d was just handing it over when he sto^p^d .^ort
Oh, take one of these first/ says he, pointing to Ae
green fru,t that me father had been eying 'Take
..A . r u?*" '"''""' »"'• ?'*«<! "P an olive
- '.^^c'got'rer;"' "' '"'"^'"^ '» «"^ '' " --
a^fr^a^uT-Jtra'^ar' 7^r^^:rL
was p,m into a fitj but 't was all on account of the
tain agaTn"* ''^ '"" "' "' ""»*"'"'■ "««• *. cap-
hi™" V^J^r ^ *"■' '""'• ^ »«»" » laugh out of
him. But, having swallowed the pesky thife at la!t
Sterling laughed heartily.
"O'Desmond, how is it that you, a descendant T
dare say, of one of the victors of Fontenov se^- -
the ranks of the British army ? " he a^kld ^' "'"' "
Irishman %^f\ °^ "*/"^ ^"°'^"''" ^'^'"™«^d the
poverty at th. a"^ °^ '." °"^^ "^°*^^' ^^ home,
ThoM^K ? r u *^°°*'' *"^ * ^°^« of soldiering
Though m fa. h me mother would rather have had
TatefLTe'^'ltr^u^''^' ^^"'"^' ^^"- -^-'-^-'
ou d L5 and' f ' '^""'^ ^°'' " ^^^ *° &<^* °" »« the
Tn L ;r • .''?^ ^'"^y ^^ ^^ ^^t means to earn
an honest livm' that offered, sir — "
Here O'Desmond, who still kept an eye on the
THE OTTAWA'S HOUR
a37
river, broke off suddenly in his explanation and cried
out with glad enthusiasm, —
"See yonder, Mr. Sterling! What !s that black
shadow afar down beyond the Pointe de Montreal ?
If I 'm not blind as a bat 't is a barge, and there 's
another behind it. They can be no less than the ships
coming up from the fort above the Big Falls, glory
be to God ! "
"You are right," said Sterling, after he had
watched the distant objects for a few minutes. " They
are certain./ barges. Yes, there is a third."
" A ship ! a ship ! " cried the Irishman, at the full
strength of his lungs. Like a bugle blast the call
aroused the little settlement. O'Desmond ran to
notify the officer of the guard, the latter reported to
his superior, and the commandant, with his subal-
terns, the garrison, and all the people of the town,
mounted the bastion, and broke into hearty cheers as
the little fleet came up the strait. The drums sounded
a triumphant greeting; the small band of the fort
played " Rule Britannia."
All at once, however. Major Gladwin, who was
viewing the boats through his lens, exclaimed
forcibly, —
" Hist, damn it, stop that music ! Zounds, will
some one go among those fools upon the strand and
bid them cease those shouts of rejoicing ! "
Those whose eyes were drawn to him by astonish-
ment at his vehemence saw to their amazer .v.'nt that
his usually unflinching hand trembled slightly, and
his ruddy English complexion had grown pale.
'- Look, Mr. Sterling ! " he said, handing the glass to
his captain of militia.
" By my faith, those dark flgures in the barque can
be only savages or demons," ejaculated the merchant,
fh
»3» THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
.Ja- *' 1"°';'' "'' "•'"' ^"S" were a score of
fleet along the soothe™ shore. In the foremost bo«
there were only four soldier, and three sava^s M
'&T:^.t'"^""'" "-'"> "X'« n.if-st.e.t:
" See what is going on yonder I "
or diriiMT'" !f '^' "°*^^"" ^^^ ^«»°Jved to escape
nl Ji. • Iw*" ?"""P*- ^"'"K ^ *ho»gh to change
f„ . 1 '•».,'*'*>"'•, ''*=^ '"'"^ ^'« Indian guard, and
in a terrible struggle for life the savages and the iwte
men grappled with one another «"° "»« w^^te
" Lo^^tr^'V *r" "^^l"'" ^~^*^ °"* O'Desmond.
Look. sir. one of the men has thrown his enemy into
Denver andnowfallsuponthethird redskin. S^hLrl!
he ia a giant in strength." '
rJ fi^*i"'r°'"''*'*! ^^ ^^"^" »'"*° *h« water and the
As the first soldier and his foe gained their feet
e sunli^t flashed upon a knife inVe gr ip'^f' 1'
savage. The next moment like a sword in the sun-
the wato. '""'' *' "''"' """ '■<=" '"■«'«« iMo
I,.2" ItT'' '"L''!,"' ""^^'e hit the Indian on the
head w,th h.s paddle, was swimming for the shore
brought in the poor man who had fought so well- but
the brave feUow had also been stabbed by hi. guarS
■^mm
THE OTTAWA'S HOUR 239
ind lived only half an hour. Meantime the two
soldiers who remained in the bateau pulled for the
•• Beaver," shouting for aid. The Indians on the south-
ern shore fired upon them, and presently the water was
black with canoes, bullets whizzed about the prisoners,
and their doom seemed certain, when from the sloop
came the roar of a swivel j.un. The savages drew off
in terror, a second cau.i >:; shot scattered the red-
men on the shore, aad u<- tvo o'ci. fs reached the
vessel.
" Truly," exclanr od M ^j r ria^JwIi, each of those
men is a living t>a. ip!c thai F^rt..ie favors the
brave.
By their good i^ht ti.ev .^a'. not osily saved their
own lives, but brought wuh the ' o.it several barrels
of pork and provisions f<^j :>u: hunory garrison. Un-
luckily, the Indians lande.i uie otner prisoners below
the " Beaver," and the watchers at the stockade sadly
saw the captives led along the southern shore toward
the former site of the Ottawa village.
The next afternoon, as the Scotchman sat at the
desk in his warehouse, he heard a commotion in the
town, while from the forest came a weird sound like
the cry of a pack of wolves. Going out, he beheld
the eastern bastion thronged with townspeople and
soldiers, whose gaze was turned in horror toward the
woods, from which issued a long line of warriors
each painted black and carrying a pole from which
waved a pennon that the spectators knew only too
well to be a human scalp.
While they watched the awful scene a young habi-
tant knocked for admittance at the wicket of the
palisade, and Sterling was summoned to the gate, a
part of his duty being to keep note of the comings
and goings of the French.
240 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
the's^eet. """'"' ''^'' "'^'' " '^""'^^ *^^ P^^P^^ »"
" Dire enough, but it is first for the ear of the com-
"^^t'f ^^ '^*"T'' ^ they crowded around hTm
asa^^lTorhrautonr^^^^^^^^
ril'7^"' r''' ^^** intelligence do you bring?" Major
wtn^x^'r °' '''"' "'' '''^ ^-'ueness^of
" Monsieur, your Engh'sh fort of Sandusky has
been captured by the bad band of Hurons and thl
fe^anVT'^K^'*"^ ^^"'^^^ ^^^ been 'scalped'"
began the Frenchman. " Those brought here yeste;.
day were taken across in canoes to Pontiac's camo
shot LTh' *° ''wT'"'' °"^ ''y °-' -h"« the InS
shot at them. When, to avoid the arrows, they threw
tiiemselves upou the ground, they were forced by
dlT n^u "P°" *^*1' ^"'^' °"^^ "»°^^' "««! they feH
dead. Others were flayed alive with gunflinte or
majmed; others still were tied to stak^es, and the
,wr ^r^"^ u'"^ ^''^ ^'°^ ««•"• Indian women
joined m the barbarous sport, but some few pitied the
pnsoners and. as their lords grew drunk from^he rum
found among the captured stores, and fiercer from
their cannibal feast, these women hid away the
weapons, fearing a geneial massacre." ^
Gladwin averted his face.
fate?^''^hr?„"' -^i^^ "^^'i' """^ "^^P*^ th'^ terrible
fate ? he inquired hoarsely, with an effort to preserve
his outward composure.
"But one, a well-favored young man who was, I
THE OTTAWA'S HOUR
141
surmise, m charge of the post. He is agile and
strong. I should like to see him play at lacrosse, or
run a race."
" Lieutenant PauUy . He still lives ? "
"Yes, monsieur le commandant, and is a happy
bridegroom," answered the debonair Canadian, who
found it difficult to be grave, even under these gloomy
circumstances. " The lieutenant was condemned to
be burned alive, and his captors had taken away his
pistols ; but Cupid aimed a shaft in his defence. In
the Ottawa camp there is a woman named Pah-puk-
kee-na, the Grass-hopper. Pah-puk-kee-na's husband
died not long since. Looking upon the officer, she
liked his yellow hair and blue eyes. ' Ha ha I The
white chief is too comely to burn,' she cried, when the
braves, women, and children returned with the brush-
wood they had gathered for the fire. ' I adopt him
for my husband.' There was muttering among the
savages that they were cheated of thei ^^ oort, but the
woman's husband had been killed in oatde, and she
had a right to choose another from among their cap-
tives. The Englishman seemed scarce bener pleased
with this new turn of his fortunes, but, by the « Red
Dwarf,' they hurried him back to the river, and
plunged him in the current, that the white blood
might be washed from his veins. Henceforth he is
an Ottawa warrior."
So great had been the tension of mind and nerves
of the commandant that now, as a vent to his feel-
ings, he laughed long, though mirthlessly, as his
imagination pictured the unwilling bridegroom. Ster-
ling joined in his hilarity, yet the brain of each was
soon busy with plans for the rescue of this new-fledged
brave, while their souls were moved by the story of
his sufferings.
16
jtacaB'jaiKiMJini— im t k Itsi^iin '-mtw --^i-^fm-
.•ififlLir^l^tiMltM 'K9I »
242 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
thrf°i- ^^^ -^"'^P^ ^^ ^^^^ ^«"«^n into the hands of
Cno^\- 7'" "^ "" P*"'' *e floor with hand
upon^h,, sword, as though he longed to strike at the
De Joncaire withdrew unnoticed.
'■ Mr S i^ r*" " t?" ''"PP^" ^hort in his walk.
AnnJ?s^s'r;e^, .rtt^sl^e'''" "Z ^'^•
- longer lifts „p her sweeTv^icetl fetlp 'o"f
Heaven upon our arms?" ^ ^'^
S-'-^^referr-S^^^
n?X=-ro„-£°[-3
them that we place our reliance in the God of a™Tes."
t
f
THE OTTAWA'S HOUR 243
It was Sonday morning, a cloudless morning in
mid-June. The blue skies looked brightly down upon
their own reflection in the sapphire waters of the
strait; and so abloom was the plain with " boutons
d'ors" that Megissogwon, the Great Pearl Feather,
the Indian manitou of wealth, might be thought to
have oversown the green meadows with shining gold
pieces. The forests were robed in the full majesty of
their kingly state. Over all the region of Le Detroit
reigned a tranquil stillness; a quiet that was yet me-
lodious with the song of the yellow warbler, the
thrush, the robin, and the Recollct bird, so called by
the Canadians because of his cowl-like crest and his
sweet voice.
The bell of Ste. Anne's was ringing for the Grand
Mass, aii ., in obedience to the summons, the French
came forth from their houses; the traders in their
coats of red, green, or blue cloth, knickerbocker
trousers, silver-buckled shoes, and three-cornered
hats ; the engages, voyageurs, and coureurs de bois,
shabby, yet making a brave showing with their scarlet
caps and sashes, each man carrying his firelock. The
women, tricked out in such simple finery as they pos-
sessed, were pleasing to the eye, though a second
glance revealed upon the smiling faces of dames and
demoiselles the wan look that comes of anxious days
and nights of watching.
At this the most peaceful quarter of an hour of the
forenoon, an unexpected visitor knocked at the gate
of old Fort Pontchartrain. He was a man of middle
age, a stranger at Le Detroit; and, although he
was fresh shaven, and the stains of travel had been
removed as well as might be from his much-worn
black robe, the haggard lines in his face told that
he was still weary from a long and arduous voyage.
It,
^44 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
••I am Pierre du Janois. Jesuit missionary to the
Ottawas of the north, and I have business with Major
Cjladwm," he said to the sentry.
The latter, forthwith beckoning to Robishe Navarre
who was on his way to the church, asked him to carry
the message to headquarters.
The young man returned betimes.
criJV%^''l^ ^ *° "^f"*^ ^'^'^ "'^^ "^°" P^'-e." he
cried, doffing h.s cap. " Major Gladwin sends you his
respectful compliments, and bids me say he awaits an
mterview with you."
Together they passed down the main street, the
soldiers on duty staring as though the black-robed
figure were an apparition ; the townspeople round-
eyed, the men uncovering their heads as Navarre had
done ; the women courtesying and asking the blessing
of the man of God. ^
When the priest and his guide reached the council
room, the commandant dismissed Robishe by a sum-
mary nod of the head; even in small matters he
lacked the art to conciliate the French. Monsieur
Janois he received, however, with marked deference
You are welcome to Le Detroit, reverend father '"
he said, grasping the hand of the missionary, '• al-
though t IS a surprise to me that you are here.' When
and with what expedition did you come? "
" Yesterday at noon I was landed on the south-
ern shore a mile above this place," answered Du
janois the smile of greeting still lingering upon his
rugged features, which, from exposure to the inclem-
ency of many winters and the heat of the sun in
summer, were almost the color of dried deerskin " I
voyaged down the lakes in company with a band of "
Ottawas and Sauteurs, and, having spent the night at
the Huron Mission, am come to you with a letter
THE OTTAWA'S HOUR
H5
from the commandant at Michilimackinac. I regret
to be the bearer of unwelcome news, monsieur. What
is it your Shakespeare says — • The tongue of such a
one sounds ever after as a sullen bell ! ' "
Therewith he took from his belt the important
paper, and handed it to the major.
Father Janois had spoken in English, but with a
quaint French accent.
With the forced composure and natural reserve which
renders the British soldier cool and self-possessed
under almost all circumstances, Gladwin begged his
guest to be seated, and withdrew to the window to
read the missive from Captain Etherington, his brother
officer at the post of the Upper Lakes. He needed
all his self-control, for it told of the Indians' capture
of Fort Michilimackinac under the ruse of a game
of ball, and the massacre of the men ; begged for am-
munition and provisions; explained that the priest
had been directed not to land directly at the stockade
of Le Detroit, and requested the major to speed the
homeward journey of the missionary.
" 111 news it is," acknowledged Gladwin, tapping
the paper with his hand, as he came back to the
centre of the room and took a chair facing Father
Janois. "What you have not learned from obser-
vation of our condition at Le Detroit, sir, has no
doubt been told you by Monsieur Potier. You see
that at present I can furnish no help to Michili-
mackinac I will not ask what other affairs have
brought you here. When you are about to return to
the noith, be so good as to give me word, that I may
intrust to you an answer for the commandant, de-
scribing our dilemma, but assuring him that if he and
the few of his men who are left can hold out a little
longer we will send them aid at the first opportunity."
.-■'.
246 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
"Monsieur " replied the priest, rising and bowing
with a courtliness he had not forgotten during thf '
long years he had spent in the wilderness, " though
you refrain from asking the object of my visit, I will
ElLSn "'"' '° '""^ '^'^ ^°^^ ^-- C^Pt^-
on!i K°"' !. J'^"^ ^"^^n' have voyaged many leagues
and braved death at the hands of your savage com-
panions, to ask succor for the English, your heredi-
tary foes, men of an alien race and creed," exclaimed
Gladwin in admiration.
.u"u^ '!!''°.^^' l'""^^ ^°"S '" *h^ wilderness forgets
the boundaries of countries, the narrowness of preju-
dice, rejoined the missionary, with gentleness. " He
oves his native land indeed as ardently as ever
Like the two Lghts upon the altar at the hgly Mass
his patriotism and his religion burn brightly upon the
iltar of his soul. But he sees the whole earth as
ods world; to him all men are brothers; and his
mission IS to all with whom he comes in contact.
One other aim I had in coming — "
• '"^h''.', ejaculated Gladwin, raising his eyebrows.
Ves, pursued Father Janois, " I cannot deny
tha I came to try to lead back to Michilimackinac
those of my flock who have joined in this war; to
confront Pontiac, and warn him that the punishment
o! Heaven will follow him if the atrocities perpe-
trated by his authority do not cease. Monsieur, the
Indians have suffered much through the lawless-
ness of your traders, the degrading influence of
your fire-water, and for this they have my sym-
pathy. But in all ages the savage has been forced
to give way to civilized man. And I believe the
only hope of my people is ' to make friends of the
mammon of iniquity,' meaning the English" he
THE OTTAWA'S HOUR
»47
hu-
added, with a twinkle of his kindly eyes and a
morous smile.
Gladwin had absently remained seated, while his
visitor stood. Recollecting himself, he now sprang
to his feet.
" God bless you, sir, for your eagerness to help
our poor soldiers as well as those in the north," he
said sincerely.
" I have already spoken to Pontiac, and another
conference is appointed for this afternoon," proceeded
the Jesuit ; " but I am not over-sanguine as to the
result. This evening I set out upon my return
voyage ; therefore, I pray you, send to me at dusk
by some trusted Frenchman the letters you wish
me to take."
" You go this evening? But you are not yet rested
from your journey," protested the officer.
Father Janois replied with a Gallic shrug.
" That matters not," he laughed. " I must go back at
once. I exacted from the Indians a promise that they
would not commit any hostilities during my absence.
I must go to hold in check the tribes of the north."
Gladwin regarded him curiously. Yes, this man in
the worn black gown, a man aged before his time, pos-
sessed the only power that could in the least degree
control the savages ; a power won by his devoted and
self-sacrificing life in the forest.
" Therefore I will bid you ' au revoir,' monsieur le
commandant, although to say ' adieu ' were no omi-
nous leavetaklng," continued the priest. " Let it be
both ' au revoir ' and ' adieu.' Do not despair. Your
little garrison still rests in God's keeping."
" Farewell, sir," answered the major, with Anglo-
Saxon immobility, though his heart beat warmly in
response to the words of the missionary.
y^
.V.
CHAPTER NINETEENTH
ANGELIQUE'S SCHEMING
D^n^^r'*'''"!^? *"*^*^^ *°««"<^^ th« release
sw^thett th. r^ "' and the assistance which his
oromS *^%^°"'fS«°"» Ang^lique Cuillerier. had
bv Td vet r '"J,^" ^«""^ P'°J^^'' » '"^"^h rdled
u K ^^! **'*'. ^^"^"^ °^"' ^«« still a prisoner
foil or " '"P^ss'We for the merchant and' his
feir auxihary to put their scheme into execution
Major G adwin also had replied to the haugh^ de-*
mands of Pontiac. that he would make no terrns with
Dack to the fort m safety. But to this the fierce Ot-
tiwa returned the barbaric message that the ketties
stoctdra^nrf".^f^^ *° '°'^ the inmates of the
stare the fl'.''^''^^"' were freed they would
share the fate m store for the garrison. Clever
treacherous, and revengeful, the Indian leader never^
riieless showed to the French at times that he could
be generous, noble, and even courteous. Thus it
happened one morning that Mademoiselle Cuillerier
found he«elf indebted to the Great Chief for a visl
from her friend Marianne de St. Ours.
Jl^!t '^- ^°""*' ?*'"''^' ""^^ ^""'^ ' I^id the manitou
voi heZt' "" V^V^"^-^ ^«y. ^'' J Okeewaisee waft
you here through the air?" exclaimed Ang^lique as
mir. :^H T . T '^""' ^°"'^' "^^^'^ ^'^h la bonne
mire and Tante Josette she was engaged in preparing
ANGELIQUE'S SCHEMING 249
^lyf"^ bcnit" (bread to be blessed) to be dis-
tri^buted during the grand Mass of Corpus ChrisU
Hitherto, each family of the parish of Ste. Anne
had, in turn, furnished this offering to the church
upon the^great festivals. Now, because of the siege,
the people of the cdte must needs worship at the
ml'r'^f '."'"I '5' *^°"^^ °^ L°"'« Campeau; yet
Dame Cuillener had resolved that the little congre-
ga^on should miss none of the observances of the
The scene that presented itself to the eyes of
Mademoiselle de St. Ours was one which would have
delighted the artistic sense of a poet or a painter
accustomed to look for the picturesque amkl the
commonplace.
Two Pani women were kneading the dough in
Din^efnT- ? *''°"?^- ^nge'lique, with sleeves
ftHn! "P- ^'y'^y'^g her dimpled arms, was plaiting
strips of the dough into the wreath or "couronne"
that was to adorn the top loaf of the pinnacle of
bread to be sent on a great salver to the chapel.
l^\T.r^ "?"'* ^^ ™°^* carefully fashioned,
for after the Mass it would be sent to Madame St
Aubin as a token that she had been chosen to pre-
pare the " pain benit " for the next festival
At a table near by Xante Josette was cutting the
accessojy "cousins/' a kind of cake, into palm shapes,
and with a feather brushing the top of each with egg
and sugar, while, as they were ready. Dame Cuillerier
p aced them in the wide over at the side of the fire-
place.
The blazing pine knots in the open chimney shed
a pleasant light upon the faces of the women, caught
a bright reflection from the burnished brass and cop-
250 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
per cooking utensils upon the dresser, and played in
fitful gleams upon the rough puncheon floor.
To Marianne, the motherless demoi -.elle who had
been reared at the Ursuline Convent at Quebec, the
simple scene appeared charmingly picturesque and
homelike, as she stood smiling upon it.
«J".T**'"u"'?T"' Ang^lique crossed the room
and, takmg the delicate face of the young gues* be-
tween her own pretty hands, kissed the girl with warm
affection.
'• How dared you come over the prairie, and how
did you obtain permission to leave the stockade? " she
asked in a breath, at the same time flecking away a
little patch of flpur that she had left on her friend's
satin cheek.
"Your 'bon ami,' Monsieur Sterling, not only
gave me a pass to go out, but deputed the inter-
Marianne""^'^"'' ^*"''" '° conduct me," explained
'• Larron ! I do not like his lean sombre visage and
CO d gray eyes," interrupted Ang^lique. " He is too
solemn for a Frenchman."
" But surely our French-Canadians are not always
laughing, singing, or dancing," protested her cousin
True; yet the gravity of this Larron is not natu-
ral ; he wears it as a mask."
"No doubt Monsieur Larron has fallen into dis-
favor with the French because he is so much es-
teemed by the English at the fort. I hope he will
suffer no harm ihereby," said Marianne
Then afiecti.ig to take no note of Ang^lique's toss
of the head and muttered remark thaf Larron would
probably save his scalp, she continued, —
" ^ut besides the company of this cavalier in com-
ing hither, I had a guard of Indians from the camp
ANGELIQUE'S SCHEMING 251
of Pontiac. and the two Pani youths that Madame
des Ruisseaux sent with me."
" You had an escort from Pontiac?"
Ja VT ^^"^ ^^''^^^ ^^'"^^ " '^i«<="lated Xante Josctte
and la bonne mSre simultaneously.
" Yes, madame and ma tantc."
Marianne's pale beauty was enhanced by a rosy
flush as she proceeded, — ^
tnZ°R v"/*''"^^" *^^* '^'"^ *'"^<^ «•"« I sent
to the British settlement of New York for a box of
goods. It was foolish of me, but I had a fancy to
secure some apparel from the grand town of London
over the seas. I heard that the goods were shipped
1V^ f °"^°^ ''^'^** *^^ '^^*S" "P*"^«^d. Some
tnend of mine mentioned the matter to Pontiac. and
the Great Ottawa sent me word that I might have
them and welcome; so I am come to see if they may
M^Se^' '^^'^ ^'°"^^* '° ^^^ house of Baptiste
"Well, well," cried Dame Cuillerier. "You need
not grow so rose-red. ch^rie I We all know the chest
contains the bridal gown that you wished to have of
aro" °" 1'^'°"'"^: ^° ^^^^^ yo"r English bride-
groom. T would be a pity were it gone astray,
so near its destination too. We will put up a petition
to le bon St. Antoine, the finder of things lost, tha"
you may recover it. But, rest awhile ; you must be
tired after your walk."
'• l" L'S^K^ r"'" '"^^ Marianne, blushing still more.
thtinH "°^ '*^^ ^°"^"' '^^ interpreter and
the Indians await me at the gate "
Ang^lique sauntered down the garden path with
IVXT: J v°;, "' '^^^ ^""*' *"PP^d »"t° her hand
a pmk-tmted billet.
"It is from your 'bon ami,' your sweetheart." she
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J52 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
rv''J^T''i""'' '■*' ">""'"•«« a"d a droll stumbline
over the Saxon word. "Ah, i, „as not difficult fo?
me to get the pass when I announced that after
Pn'lr'T'^' "'■»' »°«°" fa this? No one among the
Enghsh IS my -bon ami,'" protested the other de!
mo,selle ; but she thrust the billet into the bo"om of
her frock wth all haste, and her eyes brightened as
Mananne promised to stop at the house a|a n on re
turmng from the camp of Pontiac.
In the course of an hour. Mademoiselle de St Our,
came back in high feather. The chest was found
Ponfac had delivered it over to her with the courtesy'
to---^:t^r^zi'::t*te;r£
•Ce"::i;:2g^r;:.:^^-"-''^--j°--
"Ah, Marianne, you h,ipny eirl i " exrl=in,»j
Angelique, as she drew her cousin^rom the khlen
resran/o"°^''^rT I'"' '" P'^^r^^. ir^^ttt^
ness and quiet of the hearthroom. •• This Caotain
Dakell whom you met in Montreal is so brave Ind
Slat'lTa'n' T^'^'"'' ^^ '"^es you so devotec-'y
that I can forgive him even for being English "
"O^Su^dTjt""^;^' ^"^^owledged Marianne,
ur at least I shall be when he comes to the strait
slThere^°K^^ T'' '"^' ^^^'"S ■"= '''«> -ked t^Te
trouble kndn' 7"'.^"'°'' ""'^ *"<"•"' '"d'a"
trouble. And now, fondly as I long to see him I
sometimes wish he had not applied^or Ws fa^ir
has'iifbetrXd.^ ^°""" '°'-' '^"^ "^ -="-y
DridJ-lr^'il"'" *' ■""''= ""== yo" have for
pride, declared her sympathetic confidante. " Your
:?JEr'^^
ANGELIQUE'S SCHEMING as3
hero will come with a large force of troops, and put
an end to the war."
