I GAIN SPEECH WITH DE ARTIGNY
Our progress up the Ottawa was so slow, so toilsome, the days such a
routine of labor and hardship, the scenes along the shore so similar,
that I lost all conception of time. Except for the Jesuit I had
scarcely a companion, and there were days, I am sure, when we did not
so much as exchange a word.
The men had no rest from labor, even Cassion changing from boat to
boat as necessity arose, urging them to renewed efforts. The water was
low, the rapids more than usually dangerous, so that we were compelled
to portage more often than usual. Once the leading canoe ventured to
shoot a rapid not considered perilous, and had a great hole torn in
its prow by a sharp rock. The men got ashore, saving the wreck, but
lost their store of provisions, and we were a day there making the
damaged canoe again serviceable.
This delay gave me my only glimpse of De Artigny, still dripping from
his involuntary bath, and so busily engaged at repairs, as to be
scarcely conscious of my presence on the bank above him. Yet I can
hardly say that, for once he glanced up, and our eyes met, and
possibly he would have joined me, but for the sudden appearance of
Cassion, who swore at the delay, and ordered me back to where the tent
had been hastily erected. I noticed De Artigny straighten up, angered
that Cassion dared speak to me so harshly, but I had no wish then to
precipitate an open quarrel between the two men, and so departed
quickly. Later, Father Allouez told me that in the overturning of the
canoe the young Sieur had saved the life of the Algonquin Chief,
bringing him ashore unconscious, helpless from a broken shoulder.
This accident to Altudah led to the transferring of the injured Indian
to our canoe, and caused Cassion to join De Artigny in advance. This
change relieved me of the constant presence of the Commissaire, who
wearied me with his ceaseless efforts to entertain, but rendered more
difficult than ever my desire to speak privately with the younger man.
The _père_ evidently had commands to keep me ever in view, for he
clung to me like a shadow, and scarcely for a moment did I feel myself
alone, or unwatched.
It was five days later, and in the heart of all that was desolate and
drear, when this long sought opportunity came in most unexpected
fashion. We had made camp early, because of rough water ahead, the
passage of which it was not deemed best to attempt without careful
exploration. So, while the three heavily laden canoes drew up against
the bank, and prepared to spend the night, the leading canoe was
stripped, and sent forward, manned only with the most expert of the
Indian paddlers to make sure the perils of the current. From the low
bank to which I had climbed I watched the preparations for the dash
through those madly churning waters above. Cassion was issuing his
orders loudly, but exhibited no inclination to accompany the party,
and suddenly the frail craft shot out from the shore, with De Artigny
at the steering paddle, and every Indian braced for his task, and
headed boldly into the smother. They vanished as though swallowed by
the mist, Cassion, and a half dozen soldiers racing along the shore
line in an effort to keep abreast of the laboring craft.
It was a wild, desolate spot in which we were, a mere rift in the
bluffs, which seemed to overhang us, covered with a heavy growth of
forest. The sun was still an hour high, although it was twilight
already beside the river, when Cassion, and his men came straggling
back, to report that the canoe had made safe passage, and, taking
advantage of his good humor, I proposed a climb up an opening of the
bluff, down which led a deer trail plainly discernible.
"Not I," he said, casting a glance upward. "The run over the rocks
will do me for exercise tonight."
"Then will I assay it alone," I replied, not displeased at his
refusal. "I am cramped from sitting in the canoe so long."
"'Twill be a hard climb, and they tell me the _père_ has strained a
tendon of his leg coming ashore."
"And what of that!" I burst forth, giving vent to my indignation. "Am
I a ten-year-old to be guarded every step I take? 'Tis not far to the
summit, and no danger. You can see yourself the trail is not steep.
Faith! I will go now, just to show that I am at liberty."
He laughed, an unpleasant sound to it, yet made no effort to halt me.
'Tis probable he felt safe enough with De Artigny camped above the
rapids, and he had learned already that my temper might become
dangerous. Yet he stood and watched while I was half-way up before
turning away, satisfied no doubt that I would make it safely. It was
like a draught of wine to me to be alone again; I cannot describe the
sense of freedom, and relief I felt when a spur of the cliff shut out
all view of the scene below.