" The soldiers of the King of France may come,
and then the strife will be the fiercer," sighed Mari-
anne timorously. " Ah, I fear I am a very wicked
girl to have given my love to an alien."
" Bah," broke out Mademoiselle Cuillerier, " cheer
up, ma petite; Father Potier says marriages are
made in Heaven ! Now if Heaven designs to favor
this Englishman with so sweet a wife as you will
make, why should you thwart the designs of Provi-
dence? As for the soldiers of the fleur-de-lis, I fear
they will never more be seen at Le Detroit. The
neighbors who come to chat with my father — St.
Aubin and others — have taken to muttering of late!
They say King Louis cares not a whit for his loyal
subjects of New France ; why then should these sub-
jects remain the chattels of his Majesty? To be
governed by the English would be as good as to be
ruled by Pontiac.
"Last Sunday, la chere tante and I went to
Mass and confession at the Huron Mission. You
know how the rich habitants are wont to have their
easy-chairs rigged out with side bars, and, seated
thus in state, are carried to church by their Pani
slaves? Eh bien, as after the service we came out
under the trees of Le Pere Richardie, we saw the
Great Ottawa take his place in one of these chairs.
Borne on the shoulders of his braves, he visited the
farms of the southern shore to see for himself the
amount of grain in the possession of the farmers, so
said Jacques Baby. Before he set out, however, he
bought corn and cattle of some Canadians at the
church door, and we saw him give in exchange his
note of indebtedness, as the commandant at the fort
i
254 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
is wont to do. Only, the notes of Pontiac were bits
of birch bark whereon he scratched the figure of a
coon, the totem he has chosen. I told my father of
It all, and he says Pontiac ever redeems his pledges
in honorable manner. But truly, if your lover. Major
Dalzell, comes, -well, I long to dance at your wed-
ding, chenc ; and here is the answer to the billet vou
brought me." ^
With some confusion, she thrust a folded scrap of
paper into Marianne's hand.
"Ah, for your ' bon ami,' " persisted the other de-
moiselle roguishly.
Angelique let the jest pass.
" It is better Marianne should think I have accepted
him as my • bon ami ' than that she should know
the billet contains matter of importance," she said
to herself. "But of course it is not so, and -and
--though he kissed me — I could not help it. Last
Sunday when I asked advice of Father Potier he
told me if I had given my troth to this cavalier of
whom I spoke, the kiss was permissible for that
occasion. Shall I consider that I gave my troth, for
the sake of thinking it permissible? The Scotch-
man said by it he plighted his troth to me. But how
can he be betrothed to me if I am not betrothed to
him?
Thus mused the perplexed demoiselle after Mari-
anne had gone back to the town. In. the letter
Angehque had begged of Sterling, by the love he
had sworn to her. to come no more to the c6te She
repeated that the voice of the whip-poor-will was
mournful, and she would shut her ears to it, adding
in enigmatic phrase, of which he alone possessed the
key, that she could best effect the escape of the cap-
tain by her own devices. If the merchant persisted
ANGELIQUE'S SCHEMING 255
in coming, suspicion might fall upon her as one who
favored the English. This last argument would, she
knew, prove conclusive. Yet, after the message was
despatched, the girl wept, and was beset by many
nervous fears lest, amid the stress and danger of the
times, she might never see her likely young gallant
again.
The cloud of discouragement that hung over the
stockade was becoming loss dense, however. One
night an English prisoner escaped from the Ottawa
camp, bringing a letter found in the clothes of a scout
killed by the Hurons. The missive, written by an
officer at Niagara to the commandant at Fort Miami,
conveyed the intelligence of the signing of the treaty
of Paris; and having perused it. Major Gladwin
ordered James Sterling to assemble the French of
the town at the door of the church of Ste. Anne, and
read to them the news that New France had been
formally ceded to the English. When this had been
done, a concert was given by the little band of the
fort
One sultry afternoon about this time, Angelique
Cuillerier bent over the berry patch in her garden,
picking the choicest of the red, ripe fruit into a china
bowl, of a thickness calculated to withstand the rough
usage of years.
" Well may the savages call these weeks of June
' the Moon of Strawberries,' " she reflected. " Never
have our berries been more luscious, and every time
Pontiac has entered the house and demanded a meal,
I have feared he would send his braves to despoil
the patch. How good my mother is when the
Ottawa comes ! She does not call me when I run
away and hide. Heigh-ho, she little dreams, though,
what cause I have to fear him."
f
256 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
Her task completed, the girl laid upon the fruit
she had gathered a cluster of the dark green foliage
of the garden pear tree, the "pommier doux"
whereof she was wont to sing, and, returning, set the
bowl on the table in the hearthroom. Then mount-
ing to her corner under the eaves, she bathed her
face, smoothed her disordered curls, exchanged her
blue cotton frock for one of white linen, and, donning
a white sun-bonnet, issued from the house, carrying
the china bowl with great care.
From the windo>v of the loft, Tante Josette looked
sleepily after her.
" La cherie is going to pay a visit to Madame Me-
loche," she soliloquized. "The child finds it dull
now that she cannot go to the town. Captain Camp-
bell does not take a sieste, and although he still
grieves for la jolie Mathurine, he obtains a won-
drous consolation from the bright eyes and sweet
sympathy of la che.e Angelique. Eh bien, if she
persists in going out during the heat of the sun,
she will get a row of freckles across her nose ; but she
has a kind heart, and the afternoon is long for the
pleasant gentleman. Madame Meloche has been
appointed by her husband the captain's gaoler, but
she says when Angelique is there the officer is sure
to go no further away than the garden."
It was not far to the house of Baptiste Meloche —
a short walk on the river road where it crossed the
prairie past the home of his cousin, Francois, and
then over the bridge of Parant's Creek.
Behind the Meloche palisade, under a pear tree
which might have been the twin of the one beside the
door of the Cuillerier homestead, sat the captain in a
rude chair before a rustic table, writing upon strips
of birch bark with a swan's-quill pen, which he dipped
ANG^LIQUE'S SCHEMING 257
from time to time in an inkhorn, made likewise of the
bark, and filled with the sooty liquid he had used in
inditing his note to Sterling.
" Ah, Mademoiselle Cuillerier," he exclaimed,
rising as he perceived the demoiselle, "Madame
Meloche is, I believe, within ; shall I summon a Pani
to announce you, or will you seek her in her own
apartments?"
Oftei. as Ang^lique can here, this little comedy
was invariably gone through with between herself and
the good captain. His gallantry would not permit
him to presume that she came to see him, while she
shrank from appearing to remind him that he was a
prisoner. And " to visit and cheer those in captiv-
ity " was one of the " seven corporal works of mercy,"
so taught the zealous Father Potier.
" Oh, it is too warm to go indoors ; I will stay
out here where there is a breeze from the river,"
she replied, casting her sun-bonnet upon the table.
" No doubt Madame Meloche is dozing, and I shall
have to await her awakening. Here, Monsieur Camp-
bell, I have brought you some strawberries. You
should have had cream with them were it not that
a certain warrior has left us only one cow, and we
cannot save milk for cream. As for sugar, we have
none but such as is from the maple trees, which you
do not like. The berries are, however, quite sweet,
and I plucked them myself"
" Sweet they must be, then," said the captain, with
a smile that thanked her for the trouble she had
taken to please him. " Now will you not join me in
the feast?"
"Not I," she answered; "but I am going to sit
here and watch you until you have eaten them all."
Pleased as a boy at her kind thought of him, the
17
258 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
captain laughed, and raising one of the ripe berries
by its stem, for Angelique had plucked them as
though they were so many scarlet flowers, he threw
back his head and let the luscious fruit drop into
his mouth. Another and another berry followed
the first; then saying gaily, " My faith, it will n;t do
to devour them all ; we must keep a few for Lieuten-
ant McDougal," he set the bowl upon the opposite
side of the table, as though pushing away temptation.
Angelique frowned, but quickly smiled again.
Yes, the lieutenant was welcome to a share. She
had seated herself upon a bench that rested against
the trunk of the tree, and, having picked up her bon-
net once more, was fanning herself with it.
"Mademoiselle, you remind me of a beautiful
white butterfly that I sometimes see flitting about in
this garden," averred the captain, gazing at her with
admiring eyes.
Oddly enough, the girl was in no mood for compli- •
ments and scarce seemed to hear him. A pause,
which was not awkward, intervened ; for there existed
between the middle-aged officer and the young
French demoiselle as near an approach to a Platonic
friendship as can perhaps be quoted.
Now Angelique sat facing the house and covertly
observing its windows, even to the dormers in the
roof, though to any one scrutinizing her from the
interior she might have presented a charming picture
of youthful indolence as she leaned back noncha-
lantly, and patted the grass with her moccasined foot
in very idleness.
Meantime the captain, lounging in his chair, fell to
surveying the river, as it lay glittering in the sunlight
fflce a mirror of burnished silver, just beyond the
road and the bluff at the end of the garden.
ANGKLIQUE'S SCHEMING 259
As the silence continued, he shifted his position so
that he could look down the strait in the direction
of the stockade. Above the bastions of the fort the
standard of St. Georje was proudly flying, and. as
his eyes rested upon the crimson banner, Mademoi-
selle Cuillener. who had begun to study him narrowly
saw that they kindled with the enthusiasm of a sol'
d.er who salutes his colors ; then presently his gaze
grew absent and sad. There being nothhig to call
she noted how much graver and more lined was his
bronzed visage than it had been a few weeks before •
and although, lacking his accustomed exercise he
had mcreased in weight, he appeared to have 'lost
much of his former activity and vigor
Ang^lique sighed ; clearly the captain would seem
like an elderly man if he remained much longer in
captivity. ^
Anon she glanced up among the branches above
• ^h! '.% f ''""^ ^y '^^ "^•'■P'"^ °f the birds
n their leafy bowers; a natural action, yet it was
the same to which the girl Nedawniss had resorted in
the mission orchard before she revealed the dark
workings of her heart to Father Potier
f. 'i'!;°/r'''^^^" P^^""^^ ^°^n through the sun-
touched foliage, no Indian form clung close to the
gray branches. Having assured herself that no one
was withm earshot, the demoiselle said softly, retain-
ing her careless pose, — ^
•• Monsieur Campbell, did you ever decline to aid
a lady m distress ? "
^ Jhe captain came back from his reverie with a
wa3h °' ^. n ^-"^ ""^ '?"> "° • " ^^ ^'^^^l^-'^ed. with
warmth. "Durmg my life J have doubUess been
26o THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
derelict in many things, but unchivalrous to a woman
— never ! "
" Mademoiselle, if I can render a service to any
friend of yours, I swear to do so. Yet, alas ! I for-
got, I am a prisoner; " and he struck the arm of the
chair with his clenched hand.
" Oh, monsieur le capitaine, you can render the
greatest service," stammered the girl, lowering her
eyes demurely. " But, lean back in your chair, fill
your pipe, and smoke it while I tell you."
The captain laughed, resumed his easy posture, and
with a protest took the pipe from his pouch.
Angelique plucked a white clover blossom from the
grass and began to pick it to pieces.
" Monsieur," she continued, in a tense undertone,
" I am the lady in distress."
He raised his eyebrows inquiringly, and his coun-
tenance grew serious.
" Yes, I gave a promise, and without your aid I
cannot keep it. I agreed to set you free ; the means
are prepared ; you must avail yourself of them to-
night."
The captain was startled at her temerity, but by no
abrupt gesture did he betray his surprise. A prisoner
learns to guard his every look.
" Ah, mademoiselle, how relentlessly you have en-
snared me," he cried, endeavoring to pass the matter
off as a jest.
"You will not be foresworn ?" protested the girl,
aghast. " For weeks I have awaited this opportunity.'
Pontiac's camp was too near. Now he has removed
his villages farther up the river, and only a few war-
riors have their lodges here. Listen : after dusk I will
leave my canoe moored at my father's wharf. In the
dead of night, you and Lieutenant McDougal must
ANGfiLIQUE'S SCHEMING a6i
manage to escape from this house and make your
vay to the wharf. You will find the paddle among
. . bushes. Be swift, leap into the canoe, push out
fr m the shore, and paddle in all haste to the fort. Bv
good fortune the moon does not rise until late ; Uie
stars w,l give you sufficient light, yet will not afford
enough to favor your detection."
" My dear young lady," interposed the captain,
much moved. •• I am most grateful for your inleres
m my behalf^ Your scheme shows a woman's clever
ness, and ,f Mr. McDougal chooses to adopt it. I wish
him al success tor myself," he added, in a lighter
tone, by my fa.th. I am overweighted with flesh to
make a good runner, and so short-sighted that in the
night I am as blind as is a bat at noonday. Were I to
accompany McDougal I should only hinder him from
regaining his liberty. Moreover. I have given my
word of honor to Pontiac that I will not try to escape
I cannot break my parole." *^
In Mr. Campbell's reply Angelique recognized the
same proud spirit of noblesse oblige " which distin-
guished her uncle Picot^ de Bellestre. and the chev-
aliers of the old r^gi„ie. Ardently admiring thL
punctilious sense of honor, she sighed nevertheless.
rJ^K;? *" ^^Pt"'-ed you by a trick. He had no
right to exact the promise, monsieur le capita. »"
she said presently. ^ '
will ^rm!^l"°!'/^'x'r^^" P^^" ^°"^^« the Ottawa
will remember that I kept my word to him. Hav-
ing thus had my small part in promoting amicable
relations between the aborigines and our people, I shall
have performed a soldier's duty to his country ''
ev^TAnl4'''PP°!^"*"'^"' ^''^'^""^ '" the pretty
Zlf^nTlT- K^'P/"'" ^"'"P^^" h^^ risen as h;
spoke, and while she glanced up at him, she noted
262 THE HEROINE OF 1 1'E STRAIT
that he stood in the centre of a long, black shadow.
It was only the shadow of the M^loche house, but to
her imagination the circumstance seemed ominous.
Now he strode to her side and would have raised
her hands to his lips ; but, hiding them beneath her
apron, she faltered, —
" I beseech you, monsieur, do not betray that we
speak of anything more important than the time of
day. There may be an Indian eye behind every crack
and cranny of yonder house. The canoe will be at
the wharf to-night; take it, and secure your freedom
Hark ! "
As she concluded, her quick ear detected a step in
the passage within. The next moment a tall, lank
figure appeared in the doorway, and, after a swift
glance, she smi.jd a greeting, perceiving the new-
comer to be Mr. McDougal, who showed some cha-
grm at his tardy arrival, when he beheld the pretty
vision m white, seated under the old pear tree.
"Ha, ha, sir lieutenant, you have missed the op-
portunity of your life by remaining indoors this after-
noon, pretending to read the volume of Bossuet that
Father Potier was so kind as to lend us, whereas you
were dozmg over the book, I trow," called the captain
rallymgly. in French. " Here have I had the pleasure
of discussmg the weather and the crops with la belle
du Detroit."
"Verily, my captain, you have had a panacea
agamst the ' dolce far niente ' which, in these parts
creeps upon one unawares," rejoined the young offi-
cer, with a bow to the demoiselle.
" I am glad you have profited by the time of the
' sieste, monsieur," began Ang^lique, in a bantering
♦ ^ne. Then lowering her voice she added, " Because
aen next this household goes to rest, you must act."
il
ANGELiyUE'S SCHEMING 263
McDougal's keen eyes searched her face, but he
gave no other evidence that the communication was
unexpected.
Assuming a coquettish manner in strange contrast
to her words she repeated to the younger office, the
plan she had unfolded to the captain, and besought
h.m to strive to overcome the latter's unwillingness
to seize upon this opportunity of escape
fh^'^^^'l ^ ."''"•" T""'^ McDougal, who considered
the captains scruples most quixotic. "To-morrow
mademoiselle, I trust we shall be in the fort; and
ever after, during all th. to-morrows that come io us
us%tr iid°^'' th*^ noble French demoiselle who lent
•• Au revoir then, my friends, au revoir," cried
Angehque. ,n high spirits. Darting a glance of en-
treaty at the captain, and bestowing a kindly one
upon the lieutenant, she ran lightly away to the
house, to find Madame Meloche looking out at the
two officers through a slit in the deerskin curtain of
her apartment.
The girl breathed nervously, and for a second a
tremor possessed her. But reflecting that her con-
versation with the gentlemen had been carried on in
so subdued a tone that it could not possibly have
reached other ears, she said lightly, —
"Vraiment, mon amie, I am glad to find vou
aroused. Why did you not come^into the garden"
I stopped awhile to speak to your prisoners. Ma foi !
unLX ''"^^- ""^ ^'"^ ^^ ^ Frenchman would
gaolor." '""' <^"-^"n^stances, if only to spite his
"Chut, chut! what does a lively demoiselle know
of such grave matters? " chided the young dame, with
the superior condescension of a woman who Js a
••
Y •
.'^r-
264 THE ^*1I^E or thE STRAIT
husband and a child! and a home'of her own " The
tuZ ^r^^r^^J^ '"'^^ -^'^'^^ -^'^ «ne ^
your littl. daughter ^aLke ifthe'^^rdle. ""t^uII :he
grows prettier each day." ^' "^
tinfwItTDam: M'f f' ^P'"* '^'^ ^" ^^^ '" <=^at.
yea^r-od £b^ t^'^' f"^ P^"^''"^ *'*'* ^^e two-
year-old baby. Then taking her china bowl and
"a uTevoTr -'^^hf f '"^ ^"^^'^^ ^"^ "^^ ^-"-
au revoir, she set out for home.
'w:ww~
THE PR«^E«TY ©F
SCARB9R*
PUBLIC LIIHARY
I
i
CHAPTER TWENTIETH
THE PRICE OF VENGEANCE
IT AD Tante Josette been inclined to wakefulness,
A X she might have discovered that her niece Ang^-
.que slept little on the night that succeeded her visit
to Dame Meloche, but spent the long hours kneeling
at the window in the dormer. " Cette ch^re tante"
doubly welcomed a quiet night now. however, and
oZTJlVV^Tu''^'''' conscientious exactness!so
often of late had the repose of the c6te been disturbed
by wild war chants and savage cries.
. ^" the morning the girl saw with delight that her
canoe had disappeared from the wharf. It was nearly
the wood" ^"'T ^"•"'"''' ^^^'"g <=°"^^ •" from
X7I ""^'■' ^""°"""d to "la bonne
; Morbleu. what think you, ma mie, the English
prisoners have escaped ! " ^"S"sn
His daughter's heart leaped for joy
i.ft I'"J '^ *' strangest part of it; they have not
but the Indian guards have been drunk every nieht
rtX'^s; •" "■' """ --"' ^" '"^ ^-•-
Xante Jo«tte' ''"'°"'" ^"^ *''' '"«">"" ""J"''"'
»66 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
So engrossed with her olan harf A„„ii- i
that She had not taken into accou„t1hf^^^^^^^^^^^
of getting the M^loches into trouble Cht.*^
emotions surgine in her h.,lZ^ !' "^"^
awaited her fa^hfr's answer. ^'^' '^' '^^'"'^^'"2^^
"The lieutenant and a trader;, not the cant iJn"
he began. "Meloche says Mon.;ieur Can,pbei7;
joices over the escape of the others, yet declare • h
would not go himself because he had "ter^"
word to Pontiac. The more fool he 'ha h^? ^Jn
itutfLXeT" '' l^'^y ap%at'd':Le;:;:^
MtbLrowid-f ^o::^^^^^^^^^^ -^i;^
one would think thd Indians had never bt^wL^
come m and out of our houses."
anrf^^' ''"^ '" °^^^' "^^y *^^y ^^^'"e asking for food
and It was never denied them. Now they take itTnH
of o"uf p/-'^°" - *^^ bargain; onl^^ste'day ^nf
of our Pani women was so beaten," protested th!
girl, recovering herself. protested the
As she spoke Toussaint entered the hearthroom
is n^:^^'""'' ^' ^^^-o^-"^ An Jn,T;
strtgf Twm To'tep"^^^^^^^^ ^"' ^^-^^.^ ^" ^-
AntoL C Jeril: toC^Vo:^^
to df w>. .^''^^^ ^' ^"^P^<=^^^ t»»-t she had Lgh
not detern, ': "p "'. °' *'^ ^°""^ °«^-^' ^^^ -"1^
that thl r :,• ^'^^P'' ''"" *^^ "«^^s had come
that the Canadians were now British subjects bv the
m^hf ser^e H ./'"^l'"^"^^^' ^^^ circumstance
^revln • '"'u''^" ^'^^ *^^ English, should they
prevail against the Ottawa. At all events he « J
with an assumption of anger -- ' '^'^'
THE PRICE OF VENGEANCE 267
" Ang^lique, you are a little fool to let your canoe
dnft away. Toussaint. say not a word to any one
that It IS gone, or I will have you flogged 'T is
an accident which might bring trouble tf us from
the savages."
in lol?/ i'"i- r'"^ '^' ^^ ^^^ blundered, withdrew
m doleful distress. It needed not the threat to keep
h.m silent; that the mystery in some way involved
his young mistress was enough to insure his dumb-
ness on the subject.
While these events were happening on the " cdte
strait aL^TnH- "m °" '^' ^""'^^''" "^^^S'" ^^ ^^e
strait, an Indian girl appeared suddenly in the door-
" Dame, bring some bread for the squaw, and bid
her be gone," he called to his wife, as he applied
lait on the platter before him.
nrof?*' ![^^" T'^T^ returned, the girl dashed the
proffered dough-cake to the ground.
" I, do not want food," she cried, with scorn. " I
am come to Jacques Baby because it is said he is a
truth ? "° ^°«^"^andant at the for^ Is this the
Jacques Baby shifted uneasily in his chair. The
question was scarcely a safe one to answer in these
'' I am a friend to Pontiac," he responded in the
'•?he r '^'n'"^'' '"^ "'^^ ^°"^^ condescension
nilht ^hTf ^T' xI'P' ^''' ^y "^y h^^rth last
night, the English at New York would pay a sum of
go d equal to a king's ransom for his capture.
Llwled' "°' ^'^^ '^"^ "P- ^^ the forest mLen
*Jl
»68 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
" The ' little spirits who carry the news ' sav ,t.^
and he would never betray one who has slepi in w,'
lodge, pursued the Indian doggedly. " If he woulH
serve the commandant, he may learn what the whie
chief would wish to hear." ■«' tne wnite
The irritation of the habitant was appeased.
inquiJe'd" ° "'" "" ""= ''"''«•"" "f 'h' fo-""h.
visft^r'rrpt'd,-'"' ^^"^'^ «'^»« of "»'-»'. the
"Nedawniss, the daughter of Makat^npl.v.'f^ •
W„ .at the Huron l^ission f Si^f We'
The dame ceased to frown
wlfh^lf'^!,""^ .'^^ ^J'''^^' ^h° pestered the major
with her devotion until he cast her out of the fori"
Baby muttered in French ^•
Therewith pushing back his chair from the table
he^ murmured a thanksgiving more sincere 'S^^'
grZfuI-w'^''^'^^" \" ^"•'' "'^y ^e be truly
grateful ana, turnmg to the girl, continued " If the
mom , the commandant, perhaps I will lend ^em
a pirogue to take it across the river "
Her face brightened.
"Listen then. Big Heart," she said. "I am often
known as leena the Wanderer, for like the deer ? •
ove to roam the wilderness. The sun has risen bu
Lanks I "" ^ '"'"'^' '^' ^'^'^^^ -" Canard Ont
K InTtrr' 1'%''"""^ ^"^ Pottawattomie^
ruttmg m to the beach, I went among them. The
THE PRICE OF VENGEANCE 269
young men were making bows and arrows of hickory-
wood ; the squaws were twisting strips of deerskin,
and stringing the bows with the inner bark of
elm. Others were tying wild turkey feathers on the
arrows to guide their flight, and binding on the poi-
soned flintheads with the finest thread from the rac-
coon. Farther on I came upon an old woman
who was dyeing quills. I sat down beside her. and,
takmg some of the beads from my pouch, offered
them in exchange for the quills. The generous
bargam made her as happy as Onawut-a-qu-ta, -- he
who catches the clouds. But I too appeared well
pleased.
" ' Noko, old mother,' I said, ' there is much work
gomg on at these camps. This is not the hunting
season. Why do your young men and maidens make
ready the arrows? Have not your people treated for
peace with the soldiers at the stockade?'
"The Noko laughed. She was so ugly I feared
she might be the Mukakee Mindemoca, the Toad-
woman; but she was not, for the Monedo Kway, the
prophetess, would have seen my heart.
" • Our people are at work,' she said, ♦ because we
have word from the Lake of the Fries that a barque
freighted with stores for the redcoats is ^n its way to
the fort — '" '
"This is welcome news for Major Cajwin," cried
Baby, springing to his feet. " I will see that it reaches
him ; and you shall be recompensed, Nedawniss."
"I am no Indian runner, to be paid with baubles,"
broke out the girl passionately. " I am the daughter
of a chief; what I do for the English I do as a friend
and ally."
With this fervid speech she passed beyond the
doorway, and strode across the prairie.
«
270
THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
" Whew ! M on DiVn r " •
back in his chair^ "m" LJT^''" ^^^y- '""'-g
Two days later the Th;^ J^'^'' '^^^^' Monique
after a battle ^iS^ :L\XTZi I' ^^*^' ''^'^'
asperated by the safe arrTal n? .1 ^^ ''^"'■- ^x-
those shut up in the stockade P .' P^^^'^'ons for
cil of the habitants. In an 0'' ''"' '""^^ ^ <^°"n.
the lodges of the various trfbeVSf":.'"'''-^""^^^ ^y
themselves upon the round ' ?\^^P"t.es seated
places at the^posfte^^fde 'f ?. '^" ^"^'""^ *°°»^
an interval of silence then .h ?^ ""^- ^^''e ^as
threw down the wafbelt at th^f ?'r ^^'^^ ^^«-' and
J'My brothers," he sa^d • t f '^" ^'■"""^•
this bad flesh to remain on ^^°^/°"g will you suffer
Pf Life command that ^Vthrp"',''. ^he Master
throughout New France W.l^?f'['^ "^"^' P^^'^h
quiet on your mats wht w^St r ^'^ ''' ^^^ -t
are not our friends. You selS . ?°" ' ^"' y°«
you go as spies to our WlCe °° "^ '^' ''^''^^^'
our prisoners. Do not deny 1/ It'"'" '-'^^'^fr^^
of one of the French th.^.u J^ "^^ ^^ a canoe
from the 'c6te dTntd ^It -' ''^''' ''''' ^^^^P^d
"I kln^*- "l"^'" P'°*««ted with heat
J know whereof I sneflt"
laconically. ^P^*^' answered Pontiac
pirogue, it is not our fault" ^ ^"S'-^hman stole a
peau .. Hav* the BritltnofT, '"* ■'"■=<'"« ^am-
"Nevertheless, I shall ZJ ''" °" """hy? "
"noe,evenasIshal onedrvr' "'''° °«"'='' «>«
- «.' -coat .,p.„ t";^^,iT^-tr hTrt^
THE PRICE OF VENGEANCE j;,
Ms people," returned the Ottawa. " I bide mv tim,
but I shall know at last." ^ '•
The majority of the Canadians heard him with
Atlot^Tc'l, °' ''"""'^- " "« ~"ntenance o
Antome Cu.llener grew a shade paler at the threat
of h,s fnend and ally, the fact was scarce rpercep
bb e beneath the leathery texture of his compkxion
was bus/ '''°""" "^ '"' '°^"'' *■'= ">!""
" Humph I if Angflique had aught to do with this
It may cost her life," he reflected. " I wonder if s^e
has been to visit Madame Miloche? I shaU orbM
she ^ndZt-'r '''"'''°"' "' "■« "--• -- *°"gh
I must tJf P .'• ^°"u^ "''' '■=™ '='"8 l-"" friends.
Jasmin d, T "" ""' ' '""^""^ '° ■"'■•^y h" to
Si? ''\J°"='"« "= many weeks. But. chut>
canteTthe whrrf*' "'"'= ""^ '"""^'^ '^f' *«
!, „5I^ ''"«'«"'" P''°««Jed Pontiac decisively " it
anorerrtht«k';:?d"tf ''"' « °"'
French or whoUy E„e ish^ 'l^"'r" ""l' ^ """"y
let us have your answ^?' " ^""^ "P°" *^ >•=■'• »»d
Dla« ""nnSwi"' ■'^"'"" <='■"?"" ^tood "P in his
brought wkh h1!^ ?^ ^^^ therefore shiewdly
^eal instead ofT f "''P^-'*^ '^" capitulation of Mon-
treai. instead of a transcript of the treaty of peace
^M.
Va THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
. away the ZcZlttZiTT,'"^ ^u"" '"" """"8
father, the Great Jng tells uV?„ v" •"•" ^'P" '""
the Enghsh until hi, ,^'ldt^ I'S. wT" ""''."^^
n-a^VhT'occupShi:*'!,","''""'^ ""-g-' «
upon hi, feet "^^ ts Larrof.E '" '" ""= ""'' ^ot
preter of the British ' """' "•""='' '■««'-
" Warriors," he 'cried " T =„j
coareurs de boi, vola' „! ^'^ ^yy""? men, these
to followyoa Ck Ron 'v '"^PP"'' "' "'^y
We shai, Ln ha'^rthe f^ an^a^I t':r;,1-;t, •' '^ '
.-. ™htr;i^;r "' '"^ -" *" '='" -'^ p-d
to iLtrgrb^rBab;'*'''" "''^•-•' ^••-■« p-"
.ened'st AuWn"""^ " *' 'P^ °' *« English," a,.
AS^o^g'ihe^'^'rdtrt?!"''^ r "'■' ~
to follow Pontiac Yef h^^.*^ ^^tf^"^ them,elves
not the action oTthi,^cWesJh„"°*'"^- ''^ ™g'"
cion of the Great Chief fr„„<-^,°^ P"""' "■« ^"^Pi"
by^he^rsrShri'i^w"'*"' '"°'"p»'«'
the fort, and m Je »adv tn'fi "^ * P""""" ""'
ao made ready to fire upon the garrison at
THE PRICE OF VENGEANCE ,73
laughed at his desertion The offi^ ^^'^' °"'>'
parts soon discovered ^ie IntrC^ ' ""^ '^*^ '^'"■
the gray dawn a bofd d^h ' , ^P"*^' ""^ '"
from the stockade '"^'^^ "P°" them
asS;iS%rgtpVwdVrTo':^ ^-'-^ -^
dier spirit of the^corbJrned inT^^"'' ^*^^ ^°^-
got the death blow g ven at C""oH'^ ^""u- "" ^°'-
loved: remembered o„lvth.K ^"^ '^ """^« ^^
his friends, and before hL r ^^ ^^^^'"g ^^^
Thus no ;„e among the h^tle' '"^ '° '^^ '°"'«^-
men fell upon the l"dian, ,1? ''^'"P^"^' ^^ ^hite
boldness. '*'^"' ^"^ renegades with more
himLf'L';tlf ^^^^^^^^^ *^^ ^-^<^h-n found
dress. Bythat straLTn '^''^ '" *^^ Ottawa war-
note of trffles L rmen^oTr'' °'*'^ "^'"^ *<' *^«
observed in the TarrmLn ^-T" '""P^rtance, he
hjs antagonist was dtb"d"wTtg oSre^'^V'^ '^" °^
his head crowned with feather. I a ^""^ vermihon,
hung a necklace TL^u^' rtT'' ^'' '''''''
nevertheless, not an IndTan H; J u-^°""^ *"'"" ^^•
ohVe, not copper hued Hi. f \ '" "^^ ^ '^^^^^^
those of th?aL„S and h- "'"'7."'"" ^"^'^ *h«"
haps less keen. ^ ' ^ ^'' ^^"^ ^"g^ter, if per-
ant!rf?orere:ch ^i^^^^^^^^^^^^ f^<^ ^o combat-
tion leaped into the eyes of each ^tI!' °' '^^^^^^
Creole deliberately raiserf hic ? ^^^" '^^ ^"d
Sterling's heart "'"'^^'' ^"^ ^"""^ aim at
wh^h^eem^a ISintJ'^'-'^^""^^^ ^^PP--^^
end Of the Scotc^h^:i ^d^ riylo^ ^^^ J
27A THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
flintlock missed fire, and so close were the men
1! yhen h.s weapon thus failed him, the Jna"
d.an found h.mself at the mercy of his enemy. In.
stead of shooting h.m down. Sterling disarmed him,
after a desperate struggle.
An'Jr"'^^?.^''',,^^ *^"\''' "y°" ^••*^ *h*^ brother of
Ang€l.que Cuillerier; therefore I spare your life, but
you are my prisoner." '
rrIZ ^TV -^^^ y°""^ ^^b'»«"' <=""<^d his luck
inrf^»?"i"*'".^ '^^' ^' ^^"''^ ^^th" die than fall
nto he hands of the English. Sterling paid no heed
sdf a capTv^^' '"' ^"'°"^ '^ gloomily Ucd him-
in J ole'?'Z' ^nd coureurs de bois were now scatter-
IL!^ P'^'"^' ^'"°"& *^*^ last to flee was a
Stalwart young warrior who fought with extraordi-
whh a'deTnt ""' ^r^''' f'' ' ^°"^y of muskett
with a defiant cry he sank lifeless to the ground
Dody of the fallen brave, tore away the scalo anH
w.h^an exultant shout shook it towa^dte^et'ating
hol^'late^'ih! ^"'"^ '^"" ?*"'"^^ *° '^^ f<>rt- Some
runnfnl /' 75." "P°" ^^e prairie bastion descried
Alfl Yu- ^""'' *^^y abandoned the pursuit
came'of Thf "f ' ^1"^ '^^^" ^° f^'' *'- --
opTn and n.^l""'-'' u^ '^" ^''^' ^^'' ^^^ thrown
open, and. rushmg m, he sank exhausted at the feet
of the officer of the guard.
Major Gladwin was soon upon the spot.
Zounds ! It is Lieutenant Paully, the late com-
Zed tLl-M "'7'^'" '^ ^'^^^^-^^ - heTontem-
plated the lifeless form of the stranger.
THE PRICE OF VENGEANCE 27$
^ Before long aided by a generous draught of the
old Jamaica." saved with the ship's cargo, the officer
revived, and was able to tell his story. ^ ' ^^'"
nH. \ A 1 '^°"'^" ^y ^*»o"i I found myself
adopted .n so droll a fashion was as kind as a Zlulr
ome he said, with a whimsical smile. "Without de-
lay she began to plan for my escape, and to that e„d
hid me m a French house, where I have r.l.- ^
many days in concealment Se'ng 'he fighT^"!'
^he Indians and their defeat. I conduded tha they
ofth^^""^ away from the neighborhood for the res^
of the day; but alackl I well-nigh paid with my We
r my mistake. Your skirmishing party Zatil
angered them. The Indian scalped by one of vou^
SZZ "^rr "'; "^P °^ WassolXf of he
^ooi to .h Sr ""^°'^""' circumstance bodes no
good to the officers and garrison of this fort."
In the afternoon of this same day la bjle d'u T)^
ro,t stood at the gate of the Cuillerfe paiLdt"
U«s'"o*f Z r V; f" ™'"'- At dal tS: habi:
th^fi L '" '""' ''"" "wakened by the noise of
the fight upon the prairie laf^r r.JL ,
water-fowl a «--, „f r "," ""' "'"= " «vey of
river buTks vet no 1^-." ""°" '"'' '"^P' "P ">«
puce :l v.TJ:!;vTr.:L^'-i!'t:''z
meir defeat, had betaken themselves to the woods
oearlv Tin o • • *^^ ''"'^ ^^^ "°w blue, anon
flec^d he slT Ve r'*"^''! °' ^•^^^' - '^ -
sunshine ^' ^'"^ ^^°"^'' ^^^^ midsummer
aun/'Mal""^' *?' V^' °P^^ '" the brooch of my
aunt, Madame des Ruisseaux." soliloquized Ang^-
J76 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
lique. M she viewed the broad expanse. "That is
S^H ^^T*" '"8">i, which is but as thespark Z
of one drop from its clear depths " F«'wing
waTore^rtltl ""' J'"^" '""^ "Pon the water,, but
was presently turned again toward the fort. Strain
^r eyes as she would, however, the demoi elle cou S
see no one With a girlish frown, as though vexed
the uno^r'"^l°^''"u '■"■"• '•"= "•'•"^ and scanned
Wind Mill Point, behind whose wide marshes lay the
present camp of Pontiac. There its bark huts were
at intervals sailed up to bombard them
.J'7^f f*^'?*'" ^^"^ *^^ ^°"' of the engagements-
she judged shrewdly. "They have all gone back to
the encampment." ^
Growing bolder, she ventured into the road. How
cairn and mysterious seemed the forest, like a wall
reared before the English, a barrier that bade
theThtn'^H"" ""^ ^V^"'- '^' P^"'"^' '^' ^«ters.
they had claimed ; the woods still belonged to the
Indian and h.s French brother. And hoi pleasant
Antome Cu.llener had mown the meadow near his
farm to provide food for the ponies, and now the
airjas sweet with the fragrance of the newly cut
"Why, what is this?" exclaimed the girl. "The
!!," °^/,^"»^^do^-Ja«-k that in some marvellous way
escaped the mowers! Or. rather, did Toussaint the
slow-witted but tender-hearted, save the tiny^tier
THE PRICE OF VENGEANCE a;;
and her family, and transfer them to the ^h^U.r e
this sumach bush?" shelter of
tcrcd helplessly, its wings brushed her cheek No
poor bird mother, do not flutter and fear t i„
your ehirp too well to hurt you So,, in T
net still farther under the'bS Ir;.^:; ' %t„
;mf-7upr.L'Zdrv-or.ou;u:;-
bir^whi:h'L^!:7«„™:r?r::°rf °' '•!' "'•■" p-"'
precision. "' ""' »" »" °f ■""'•ary
he will obsLe Ws ;:;oireve„ ^h "k*-''"°"'
given to the King of France h.l °"^5 " *"«
about the UDoerLrf „?..,' J " P"""""! to roam
m response i kfowTe'f ^'"^- " "^ '^^ ^is hand
and till r-bon'e" m^^* hVS' c"o^mi„' "Ji™" '"""O"
prepay for him a sangare:f rr|;„f: .^tTI
1
278 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
It will be acceptable this hot afternoon. No, I will
await him here. He raises his hand again as he
comes across the stretch of prairie. Bon jour, bon
jour, monsieur le capitaine ! "
In girlish glee, Ang^ique merrily flaunted and
flourished the kerchief. At the captain's distance
she might have seemed a bird just ready for flitjht
so light and graceful was her poise. Her sun-bonnet
fell back, the soft breeze stirred the dark wavy hair
that hung upon her shoulders, and played with the
short locks which curled about her pretty forehead:
her cheeks flushed pink as the eglantine. Thus an
artist might have painted her as the spirit of mirth
and laughter.
But, oh God ! what is it that causes the laugh to die
upon her lips and her face to blanch ? Why does she
cry out in terror and wave the kerchief now as a
signal of warning. What is that other form which
a moment before started up from a hollow in the
pra.ne,~a figure that follows the Englishman like a
shadow in the sun? An Indian? Yes, an Indian
with uplifted tomahawk.
The girl trembles in every hmb; a faintness steals
over her, but she struggles against it. Once more
she frantically signals to the captain. Ah, thank
Heaven he understands. He turns; the tomahawk
strikes the air. Ha, ha ! he is saved ; he will shoot his
assailant. Alack, no ; and Ang^lique grows weak again
as the remembrance flashes upon her. No, the cap-
tain told her that Pontiac took away his pistols. But
he has a knife; he draws it from his belt, and is de-
fending himself.
••Toussaint.'' she calls at the top of her voice.
Toussaint ! Raphael ! "
Juste ciel, it is a terrible fight ! Yet. if he can only
THE PRICE OF VENGEANCE 279
keep the red fiend at bay. the servants of Antoine
CuiIIerier will speedily come to the rescue.
"Jesul Marie!"
A blind, feminine impulse prompts the demoiselle
to rush down the road toward the grappling men.
She has gone but a few steps, however, when she
remembers this is folly.
sne Jr''''"'J ^^"P^^^L' " ^he cries again, then
speeds onward by a path along the shore, half-way
down the bluff. The Indian, being younger, lighter"^
and better armed than the captain, will prevail unless
the Pan.s come without delay. If they come the
savage may flee to save his own life, and then, she,
la Demoiselle CuiUerier, will have the captain borne
back to her father's house, where she will tend his
wounds and nurse him back to strength.
These thoughts surge through her brain as she
runs on. Her head being upon the level of the bluff
at times she can see the combatants. Alas ! the cap^
tain weakens; he staggers back; and now.—
" My God I My God ! "
Tlie shouts of the officer, the girl's agonized appeal
to Heaven, bring the laborers running from the dis-
tant fields at the edge of the forest. But, before they
reach the prairie by the river road, an Indian yell of
triumph rings out upon the air.
It is followed by a woman's shriek, so wild and
frenzied that ti;ose who hear hastily cross themselves
as they hurry on. saying to one another that it might
have been the cry of a suffering soul in purgatoiy
Quarter of an hour afterwards. Toussaint and
Raphael found their young mistress unconscious and
inanimate, fallen with her face pressed to the earth
in a marshy bed of fleurs-de-lis beside the footpath
below the bluff. ^
^rlisL,:
=■80 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
on around her. The XriT r i?^ °^ "^^^^ ^^n*
fay left her mJl btnk f° T K ' '''^ ^^^ ^^^^
filled it with strange Sd Ll •'""'' ^"^ ^2^^^"
over and cared for as IT ^f'^^ons. Watched
Tante Josette „o renL ""^ ^^ *^^' ™°'^^'- and
beyond^he^n^rrS rf^Jhe'c^ooninl^'^ ^°^^'
the lower floor of fV,« i, '"^ cool little room on
pared for he T ^ofJaT' "'"?'' ''*'' ''«" ?«"
learn that the mutnLd Lr^/'^^'™"''' *■« '"e
past into ti. riv"r,tattd''d°otn1ot 0^'"' "''"F
wade, as to her feet Cuillerier pal-
wJ.ec4,.hotd^t^Kr^^^f---:
eaten the heart of the ^L -^ ^'''"'P^"'^"^ ^ad
would render t^ef et rCufin^r ""-^ "
sni^;^^^vsr^7T
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIRST
LOVE THRIVES IN WAR
irrHEN the news of Mr. Campbell's tragic fate
tion of the besieged, and Major Gladwin promptly
sent by Jacques Baby an angry message to^Pon^^
demandmg the punishment of the blackhearted Wa"
aie Ottawa kept h,s pleH^es, and how he deemed
savige" " "P"" *' "°'^ " honor of a
in II*'' **V""''e charge the Indian leader replied
prisoneT" '"""'" "P°" "'* ''"'= l-y =" English
'•Pontiac, chief of the Ottawas and of all the tribes
o ih^ p f °^ """"*» *■"> "'*''« *"• has brou^ ht
?°t1 %^ ^^'* "*"^' Monsieur Campbell," it Jd
f • ^ ?"*r '°°'' ** ''^"d °f *e Eagle Hea t in
fnendsh,p, for the white chief did not trea^ the redman
as a dog, or a wolf, Mawingawn. His blood bu^"
your o™ people You say Wasson killed th Ea^e
"eTou?dTorht''dTrtfrdo^f i^ yoT hi '"l
has fleH^ t^Q • " P"' "'^'^O" *" death, but he
no" ^t L'-^'"^"' '""^ fro- "'-^ -» nation I can-
J
!
I
f
r
f
a82 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
-i^n^'^XutiX^l ""' "'eht during ,he ttae
ev^enH, engaged in so.^e trcutr ^r^
and^'^^^S'^'t/Lrore'Sfn' ■'"■'?'' "-'"^
room was illumhied hv » ^! ''*':''''«^ "f her little
glowed blood." duotn ^h^ !•? """ "^ "^ht that
rude furniture and H° "'""-"ashed .alls, the
Ang^li<,ru'.tTredt exclraC'f?" '''°°'-
ently summoning her streTMhtS^ '""■"• '"'•"■
ened haste, sped ?h"ouVh?h/i }u '^"'"''^ '" '"S""-
house-doon and ral ont . ^':"^^'°°'"' "nbolted the
second TanieXer-- b«i :?ef -Xo '"-"*"
many minutes alone • th^ T , , ^°'' ^^""^ '^ey
hurrL „„t, trfilTtiafLt^f tt"Sl»r'"^
abroad upon the river rr.o^ \.l "^'^"Dors were
were but'^'ust beg:„ V«le' do t"^*" ^ r"'"^
room called out anon in Trf- '" ""^ '■^"«''-
was one o'clock "'P'"^ ™'«' *hat it
that had aJZed h'excitTd; "'^T *^ "^'"
ships is ablaze on the rive^' °"' °' *^ ^"S''^''
the older sonfwere "tin fj "'"' u " >'°''»8er boys ;
theyhad aed arth^tSbeteTe'^ **"
■^^^.-'^-^Sgi^E.
LOVE THRIVES IN WAR
»83
" No, no I Whatever the conflagration, it is not fed
by either of the ships," declared Angelique. •• See,
in the fiery gleam, the spars and rigging of the barques
stand out black against the sky."
An ominous silence now hung over the strait; a
flotilla of ghostly canoes rode upon the lurid waters,
and presently, as the little group of women watched]
down the river, beyond the point of land which had
obstructed their view, floated a great burning mass,
a bulk of flame that drifted straight toward the ships.'
" Mon Dieu, what can it be ? " ejaculated Tante
Josette.
" What is afire, mon ami? " called la bonne tnhre to
her husband, who came trudging back through the
garden.
Antoine Cullerier chuckled to himself in high good
humor.
"Parbleu, the Great Chief is clever as a fox,"
he said; "our gracious King Louis should give him
the decoration of a general. He has sent a burning
raft down the river to destroy the enemy's ships.
For hours his braves have been making it ready.
Charles Parant tells me 'tis most ingeniously con-
structed of two barges tied together and filled with
pitch pine and dry brushwood. How cheerily it
blazes! Ha, ha! The intruders will be helpless
enough now."
"Cheerily," repeated Angelique under her breath.
" Misericorde, how this strife changes men until they
seem to partake of the ferocity of the wild creatures
of the wilderness."
King Louis had said he did not want New France,
a land of ice and snows ; why, then, should the Creoles
of Canada grasp at the hand that shook them off? The
girl no longer wished to be French, nor yet English ;
"I^IIS^A
I
'"* THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
their approaching doom ! And m'^' '"^ ^'"^"^^'
who has cast in his lot wifh the^'"'"n\^''^''"S'
their fate? "" 'hem, will he share
^'th an anxious heart An^o-
less, her eyes fixed upol' the"^!'"" ''""T."""""""
beneath the calm sky/betwl-n tt 37""^ •" ''"■'^•
bound the strait, onwaM t . .! ""*' P"'"« *«
(■"".houses, that „ thXhfS- th 'k*'"'"' ^''"'««'"'
birch bark stand out bofdlL / ' ""u ™"e P'"« «d
round of trees tdl'dy^pfr- '"eir dark back-
theVa^clr:rrhet;^f v""' "°"--'- -
past the barques, n^SSLT"' f""' ""^ """'d
"pent ! 0„«,ard l^houf^ ^ ""* ■"="="« <>' ">
Huron Mission, beyond tt X '"""P ^^"^ *«
toraies. Bat. unhiZeH ^h ^^* °'^ **« Pottawat-
"Beavcr-and the.™ fd*:-'^:' I""' ^'"^'- *«
river. v^iaawin, ride at anchor in the
of *: h:b!:ai;*L?:2''>s" ^""^ " <•-<' ■■»»y
"c«te du nord-esf" "' *= ""»" -^h^Pel of the
many hundred league" ""' *° '■""*» "'tbi"
ba:"c*';ou°''n:ft'nd'°;o„Th'ea''rrd' ■"■■"" '' -<='•
much disquieted from fearn fM "'»'' ^""^ •>«"
absence of your husband ?"^ the savages during the
reeted the young" dt^ afteT^Tst™!;?' '"""' " "«
^^^
LOVE THRIVES IN WAR 285
" Vraiment, of loneliness I must plead guilty ; but
of fear, I have shared the alarm of my neighbors', that
IS all," answered Clotilde, in sprightly fashion, " for
my father took me home."
" I might have known as much, meeting you here
above the fort. Eh bien, as a protector, Major
Chapoton is equal in courage to a whole regiment of
soldiers," her friend admitted readily.
"As for my Tiind," continued Madame Clotilde
"well, 'tis said 'a blithe heart makes a blooming
visage,' and much reason have I to be happy. My
Jacques is come back from his journey."
"Returned? Now surely you can reveal where
he has been?" coaxed the girl, with feminine cu-
riosity.
" I can only say that all day he has been on the
southern shore at an Indian pow-wow," admitted the
young wife.
" Oh, if you will tell me nothing, au revoir, Clotilde,"
cried Angelique. " I pray you, give a kiss to your
pretty young son for me, and tell him he shall have
a mocockful of maple sugar comfits if he will come
to see me."
" Chut, you shall not beguile the boy by your arts,
mademoiselle," jested Madame Godefroy. " He tells
me, he will never love any other woman but his
mother; and I hope to keep him in the same mind
for twenty years to come, or at least until a beard
begins to darken his rosy cheeks."
" And in his baby prattle h - has already sworn I
shall be his wife," returned the girl. «' Alas ! the du-
plicity of man, even in his infancy."
With a laugh she ran away, but once more alone
on the road, stopped short and gazed absently into
the river.
^■■w^^.mf
2«6 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
come ? If' "'" ^"'^""'-^ English bridegroom
oe St. Ours, a daily prayer. Wherever she went T
prese„t,ment of evil seemed to peer coveX at h;r
like "sorrow's sDv" H..f ou ^ ^"vcruy at her,
mysteriojrvirct of tllf "? °' ?'"■"!>' ""S^' ">«
••forn=i,.ii. . , "'^ nnging m m d-air. Vet
het°^s"alllmt w:,'.'."" ■""'•" ^"^ -•"' ••"»«
heSTat she ^gedTr The": '"''''■ r ^"^ '°"'
voy because it .vould bring IdditTo^^ f '}' """
much-needed supDlie-i to .h! ™'!""°"»' defenders and
none of these £« It „,«; '""f '° ";" " ™«nt
love, and happiness ""' ""''' '^"'«"' »"d
lootd fro°m'hfr'Sl*: '"' °' J"'^' -"- 'h^
appointment m^eTetYan^^sual -^'st "c'*m* ''■■=■
see the river, for a thicic fo^ hJIf h ^i. ""^ "°'
wall about the fort An h , ""'J * ^reat outer
bre'e"d*g«'eTas"or:ietvr'''!,""' ^ """'^ "^ ^-^
to go d4 trdu ch 'KbuTcr;' "'"""r""
11 was but courteous to think
■n *^
f^^^p^
.-^,:..«wip«
LOVE THRIVES IN WAR
287
the Lord by an act of public worship for the bless-
ings the day might hold.