The rude path I followed was narrow, but not steep enough to prove
wearisome, and, as it led up through a crevice in the earth, finally
emerged at the top of the bluff at a considerable distance above the
camp I had left. Thick woods covered the crest, although there were
open plains beyond, and I was obliged to advance to the very edge in
order to gain glimpse of the river.
Once there, however, with footing secure on a flat rock, the scene
outspread was one of wild and fascinating beauty. Directly below me
were the rapids, rock strewn, the white spray leaping high in air, the
swift, green water swirling past in tremendous volume. It scarcely
seemed as though boats could live in that smother, or find passage
between those jutting rocks, yet as I gazed more closely, I could
trace the channel close in against the opposite shore, and note where
the swift current bore back across the river.
Leaning far out, grasping a branch to keep from falling, I distinguished
the canoe at the upper landing, and the Indians busily preparing
camp. At first I saw nothing of any white man, but was gazing still
when De Artigny emerged from some shadow, and stepped down beside the
boat. I know not what instinct prompted him to turn and look up
intently at the bluff towering above. I scarcely comprehended either
what swift impulse led me to undo the neckerchief at my throat, and
hold it forth in signal. An instant he stared upward, shading his
eyes with one hand.
I must have seemed a vision clinging there against the sky, yet all at
once the truth burst upon him, and, with a wave of the arm, he sprang
up the low bank, and joined his Indians. I could not hear what he
said, but with a single word he left them, and disappeared among the
trees at the foot of the bluff.
I drew back, almost frightened, half inclined to flee before he could
attain the summit. What could I say? How could I meet him? What if
Cassion had followed me up the path, or had despatched one of his men
to spy upon my movements? Ever since leaving Quebec my one hope had
been this interview with De Artigny, yet now that it was imminent I
shrank from it, in actual confusion, my heart fluttering, my mind
blank, yet I was not a coward, and did not run, but waited, feeling my
limbs tremble under me, and listening for the first sound of his
approach.
He must have scrambled straight up the steep face of the bluff, for it
could have been scarcely more than a minute, when I heard him
crunching a passage through the bushes, and then saw him emerge above
the edge. Clinging to a tree limb, his eyes sought eagerly to locate
me, and when I stepped forward, he sprang erect, and bowed, jerking
his hat from his head. There was about his action the enthusiasm of a
boy, and his face glowed with an eagerness and delight which instantly
broke down every barrier between us.
"You waved to me?" he exclaimed. "You wished me to come?"
"Yes," I confessed, swept from my guard by his enthusiasm. "I have
been anxious to confer with you, and this is my first opportunity."
"Why I thought you avoided me," he burst forth. "It is because I felt
so that I have kept away."
"There was nothing else I could do but pretend," I exclaimed, gaining
control over my voice as I spoke. "My every movement has been watched
since we left Quebec; this is the first moment I have been left
alone--if, indeed, I am now." And I glanced about doubtfully into the
shadows of the forest.
"You imagine you may have been followed here? By whom? Cassion?"
"By himself, or some emissary. Père Allouez has been my jailor, but
chances to be disabled at present. The Commissaire permitted me to
climb here alone, believing you to be safely camped above the rapids,
yet his suspicions may easily revive."
"His suspicions!" the Sieur laughed softly. "So that then is the
trouble? It is to keep us apart that he bids me make separate camp
each night; and assigns me to every post of peril. I feel the honor,
Mademoiselle, yet why am I especially singled out for so great a
distinction?"
"He suspects us of being friends. He knew I conferred with you at the
convent, and even believes that you were with me hidden behind the
curtain in the Governor's office."
"Yet if all that be true," he questioned, his voice evidencing his
surprise. "Why should our friendship arouse his antagonism to such an
extent? I cannot understand what crime I have committed, Mademoiselle.
It is all mystery, even why you should be here with us on this long
journey? Surely you had no such thought when we parted last?"
"You do not know what has occurred?" I asked, in astonishment. "No one
has told you?"
"Told me! How? I have scarcely held speech with anyone but the
Algonquin chief since we took to the water. Cassion has but given
orders, and Chevet is mum as an oyster. I endeavored to find you in
Montreal, but you were safely locked behind gray walls. That something
was wrong I felt convinced, yet what it might be no one would tell me.
I tried questioning the _père_, but he only shook his head, and left
me unanswered. Tell me then, Mademoiselle, by what right does this
Cassion hold you as a captive?"