As Marianne stepped forth from the house-door
on her way to Ste. Anne's, a cannon shot boomed
threateningly from the water bastion, and at the
sound the French who were not in the street ran out
of their homes, demanding of the patrol what the
report might portend.
" Faith, 't is a warning to another batch of Injuns
that have come to join the red naigers that do be pep-
pering us with their shots. Shure, we ought to be as
hot as Calcutta curry, bad cess to them," rejoined the
soldier O'Desmond, raising his musket and critically
examining the flint, while with nonchalant coolness
he strove to calm the affrighted women and children.
" Don't ye be afeard, me darlin' ladies. Ivery man
on the ramparts has a dose of lead ready for the red
naigers. And like the prescriptions of ould Dandy
the apothecary in me own town at home, it is war-
rented to kill or cure without fail ! "
Not waiting to hear more. Mademoiselle de St. Ours
hurried on. Twice during the service the shot from
the swivel was repeated, and each time the good
women who formed the little congregation bent their
heads lower, and petitioned Heaven to save the town
from the savages.
As they flocked out of the church, a dull boom,
which seemed to come from far across the water,
caused them to start and exchange glances of ques-
tioning surprise. Could that be an answering shot
from some gallant ship making its way up the river?
"Is it the convoy.?" Marianne tremulously de-
manded of the sentry.
" Diyil a doubt," was the quick response. " Ahem,
ahem," and the discomfited fellow strove to cover his
288 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
ca. !; T T ^^^''^ °^ ^^'^ P""« of darkness, be-
cause I have no respect for him."
The demoiselle, however, had already passed on
to jom the throng of women who had foUowed the
townsmen, officers, and soldiers to the ramparts
iTke' do' H ' '"' 'T *u'^ "^"' "^^^ '-- dark object*
w^tf^v Lr%\^'r^°"'°"- ^ ^^^ ^«*^^^^d them
f. SJ ^' •^^"'^^ ^'"''■^'"S paused beside her.
m.«^ Z"'''"*'"^' ^''^^''^ *^^ "^^ '« fi"ed with the
sin ficaI/°"'«-"'."'"P ^""^•" *^^ ^*'^' ^»th smiling
significance, offermg her his lens.
Marianne took it with a trembling hand, and
scanned the distance where the sky and^aters met
How pretty she is." mentally commented the
merchant, as he noted her blushing confusion. "By
the Braes of Balquhidder. the British may conquer
the strait but la jolie Canadienne will continue to
conquer the British ! Le D^roit will still be French
for many a day ! "
And then he told her that Major Gladwin had em-
barked upon the "Beaver." and gone down to meet
the convoy.
On came the barges, but as they reached the point
between the Huron village on the southern and the
Pottawattomie settlement on the northern shore, they
were greeted by a sharp fire from both banks of the
river A short engagement ensued, but the guns of
the ships promptly put the savages to rout. and. this
danger passed, the barques sailed nearer and nearer,
and finally landed the troops on the strand outside
the fort, amid the cheers of the garrison.
Marianne with the other women hurried to the
water gate. Despite the press of the throng of shout-
ing so .«ers. excited Frenchmen, babbling dames and
LOVE THRIVES IN WAR jtq
"fiUettes," and clamorous children, she gained an
excellent position whence to observe the entry of the
reinforcements, thanks to Jasmin de Joncaire. who
made way for her.
What a grand spectacle it was to watch the new-
comers disembark! The girl's spirits rose higher-
she would fain have cheered with the good folk
around her; she did flutter her kerchief with joyous
enthusiasm.
What a great panacea is happiness ! Could this
bright-eyed, light-hearted girl be the same Mademoi-
selle de St. Ours who had waited in pale patience for
this hour during the long weeks of the fateful summer?
"A fine showing the men make in their gay green
uniforms," exclaimed an apple-cheeked matron ad-
miringly, as the detachment came up from the beach
Vive. Vive. le regiment vert J " called out a lively
maid. who. like Marianne, had an English sweetheart
The cry was taken up by her friends. It was be-
coming intolerably dreary to these Creole dames and
demoiselles to be shut within the narrow limits of the
stockade ; to be forced to forego their visits to neigh-
bors along the cdtp, their pleasant evenings upon the
"Vive, Vive, the gieen regiment!" re-echoed the
crowd, who welcomed the stalwart soldiers as de-
hverers.
At the head of each company marched its officers,
with the military precision which distinguished the
British. How eagerly Marianne peered at their faces !
Valiant, strong men they were, but her heart sank :
all were strange to her.
''J6su. Marie, is he not come?" she murmured,
still hoping, yet with a chill of disappointment creep-
mg over her. ^
»9
290 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
There was a short delay, then up the strand came
• small band of men in buckskin, half soldiers, half
scouts, their leader tall, and sturdy of frame and
rough in feature.
•• Major Rogers and his prov' cials I " shouted the
garrison. "Hurrah for Roge.-! Hurrah for the
rangers I "
Marianne smiled absently. It was well that Major
Rogers was come; but— but— She glanced be-
yond him. The last of the troops were leaving the
boate. She drew back, not daring to watch longer,
lest it should be only to learn that he, for whom she
waited, was not lamong them.
Yet she must know the truth at once ; this suspense
was not to be endured. Again she turned her gaze
toward the chink in the wall of cheering people that
lined both sides of the way. As she did so, her heart
fluttered like a bird, and th'^n --emed to stand still.
She felt a tightening at her throat as if a hand were
laid upon it; tears dimmed her eyes, and yet she
could have laughed out in gladness. Yes, there in
the van of his men was a handsome young officer,
whose splendid bearing bespoke a noble pride and
courage, whose nervous step, and the red color that
mounted to his brow at the cheers of the populace,
marked him as a man of impetuous and ardent char-
acter.
Yes, it was Dalzell, the gallant aide-de-camp of Sir
Jeffrey Amherst.
As he came on, the subtle sub-consciousness
wherem soul acts upon soul told him that Marianne
was near, and drew his eyes toward her. The next
moment, by a singular coincidence, the crowd parted,
so that she seemed to stand out alone from a confused
background of faces.
■';^i^%-,.'
.. '/. r rM^'^il^Lw..
LOVE THRIVES IN WAR
291
For a second the gaze of the officer and the demol
Rut. had looked into each other's eyes when th!
British had first landed at Le Detroit yet wTth aH f
fcrence. Between Sterhng and Ang^nqfe had flashed
Quesfon""]''' '"^'t"^ ^°^^' ^"^'^ 'his was love'
Tell kept '"'"''• '''^ """'"^^ ^""^^"" °^ - t^oth
A glad hght leaped into the eyes of Dalzell ;,
deTce .s a true h- ^'^"^ '^ '"""''^' '"' "'^^ '""^^
ucnce, ns a true-hearted man smiles upon the woman
wo ^^rwi°"^? '° f '^^^ ^^^^^ the'sor/ows 0°"
world. It was all swift as the flight of a sea m.M
«n another minute he had passed ^""'
officer were betrothed anew; but. now that he was
de St Our^the ''^•T"" '°"^^' '^ Mademoise, e
uc bl. Ours the sunlight seemed to grow dim- her
brain reeled, her limbs became weak and prwentlv
she lost all knowledge of what was hajipenlng arTund
" Poor demoiselle," cried the rosy-faced girl who
had given the green regiment its name. •• I have heard
that the handsome English officer is ier lover and
a the escape of the convoy from the Indirvultu^es
of the lakes, she has fainted for joy."
" Nom de Ste. Anne, what a shocking disregard
shouM ^°T"""'" ' ' ^° ^'^•"^ *^-^' - "'^ce of mine
should rush out among the crowo :o obtain a first
g impse of her lover, like any fillette of the humble
sat In th I uT^ ^"^"'"^ ^"^ Ruisseaux. as she
fn H *,^",,^'&^-^^<=ked chair near the chimney-piece
in her httle parlor. "Were it an escapade of that
292 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
madcap, Ang^lique Cuillerier, I should not so much
marvel ; but for you to so forget your dignity, Mari-
anne, you who are wont to be as timid and retiring
as a mouse ! "
Marianne had been flitting restlessly about the
room. At this reproach, she glided to her aunt's
side and clasped her white hands around the old
dowager's neck, kissing the faded cheek that had
once been one of the fairest at Le Detroit, and the
soft curls that made the dame the picture of a great
lady of the French court.
" Of course, ma tante, I should have sat quietly at
home and awaited the coming of Captain Dalzell,"
the younger woman admitted, with a winsome affecta-
tion of penitence ; " but when you were young, and
the Sieur Trottier des Ruisseaux came home from
the wars, did you stop to think that others might be
taking note of every look you gave him? "
" Chut ! chut ! mayhap I did not," relented the
stately mentor, her heart touched by the unexpected
demonstration of affection from the reserved Mari-
anne. " But why does your captain tarry? Nom de
Ste. Anne, it was not thus when I was your age,
and Des Ruisseaux sued for my favor ! "
Marianne smiled. Had she not exchanged that
glance with her lover as he marched up to the British
headquarters, possibly she too might have thought
him lacking in ardor. But his look of love, the
brightening cf his countenance as he caught sight of
her, — these caresses of the soul had filled her with
trust ; her heart, like a shy little thrush, sang a song
of happiness over and over to itself.
" He will come the first rr' iment that he is free,"
she said confidently, and d .ted away once more to
peer from behind the window ci ain into the street.
« #
LOVE THRIVES IN WAR 293
where gaily attired townspeople and the new soldiers in
their smart uniforms continually passed and repassed.
J'resently she saw coming from the council house
the ro; ust O Desmond, who stepped briskly down
the tl oroughfare as though bent upon some special
oomnussion. The jovial soldier was not an ideal
messenger of Cupid. His rollicking air. the gleam
of humor m h.s blue eyes, appeared more like to put
fillettes of the strait, daughters of the artisans, and
small traders, and courcurs de bois. were wont to say
that no man among the garrison could make love so
well as the witty Irishman.
Straight as a shaft from the bow he came toward
the home of Madame des Ruisseaux. and Marianne
felt sure he brought some word from her lover As
he approached nearer she let fall the curtain and
drew back into the room, breathing quickly A
sharp rap on the house-door reassured her: and de-
spite a faint protest from her aunt, she fled to open it
and learn the errand of the messenger.
Standing on the door-stone. O'Desmond touched
his cap with a flourish that for the occasion seen- J
to him more fitting than the military salute
;' Mademeselle. the little luck spirits that the red
naigers do be always talking about have been kind
to Larry O Desmond, since they have sent him with
a word to so beautiful a lady as yourself." he said
with the inimitable blending of respect ani audacity
which make one believe the Irish tongue to be the
true language of compliment.
" You have a message for me?" demanded Mari-
anne, with smiling impatience.
nrnZ?' "^f ^^1^"^ ' ^ ^'^ ^^ * "ote." he answered,
producing the billet.
' ,^}j;::^.\ ;
t^-
!
294 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
Joyously unfolding the three-cornered scrap of
paper, she read the few words scrawled upon a leaf
hastily torn from an officer's pocket-book, —
" Beloved, — You know full well were I to follow the
leadings of my will I should be with you now. I am de-
tained here at headquarters by a council of war. Within an
hour, however, I hope to clasp you to my heart.
" Yours forever,
Dalzell."
For a few moments, the girl forgot the messenger.
Then recovering herself, she said, confusedly, —
"Thank you, Monsieur G'Desmond; there is no
answer."
The soldier grinned, saluted once more, and retired.
"Shure, love is the same in every country," he
soliloquized, as he trudged onward to the barracks.
" Whether it shines back at you from the eyes of a
contrary Irish colleen, a shy English maid, or a
pretty Canadienne, 'tis the same sweet light that
warms a man's heart like a ray of God's own blessed
sunshine ! " Which goes to show that the gallant
G'Desmond had no little experience in the tender
passion that makes gods of men.
Before the hour was over Dalzell came.
"At last, sweetheart," he said, as he folded his
betrothed to his honest breast, "at last we are re-
united, and for all our lives. I am conre to claim you
as my wife. Hereafter, even when a soldier's duty
calls me from your side, being wed, made one in soul,
we can never again be parted."
As is usual with one of a calm deep nature,
Marianne said little in response to his fervid words.
But her heart thrilled with the content of an innocent
girl whose every earthly joy and hope is centred in
xiM: tf"L,„ ^'?
LOVE THRIVES IN WAR
295
her love, whose every tender emotion becomes a pas-
sionate prayer to Heaven for the welfare of her lover.
During the weeks that had passed, when she sat
sewing upon her simple bridal outfit, while her busy
fingers flew and her eyes saw only the swiftly glanc-
ing needle, all her life was blossoming inwardly. Like
the thread of silver that ran through the amethyst
beads of the small chaplet given to her by the nuns
of the Ursuline convent, her days were linked to-
gether by the sweet consciousness of her love, by the
thought of Dah'cll. Now her joy was so great that
she thought such must be the bliss of Heaven. Yet
no ! in Heaven the intensity of love brings with it no
sense of pain, and now it seemed to her that her
heart could not hold so much happiness ; that it must
break, as sometimes a little crystal votive lamp
before the shrine of Ste. Anne was shattered by the
strength of the flame that burned within it.
"Dearest, why do you not speak to me?" half
chided her lover.
, "^~^— ^"1 so happy, it frightens me," she
faltered tremblingly. "Surely, no one can be so
happy and continue to live."
Dalzell laughed breezily with the confidence of
a practical man who takes life as he finds it. He did
not understand his demoiselle's timid fears and self-
questionings.
" Do not burden your heart with such doubts, dear
one, ' he said, smoothing the braids of her brown hair
as one might soothe a child. "Since the world
began, perhaps no lovers have loved with a greater
degree of tenderness, of trust, and perfect sympathy,
than exists between us. But many in every age
have loved during long years of wedded happiness.
Why should not we?"
296 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
Marianne smiled. Being as head over ears in
love as was this hot-headed soldier, she was entirely
ready to believe what most lovers aver, yet only the
first dwellers in Eden could say with truth, that none
before them ever knew so well the bliss of worthy
love.
Thus for a brief space she and the captain planned
their future. Then, all too soon, Madame des Ruis-
seaux bustled into the room with formal greetings
and an invitation to dinner.
Tempting as were the viands of this little f6te pre-
pared in his honor, the young officer found to his own
surprise that he had slight relish for them. It was
feast enough to sit beside Marianne, to hear her joyous
laugh, to note the charm and grace of her manner,
and to know that she loved him with all her heart,
even as he loved her.
At the gala repast Madame des Ruisseaux presided
with urbane state, but her duties as hostess being
over she considerately left the lovers to themselves
once more. When at a late hour Dalzell lingered at
the house-door over his "good-night," he said, return-
ing to the subject they had discussed at intervals
during the evening, " Then you will grant me this,
sweetheart? Let our marriage be the day after to-
morrow? I will arrange all matters with the cur6 in
the morning."
Still Marianne demurred, as though in truth she
had not been long prepared for her wedding.
" As you love me, do not plead for more delay,
dear one," he urged.
"Bien, then it shall be as you will," she whispered,
and with shy smiles received his kiss of thanks.
" With this your promise to cheer me, I shall be
ready to lead my men to-morrow with a gay heart,"
A' t
«
LOVE THRIVES IN WAR 297
he exclaimed. " Sometime during the day I shall see
you again, beloved ; not until night do we go out to
attack the enemy."
" You go to attack the enemy? " repeated the girl
growing suddenly white and anxious. "I do not
understand;" and she put a hand to her head in
dazed confusion.
"It is only this," he made answer with affected
carelessness. " I asked to come to Le Detroit that
I might marry my betrothed. General Amherst
granted my request, but he also commissioned me to
help to end the siege of this town. Hard upon my
arrival, a council of war was held, and I begged leave
of Major Gladwin to lead forth a skirmishing party
under cover of the darkness. I am resolved to
capture this redoubtable Pontiac who has stirred up
such a warfare among the tribes of the west."
"But if you fail?" faltered Marianne, clasping his
arm convulsively. " Remember the fate of Captain
Campbell." ^
Terrible as was the picture conjured up by her
words, Dalzell did not flinch.
"No man can be brave who considers pain the
chief evil of life," he said, " and the greatest service
one can render a good cause is to die for it. It would
be ignoble of me to hold back, when by a bold move
it is possible to raise the siege. But cheer up, my
sweet, I shall return in triumph long before the hour
you have chosen for our wedding. Do not weep, but
make ready your bridal dress. Once more, beloved,
good-night."
" Helas ! my perfect happiness was indeed but a
passmg bliss," sighed Marianne, as she withdrew into
the shadowy house. " How often grief comes hand in
hand with love ! Dalzell will go to meet the redmen
t til
THE PRO^Ef^TY OF
SCAR10R#
PUILIC LtlRAflY.
298 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
while I must fight against my own anxiety. Ah do
men ever understand what battles we poor women
wage withm our hearts; conflicts whose victories are
celebrated by no gleaming banners or triumphant
songs ? But what trophy do I ask of Heaven but my
lovers safe return? I wish he had begged me to
wed him to-morrow."
fk ^^l?^ r !^^ "P^-oached herself, as though the
thought of hastenmg her nuptials by a day was un-
maidenly, and, having gained her own little room,
sank upon her knees, to weep and pray until the
gentle comforter Sleep, laid a quieting hand upon
her achmg head m the refreshing coolness of the
early mornmg.
^'^i
-^w^f
CHAPTER TWENTY-SECOND
A BOLD SALLY
TTALIANT as Dalzell was, no doubt his spirit
V would have been keyed to a higher pitch of
courage had he known that at this supreme moment,
when he was about to attempt his perilous sortie,
Marianne would gladly have linked her fate with his.
But how was he to surmise that the girl who had de-
precated his haste when he besought her to name
Sunday as their marriage day, would now have mar-
ried him on Saturday had he asked her ?
Unconscious of the change in the sentiments of his
betrothed, but happy in the thought that she would
soon be his bride, he sauntered slowly up the street
of Ste. Anne, trolling a love-song, —
' "'ack, clouds, away, and welcome day;
With night we banish sorrow ;
Sweet air blow soft, mount lark aloft,
To give my love good-morrow !
Wings from the wind to please her mind.
Notes from the lark I '11 borrow !
Bird prune thy wing, nightingale sing.
To give my love good-morrow.
To give my love good-morrow,
Notes from tliem both I '11 borrow.
'Wake from thy nest, robin redbreast ;
Sing birds in every furrow ;
And from each bill let music shrill.
Give my fair love good-morrow.
300 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
Blackbird and thrush, in every bush, —
Stare, linnet, and cock sparrow, •—
You merry elves amongst yourselves
Smg my fair love good-morrow.
To give my love good-morrow.
Sing birds in every furrow.
" O fly, make haste. See, see she falls
Into a pretty slumber.
Say to her, 't is her lover true,
That sendeth love by you, by you
O give my love good-morrow."
He had nearly reached the house of Major Glad-
w.n, where he lodged, when he observed, standing in
he recessed entrance to a house, a man ^ho seemed
to be lying in w^t for him.
Dalzell's hand went to his sword, but before he
ScL!l'';^!f''""!-" T^ '^' °^^^''' recognizing the
Scotch trader whom the commandant had made known
to him in the afternoon.
" Yes. Captain Dalzell." replied the other. " I
sought you at headquarters. I ask your permission
to go with you to-night." H^«"»ssion
"But." objected Dalzell, and had he been an Indian
warrior, he might have been loath that the sp rit o?
now s"n 'u"" f\^^' '^°"^^ ^'^' ^°^ d'ff-rently he
now spoke of his expedition from when he had
mentioned it to Marianne, -•' my dear sir, this is a
hazardous venture."
...n II!^ ^^°°1 °^ ^ '°^^'^' '""« '" "»y veins, and I
cZZ T^ ^?r"F °"' °^ " ^^^' ^h^" <=°"ld Prince
^onH ATf\ ""'^"'■"^ Sterling. " Moreover,
good and .11 luck are like the two buckets in a well
why should not fate reel up the better one for you "'
-.?- r-»*i' t;
W' .J^Kaiantf
A BOLD SALLY
r.
i
301
"Egad, my friend, you have the first requisite
of a good fighter, — confidence in his leader," ex-
claimed Dalzell. " Come if you will ; I am a gainer
by your offer."
The next day was spent in preparation for the
attack, and not until evening was Dalzell free to pay
his devoirs to Marianne.
" Poor little giri, I shall be hard put to cheer her,"
he soliloquized with a sigh, as he took his way to
Madame des Ruisseaux. Here, however, a surprise
awaited him. He found Mademoiselle de St. Ours
not tearful, but radiant.
Marianne had adorned herself to appear her fairest
in his eyes, half imagining that the more beautiful
she was, the more like he would be to come back to
her. Already in her heart the sweet unreasonable-
ness of the maid who must be wooed was giving
place to the unselfishness of the wife who has been
won. For, in another day, was she not to be the
wife, the "keeper of the soul" of Dalzell? Timid,
convent-bred, and wanting in the courage natural to
one reared on the borders of the wilderness, yet this
gentle giri did not altogether lack the heroic spirit
that made the madcap Ang^lique Cuillerier so auda-
cious. Marianne could not, like Ang^lique, have
defied the rage of Pontiac ; but under the white ash
lives the burning coal, — that no regretful thought of
her might sadden her lover, or unnerve his arm in
battle, she could keep a smiling face and chatter
blithely, even though her heart was oppressed with
fears.
Dalzell was amazed, delighted. Was this vivacious
beauty his demure and diffident Marianne? Until a
late hour she held him captive by a new charm. It
was only when he came to take leave of her that
■j^'sm^ss^miTSu'^M if-
:ir?fFr'£*»' . ■.
302 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
''Courage sweetheart; do not weep, but be gay and
make ready for our wedding." he whispered. •• The
darkest hour must pass at last, and to-morrow will be
our marriage day."
And then, with a last kiss, he was gone.
Some time after midnight the gates of the stockade
were thrown open, and two hundred and fifty men
fh?^ Z' '^""*'^J ^"'^ ^^'^ ^'°"S th« road; while
the two shjps. each with a small cannon on ite bow.
htJlnnT/ "V^u 'T'- ^'"'•"^' -ho because of
his knowledge of the locality, was chosen by Dalzell
!i!ldi!!rn"n'' '"^'^u''? ^'''^" *h" *=^P^^»"' the Irish
soldier O Desmond bemg close behind. In the centre
cf the column were Major Rogers and his band of
IZ^M^' r '^^' "^^ ^'■°"eht "P by Mr. Grant
XK • • u ^^' ^^P*^'"' °^ *h^ &^^«" regiment.
The night was still and hot. On the right of the way
lay the nver. whose mirror-like surface split up into
gleaming fragments the myriad stars that looked down
upon the rushing waters; on the left extended the
farnis and orchards of the c6te. the bark-roofed, white-
washed houses and barns, surrounded by high pali-
sades whence the barking of watchdogs^hallenged
the passing soldiers. The habitants, aroused from
sleep, looked from the windows in amazement; and
as the troops approached one of the dwellings, they
saw upon the roof a small figure silhouetted ^agains^
" Bejabbers. it 's a red naiger ! " exclaimed O'Des-
mond. rushing forward and taking aim with his flint-
lock. Steriing knocked up the barrel of the musket
.s
im:^.
II
A BOLD SALLY
303
piat IS but the young son of a farmer, bent upon
catching a ghmpse of our bayonets in the last beams
of the moon as it sinlcs behind the fort," he said.
" Faith, then the gossoon was like to have learned
more of our weapons than he bargained for," returned
the soldier. " By my soul, I should not wonder if the
red dogs were watching us from behind every one of
these stables and cattle-sheds, and the high pickets
which make a fortified place of every farm."
" It is quite possible," said Sterling, turning to the
captain. " Let me beseech you again, Mr. Dalzell, to
abandon this mad expedition."
" Mr. Sterling, I have not come into the wilderness
to remain shut up within the stockade of Le Detroit
I go forward with my men though there be a scor-
pion under every stone of the way, but you may
turn back if you choose."
" Sir, where you lead I follow," replied the Scot,
nettled. " It was not for my own sake I spoke; I
esteemed it a duty to inform you that the Indians
have more than once deceived us by their ambushes
hereabouts."
♦' Well, well, sir, it may be I was too hasty," ad-
mitted the captain, appeased. " I have information
that the savages have had a fine carousal over a sup-
ply of rum which formed the cargo of the barge they
captured a day or two since, and I doubt not they are
now deep in a drunken sleep."
Humph, I like not a silent dog." muttered Sterling
between his teeth, but he trudged on without further
expostulation.
Just beyond the farm where they had seen the boy
lay the palisad'^ of Antoine Cuillerier. When the
marching men came abreast of the house, Sterling
scanned it eagerly. Was that a woman on the gal-
x-^^mw:^^^^.
I
1
mA.
ill
IT
■igjjpij
•^**»
I (
304 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
lery, or was it only a shadow? He could not deter-
mine, but his heart beat high at the thought that
Angaique might be watching the detachment, and
might divme that he was among the brave men ad-
vancmg to trap the king of the forest in his lair
Onward they marched, toward the wild hollow
overgrown with sedges through which Parant's Creek
flowed into the river. The crickets sang, the grasses
of the prairie were stirred by insect life, and swarms
of gnats attacked the soldiers.
" Bedad, Mr. Sterling," said O'Desmond, as the
captam of militia fell back to exchange a word with
u'~" ,, ^^' ^'''' ^^'s 's a great country."
"Yes?" replied the merchant interrogatively.
" Yes." continued the Irishman, slapping vigorously
around his own face and neck. " Shure, I Ve often
known wnat it is to be stung by tormenting flitter-
jacks like these, but never - no," he repeated, point-
ing to the myriad fireflies upon the meadows, " no
never before have I seen mosquitoes carrying lan-
terns about with them like those same. It beats
all how clever iverything is in this new world ! "
Now the road crossed the run by a narrow bridge
near Its mouth. Beyond, the land lay in abrupt ridges
parallel to the stream.
"Yonder. Mr. Dalzell, are the rude intrenchments
made by Pontiac to protect his camp, which for- •
fbmwd""^*^'' that ground," said Sterling, stepping
The moon had set by this time, and, as the little
company advanced, they could dimly see the loc
house of Baptiste M^Ioche to the left and the bridge
before them, but the earthworks of the abandoned
encampment were as a black wall looming up to
obstruct their progress.
A BOLD SALLY
305
"By the powers, he that laughs on Friday mav crv
on Saturday/' declared O'Desmond to th'e soldie^
who kept pace with him. •• If the Evil One wanted
an ambush he d choose a spot like this. Faith, our
captain must love misfortune well when he fares forth
to challenge the jade after this fashion. But an
easy way to save our scalps will be to fight for
them; though mayhap, me friend, when the savages
see your hairless crown they may think you Ve been
scalped already. I '11 lay you a wager now that you
never saw a red naiger with a bald pate. Ivcry man
among them has as fine a growth of hair as if ZZu
tivated .t to adorn the belt of his enemy. We do
thinT" K ^u" '"^P'' ^"' ^" '" ^^^^ the last shot at
them .vhethern no. And that puts me in mind of a
man I used to know at home in Ireland.
«,.r. T! \ ^^^ "^"'^ °^ ^"^"' ^" J t'^e neighbors
were wont to boast that no one, not even his wife
could get the last word in an argument with Wm^'
anybody else was saying, as because of his glibness
of speech. Well, one day. a stranger in thf tovvn
havmg heard of Brian's powers, chanced to Zei
boy tTat ril ;:ke- ' ''! 'f ^^ '^^ ^^'"'"'^ -
l.!r i . ^ ^°" *° ^h^*"^ yo" cannot have the
last word.' says he. ' Done I ' says Brian. As good
was r "L' ''h' r "^" '^' ^'^ ^^y '^ -h-^ there
.'m ^[f "''° ^^'^^^" two wooded hills.
Nathless. ere long Brian came back to the town
Jinghng his five shillin's. "
the' 'echo v' ^''•'!J' ^°'' ^i^ >'°" "^^^ get the better o'
L.!i, ^ u""^"^ ''"^ °^ h'^ ^"^"ds. while a crowd
gathered about to hear his answer
" ' True for ye.b'ys,' says Brian, with a grin. ' the
thmg came back on me for a spell. But^ldad f
20
JK
3o6 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
\i.
w
got even with it in the end, /or I shpoke the last
wur-rd nndher me breath / '"
Thus with a jest and a laugh the brave fellow kept
up the spirits of his comrades.
Anon, for the first time since the setting out of
the expedition, Dalz&ll became apprehensive that the
Indians might be prepared for his attack. As the
conviction forced itself upon him, he dashed forward,
followed by his command in close order.
The advance guard were half-way over the bridge
when, like the crack of doom, an Indian war-whoop
rent the stillness of the night and, as a shaft from the
devil's bow, a volley of musketry blazed from the
side of ths avine, cutting down the front ranks of
the skirmisher^. Another column pressed forward
unflinchingly, to meet the same fate ; but, when the
main body of the troops essayed to pass the gorge,
they grew confused and began to recoil. Above the
din rose the resolute voice of their gallant leader, as
he rallied his men. Another volley poured upon
them; again they hesitated, but with a shout their
captain led the charge across the bridge. The sav-
ages had fled, yet ever and again their war-cry
frenzied the white men, and the fire of their guns
flashed in the darkness.
The English pushed on ; in vain Sterling sought to
guide them. Having left the road, they lost their
way; every wood-pile, cattle-shed, and farmhouse
was an ambush, and whenever Dalzell heard the
sound of musketry he dashed onward, hoping to drive
the savages before him. It soon became evident,
however, that he and his party were surrounded by a
horde of Indians. At his order the soldiers retreated,
marching backward and continuing to fight as they
t^^ went.
A BOLD SALLY
307
• ►
A small band remained behind to hold off the red-
men, while the dead and wounded of the troops were
placed on board the barges which had approached
the shore, under cover of their guns, but amid a sharp
fire from the Indians. The task was accomplished
through the efforts of Sterling and the redoutable
O Desmond.
When it was completed, Captain Dalzell called
to the Scotchman, bidding him carry a message
to Captam Grant, and the merchant volunteer was
off like a shot. It was still dark, but a lightening
of the skies above the forest gave promise of the
dawn.
Thinking that Grant had taken possession of the
house of Baptiste Meloche and was to be found within,
Sterling made his way toward the gallery. As he
crossed the garden he fancied that he discerned
through the gloom two women running to the
kitchen from the horse mill, whither they had doubt-
c -n u "^ ^°'' '^^"^^ "^^^^ *^^ ^S*** ^^s at 'ts height.
MiU he could not be sure; the shadowy forms might
be blanketed Indians.
With a hand on the lock of his musket he strode in
at the mam entrance to the house and looked into
the hearthrooni. It was empty; but. as he paused on
the threshold, he heard a slight grating sound as of
a door creaking on its hinges, and, by the uncertain
light of a hanging lamp whose floating wick flickered
and sputtered in the bear's oil,- saw the wooden
shutter of a window slowly open.
The next moment a girl sprang into the room from
the garden, and, not observing him. turned to give a
helping hand to some one without.
Thus assisted, there followed, in the same stealthy
fashion, a young woman, carrying in her arms a small
#
•%■
3o8 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
child, whose startled eyes and white face showed it to
be half dazed with fear.
The girl was Angelique Cuillerier; the matron
Madame M^Ioche.
It was the child who first discovered that there was
some one in the apartment besides themselves, and,
pointing to the doorway, cried out that the shadows
moved. Thereat, drawing a knife from her belt, the
girl placed herself before the mother and the little
one.
At the same instant Sterling stepped forward under
the lamp.
" Angelique ! " he exclaimed. " Merciful Heaven,
how is it that coming here with a message to the
English captain, instead of meeting Mr. Grant, I find
you encompassed by dangers ? "
Mademoiselle Cuillerier recoiled, dropped the dag-
ger back into its sheath, and put a hand before her
eyes.
" Monsieur Sterling," she stammered. Undaunted
by the possible foe in the darkness, as was St. Mar-
garet before the dragon, now at the reaction she fal-
tered, but quickly recovered herself as he stretched
out his arms to save her from falling.
" Early in the evening Madame Meloche sent word
to me that her child was ill. I came to stay the night
with her, and help in the care of the little creature,"
she said. " We had no warning that.the Indians and
the English would arouse the demon of the strait as
they have done. The child has been frighted out
of her ailment, I half believe, while the mother and I
know not whether we shall live to see the rising of
the sun. When the firing began we took refuge in
the mill, but the cannonading of the gunboats threat-
ened to make short work of its destruction, and we
v-'E^
-A T§
-^ -m;Lm
ffei'-*.
mm^Tf-'m. .iptnJ
Mik
A BOLD SALLY
309
returned in haste as soon as the house appeared to
be deserted."
"And Fontiac drove Madame Mfloche and her
guest defenceless out into the night?" cried Sterling,
gritting his teeth.
" It all came about like a whirlwind," interposed
the young dame. " An old chief was sitting in the
hearthroom, smoking with my husband, when the
troops came up. At the sound of the firing, he dis-
charged his musket from the window. They thought
Baptiste had attacked them, and they called to him
with rage, but it was the Indian."
" When the soldiers fell back the savages broke
into the enclosure through the postern, and swarmed
into the house. Had we been here then, no doubt
we would have been scalped," continued Ang€lique.
" Juste ciel, can women remain sane in the midst of
such peril to themselves, and to the men dear to
them?"
Even at this moment, with the sounds of the con-
flict outside ringing in his ears, the reports of mus-
ketry, the shouts of the soldiers, the moans of the
dying, Sterling's face brightened at the glance she
unconsciously -^ r^ him as she spoke.
With a thrill 01 joy at his heart, he bent his lips
to her hand.
"You are safe here now, since the savages will^
either follow our people or retire to the woods gf
daylight, as is their custom," he assured her. " And
as for the men who fight, — eh bien, mademoiselle,
a soldier's best shield is the prayer of the woman he
loves."
Angelique smiled, yet her eyes glistened with tears.
" You say you are bound upon a message, monsieur.
Do not delay, I beg of you," she conjured abruptly.
f
310 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
Loath to leave her with only the protection the
house afforded, Sterling yet knew that in delaying
he would be faithless to his duty. Nevertheless, he
hesitated.
" Go, go," entreated the girl. •* May the warrior
archangel shield you from harm — you and Mr.
Dalzell, for Marianne's sake. Oh, I will pray for
all the poor soldiers. How horrible is war ! "
Sterling was saved from further indecision by the
return of Baptiste, who had been out seeking his
wife and child. Ang^lique would be safer with
these habitants than had the Scotchman himself been
free to remain to protect her. Speeding across the
fields, he encountered a company of the " green regi-
ment " as they were returning through the Meloche
orchard, after having driven one band of savages into
the forest. Having delivered his message to Captain
Grant, he made his way again to Dalzell, who had
just shouted to his men to wheel about and retreat
m the regular manner. By this order Grant was
now in the van, and Dalzell in the rear, with the
enemy following at a distance, and keeping up a
desultory firing, while now and again his company
faced around and gave them a return volley.
As they approached a place where a cellar had
been newly dug, the hollow belched forth flame, and
several men fell lifeless, to be promptly scalped by
their barbaric pursuers. Panic stricken, the remain-
der of the soldiers thronged down the road, but
their leader continued to fight, and in the first gray
light of dawn the enemy marked him by his exiraor-
dinary bravery. Finding that Dalzell was wounded.
Sterling, O'Desmond, and two or three others would
have closed in about him, but he waved them off,
and continued to encourage his men, reproaching
1^'^^'
A BOLD SALLY
311
some, and with the flat of his sword beating others
back to the conflict.
By this, day had come, but a fog rising from the
river made the prairie like another sea, and screened
the pursuing Indians, so that the clouds seemed to
rain bullets and the deadly lightnings of a wither-
ing fire. The yells of the savages were to the be-
wildered men like the voices of the demon followers
of the Red Dwarf, the evil manitou. of the strait.
Sterling and O'Desmond still kept near Dalzell,
who in his intrepidity lingered behind, still shooting
through the mist. All at once, from its shelter leaped
out three Indians, who no doubt thought to capture
him and his guard before they could fight their way
back to the main body of the troops.
In a flash Sterling recognized one as Panigwun;
another was Wasson, the Sauteur; the third he had
never before seen. O'Desmond fired. Panigwun,
with a howl like the dying cry of a wolf, leaped
high in the air and pitched forward on his face.
Sterling took aim at the Saginaw warrior with a
wild hope that he might avenge the murder of Cap-
tain Campbell ; Wasson also fell, and Dalzell brought
down the third savage.
Believing all dead, the three white men plunged
down the road. In the fog they became separated.
Five minutes passed; then Sterling heard a shout
from Dalzell. He dashed forward in the direction
whence the sound had proceeded. It was followed
by an ominous silence ; he did not know which way
to turn.
Presently, however, another demoniacal war-whoop
smote upon his ears, and after continuing on for per-
haps five minutes more he stumbled over the pros-
trate form of a soldier.
312 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
Bending over the body, he discovered with horror
the ^green regi.ent^. ta^ntg ^7.^^" °^
.«, ?^ "P.*^'" ^^"""^ '"^- "« tried to drag me
away from the savages," gasped the poor fellow.^Uh
momentarily mcreasing difficulty. •• The Irish sol-
dier - strove -to - aid - him. Two warriors came
They fought. The Irishman thrust himself before
the captam-- crying out something about ' red nai-
hra\c.7lT^ that -some -woman's heart would be
broken if he did not return. The savages fled -
the others, wounded — died — as — they — fell "
Dalzell had been slain in the act of helping one
,W I'nT^V*"'^ *?' ^"""'^"^ O'Desmond. with a
jest on his hps, and an unselfish thought to spare a
glory of a flag that for more than two centuries had
been to his country a symbol of oppression.
fnM K \u^ *^^ T'y P^'"^""y ^"^ disconnectedly
told by the wounded soldier. As he concluded, he
half raised himself, and gazed wild-eyed at the mer-
chant. But the efi-ort exhausted the remnant of his
strength. As he sank back. Sterling caught him
Sri ; "^'";^?J^ *° h- i'Ps. -nd swore not to leave
him durincr the few moments he had yet to live.
W t "/ ,'?t.^^^* ""^ ^""^""^ *^^ two men; the
AtT"" V u' ?'"'^^* '^""^y' ^"^'■^'"g the dying.
.n^ -A "^^u *^o ^°'''" ""^ *^^ ^^"-S^^"* grew heavy
and rigid. Then Sterling knew that he had kept his
A BOLD SALLY
3»3
promise. He rose to his feet, and, turning to where
Dalzell had fallen, dragged the body of the gallant
officer behind a neighboring bush, hoping that the
foliage and the mist might screen it from the savages.
He would fain have paid the same respect to the
mtrepid O'Desmond, but the shouts of the troops for
succor warned him of the duty he owed to the liv-
ing. Hastening on, he came upon a few of Rogers*
rangers, who were storming a house, from every win-
dow of which the Ottawas poured a shower of bullets
*k- ' -?°' *^"^' S*^''^'"g • Lend me your aid to burst in
this door, cried Rogers, mounting the steps of the
gallery in his impatience to get at the aborigines,
whose fire his own men returned without ceasing.
Sterling, with some three or four others, responded
with enthusiasm to his call, and the heavy wooden
bar that fastened the door gave way with their weight.
The merchant had plucked Dalzell's sword from its
scabbard, resolved that it should yet do good service
that day. Waving it, he pressed into the house
alter Rogers, a reinforcement of rangers following
Some of the redmen dropped before them; the
others, scattering like rats, leaped from the windows
and took to the trees, whence they continued their
ZnA rr^u\^'fy "^^ ^''^^'■^^ *° d«^odg« a third
band from behind a palisade near by. He charged
Cuet«'%Tr' .u '""•' *° '^' S^°""^ ^'ddJ^d with
bullets , and, as the company was forced back, a chief
hideous in war-paint sprang upon the bleeding body
and cut out the heart. ^
Having driven the Indians from this stronghold.
Rogers proceeded to conduct the retreat in a mas-
terly manner fighting, so said those of his followers
who survived. ;' as though the fiends themselves were
nis opponents. '
314' THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
To keep the Indians at bay, he entered the strong
house of Jacques Campeau, but was soon besieged
there. Some of the regulars who had broken In
after him seized upon a keg of rum and drank gener.
ously of the hquor; others piled furniture and bales
of furs against the windows and doors to serve as a
barricade, and at intervals, thrusting out their flint-
locks, fired upon thfc yelling foes. Again a bullet
whizzed through an opening, wounding a man, or
glancing off from some object.
Jacques stood on the hatch of the cellar to keep
skulkmg soldiers from seeking to hide themselves
below, smce there the women had taken refuge. A
ball grazed his head and struck the wall beyond him.
The shrieks of the women, the noise without, the
shouts and oaths of the soldiers, made the place seem
a pandemonium.
The tactics of Rogers were, however, successful.
The gunboats, which had gone down to the water
gate with the dead and wounded, now returned to a
point on the river opposite to Campeau's house, and
the fire of their swivels quickly drove the besiegers
back to the woods. Thus released, Rogers and his
rangers came out and joined Grant's company. A
ine of communication with the fort was soon estab-
lished, and anon the daring major, upon whom had
devolved the chief command, gained the stockade
with ninety men; all that were left of the skirmishing
party that had set out so confidently a few hours
earlier.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THIRD
GIVE LOVE GOOD-MORROW
FEAR is a great inventor, and one who fears to
suffer, suffers from fear. So it was with Mari-
anne de St. Ours. As Schiller's young diver clutched
at the golden cup he had risked his life to win, so
this gentle demoiselle held fast to her happiness with
the despeiation of a great dread that it would pres-
ently be wrested from her in the maelstrom of fate.
Yet, beyond the heaviness of heart which foreboded
grief, she gave no thought to herself, but suffered
agonies of fear for the safety of Dalzell. Screened
by the deerskin curtain of the window, she had
watched the command march down the street of Ste.
Anne in the moonlight; had plainly distinguished
her lover, and noted with a thrill of joy that, as he
passed the house, he turned his head and looked at
the dormer where she knelt, as though he felt her
presence ; even as but yesterday her eyes had drawn
his gaze to herself among the throng at the water
gate.
So quietly had the troops gone forth that the
majority of the townspeople, sleeping heavily in their
beds, were ignorant of the sally. Had the secret
been kept from the French, save the few trusted
men who, disowned by their own king, cast in their
lot with the British, all might have been well. But,
how many individuals there are whose tongues would
fain outrun their feet with news ! Earlier in the even-
■ru*
=»*ST^
3i6 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
ing, at the bark-roofed cabin which served as a
tavern, a soldier in his cups let fall a word of the
intended sortie to a coureur de bois with a lean,
solemn visage, who, because he brought in game for
food, was still permitted to go in and out of the
stockade, — an interpreter who, although trusted by
the English, had arisen at the council of the Ottawa
and sworn to join with him. An hour later, a drunk-
ard lay under the table of the cabaret, his chance of
glory lost, his miserable life saved for that day. At
the same time the runner of the woods, having shown
his pass at the gate and given some plausible excuse
for going out, had sped away to warn Pontiac.
Of this Marianne was, of course, ignorant ; yet she
could not go to rest, but, still kneeling at the window,
prayed and wept.
" This will never do," she soliloquized, rising to her
feet at last. " I will offer my every heart-beat as a
prayer to God for my hero, but when Dalzell returns
he must not find his bride with eyes dimmed by
weeping."
Thereupon she lighted a candle, and, with it still in
her hand, crossed the room, and took from her mar-
riage chest the wedding gown that the merchant,
James Sterling, had at her request ordered sent out to
her from London ; a gown of white satin, her one ex-
travagance, indulged in because she was resolved in her
foolish young heart to be as fair a bride as any Eng-
lish girl whom Dalzell might have chosen. As though,
forsooth, her lover would not have sworn she was the
loveliest woman in the world had she met him at the
altar in a frock of homespun cotton cloth !
The light of the candle flitted over the shimmering
fabric with strange antics. " For all the world like an
old woman dancing at a f6te," Marianne thought, and
GIVE LOVE GOOD-MORROW 317
laughed low at the fancv. as she thrust the candle in a
knothole of the chirr 'iclf above her head.
"Of a truth, Ponciar ..as a most courteous savage
to deliver over the box to me," she went on, com-
muning with herself. "When Dalzell brings him
back a prisoner, I will remind the commandant of
this circumstance, and gain for the Ottawa chief some
favor to requite it.. Major Gladwin will deny no pe-
tition oflTcrcd by the bride of the hero of Le Detroit."
Having spread the gown upon the settle, she next
took from the chest a square of the lace of Alen^on,
an heirloom brought from France to grace the bridal
beauty of the daughters of a Canadian seigneur, in
the days when Comte Frontenac ruled at Quebec
with well-nigh as great dignity as the Sun King at
Versailles.
The heads of many happy brides had been veiled
by this fleecy cobweb. Marianne wondered if any
of them had thought of the lace maker, whose eyes
mayhap had grown dim over the intricate pattern.
The girl shuddered. But for her family pride, she
would have preferred a veil as new as the gown ; one
into which no wretchedness was woven, one that had
not been worn by dead and gone brides.
" But no, I will not harbor such thoughts," she said
to herself. " Perchance the maker of this lace was a
maiden who wove into it her own love-dream, and
did not grow blind, but gained by her work a purse
of gold for her marriage dot.
" I will not think of withered bridal wreaths; God
grant I may be as good a wife as were the women
who wore this veil that I shall don to-day. It is a
favor of Heaven to be well-born, yet of how much
greater worth *han a patent of nobility is a heritage
of virtue ! "
■
3i8 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
Now, upon her little dressing-table she laid the
scented gloves that had come with the gown; her
mother's prayer-book ; the knot of white ribbon Which
she would send with a spray of white clematis to her
bridegroom to pin upon the breast of his scarlet
coat.
Already the darkness was less dense; the dawn
would soon come, the glad sun would rise, and it
would be her wedding day.
Sinking upon the settle beside her bridal finery.
Marianne fell a-dreaming.
Before many minutes, however, distant sounds
broke in upon her maiden reverie. Hastening to the
window once more, she leaned out over the sill, strain-
ing her eyes in vain, since she could not see the "cdte
du nord-est " whence came the noise of the conflict
"Jesu, Marie, save him! " she cried, clasping her
hands. " Save him ! Save him ! "
For half an hour, an hour, two hours, the sounds
of the battle continued. All the French within the
stockade had long before this flocked out of doors.
The sentries patrolled the streets, ordering the men
to the ramparts, the women and children back into
the houses. The guards at the gate were doubled.
Less frequent grew the firing; the war-whoops of
the Indians died away and, now and again, a ringing
shout announced some advantage won by the English.
Anon, there was silence upon the prairie.
Major Gladwin and his officers, who watched the
plain from the forest bastion, announced that the
troops were making their way back to the fort in
good order, and the intelligence was crir^d through
the town. Then came the barges down the river,
with their woeful freight. Marianne had withdrawn
behind her screen of deerskin, from which position
f^fWWi^.
GIVE LOVE GOOD-MORROVV 31,
she continued to look out upon the thoroughfare and
beyond to the river. When, from the vociferations
of the passers-by, she learned what manner of passen-
gers the gunboat had brought, her heart seemed to
stand still with terror and apprehension.
" Come away from the window, cherie," urged Ma-
dame des Ruisseaux, who had hastened to her room
to bear her company. " Come below, and rest on
the settle in the hearthroom. Ill news travels on
horseback ; if there were sorrowful tidings for you,
they would be cried aloud before now. If you do not
rest, your captain will not be able to boast of the
beauty of his lady."
But Marianne shrank from the kind hand.
" Not yet, aunt," she cried, clinging to the frame
of the casement. " Not until I know the truth ! "
As she again scanned the street, her anxious glance
fell upon Robishe Navarre, hurrying to the water gate.
" Robishe ! Robishe ! " she called.
The young man stopped short. Himself a lover
and expectant bridegroom, he felt his sympathy at
once aroused by the sight of the white face of the
demoiselle. Was ever the face of a willing bride so
sad upon her wedding day?
" Go yonder, bring me word," she gasped, pointing
to the bateaux.
Navarre understood.
" Be of good courage, mademoiselle," he s£^d ; " I
will be back with all speed."
And in a trice he did return to call up to her re-
assuringly.
" Mademoiselle, no one whom you love has come
home by the river."
" Heaven forgive me for my selfishness ! " she ex-
claimed, fully conscious how heavy had been her
: ^ ..W.'.l.. ,
3:».o THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
heart only now when it grew light once more. She
would have run out to succor the wounded who were
being borne to the hospital, but her aunt forbade
" Such doleful sights are not for a demoiselle upon
her wedding morning," protested Madame des Rms-
seaux. " I will go, but you must betake yourself to
rest; or else call in Agathe, and let her begin to
coif you. By Ste. Anne, she may as well bring my
rouge-pot, too."
" No, no," remonstrated the girl ; " Dalzell shall
have no painted bride."
" Eh bien, if you look so like a ghost, you shall no^
be married to-day at all."
Forthwith kissing her niece, and satisfied that she
had made use of the strongest argument to compel
Marianne to take some repose, the energetic lady
set out to minister to the suffering soldiers, with
that womanly devotedness which characterized the
" grandes dames " of the age.
But it is one thing to say " Hush, my dear, and
slumber," and quite another to dispose oneself to
tranquillity.
" Every moment is bringing the returning troops
nearer to the fort," said Marianne to herself with
happy exultation. " Dr.lzell will soon be here. Shall
I begin to dress for my bridal as my aunt advised?
No, no, not yet."
For a few minutes she stood looking out at the
river. The water was like a sheet of burnished silver,
the balmy air was vibrant with the song of birds, and
presently from the square bark-roofed towers of Ste.
Anne's and the Huron Mission rang the sweet voices
of the bells, calling the worshippers to the early Mass
of Sunday morning.
Marianne aroused herself; she would go to the
GIVE LOVE GOOD-MORROW 321
service now while the morning was young, instead of
waiting for " le grand Messe," later.
Her simple toilet was soon made. Bending over
her bridal gown, she laid her cheek tenderly against
Its soft folds, pressed a kiss upon the bit of ribbon
she had knotted for her bridegroom, then, stealing
down the rough stairway, she left the house and
walked quickly to the church.
How like it all was to that other occasion but two
days since when, here, as it were at the feet of the
Mother of the Blessed Virgin, she had received news
of the coming of her lover !
Now, too, before the service was over there was
a commotion without; half of the congregation ran
mto the street, and men called to one another that
the skirmishing party had reached the gates of the
town.
Still Marianne was of those who lingered in the
sacred edifice. As the priest turned to give the last
blessing, the throng outside set up a great shout.
" They come ! They come ! "
Trembling with excitement, the girl started to her
feet and rushed to the door just as the haggard
remnant of Dalzell's brave command came opposite
to the church.