My lips trembled, and my eyes fell, yet I must answer.
"He is my husband, Monsieur."
I caught glimpse of his face, picturing surprise, incredulity. He drew
a sharp breath, and I noted his hand close tightly on the hilt of his
knife.
"Your husband! that cur! Surely you do not jest?"
"Would that I did," I exclaimed, losing all control in sudden wave of
anger. "No, Monsieur, it is true; but listen. I supposed you knew;
that you had been told. It is hard for me to explain, yet I must make
it all plain for you to understand. I do not love the man, his very
presence maddens me, nor has the creature dared as yet to lay hand on
my person. See; I carry this," and I drew the pistol from my dress,
and held it in my hand. "Chevet loaned it me, and Cassion knows I
would kill him if he ventured insult. Yet that serves me little, for
my opposition only renders the man more determined. At Quebec I was
but a plaything, but now he holds me worth the winning."
"But why did you marry him, then?"
"I am coming to that, Monsieur. You overheard what was said in La
Barre's office about--about my father's property?"
"Ay! although it was not all clear to me. Captain la Chesnayne had
lost his estates, confiscated by the Crown; yet before his death these
had been restored to him by the King."
"Yes, but the report of the restoration had never been made to his
rightful heirs. The papers had been held back and concealed, while
those in authority planned how to retain possession. Cassion was
chosen as an instrument, and sought my hand in marriage."
De Artigny smothered an oath, his eyes darkening with anger.
"It was to further this scheme that he induced Chevet to announce our
engagement, and drive me to consent. Once my husband the fortune was
securely in his hands--indeed, I need never know its existence; nor
would Chevet suspicion the trick. Yet, as I see it now, La Barre had
no great faith in the man he had chosen, and thought best to test him
first by this journey to St. Louis. If he proved himself, then on his
return, he was to have the reward of official position and wealth. I
was but a pawn in the game, a plaything for their pleasure."
My voice broke, and I could scarcely see through the tears in my eyes,
but I felt his strong hand close over mine, the warm pressure an
unspoken pledge.
"The dogs! and then what happened?"
"You know, already. I was discovered behind the curtain, when you
escaped through the open window. They were not certain I was not alone
there, as I claimed, but compelled me to confess what I had overheard.
La Barre was quick to grasp the danger of discovery, and the only
method by which my lips could be closed. By threat he compelled me to
marry Francois Cassion, and accompany him on this journey into the
wilderness."
"The ceremony was performed by a priest?"
"By Père le Guard, the Governor's chaplain."
"And Hugo Chevet, your uncle? Did he remain silent? make no protest?"
I gave a gesture of despair.
"He! Never did he even conceive what occurred, until I told him later
on the river. Even now I doubt if his sluggish brain has grasped the
truth. To him the alliance was an honor, an opening to possible wealth
in the fur trade through Cassion's influence with La Barre. He could
perceive nothing else except his good luck in thus ridding himself of
the care of a poor niece who had been a sorry burden."
"But you explained to him?"
"I tried to, but only to regret the effort. Giant as he is physically,
his intellect is that of a big boy. All he can conceive of is
revenge--a desire to crush with his hands. He hates Cassion, because
the man has robbed him of the use of my father's money; but for my
position he cares nothing. To his mind the wrong has all been done to
him, and I fear he will brood over it until he seeks revenge. If he
does he will ruin everything."
De Artigny stood silent, evidently in thought, endeavoring to grasp
the threads of my tale.
"How did you attain the summit of this bluff?" he questioned at last.
"Yonder; there is a deer trail leading down."
"And you fear Cassion may follow?"
"He will likely become suspicious if I am long absent, and either seek
me himself, or send one of his men. This is the first moment of
freedom I have experienced since we left Quebec. I hardly know how to
behave myself."
"And we must guard it from being the last," he exclaimed, a note of
determination, and leadership in his voice. "There are questions I
must ask, so that we may work together in harmony, but Cassion can
never be allowed to suspect that we have communication. Let us go
forward to the end of the trail where you came up; from there we can
keep watch below."
He still grasped my hand, and I had no thought of withdrawing it. To
me he was a friend, loyal, trustworthy, the one alone to whom I could
confide. Together we clambered over the rough rocks to where the
narrow cleft led downward.