Wild-eyed she stood upon the step as they went
by. There were Major Rogers and his rangers;
there were Captain Grant, Sterling, and a band of
smoke-begrimed, weary, valiant men. But where was
the leader who had so confidently led them forth a
few hours before?
Scarcely noting the glances of commiseration cast
upon her by the soldiers, yet unconsciously impressed
by them, she waited in silence until the troops had
passed. Then she turned back into the church.
ai
f^:.^m^fi. ^ip^-'^.
322 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
There was a sound as of a bird helplessly beating its
wings against fate, a low moan as of a dove wounded
unto death; then a heart-broken girl sped up the
aisle, and cast herself before the altar with a cry of
anguish.
«« Waileth a woman, * Oh, my God ! '
Her hopes are withered, her love is crushed;
A starless and pitiless night has rushed
On the light of her life."
" Why is it that the prayer of the pure of heart
sometimes remains unanswered, that upon the knight
without reproach the sword of the angel falls?"
half rebelliously demanded the Dame des Ruisseaux
of the curb, Monsieur de Bocquet, later in the day.
" My dear madame," rejoined the good man with
gentleness, " it is because earth is earth, and not
heaven ; because the soul is formed for greater bliss
than the joys of time ; and the life we know is but
the cloud-darkened dawn of existence."
After that one hopeless cry, Marianne de St. Ours,
who but the day before yesterday had fainted with
joy at sight of her lover, went home to dress herself
in her bridal robes ; to smile and sing ; to reproach
her friends because they did not offer her their
congratulations.
" Captain Dalzell bade me array myself for our
marriage ; he will soon be here. Make haste to sum-
mon the wedding guests," she said, while all who saw
and heard her shuddered as they asked of one an-
other, " Will it always be so ? Has * le bon Dieu ' taken
her reason for good and all, as well as her lover?"
Weeks passed. Yet the mad bride of Le Detroit
still robed herself each day for her marriage, and
knotted ribbons into favors for her bridegroom. She
-m,f.Tr^
GIVE LOVE GOOD-MORROW
323
never knew that Pontiac, who but a few weeks before
with such marvellous consideration had delivered
over her wedding chest, now sent to Major Gladwin
the head of the captain upon a picket.
Content in the hope of her bridegroom's coming,
she sang her pretty songs and dreamed of happiness.
Sterling told her of Dalzell's end, but she only
smiled at him, and kissed the clematis she had
gathered for her lover, nor noticed that, instead of
blossoms, the vine whence she had plucked it already
began to show only misty blooms, the ghosts of its
small, bride-flowers,
September came, the Moon of the Maize, but
there was little change in Marianne de St. Ours.
After the battle of Parant's Creek, called by the
English the Bloody Run, and by the French the
Creek of the Crimson Waters, Pontiac, elated by his
victory, sent runners through the woods, and mes-
sengers in swift canoes upon the waters, to bear tid-
ings of his victory to all the tribes of the vicinity
who were not already gathered about his camp.
The scarcity of provisions in the fort rendered it
expedient to admit the women of the good band of
Hurons when they came to the gate to sell venison,
corn, barberries, and the wild grape- of the prairie.
Thus it was that one afternoon as pi ty, gentle Ma-
rianne sat by the window in Madame, dc Ruisseaux's
parlor, her brown hair veiled by the bri'al lace of
Alenjon, her slight form robed in the sh-rnmering
satin gown, she suddenly beheld, standing beside the
chimney-piece like a statue in bronze, a lithe Indian
girl, who looked down on her with keen, searching
eyes.
" Are you the Pani woman who brings me the
sweet Catawba grapes from beyond La Belle Fon-
■'ti£-^:jik' '>s*ilf-'
:iii
314 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
taine?" inquired Marianne, smoothing the folds of
her gown, and returning the gaze of her visitor with
a child-like smile.
" I am Nedawniss, the daughter of Makat^pclicit^.
I do not barter with either the French or the Eng-
lish," replied the girl haughtily.
" Oh ! " said Marianne, going back to the stroking
of her dress.
Since the day when she had smilingly looked into
the eyes of Sterling when he spoke of her lover's
fate, the words " Indian " and " English " had never
been mentioned before her. Now, as they fell upon
her ears, a shadow of doubt and perplexity flitted
across her usually serene face.
Meanwhile, Nedawniss, who would have been
proud and fearless before Pontiac, in face of the
armies of England, or the court of Versailles, drew
back in awe of the hapless young bride-elect
The Indian has a dread of one on whom the
Master of Life has set the seal of madness. But
was the beautiful pale-faced lady really mad?
As for Marianne, — the very sight of the dusky
girl, with her vermilion-tinted cheeks and blanket
dress, her wampum necklace and armlets of silver,
stirred a strange emotion in the heart of the mad
bride of Le Detroit, as the string of a lute long
relaxed is aroused to life by the hand that keys it
to its wonted pitch.
For a second the two girls remained steadfastly re-
garding each other. Then Nedawniss said, —
" I came to tell the demoiselle something, but
perhaps she does not care to hear it, since she can
smile and sing; for when I entered she was singing.
If she cared she would not deck herself with jewels ;
being a * dame blanche,' she would weep all day."
GIVE LOVE GOOD-MORROW 325
Marianne glanced furtively around the room. Pres-
ently her eyes came back to the red-skinned girl.
I will tell you something." she answered, with
her confidmg smile. " In my heart I often feel that
I must weep ; but I dare not. He bade me be gay
until he should come again. I do not wish to dis-
R.^ kT* ^""'^^'^^^y h's so"l and mine are wedded,
nn^. ; u mT '° ^°"^' Sometimes I think it is
^Za T?- K';° ^'"•'^ ^'h«» °ne does not feel like
smihng. It ,s as if the sun shone hot, and there was
""""^i ;^ t" 7 ^ '^.'i ""^'^ ^^^^y^ ^^y^ ^"d "e^^*- night."
niss. Her heart is always like the twilight of the
forest; with her, to love means to suffer"
" No, no; to love is to be always glad -to laugh
^d sing; to feel the heart beat fast^•n the breaft.
and all for one who is dearer than life," interrupted
the French demoiselle, with eagerness
JJ To love is to suffer," repeated the Indian stoi-
Marianne gave over the contest
wear^?' ^"J^^^^'t '°''' 'V '"^"^'" ^^^ ^^^nted
It^^L A ""'^ ^^ ^°"'^ '^"^ "^^ the message.
It IS hard never to weep."
Nedawniss studied the delicate face before her
loverand" ^'^ .^"?"^' ^'^"^ "^^"^ ^^^ ^-'^-lle
loved and was to have married?" she said. "The
officer who was killed as he stayed to save a soldier
at the battle of the Crimson Waters? "
Marianne put a hand to her forehead, and brushed
back the wavy locks of her hair.
" My head aches, and I know nothing of the
Crimson Waters," she replied simply. "But the
.uiasju'?'
326 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
For a moment Nedawniss looked as though on the
point of disputing the assertion.
" I have brought mademoiselle a present from her
lover," she broke out at length.
A tremor seized upon Marianne ; her face grew
whiter, and the smile faded from her lips. With an
unexpected, pathetic dignity, she rose to her feet.
"You have brought me a present from Captain
Dalzell?" she said sweetly, crushing back a strange
excitement which anon brought the old glow to her
cheeks, and a faint gleam of the old light to her
eyes. " From Captain Dalzell! Pray, give it to me
at once."
Through the same subtle instinct by which the chil-
dren of the wilderness read the secrets of inanimate
nature, Nedawniss felt that a change had taken place
in the consciousness of the mad bride — that the
young creature before her was no longer a stricken
child, but a woman struggling t stand upright be-
neath her burden of sorrow.
" At once," reiterated Marianne.
The Indian would have resented the tone of com-
mand in another, but now she glided to the French
girl's side, saying, —
" You shall have it. On the prairie I found this.
A Canadian in the Ottawa camp said the writing
inside would tell iny one that it belonged to the
white chief who went out to fight the warriors of
Pontiac."
Thereupon, she put into Marianne's hands a note-
hook of English leather, much the worse for having
lain long among the prairie grasses under the sun
and showers, and having a dark stain upon one cor-
ner, — a .stain that had not been entirely washed out
by the rains.
GIVE LOVE GOOD-MORROW 327
Marianne shivered as she took the gift, but the
next moment she pressed it to her heart Yea it
was Dalzell's diary. Only the night before he went
out beyond the stockade beyond the gates of her
life, he had shown her the glad words he had set
down on the day when he came to Le Detroit to
claim her as his bride.
With trembling fingers she slipped the little leather
strap that bound it. and opened the weather-worn
book. As her eyes feU on the familiar writing, a low
cry escaped her. ^
" It is like the lament of the hare struck by the
arrow of the hunter, the little Mawboos. who seeks
to hide his misery amid a tangle of vines," thought
Nedawniss, watching her.
Moaning thus, poor, distraught Marianne turned
the leaves, yet distinguished nothing of what was
written there. A scrap of paper fell from between
the pages and fluttered to the floor. Nedawniss with
rare humility stooped to pick up the fragment, but
Marianne in sudden anger pounced upon it, like a
young lioness protecting her own.
It was her last letter to her lover ; with a sigh she
rep aced it. And what was this in the pocket at the
back of the book.? The locket that contained her
picture; tfie blue ribbon having worn thin, he had
still carried the locket next his heart. Again she
turned the leaves, murmuring half coherently —
" Ah, here are the last words he wrote ; all beyond
IS white and — red." ^
She bent over the page ; other words danced be-
tore her — these words,
"July 31st. Took leave of my little bride. My poor
Marianne, wee^ if you must, but be brave, be irave,"
328 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
"The message! the message I " gasped the girl;
and throwing up her arms wildly, she fell back uoon
the settle and gave way to a passion of tears. ^
From that time Marianne de St. Ours wore her
wedding dress no more, but she spent many days in
weeping.
" Do not chide her," said the old doctor. Major
Chapoton. "Tears will be as a revivifying dew to
her hot heart and brain ; she will recover."
And so it was. At first the girl, white and listless,
like the ghost of her lost happiness, began to flit
silently through the street to the church. Then she
visited the hospital with Madame des Ruisseaux, and
thus, little by little, grew again in touch with the life
around her. And those who looked after her as she
went her way, said to one another, —
•♦ Before, she was but a ' jolie demoiselle,' but sor-
row has made her a beautiful woman."
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOURTH
A MESSENGER TO SIR WILLIAM
THE month of October was nearly gone, when
one day a corporal brought to James Sterling
a request from Major Gladwin, bidding him repair to
headquarters. Though the Scotchman had given
himself heart and soul to the defence of the fort, he
had held little speech with the commandant, save in
the line of his duty, since the evening when he had
met Ang^lique Cuillerier in the disguise of an Indian
girl, seeking an interview with Gladwin.
While the major had availed himself of the services
of his captain of militia, the personal intercourse of
the two men had been characterized by an awkward
reserve and hauteur, more marked than their former
distant courtesy and occasional attempts at friendship.
Now the commandant informed the merchant curtly
that when night came, the troops would embark under
cover of the darkness and sail away toward Niagara.
For a moment Sterling's heart b-at high. Would
not the departure of the English end the troubles at
the strait ? The present state of affairs was ruining
his business ; moreover, once Gladwin was gone,
would not Angdique marr> him ? But could he be
such a craven as to purchase his own happiness at a
cost to the community ? The withdrawal of the gar-
rison would mean only that in th"; spring Sir Jeffrey
Amherst would send new troops to the fort ; the
Indians would gather around it in greater force, and
a.'
330 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
dred^old'^ ""^ ^ ^^°^ '*'°"^*' ^ increased a hun-
«.I!l"*[°'f 'Z*^!' * '^'"P '^'"Sfe'^ ^»»*> himself, he
represented to the major that Pontiac was about to
set out for the hunting, and now the habitants would
be wilhng enough to furnish food to the garrison, for
Fnr.A f^'^'^r^'* ^^^^ *^*^ ^'■^"'=h commandant at
Fort Chartres had refused to send aid to the chief.
So well did he argue against himself, that with re-
newed spint Gladwin declared he would hold the fort
at all hazard.
Before the end of the week, the great Ottawa with-
drew with h,s family to the Maumie. A few days
later. Gladwm agam sent for the Scotchman, and an-
nounced that he had decided to send him for stores
Johnlo^**"^' ^^°"^ "^"''^ * ''^P°'^ '° ^''' ^»"'a«»
At another time Sterling would have welcomed
this opportunity for a voyage accompanied by enough
of peril to lend a zest to the spirit of adventure, and
an exhilarating journey through the forest in the keen
air of late November. After being shut up in the
stockade for many months, the prospect would have
been, indeed, pleasant to a man of his energetic
temperament ^
Yet. who could say that he would ever come back
from this expedition? Even though the ship in
which he sailed might ride the storms of Lake Erie
would he escape the fury of the hostile Delawares
who roamed the woods of western New York and
Fennsylvania, and were constantly on the watch for
the scouting parties of the English ? Was Gladwin
favor of "la belle du D^roit"? Well, if so, he
would strive to outwit the major by succeeding i.
■wtaravr
A MESSENGER TO SIR WILLIAM 331
the task assigned him; he would win honors, that
he might lay them at her feet.
Animated by these thoughts, he answered tersely,
" Very well, sir, I will go."
The following evening he went out to the Cuil-
lerier farm. Unfortunately for his hope of a tftte-^-
t^te with '* "'Clique, her father was at home, and chose
to treat, i .i ". ith marked coolness. La bonne mSrc,
too, '-^^in^ J : u per, pointedly alluded to the
sorr!"'\
se it ,ior
!l!!e
IVr.
pronv.' ^ t'> m.it.'y an '
CI iy toe •y?\ . r i.c
cuis o^ h * d," jihtcr.
e St. Ours as a punishment
because of the demoiselle's
cmy of her country. It was
warning was like a knell in the
The demoiselle had not yet
reccveiCii turn 'he shock of having witnessed the
tragic fit' ;■ Cajjiai;. Campbell, and the fright of the
battle of t.-- Creek of the Crimson Waters, it was
said. None were aware of the additional fear which
had wrecked her nerves, the ever-present dread of
Pontiac's vengeance. Now she was ill again. Had
Sterling known that this illness had followed txie
receipt of the news of his intended journey (brought
home by Antoine), he might have discovered in the
coincidence some reason for cheerfulness.
As it was, too weak to rise, she sat by the hearth,
while Madame Cuillerier remained in evidence,
plainly determined to give him no opportunity for a
tender parting.
Ang^lique, summoning her old merry spirit, was
gaily gracious. When, however, after a short stay,
he rose to go and, bending over her chair, took her
hands and kissed them, to his surprise she burst
into tears.
He saw Dame Cuillerier snatch a smelling-bottle
from the table,
I
i
I
332 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
" Were those tears for me, sweetheart. I would bid
you dry your eyes," he whispered hastily to the
weepmg girl. •• Pray God, I may return. I carry
the thought of you ever in my heart ! Love, do not
forget, do not forget I "
Before he could say more, la bonne mSre thrust
herself between them and bade him an unceremoni-
ous Au revoir."
" Au revoir, monsieur," echoed Angdique with a
chokmg sob.
Thus dismissed, he had no choice save to take his
departure. Before he reached the gate of the pali-
sade, he heard a soft voice calling his name.
" Monsieur Sterling ! "
He turned, and in the light from the open door-
way saw Tante Josette hurrying down the path
" Au revoir, monsieur," she said, as she came up
to him, " do not be disheartened. La chSre Ang^-
ique has nerves, and she has been much pestered of
late. When peace comes, she will be herself again
Au revoir; I doubt not she will pray daily for the
safe return of so faithful a friend as you have been
and I myself will beg the good Ste. Anne to obtain
you all success."
Before the Scotchman could find words for more
than a hasty " God bless you. Mademoiselle Jo-
sette, the kind-hearted little old maid sped again to
••Gl d°"'^" '^^^ ""' "^^^ ***" '^"^*^ ^""'^^ °" '^^
Soon after, the snows and ice. mailed hosts of the
north, beleagued the lonely fort of Le Detroit in as
close a siege as that erstwhile waged by the Indians. *
.u u 1 ^,^'*^^*y of the Strait" was locked fast by
the hand of the Frost King. Come what might, there
i2^'
A MESSENGER TO SIR WILLIAM 333
was no longer a chance of escape for the garrison by
river or lake. Sometimes for weeks together not a
redman was seen in the vicinity of the stockade, yet
if a soldier chanced to wander into the forest in
search of game, or strolled upon the prairie beyond
the range of the guns of the fort, he was never heard
of again.
A tragedy there was, also, within the fort. Late
one evening as Major Gladwin, going the rounds of
the stockade, walked down a little cross-street, he
felt instinctively the presence of some oni, near, and,
wheeling about, found that his steps were being
dogged by an Indian girl.
•' Has not the Ojibwa been commanded to keep
away from the palisade?" he demanded sternly.
" Monsieur le commandant, I am only bringing
home a little pair of moccasins that I have made for
Mademoiselle de St. Ours. Madame de Ruisseaux
will shelter me for th^ ;ught," answered the girl
deprecatingly.
Under the cir':umstances, how could he order her
to be put out? Turning away, he strode on, im-
patiently conscious that she still followed. Now and
again, a ray from a lamp of bears' oil or a candle
glimmered from behind the curtains of a house, but
the open space of the military garden (through which
he had to pass) was lit only by the dim light of the
stars.
He had proceeded about half-way across this
parade ground when, suddenly, a man wearing a
mask arose in his path like a spirit of evil, and thrust
at him with a dagger. He had no time to draw his
sword, nor even to snatch the pistol from his belt.
He could only depend upon his muscular strength
to ward off the would-be assassin. Already wounded
fi
\i
334 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
in the side by his assailant, he grew faint, his brain
reeled, his grasp upon the arm of his unknown enemy
relaxed. Again the latter raised the knife, but on
the mstant out of the night an Indian woman sprang
between the combatants. The next moment the
knife meant for the heart of Gladwin was plunged
deep m her breast, and with a faint cry she sank
dying at the feet of the man for whom she had will-
ingly given her life.
It had all happened within a few minutes. The
commandant shot into the darkness after the fleeing
stranger. The report of his weapon, and his call ^
Rn. r "^T '^^ ^"^' ^''^"Sht the guard to the spot,
iiut the unknown man had escaped. And when the
sentry flashed his torch upon the still form lying on
tionK"^^' .1r" f"'^''^ "^'"g^^^ sorrow, admira-
L^V u ^i^u^^* ^^ '^"^ °^ Nedawniss the Ojibwa
had taken flight to the Und of the Hereafter.
, J*" V"'*^°'^ *^* ^°"^ ^'"'^'■' sometimes prayed for
TZn^^ln^' '' 'f \r^"" ™°- ^'^ -'hard
?u Tu. " Mission, the Normandy pear trees of
tiie habitants' gardens, were like great bouqurts of
fragrant blooms; there was "a perfume ?n te^
wind, music ,n every tree." The rich carpets of
c^mpted to" til '"1 T^^^^' P^^*^ -^ --
compared to the splendor of the prairie The
outer world this region which the old missionary
voyageurs Galin^e and Dollier de Casson and afte^
them the gallant Sieur Cadillac, termed th^e' tTrr'estS:!
Ju^'aifdThf M ' ^"71 "-'""" lengthened into
June, and the Moon of Strawberries became the
Moon of the Roving Deer; the Hurons. Po" awat!
A MESSENGER TO SIR WILLIAM 335
tomies, Ojibwas, and many of the Ottawas returned
from the hunt to their villages. Yet Pontiac did not
appear at Le Grand Marais, nor was he to be found
among the groves of the Isle au P6che. It was
rucnored thart the Great Chief was still engaged in
stirring up the tribes of the west. Since he had not
come, the habitants who had sown their fields in fear
began to reap the harvest with gladness.
Meantime, an Ojibwa runner, who came in from
the forests bordering Lake Erie, brought news that a
company of English had embarked on the lake, and
one day at the close of the summer a fleet came
proudly sailing up the river. It was Bradstreet's
ostentatious expedition, and on the day his army
landed the long-suffering garrison was relieved and
the new troops went on duty.
With the reinforcements came Sterling, triumphant
and successful.
When he appeared at the Cuillerier homestead
Ang^lique welcomed him with shining eyes. She
was no longer ill, and the color that suffused her
countenance rendered her lovelier than ever. She
paid a flattering attention to the story of his adven-
tures, sighed over his perils, and congratulated him
upon the honors he had received at Niagara. But
when he sought to turn the conversation to the sub-
ject nearest to his heart, parbleu, swiil as a bird, the
girl put to him a hundred questions about the
officers at Fort Schlosser, about his fierce encounter
with a band of Schawnees ! Did Sir William John-
son really ask for her ? Was the baronet's new, half-
Indian wife, Molly Brant, as handsome as report
said? Mademoiselle Ang^lique was clearly in no
mood for sentiment, now that her lover was safe at
home again. La bonne mere was, however, more
i
336 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
civil to the Scotchman than at his last visit; Tantc
Josette, frankly cordial ; Antoine was away.
The next evening as the merchant sat over his
sohtary supper in the parlor beyond his warehouse
Jaco the Pani boy brought to him a small mocock, or
Indian basket, saying, —
" Monsieur, here is a box of bonbons that Madame
des Ruisseaux's woman Agathe bade me put into
your hands with the compliments of her mistress."
It was a pretty French custom to send such little
gifts to family friends upon festival days in token of
good will and remembrance, and the fSte of the As-
sumption was just passed.
" Madame des Ruisseaux is very kind. You mav
go, Jaco." '
" Gitchie manitou," mumbled the boy as he quitted
the room, "there sits the master and never once
looks mto the mocock, yet under the lid are candied
cherries and meringues of pounded hickory nuts.
But I dared only peep at them, for Agathe said that
though they are harmless for white people, were a
Pani to taste of them he would fall down dead."
Left alone. Sterling stared blankly at the box.
"The dear old madame thinks I have still the
sweet tooth of a lad," he ruminated.
All at once he became aware that the tracery
around the edge of the lid formed itself into written
words, and following the curved lines of the ara-
besque, he read in French, " He who seeks, finds,"
Similar legends were almost always inscribed upon
these souvenirs, he now recalled. Nevertheless, this
one seemed to have a special significance. With
careless curiosity he turned out the contents of the
box upon the table. The next moment he started,
for there among the comfits lay a tiny fragment of
'W
A MESSENGER TO SIR WILLIAM 337
birch bark, folded into the shape of a military
chapeau. '
"A note from Madame des Ruisscaux ! This must
be about some matter which requires caution and dis-
cretion," he soliloquized, opening the missive.
Written in French, of course, its substance was as
follows :
« Monsieur Sferung, — I arn with my aunt, Madame des
Ruisseaux. Pray come to see me as soon as you have read this.
Come without delay, a life may be at stake.
" AwctUQUE."
The merchant raised his eyes, and, chancing to turn
tftem toward the window, saw the woman Agathe flit
past, as though she had waited to make sure he had
found the billet.
He started to his feet and called the slave boy.
jaco. he said, when the latter appeared, " close
the shutters. I will return before the bugler at the
tu T'^fA ^«^ l^' '^"' °' *^^ ^*'" °f Ste. Anne's
tolls the 'De Profundis.'"
Taking his hat, he hurried out of the house and
down the street.
When he arrived at the residence of Madame des
Ruisseaux, it was the dame herself, and not Ane€-
hque, who greeted him. ^
"Permit me to bid you a warm welcome home,
Monsieur Sterling," she said, motioning him to a
place on the settle beside her.
" Madame, I hope I find you well," answered the
merchant, wondering why he had been so hastily
summoned. ^
•• I sleep excellently and do not decline three meals
a C.'v, was the conclusive rejoinder.
' And Mademoiselle de St. Ours is happier?"
22
338 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
Madame dcs Ruisseaux raised her hands and eyes
to Heaven, or, to be more exact, to the dingy rafters
above her head.
" Praise be to Ste. Anne I " she exclaimed with
a sigh, " la chJre Marianne spends nearly all of her
time at the hospital now. • The Angel of Consola-
tion • the sick soldiers call her. To the French habi-
tants, who have been made poor by the war, she is
most charitable, as also to the Indian women and chil-
dren, although, • pauvre demoiselle,' one might think
she would shrink from the aborigines. When peace
comes, albeit I shall have many reasons for joy, there
will be one for sadness, since then Marianne will go to
Quebec to enten the convent of the Hotel Dieu. At
first we thought the Ursulines would be her choice,
but to the care of the unhappy she wishes to devote
her life. Ah, monsieur ! as grain is winnowed by the
wind, so is the soul rendered more goodly by suffering."
Sterling silently assented. Yet, sincere as was his
sympathy for the beautiful Marianne de St Ours, he
saw that Madame des Ruisseaux was talking in a per-
functory manner. The sound of a woman's sobbing
that presently camefrom the room beyond confirmed
this suspicion. The old lady leaned toward him, as
though about to speak upon some subject which evi-
dently agitated her, but at the same moment the door
between the two rooms was flung open and Mademoi-
selle Cuillerier appeared, supporting the trembling
form of Madame Clotilde Godefroy. Sterling sprang
to his feet and bowed low to the ladies.
Ang^lique was alert, self-reliant, and fired with en-
ergy, as her lover liked best to see her. Madame
Godefroy was pale, and, although she strove for com-
posure, her heavy eyelids showed that it was she who
had been weeping.
»f*
A MESSENGER TO SIR WILLIAM 339
" Monsieur Sterling," she began, and stopped short,
overcome by emotion.
" Clearly you have not heard, monsieur," inter-
posed Ang^lique, to spare her the effort of proceed-
ing. " Clearly you do not know what ce b^te English
officer has done now? "
" Colonel Bradstreet has indeed made several de-
plorable blunders since he has been at Le Detroit, as,
for instance, the cutting into shreds of the peace belt
the Indians presented to him ; an act that has greatly
angered them, I hear," acknowledged Sterling.
" Quel sottise ! " interrupted Mademoiselle Cuille-
lir* " ^^ *^'"^* himself a greater man than Sir
Wilham Johnson, yet he will stir up not only the
savages, but the French. Here, only two days after
his arrival, he talks of hanging our brave Jacques
Godefroy, with more indifference than he would show
when ordering his dinner. For 't is said he is over-
fond of the pleasures of the table, and finds the liquor
of the French as good as English rum, if so be there
is enough of it."
" Madame, believe me, you are needlessly alarmed,"
said the Scotchman, turning to Clotilde. '• Surely, you
remember that soon after the departure of Pontiac,
when many of the habitants purposed to embark their
families in pirogues and forsake the shores of Le De-
troit for those of the Wabash, Major Gladwin informed
them that they might remain here without fear of mo-
lestation by the English conquerors. Moreover, he
bade me impress upon the commanding officer at
Niagara that for the sake of those Canadians who
rendered valuable services to the English during the
siege, the lives and property of all the farmers and
townspeople should be protected."
" Alas, my husband was excepted from the general
340 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
amnesty," lamented the unhappy Clotilde, finding
voice at last. " Major Gladwin has never liked him
since the luckless evening when Pontiac detained the
brave and ill-fated Captain Campbell at the house of
Ang^lique's father. But Jacques has been accused
of many acts that were done by others."
'• Major Gladwin may be prejudiced, but he will not
be unjust," rejoined Sterling confidently. "As for
Colonel Bradstreet, he is a gruff man, and perchance
some careless speech of his, uttered after a too gener-
ous potation, has been repeated to you."
" Word was brought to Madame Godefroy awhile
since that the fa^e of her husband is to be decided to-
night," interposed Mademoiselle Cuillerier. " Dame
Clotilde therewith rushed from her home with her
child, and came to Madame des Ruisseaux for ad-
vice. Being here, I despatched a message to you in
a box of comfits, for in these times 't is safest to trust
few with a knowledge of our affairs. We go at once
to seek speech with the colonel, and would be glad of
your escort."
" Mademoiselle, madame, you honor me by the re-
quest," replied Sterling. " Let me not delay you
further; we will consult together on the way."
" Take care of my child who is sleeping so sweetly
in the room yonder," pleaded Clotilde, embracing
Madame des Ruisseaux.
" Praise be to Ste. Anne, the English colonel is not
an ogre to spirit away children. Be off with you,"
retorted the older woman, with pretended impatience.
Thereupon the distracted wife set out with Angelique
and the merchant. They proceeded rapidly toward
the gate of the town, called then and for many years
after the Pontiac Gate, because by it the Great Chief
entered to hold his treacherous council with Major
I?
A MESSENGER TO SIR WILLIAM 341
Gladwin, and through it he retreated crest-fallen when
his plot failed.
Sterling's elation at Aug^lique's choice of him as
her knight was suddenly dashed by the realization
that without his aid she and her friend could not
have passed this gate. Still, he took a grim satisfac-
tion in the thought that she had found it expedi-
ent to turn to him. As they reached the shadow of
the tall hickory posts which formed the sides of the
entrance, a soldier with levelled musket stepped out
of the gloom, and challenged the party. The v. omen
shrank back, but, as captain of militia, Sterling had
the countersign and gave it, upon which the guard
threw open the wicket, and they passed on.
It was now about eight o'clock. From the tranquil
August sky the stars shone down upon Br^idstreet's
little army, encamped upon the common outside the
stockade. The weather-stained tents gleamed white
in the dim light, and beyond them lay the river, a
dark current as resistless as time. At the outpost
of the tented town there was another guard to be
passed ; then presently the visitors stood before the
quarters of the chief officer. Again they were halted.
" The countersign is not enough here, sir," said the
sentry tersely; " the colonel has but just dined. He
is engaged with Major Gladwin in the consideration
of business of importance, and my orders are to admit
no one."
Madame Godefroy recoiled as though she had
received a blow, for she knew the business whereof
he spoke concerr.ed the life of her husband. Angc-
lique also appeared disconcerted.
A moody impulse seized upon the Scotchman.
Taking from the pocket of his surtout a notebook, he
opened it at a blank page, and passing it to the girl,
34* THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
together with the silver pencil case wherein leads
were carried at that day, h- said,—
" If mademoiselle will write a line to Major Glad-
win, I have no doubt it will be the only password
needed."
In the imperfect light he did not see the reproach-
ful glance she cast at him. but she laugh w-d lightly,
tossed her head, and replied in a low ton-*,— -
"I thank you, monsieur; but before appealing to
the courtesy of the commandant, I prefer to test your
mfluence with the colonel."
The artful minx ; this was a clever turning of the
tables. Sterling compressed his lips, and bethought
himself that a man is rash indeed to seek to bandy
words with a woman. Mechanically he tore a page
from the book, wrote a request thereon, and handed
the scrap of paper to the guard. Fortunately, the
latter had heard many tales of Sterling's kindness to
the soldiers during the siege, therefore he was willing
to oblige the popular captain of militia. Summon-
ing an orderly from the ante-room of the tent, he
bade him take the message to his chief. After a few
minutes, spent by the party in awkward silence, the
orderly returned.
" Colonel Bradstreet bids me say Aas 'ow 'e will
receive Mr. Sterling ^nd the ladies," he said, with a
grin.
Sterling's brow cleared ; despite the gravity of the
^itu^tion, Ang^lique could not refrain from darting at
him a demurely roguish glance. But she checked the
smile upon her lips, and, turning to Dame Clotildc,
whispered encouragement to the young wife, and be-
sought her to dry her tears.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIFTH
JACQUES GODEFROY
THE orderly led the way, and the two women,
escorted by Sterling, followed through the small
outer apartment. When they entered the main tent,
however, Madame Godefroy uttered a low cry, and
would have fallen to the ground but for the support-
ing arm of Ang^lique.
The girl was also startled by the scene before her,
while the Scotchman could hardly conceal his own
surprise. The colonel was still at table ; on his right
hand sat Major Gladwin, at his left. Captain Morris,
who had come with him from Niagara, and was to go
into the Illinois country to receive the submission of
Pontiac.
Upon the board remained the remnant of the
repast, and amid the disorder lay Bradstreet's over-
turned goblet Having found a draught of the
home-made red wine of the habitants insipid after his
stronger potations, he had pushed it from him. and
now down the white napery it dripped in slow drops
like blood, which a fine dog that lay under the table
lapped as they fell.
Madame Godefroy had not been dismayed by the
rubicund, forbidding countenance of Bradstreet, nor
yet by the stern, cold face of Gladwin. Opposite to
the officers, against the background of canvas wall,
stood Jacques Godefroy. His hands were bound be-
hind him ; his blue blouse, fallen open at the throat.
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344 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
w
;
revealed his broad, bronzed chest; a long lock of
straight black hair hung over his brow, and upon his
dark visage was a look of sullen and impotent oppo-
sition. It was when his eyes met those of Clotilde
that she, realizing the peril of his position and feeling
its ignominy like a sword thrust, came so near to
swooning.
"What — what — is this?" demanded the colonel,
turning upon Sterling. "Your request said two
ladies wished to pay their respects to me, and I
directed that your party should be admitted ; for I
am never so ungallant as to be indifferent to the fair
sex," he added, with a leer at Angelique. " I do not
wonder that the dame mislikes the look of the fellow
in the corner yonder. Egad, of a truth I forgot him
for the nonce. Let her withdraw for a few minutes ;
we shall be done with him presently."
"Sir," answered the Scotchman, with dry satire,
"it is in the interest of this prisoner, Monsieur
Godefroy, that these ladies have come. They did
not, however, expect to meet with him here and in
this manner; therefore, you will perhaps think it
small wonder that his wife is for the moment some-
what agitated."
" Ifis wife, you say, Mr. Sterling?" repeated Brad-
street testily. " Odzookens, I '11 have no tomfoolery
or play-acting. Take her away, take her away."
But by this time Madame Clotilde had regained
strength and composure ; for the gentle caress, the
womanly sympathy of Angelique were to her like
a sweet cordial, and now she stood erect and ap-
parently calm, save that her clasped hands worked
nervously.
" I beseech your Excellency's permission to stay,"
she pleaded, with an effort to steady her voice; "I
JACQUES GODEFROY
345
will make no further trouble. It is many weeks since
I have been allowed to see my husband."
" Gad so, let her regard him then, sir, if her emotion
is caused by admiration of the picture," interjected
the young captain in an undertone. " Women are
skittish cattle, and if you have her turned out she
will take to such a lamenting as will put the camp
in a panic. The soldiers will think it an Indian
death-cry, or the bay of the ghostly hound of the
Chase Galere, and you will get no good fighting out
of them if we are caught in a skirmish with the
savages."
" Odzookens, then she may stay," ansv/ered the
colonel, the more readily, perhaps, because if Ma-
dame Clotilde retired Angelique would go, too,
and he was loath to so soon lose sight of the pretty
demoiselle.
When it was decided that the women should re-
main, a smile of satisfaction flitted across the swarthy
features of Godefroy, but the next moment his ex-
pression became as fiercely lowering as before.
" Odzookens, since the decanters are empty, I sup-
pose we must come to some decision before we have
them refilled," Bradstreet continued, glancing from
Gladwin to the captain.
The officers bowed gravely, and he thereupon
turned to the prisoner.
" Well, sirrah," he began, and then added in French,
which he spoke haltingly, " well, what have you to
say for yourself?"
The Canadian raised his head and flung back the
lock of hair that shaded his eyes.
" I have to say," he replied proudly in his native lan-
guage, " first, that my name is not seerrah, but Jacques
Godefroy. I am the son of the Sieur de Marboeuf,
346 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
and descended from the Godefroys of Rouen, whose
ancestor was the great Godefroy de Bouillon."
" Odzookens, I did not know, major, that you had
in duress a scion of one of the old crusaders," laughed
Bradstreet, with cutting irony.
Mademoiselle Cuillerier stared at him with halMn-
credulous horror. Was it in this hap-hazard manner
that Godefroy had been arraigned and was to be tried
for his life ?
" Well, Mr. De Marboeuf, De Bouillon, or whatever
you choose to call yourself," proceeded the colonel,
" since you were arrested with the birch-bark missives
of Pontiac in your pouch, I presume you will not
deny that you siistained the arch-fiend in his savage
warfare against the British forces, and thus have
proved yourself a traitor to your legitimate sover-
eign, King George the Third. You stand convicted
of treason, sirrah, and the penalty of treason is
death."
At the last word Madame Clotilde waxed as white
as her kerchief, and swayed blindly; Ang^lique's
arm again supported her, however, and she betrayed
her emotion only by an agonized glance at her hus-
band. For she knew that any moan or ejaculation
of grief would mean her exclusion from the proceed-
ings, and her all-absorbing wish was to remain near
him in this crisis of his disasters.
But Jacques Godefroy had faced danger too often
to blanch when confronted with it now. In the for-
est, among hostile savages, on lake and river, at the
mercy of the elements, at the hands of the English,
he had braved " the fell sergeant, death." Now he
actually listened with a smile to the pompous ad-
dress of Bradstreet. But it reminded Sterling of the
smile of the Indian at the stake, the stoical defiance
JACQUES GODEFROY
347
wherewith the redman flaunts his enemies when he
sees life and all its joys fast receding from him, and
his soul is in the throes of a greater conflict than the
agony that tortures his body. When the colonel
had finished his harangue, the prisoner rejoined
calmly, —
" Monsieur, I neither admit nor deny the charges
you bring against me. I never pretended to take ser-
vice with the English ; yet, on the other side, never
did I betray them. Major Gladwin has said 1
knowingly decoyed Captain Campbell to his fate.
It is not true. When I prevailed upon the captain
to go out to the ' c6te du nord,' I thought that by
going he would save the English from massacre.
Pontiac deceived me, although he was my friend.
He has slept many times at my hearth and eaten at
my table. For years I traded with his young men
for furs, and they were glad to have of me the hunt-
ing knives, guns, and blankets which I brought from
Montreal. Major Rogers and his rangers came
through the woods and over the waters and found us
here. They showed strange orders to our comman-
dant, Monsieur de Bellestre, and sent him a prisoner
to Niagara. But the French of Le Detroit could not
believe that our King had given up his fine province
of New France. I swore on the cross that to the
last I would be faithful to the cause of the fleur-de-
lis, but I did not countenance murder. I sought to
hold the Great Chief in check, telling him that King
Louis would in good time send his soldiers to drive
away the English."
" Ha, ha ! " cried Bradstreet interrupting the Creole's
manly defence; "you have a ready tongue, mon-
sieur ! Nevertheless, despite the tidings of the treaty
of Paris, the messages sent to the French here by
348 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
their own former Governor of Montreal, the reiterated
news of the cession of Canada to iiis Majesty King
George, you twice went on a mission from Pontiac to
the French forts in the Ilhnois country. You went
to stir up their commanders and soldiers against us.
You are a traitor both to your former and your
present sovereign, both to the King of France and
the King of England."
"Monsieur, I am no traitor!" cried Godefroy,
starting forward angrily.
At the same moment the guards covered him
with their muskets, and his wife smothered a cry of
despair.
Remembering' his position as a captive, and his
bound hands, he fell back a pace, while a scornful
smile again played about his strong mouth.
"I am no traitor," he repeated. doggedly, "and of
many acts alleged against me I am guiltless. Your
commandant here at the fort has indeed cherished a
viper, but I am not the man. Would you blame a son
for being slow to believe that his father has deserted
him, has refused him help in his need and given
him up to his enemies? I held by King Louis. But
when I went to Fort Chartres, and learned that the
English had not lied to us, or forged the documents
of the treaty, then I knew all hope for the cause
of the fleur-de-lis was gone. Coming back, I faith-
fully delivered to Pontiac the message of Monsieur
Neyon ; tc his advice I added my word, counselling
the Ottawa, to make peace with your people. Having
heard me, he withdrew to the Maumie. Is it for
this you call me traitor, for this you would put
me to death? Your flag floats over Fort Pontchar-
train, and the fleur-de-lis is trailed in the dust. You
may call New France a British province, but you
JACQUES GODEFROY
349
cannot make her people English! God has made
them French, and French they will ever be ! "
"Cease, sirrah! Such seditious language cannot
be tolerated. Odzookens, I'll have you hanged
to-morrow in the name of the King. It is martial
law with us now ; we have no need of court or legal
bickerings. A rebel may be strung up sans shrift on
a bough of the nearest tree."
At this harsh verdict from the commanding officer,
a shrill cry broke from Madame Godefroy, i. .d she
rushed forward to cast herself upon her husband's
neck, but was warded off by the cold steel of the
guards' muskets levelled at her breast.
•' Take the woman out ! " roared Bradstreet.
Poor Madame Clotilde quickly withdrew behind
the flap of the curtain which separated the main
tent from the ante-chamber, and the pitying orderly
assumed that the command was obeyed according to
the letter.
At this point Captain Morris interposed. The
fearless bearing and straightforward defence of Gode-
froy had impressed him greatly. Here was a man to
be trusted ; a man who acknowledged his loyalty to
his friends, his cause, even in the face of death. He
felt that Jacques Godefroy would keep ary pledge
he might give. He (Morris) needed the help of
such a man.
" Colonel Bradstreet," he said, " mayhap you might
make a more serviceable disposal of the prisoner
than by hanging him."
" How now? " demanded the colonel, turning upon
him.
"In commissioning me to go into the Illinois
country, did you not grant me the privilege of select-
ing my escort?"
h:
350 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
"Yes, verily, since the expedition will be one for
no carpet knight," rejoined his chief, laughing
"I understand its perils; therefore I wish to have
Jacques Godefroy for my guide."
Even the prisoner started.
" Would you put your head into the lion's mouth? "
queried the colonel, with a sneer.
"Certainly not; but could I have a better inter-
mediary than this man? If Jacques Godefroy will
proniise to lead me through the wilderness and be
loyal to me, I choose him for a conductor above all
others.
Godefroy raised his head once more and turned a
grateful, softened look upon the young man who not
only intervened to save him from a felon's fate, but
offered him a position of confidence and honor
" Odzookens, if you can make use of the fellow I
ulr ;y;"'"?ly give him to you were it not that
Major Gladwin has been at some pains to impress
upon me that he should be hanged," replied the
colonel, yawning.
In truth, he was weary of the subject. The life of
a Creole seemed to him of no more account than that
of an Indian, and he regarded the latter as pests of
whom his countrymen were to rid themselves as soon
as might be.
During all this scene Major Gladwin had sat silent
and apparently coldly indifferent to what was taking
place before him. ^
Now, being directly appealed to, he said, with an
unchanging countenance, —
"My sentiments are not altered, sir; I see no
reason why clemency should be extended to the
prisoner.
Even a brave man is glad to make a truce with
JACQUES GODEFROY
351
death. The light that had illumined Jacques' honest
face, as the hope of reprieve was exteiided to him,
faded at the words of the major, and he nerved
himself to hear his condemnation blurted out by
Brad street.
In an agony of terror, Dame Clotilde emerged
from the shadow, and would have cast herself at the
feet of Gladwin to beg the life of her husband, but a
glance from Godefroy forbade her. Perhaps he sur-
mised that her prayer would be of no avail ; per-
haps in his pride he preferred death rather than to
see his wife thus plead with his enemy for mercy.
But in Sterling he had another champion.
" Surely, Major Gladwin, you are willing to accord
the prisoner this chance held out to him by Captain
Morris? " he urged with heat.
There was a tense pause, during which the colonel
was seized with a violent fit of coughing. What with
strong liquor and tobacco, his throat had grown dry,
and he was stout and apoplectic.
The orderly stepped into the ante-room and, seiz-
ing a ewer filled with water that stood upon the floor
of the tent, brought it in, and, pouring some of
the water into a goblet, offered it to the choking
official.
Before the latter raised it to his lips, however, the
voice of Godefroy rang out clear and firm, —
" Do not drink it ; the water is poisoned."
Bradstreet's hand was a trifle unsteady, as he set
down the goblet, and, pointing to the dog at his feet,
gasped, — \
"Try it on the brute."
Sterling experienced a feeling of disgust.
"It were a pity to sacrifice the poor beast," he
said.
3Sa THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
^ J^radstrect did not belJeve that the water was poi-
•• It is a ruse ; the Canadian is crafty as a Norman "
he niuttered between paroxysms of coughing
Ihe orderly poured a little of the water Jnf« ,
d.sh, and the dog drank it with avidity Whateve/the
zzti fhr "• ' fr'/^"' speedily ;:^rhi':
lew moments the animal had sunk into a deep sleep
Odzookens. major. J shall have to leave this
mer V 'l T'^'r'^ "'^' ' recommendation to
mercy. I cannot hang a man who has prevented
daredTradtr" "^ "'^ '^ *'^* insensate ^logTde'
clared Bradstreet, as soon as he could speak.
weak'talion '^f^f '' "''' "°^" '' '"^^ ->°-rs
weak evasion of the matter, when he should have
taken it upon himself. ^^*
dam^'^aot^M ^^'"'" '°"^^' '^' ^'^' °^ the comman-
dant Clotildes eyes were fixed upon the officer In
Gladwin had decided that Godefroy should pay the
penalty for his stubborn resistance of BrS aufhor •
.ty his obduracy in remaining the friend oPomiac
and, imagining that in this decision he was biassed bJ
buffer de'th''^ ^'' '^''''''"' Godefroy mus^
suffer death, as an example to the French that thl
ff^iiw r""",?""'' "'■• ' '"S »f yo"." interrupted An-
fti Irsui".""'"' "^PP-Sfo™"" and spiking ,o"r
JACQUES GODEFROY 353
As Sterling watched her, his thoughts flew back to
the memorable evening when he had encountered her
at the council houre. Now, as then, her soft cheeks
glowed with the u icate blush of the eglantine, her
eyes grew lustrous, .nd her dark hair, falling in wavy
disorder about her brow and neck, made a frame for
her sweet face.
** Monsieur Gladwin," she said simply, in a voice
which trembled somewhat, " Monsieur Gladwin, /ask
the release of your prisoner."
For an instant Gladwin's brows lowered, and he
changed color. There was a moment of tense silence.
Then, tardily, unwillingly, and as though impelled by
an influence stronger than himself, he turned his head,
and met the glance of the demoiselle. Angelique
smiled, — confidently, expectantly.
At that smile all the chivalry in the nature of the
man seemed unlocked, even as a sunbeam thaws the
hoar frost and melts the snows.
Slowly he rose to his feet, bowed to her with
soldierly dignity, and, facing Colonel Bradstreet,
said, —
" Sir, during the time we were besieged by Pontiac,
this young lady rendered a great service to the offi-
cers and garrison of this fort. I am bound in honor
to give heed to any petition she may make. There-
fore, since she intercedes for Jacques Godefroy, I
recommend that the prisoner be released."
Bradstreet nodded assent, and, picking up his silver
snufT-box from the table, took a generous pinch of
Rappee.
Had the death-penalty been demanded, he would
as coolly have bidden the guard to conduct honest
Jacques from his presence, and make for him a gibbet
of the nearest tree. But, if the commandant chose to
.- ' ^-.
354 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
spare the life of the Frenchman at the request of a
charming demoiselle, it mattered little to him.
•*Odzookens, you sly fox," he muttered in an
undertone to Gladwin, " the girl is so dcucdd pretty,
that to gain a pleasant glance from her I would par-
don a score of rebels."
The major scarcely heard, however. He had turned
again to Ang^lique, who smiled her thanks and curt-
sied low.
"Jacques Godefroy," sa?-^. the colonel, "you owe
your life to the mediation of Mademoiselle Cuillerier;
but I impose a condition. It is that you pledge your-
self to faithfully guide this gentleman. Captain Morris,
dunng the expedition whereon he is about to set out,
and that you will take good care of him. Will you'
give me this pledge upon your oath ? "
"I swear by le bon Dieu that I will guard his life
V'ith my own," answered Godefroy solemnly.
'• Set the man free," said Bradstreet to the guards.
Thereupon, the soldier to the right of the prisoner
drew his dirk and cut the thongs that bound the hands
of Godefroy ; and Dame Clotilde, weeping now for
gladness, cast herself into her husband's arms.
The other soldier, saluting the colonel, pointed to
the floor of the tent, in front of the table.
Bradstreet, who had forgotten the dog, now glanced
carelessly toward it.
" Odzookens, the brute is dead ! " he said, and fiery
an^ swollen as was his visage, it seemed to grow less
red as he contemplated the poisoned animal.
The attention of the commandant being thus called
to it also, he disgustedly touched it with the toe of
his boot, and, having made sure that it was really
dead, motioned to the men to take it away.
As they appr- :hed to do so, the sharp crack of a
JACQUES GODEFROY 355
muskct-shot rang through the tent, and a bullet
aimed to kill Gladwin, grazing his left arm, tore a
rent m the canvas wall but three feet beyond him
The report was followed by a succession of shots
without. Snatching the pistols from their belts. Glad-
wm and Captain Morris rushed from the tent, Stcrl-
ing beside them, with drawn sword. The colonel
sobered on the instant, followed, baring his sabre as
he went.
Had that shot been the signal of a new uprising of
the trench? Finding the English thus encamped
upon the open common, had they betrayed their
conquerors into the hands of the savage? Was Pon-
tiac returned, many times more powerful than before?
ihe commotion might mean any or all of these
thmgs. Yet it meant none of them, and presently a
laugh went up from the officers and the soldiers of
the camp, as it became evident that their apprehen-
sions were groundless.
The captain of the watch approached Gladwin, and
saluted.
re'o^ 7^ ^"^ assassin has been shot dead, sir," he
The commandant went forward to survey the body.
The moon was now risen, and. as a soldier stooped
and turned over the dark object lying inanimate upon
the grass, a ray of silver light fell upon the face of
the dead man.
"It is Larron ?" exclaimed Gladwin, starting back
in horror and surprise.
" Yes, Larron, whom you trusted, monsieur le com-
mandant, replied Jacques Godefroy, who. having
seized a musket that stood in a corner of the tent,
had followed close behind to defend, if there were
need, the men that awhile before would have put
356 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
him to death. "Larron, who betrayed your plans
to Pontiac; Larron, who poisoned the drinking
water in the ewer. As I was conducted here from
the blockhouse which you made my prison, I saw
him lingering about the outer tent and suspected his
errand, though I could not have sworn to it. His
caution and reason had been stolen by deep draughts
of your English rum, else he would not have cast
away his miserable life so wantonly. Clever as you
English are, he duped you to the last. Despite
his wiles and favning for your favor, he hated you
with all the venom of his snake-like nature. He
took your bribes and mocked at you. It was he who
connived at the butcheries of the Ottawas ; he who
would have slain you before you had a chance to cry
out, save for the intervention of the Ojibwa giri, Ne-
dawniss. Now, in his drunken madness he thought,
no doubt, that by picking off one of the officers he
would start au uprising of the townspeople ; where-
upon the Indians, quickly forgetting the peace belts
they exchanged with you to-day, would rush to the
aid of the French. Words are wind, but seeing is be-
lieving. Major Gladwin ! In shooting down this spy,
your soldiers have done better work for your cause
than if they had routed a horde of savage warriors."
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIXTH
CONQUEST IN SURRENDER
TTwas late afternoon at the strait — the afternoon
A of one of those cool, delightful days that come
toward the last of August, deluding those who are
not weather-wise into the belief that the heat of sum-
mer is over, a faith to be speedily submerged by the
torrid wave upon whose sunlit crest comes floating
in, like a waif from the sea of Time, the young god
of the harvest, September.
The fort was a scene of gaiety upon this pleasant
afternoon. There had been a review of the troops
on the parade ground in front of the council house.
The French were out in gala attire, and congratulated
one another that they were no longer penned up
within the stockade, as the marionettes of a puppet
show are shut up in a box when they have no part to
play upon the stage.
The gates of the palisade were wide open. Al-
though sentinels stood on guard, townspeople and
habitants flocked in and out at will, or strolled
through the English camp upon the common. As
the sun sank to the west, many of the holiday makers
sought the river. Farmers from the "cdte du nord "
and the southern shore set out for home in their
pirogues, from the water gate or at the mouth of
the Rigolet des Hurons. Soldiers, voyageurs, lovers
embarked on the stream, and the voices of many gay
boating parties floated over the waters.
.1
t!l!
it:
358 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
Pottawattomie women haunted the strand, offering
moccasins and bead-work for sale, while their pap-
pooses stared round-eyed from the birch-bark cradles
bound upon the backs of the mothers. Traders in
fantastic dress jested with shy Indian girls, redskin
children played upon the bank or swam in the clear
current, and now and again a warrior without his war-
paint strode by on the pebbly beach.
It was at this hour that Colonel Bradstreet, stand-
ing on the water bastion, saw the interpreter, James
Sterling, assist into a canoe the pretty young lady
who the evening before had confronted the military
court with such charming temerity, and had claimed
from Major Gladwin the life of her countryman
with an assurance that her request would not be
denied.
" Odzookens," soliloquized the colonel, levelling
his lens upon the little skiff to behold the young man
take the place facing his fair passenger, " I would
give a purse of gold to be the pilot of that craft,
though I am not exactly built for aquatic exercise."
His glance roved ruefully over his bulky and rotund
form as he continued, —
" Where is Gladwin, I wonder ! Is he going to let
the canny Scot carry off the pearl of these Creole de-
moiselles? There should be a duel, at least ! Egad,
it might be a fine plan for me to set the two to kill
each other, and then elope with the lady myself. By
my faith, I thought the major a frozen sea, calm on
the surface but surging beneath, yet I could swear
his color deepened when the black-eyed demoiselle
flung him that look of reproach and spirited demand
last night. A romance is under all this, I '11 wager,
but it would take an ocean plummet line to fathom
Gladwin."
CONQUEST IN SURRENDER 359
Meanwhile, the Scotchman, with Mademoiselle
Cuillericr in the bow of his canoe, paddled up the
river. Young and ardent, each confronted in the
eyes of the other the sweet question and answer that
make life more worth the living.
Did the thoughts of both, like the lake birds flit-
ting over the water, wing their way back over their
course to the close of a day memorable in the town
and on the c6tes, since it was the first that followed
the arrival of Sir William Johnson at Le Detroit?
That evening long past, when Angelique had gone
boating with Sterling just after the Angelus hour?
Again, as then, the young man beheld the graceful
figure and piquant face of the girl against the dreary
background of the Isle au Cochon, the morass of Le
Grand Marais, the forests, and the wide expanse of
the river.
Dark, mysterious, and silent, the wooded island
might be likened to some grim Indian warrior keep-
ing watch before the still lonelier retreat beyond. As
Sterling's imagination thus pictured it, he seemed to
hear again the voice of his companion saying, —
" We French call that isolated spot the Isle au
P^che, because of its fine fisheries ; but to the Indians
it is known as the burial-place of their Prophet.
There the Great Chief has his lodge and holds
council with the manitou of the strait"
He recalled how, when he had asked the name of
this mighty leader of the aborigines, her voice sank to
a frightened whisper, and she shivered with a sudden
chill as she answered, —
" He is called Pontiac."
And at the very utterance of the fateful name a
gloom had settled upon them, — a gloom that never
since had been entirely lifted.
h
360 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
Yes, now it was, of course, again the voice of
Ang^hque which sounded in his ears. But at present
her tone was one of raillery, and the breeze was Only
pleasantly cool, giving her an excuse to draw her be-
witching blue scarf closer about her shoulders
"Eh bien, Monsieur Taciturne, your silence is
most entertaining, though many a demoiselle might
prefer a livelier cavalier in a canoe ride this fair
evening," she chided banteringly.
The Scotchman aroused himself with a start.
"A thousand pardons, mademoiselle," he cried
I was a churl to let my gaze stray from your face to
the black groves, that rest upon the water l-ke the
dark, threatening hand of the Indian prophet, the
.Ceeper of the Gates of the Lakes. My only excuse
IS that my reverie was of you. I was thinking of the
^^.i gers you have braved since the evening upon the
riv-er, when I first heard from your lips the name of
the remarkable Ottawa who involved us all French
and British, in such misery. Ah, Ang^ique, although
in your company I maybe at times as one tongue-
tied, yet the consciousness that you are near thrills
ever through my heart. Thus my soul is filled with
joy and thankfulness, when from the sombre view of
Nature, outstretched yonder, my eyes return to you
ana I see you lovelier, sweeter, nobler even than
before the storm whic' ^as swept over this countiy
of the strait, and left . devastation in its wake "
Ang^hque gave a little deprecating shrug of the
shoulders and contracted her brows, but her frown
soon changed to a smile. The Highlander had made
a pretty apology for his muteness. Moreover, now,
as on the never-to-be-forgotten evening before the
siege, she saw beyond his earnest face the glow of
the sunset.
CONQUEST IN SURRENDER 361
True, it was not now a calm tide of green and
amber, but an ocean of rose and flame that grew
every moment fainter, until above it gleamed the
evening star.
" I do not care to look upon the groves of the Isle
au P6che, or the scenes of Indian fury," she said.
" Ah, monsieur, head the canoe a little to the south, I
pray, that you may see the glory of the western sky."
Dipping his paddle, Sterling brought the boat
half round, and once more a quiet fell upon the
lovers as they watched the celestial sea.
In the life of a woman one hour stands forth su-
preme, — the hour when the man who has become
the hero of her maiden fancy avows his love and asks
her to lay her hand in his before God's altar. More
than once Sterling had repeated his protestations of
devotion and renewed his offer of marriage, but still
she had hesitated.
"Angelique," he now said, pointing toward the
sunset, " the gates of the future are open ; say, sweet
one, that you will voyage with me in the canoe of
life ? "
He leaned forward and, unrepulsed, laid his strong
right hand upon her own, but still she did not reply.
"Tell me that you love me, Ang€lique," he en-
treated. " Tell me that you will be my wife? "
And Angelique, lowering her eyes from the cloud
ocean, whose shining billows seemed to break upon
the Islands of the Blessed, met his gaze and answered
falteringly, —
" Yes, Monsieur Sterling, I love you ; I will be
your wife."
Leaning toward her, he kissed the sweet lips that
had so often mocked him with their smiling.
" Since there can be no doubt about this being a
362 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
betrothal^ even good Father Potier would not disao-
dear face before me, what will it matter to me how
tt^^^L: '''*' "'"'g™""'!! With the promf^
of a bright to-morrow shining through the rates of
light, we shall not lose conrag^e as we loyage^n "
founnT"" ,'" •*"' '•^PP'"^". "" lovers pr«e„tly
F„r<^M ^ '^^""° "" '° '"" ">e next day for
Fort Schlosser, w.th the discharged garrison. ^
How strange it will be to have a new com™,™
rrXirofttte^"- ^'"''-''°"- ^«
renh^H T^?*' ^^^ve turned out. he will not be sorry"
replied her lover pointedly. " He is a strong ma^S^'d
n h.s ,n,htary capacity I wished him all fdva^ge
In h.s love-making I could not desire his succeS'
smce to do so would be to wish my own defeat Ye!'
I wm ackr vledge. sweetheart, I have been most Je2
ous of the commandant." ^
beforf /i''"!, ^""'^V^ '^^ ^ '^^ peonies that c^rew
before the door of the Cuillerier homestead an J
tra.hng a hand ovc the side of the canoe to;ed ^th
the water, dipping it up in her palm and then shak
ing the drops like pearls from her fingers.
Ma foi, ces Anglais, ces Anglais." she exclaimed
suddenly, with a peal of merry lighter. """^
Cherie. /am not English," he protested.
" Fi don^'"' K ®"'^'^'" '^^ ^^^°rted tantalizingly.
to hfZ; The t'" ' r ' ''' ^°" "°' -^^"ed thu";
Glad^ is rntied^^^^^ of jealousy? Major
CONQUEST IN SURRENDER 363
"Married?" echoed Sterling, in intense and incredu-
lous surprise. " He has not taken a wife at the strait !
You mean that he was married when he came back
from England? His oiiicers are not aware of
this; you knew it, yet never spoke of it to me, ma
belle ? '
"The name of Major Gladwin was seldom men-
tioned between us; it seemed always to put Monsieur
Sterling in an ill humor," she replied naively. " If
the commandant did not tell his brother officers of
his marriage, I presume it was because he considered
that it did not concern them."
She had touched the keynote of Gladwin's char-
acter, a proud and impenetrable reserve, a sensitive-
ness to and dislike of mess-room or barracks gossip
which made him averse to having his personal affairs
discussed among his subalterns and men.
Sterling was for a moment impressed by her sur-
mise. Presently his face darkened, and he brought
the paddle down upon the water with such force
that the canoe leaped forward like a frightened
deer.
" No, that is not the reason the man kept his mar-
riage secret," he cried fiercely. *' He has dared to
pay court to you, Angllique, to offer you his love,
and all the while he had a wife beyond the seas.
Thank Heaven, you have given me the right to
avenge this insult. I will fight him, I will kill him
before he has a chance to sail away."
Ang^lique's mobile face grew white, and she drew
herself up proudly.
" I am beholden to you for your championship,
mon bon ami," she said. "But calm yourself, for
you are mistaken. Since Major Gladwin's return
from England he has not spoken of love to me."
t
i
[
!
364 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
aski^^\^"^V\^'''l''^ '°"'^ "°' "f'^'" from
asking, though when the words were uttered he
almost regretted his persistence.
novJIf.^""* u'l?'.''^'''^ ^"^ ^^' ^y" «^»^^d with an-
noyance Half in consternation she realized that she
bterling she had given him a right to look into her
heart, to question her thus; that if she declined to
answer there might be a misunderstanding between
thrm ^T"'' J""' '^""^^""^ °^ ^'^ wooing stm
thrilled her soul, and she relented.
hon^^^-'^-^" ^^^ '•^Peated quietly. "Eh bien, mon
bon ami, since you wt// have the story. When Major
?nliZri '" °^ '^' ^'""''' '^'^''^y ^ft" Ws coming
to Le Daroit, my aunt, Madame des Ruisseaux, helped
\TT ^^u ^^'"^^''"^^ d""ng his convalescence
I went with her to see him, and afterwards we often
met at her house. It was on one of these occasions
If you must needs know, that the gallant gentleman
But T^^A T.' *° u.^" ""^ ^'^ ^^^rt ^"d hand.
Fndi ^1, "°* I"!*' ^'"^ ^"^ ^^ ^^nt away. In
bngland he married the sweetheart of h* boyhood
He loves her; his thought of me was only a passing
fanrv . For some time after his return I did no? know
of us marriage; yet I seldom had speech with him.
One evening however, after I saw him at the council
house, he called at Madame des Ruisseaux's. I hap-
frnl aI '^^'\r^ ^^ told me of his romance in
frank and honorable fashion. There was one other,
at least, to whom it became known also. This was
Nedawniss the Ojibwa whom Father Potier had ar-
ranged to send to live among the Ottawa. women
beyond the Maumie. Nedawniss. who on the eve of
her departure, having heard rumor of a plot against
the commandant, watched about the fort, and saved
CONQUEST IN SURRENDER 365
him from the knife of the assassin at the cost of her
own life."
•' Poor Nedawniss," rejoined Sterling pityingly.
" As for Major Gladwin, in truth, I never thought to
feel so kindly toward him. May honors and happi-
ness await him in England ! "
"And you no longer wish to know why I once
went in disguise to the council house to gain speech
with him ? " queried Ang^lique.
" I no longer wish to know, if you do not wish to
tell me."
" Eh bien, then I will tell you," she said. " It was
a matter of gr-./e moment."
Her tone was eloquent and she struggled to con-
trol the emotion that betrayed itself in the tremor of
her voice.
A light broke upon Sterling. Had he not heard
Nedawniss tell her story, no doubt he would have
thought of this before.
" Ang€lique," he declared, " it was you who re-
vealed to Major Gladwin the conspiracy of Pontiac.
It was you, and not Nedawniss the Ojibwa girl?"
•' H'sh," murmured the demoiselle warningly.
" Yes, you are right, mon bon ami. Pontiac's
contempt for the white squaw alone saved me from
discovery. He could never have believed that a
French girl would dare tempt his vengeance."
"Sweetheart, you are the bravest woman in the
Canadas," exclaimed her lover. " I pray God we
may spend many years together in wedded happi-
ness, yet the longest life would be all too short for
me to prove to you how much I love you."
" Oh, oh, monsieur, you will overturn the canoe,"
cautioned his tantalizing sweetheart with a dash of
her wonted spirit.
p,
366 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
This masterful "bon ami" had taken her to task
•bout her former cavaliers, and she had answered
him, for he was soon to be her husband. NeTrthe
less, she would punish him. It was not safe ?n a
canoe ride to let a "bon ami" steaTa Wss It had
been done but was too perilous for repeUdon ; no tn
a canoe a •• bon ami " must paddle. '
The Scotchman was about to protest that h«. h^A
••Ll!f^ ' """•«'•" P««y hand, cried,-.:
Hark, do you remember?"
faintTfirT;; t^"" ''*•*'" '^"^" **^" «°""^« of niusic.
«nH X »>"* growmg every moment more distinct
Tptch^rror^ ''^^^''' ^'^ -^- of a
teji'r '"'^^r "*"^"'"^ fromVfisherLs :?
if fi? I i-^^'^l^who. as they passed, keeping time
to the stroke of their oars, troUed merrily, -1
" C'est une p4t< de trois pigeons, —
Ha, ha, ha, — frit k I'hulle I
Assieds-toi et le mangeons;
Fritalne, fritou, friton, poilon, —
Ha, ha, ha, —frit k ITiuile I
Frit au beurre k rognon."
i.-^^"^*""* ^*"""? "^f constrained to join in Ang^
hSTotraS^,^^^^^^ ^^ *" '^^'^'^ interruption'to
But, as now. in the twilight, he slowly paddled the
bXeTn *'' "f 'f ^"-rd"and th^e Lall whfrf
Anair ,^o"^«, of Antoine Cuillerier, he sang to
AngflKiue the old Scotch love song wherewith he
nad first wooed her.
CONQUEST IN SURRENDER 367
" Her eyet so brightly beaming,
Her look so frank and free,
In waking and in dreaming
Are evermore with me.
Hiro, my nut-brown maiden.
Hire, my nut«brown maiden,
Hiro, my nut-brown maiden,
Oh, she 's the maid for me.
" With her fair face before me
How sweetly flew the hour,
When all her beauty held me
A captive to its power.
Hiro, my nut-brown maiden.
Hire, my nut-brown maiden,
Hiro, my ni» -brown maiden.
Oh, she ' the maid for me.
" Her fac with kindness glowing.
Her heart that hides no guile ;
The light grace of her going,
The witchcraft of her smile.
Hiro, my nut-brown maiden.
Hire, my nut-brown maiden,
Hiro, my nut-brown maiden,
Ob, she *s the maid for me.
'* Ah, when, with blossoms laden,
The summer comes again,
I 'U wed my nut-brown maiden,
And bring her from the glen.
Hiro, my nut-brown maiden.
Hire, my nut-brown maiden,
Hiro, my nut-brown maiden.
Oh, she 's the maid for me."
A few weeks later, Sterling and Ang€lique were
married, and with the fall convoy, sent by the French
traders to the St. Lawrence, went Marianne de St.
Ours to join the sisterhood of the Hotel Dieu at
Il i
368 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
Quebec. The aid given to Pontiac by Antoinc
Cuillerier seemed now forgotten by the red coats, but
only Father Potier and James Sterling could have
told that Ang^liquc, by her prompt action on a fair
May day two years before, had saver* her father and
the fortunes of her family in saving from massacre
the fort and garrison of Le Detroit
Pontiac came to the strait, made a treaty with
the conquerors, and the following spring smoked the
peace pipe with Sir William Johnson at Niagara.
Thence he went to live with the French at St Louis,
where he adopted the dress of a military officer, wear-
ing on occasion the uniform that had been presented
to him by the gallant Marquis de Montcalm. One
day he was followed from a feast into the woods, and
assassinated by an Illinois Indian, who had been hired
to kill him by an English trader, the price of the
crime being a barrel of rum. To-day in the city of
St. Louis a tablet to the memory of the kingly Ottawa
hangs in the hall of the Southern Hotel, a few feet
from the spot where he was buried with military
honors. Well was he called " the Great Chief," for
although in his cruelty, his cunning and vindictive-
ness he was a savage, he gave his strength and all
his remarkable resources for his country and his
people.
Perhaps it was the cupidity of Major Rogers which
caused him to fail the colonies in their hour of need.
Having at first cast his lot with the Americans in the
War of the Revolution, he went over to the British
and his subsequent life was passed in obscurity.
After the Pontiac war Sir Jeffrey Amherst wished
to reward James Sterling for the conspicuous bravery
wherewith he had commanded the French of Detroit
during the siege. The merchant, however, accepted
CONQUEST IN SURRENDER 369
only the position of interpreter, thinking that in this
office he might promote friendly relations between
the discomfited Creoles and their new rulers
"For the rest." he said, " I am a Scotchman;
George of Hanover is not my king, and I cannot re-
ceive a favor from his government."
Sterling was among the first bold spirits of Detroit
to embrace the cause of independence
•• We have had enough of misrule," he publicly
Mserted. •• The Bourbon forsook his people of New
France. The Hanoverian is a dolt; his government
shares his madness. The Stuarts, too. were faithless
to their trust. It is the new flag of the Continental
Congress that should wave over the fort of the strait.
You say you have ver beheld it. friends. Look
above to the deep blue field of the star-studded sky
on a winter's night; look abroad over the snov/cov-
ered prairie to where the aurora glows in the noithern
heavens. Or see the sun reflected many times in
the azure waters of the river, see the w^ ' • mi.ts of
Lake Erie blending with the red of tht -t. The
beauties of the land and the skies we lovt ' -fleeted
in this new flag. It is the flag that God himself has
unfurled over Le Detroit I Shall we not live for it?
Shall we not. if need be, die for it? "
Naturally, these daring utterances caused the ban-
whment of the Scotchman by General Hamilton, the
British governor, and he was not permitted to return
until after Detrc?> wis ceded to the United States
in 1796.
Upon his departure to join the American forces at
Kaskasia, he left his affairs in charge of his wife
saying,—
"I know your courage, my Ang^lique. When in
doubt what to do, consult Father Potier. He can
24
I.
370 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
give you as good advice in temporal matters as upon
those pertaining to his office."
Occasionally, therefore, on a summer afternoon,
Ang^Hque embarked in a canoe with her children;
and while Jacques and Angelique the younger
paddled the light craft down the Rigolet des Hurons,
little Pierre, whom Sterling had named for the mis-
sionary, played with the bright water.
Thus they came to the Pointe de Montreal, and,
drawing the boat up among the bushes, climbed the
bluff, and entered the mission orchard, perhaps to
find good Father Potier walking there.
Or, if he were not outside, they knocked at the
half-open door, breaking the monastic stillness of the
spacious house. At the knock, even the birds in
the apple trees paused in their song to peer at the
strangers and ask, in short, staccato notes, why they
had come, and why with such rude sounds they inter-
rupted the tranquillity of the place.
And then, Brother La Tour came hobbling out to
say, either that the good Father was in the church,
catechising the young Indians in the faith, or else that,
in his study, he was employing a chance hour of
leisure in the preparation of his Huron grammar and
vocabulary, designed to serve as an aid to the labors
of future missionaries. For he was a scholarly man,
and later, left many valuable manuscripts, which were,
however, sequestrated by Hamilton, and thus lost.
But if within doors on this pleasant afternoon,
Father Potier presently came forth under the trees.
And, while the dame poured out her heart or
received the counsels of the venerable man, the chil-
dren played about the orchard, hiding from one
another, chasing the yellow butterflies, or feasting
upon the luscious apples; while more than once
CONQUEST IN SURRENDER 371
Brother Regis the cook sent them croquecignoles
from the kitchen.
Why there should be croquecignoles Jacques and
Angelique and little Pierre could not understand,
since the brother said the ascetic missionary never
tasted them. But Brother Regis explained that the
good father was wont to inculcate his catechism les-
sons by distributing among his pupils these tooth-
some cakes, a method of imparting instruction most
popular with the young savages. And, on the way
back to the beach the Sterlings went round by way
of the forge, that Jacques and Angelique and little
Pierre might see the mission blacksmith beat the red-
hot iron into long, pointed nails, and watch the
sparks fly, while the thick-set, brawny C^cile laughed
at their wonderment, saying that in life it is better to
be the hammer than the anvil, and " a hammer of
gold will not break Heaven's gate."
But one day in the summer of 178 1, when the chil-
dren and their mother went to see the missionary, he
did not come forth as usual, and the Hurons were
singing a dirge in their village. Fifty years of strenu-
ous toil among the aborigines of the wilderness had
at last broken the giant strength of the devoted priest.
Brother La Tour, who took no pains to conceal the
tears that stole down his honest cheeks, told the
visitors that the saintly old man, being overcome with
faintness while at work in his study, had fallen and
struck his head a fatal blow against one of the great
brass andirons in the open chimney.
Thus passed away the last missionary of Le Detroit.
The log-church of the Hurons remained in existence
until 1852, and among the French of Detroit are to
be found sexagenarians who once worshipped within
its walls. The redmen are gone from the Pointe de
:**</
372 THE HEROINE OF THE STRAIT
Montreal. Their head sachem Mondoron adopted
an English name and settled at Windsor, Ontario, not
far from the ancient Huron village. His wife was a
Creole woman ; his eldest son became a member of
the parliament at Ottawa; his daughters are well
married in the little Canadian city of the strait.
Others of the posterity of the aborigines, whom good
Father Potier won from paganism to Christianity and
civilization, own and cultivate small farms on the
southern bank of the river.
But the Mission House, and the orchard ? A year
ago, the stanch old house was still standing, and gave
shelter to a family of the dei>cendants of the sturdy
habitants who built it in order that the gentle Black
Robe, driven from the region by the fiery arrogance
of the Sieur de Cadillac, might again live among
them.
Its huge, squared timbers, never painted, and in
their age showing the tints and shadows of silver, the
wide white-washed chimneys, the sloping roof with
its three dormers, all bore witness to the strength of
construction that enabled it to weather the storms of
one hundred and seventy winters. And the orchard?
A year ago, in the spring, the Normandy apple and
pear trees of good Father Potier were white with blos-
soms, even as on the May afternoon when Ang61ique
Cuillerier, with a heart torn by anguish and doubt,
sought counsel of the missionary.
In the summer, the sunshine lingered long about
the enclosure, as if it loved the spot ; the apples were
still wholesome and sweet ; and the yellow and white
butterflies flitted among the wild flowers that lent a
hue of purple to the long grass.
Within the shadow of the Mission House, with the
venerable trees looking down as if in grave approval.
CONQUEST IN SURRENDER 373
and the birds singing encouragement, as though they
would help to tell the traditions of the leafy boughs
and moss-grown eaves where their kind had nested
for nearly two centuries, — here, in this tranquil soli-
tude overlooking the shining waters, was woven, dur-
ing many a happy afternoon, this story of "The
Heroine of the Strait."
From the mission farm, looking up the river, one
'iees the tall buildings of the metropolis that com-
mands the Gateway of the Lakes ; below the Pointe
'e Montreal, over the United States military post,
rioats the star-blazoned banner which has replaced
the fleur-de-lis and the standard of St. George upon
the northern bank of Le Detroit. But now the hand
of modern enterprise has touched the old Jestiit land-
mark spared by Time. The great white chi neys, a
monument to the missionaries, and to the faith of the
French-Canadians, have been torn down, and the old
Mission House, removed from its foundations, is des-
tined to form the nucleus of the storage cellars for
the wines from the vineyards of the vicinity. The
pleasant orchard will soon be no more.
Thus, before our Utilitarian Age, from localities
hallowed by tradition and sweet memories,—
"Ancient and holy things
Fade like a dream."
THE END
■ -yf^!«i5*!^*'>4i'*- V^='5illi*w/^.^»ifiSJ£-i?
"tit = r-:-s*.v4 V>"U>^n >^ .i'^ti'i
H*-
^
■m:
^^^:^.^ifiL
-Af '/^LitJ
-:^jJM4j:
A Daughter of New France
mth SOME ACCOUNT of the GALLANT SIEUR
CADILLAC and his COLONY on the DETROIT
By MARY CATHERINE CROWLEY
Author of "The Heroine of the Strait."
Illustrated by Clyde O. De Land. i2mo.
Decorated Cloth. I1.50.
She writes excellently ; paints brilliant, attractive pictures of the
gayety of the chosen life ; makes her characters winning. — Balti-
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The founding of Detroit and the events that preceded it in Quebec
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It is strong, original, and very clever work, and the historical
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There are many dramatic episodes scattered through these interest-
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The book is an unusually good story, well written, and preserving
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^^ MARY DEVEREUX
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MISTRESS BRENT
A STORY OF LORD BALTIMORE'S "OLONY IN 1638
By LUCY M. THRUSTON
Illustrated by CH. GRUNWALD
DECORATED CLOTH. $1.50
1 2 mo.
The book abounds in stirring incidents. — Chicago Tribune.
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