, and bearing commission in the Guard of the Emperor; yet
sooth, 't is the single accursed drop of Irish blood within my veins
that brings me across the great seas and maroons me in this howling
wilderness. But sit down, Monsieur. There will be both food and wine
served presently, and I would speak with you more at ease."

As he spoke he flung himself upon a low settee, carelessly motioning me
toward another.

"On my word," he said, eying me closely as I crossed over to the bench,
"but you are a big fellow for your years, and 't is strength, not
flabby flesh, or I know not how to judge. You would make a fine figure
of a soldier, John Wayland. Napoleon perchance might offer you a
marshal's baton, just to see you in the uniform. _Parbleu_! I have
seen stranger things happen."

"You are now connected with the French army?" I questioned, wondering
what could have brought him to this remote spot.

"Ay, a Captain of the Guard, yet an exile, banished from the court on
account of my sins. _Sacre_! but there are others, Monsieur. I have
but one fault, my friend,--grave enough, I admit, yet but one, upon my
honor, and even that is largely caused by that drop of Irish blood. I
love the ladies over-well, I sometimes fear; and once I dared to look
too high for favor."

"And have you stopped here long?"

"Here--at Hawkins's, mean you? Ten days, as I live; would you believe
I could ever have survived so grievous a siege?" and he looked
appealingly about upon the bare apartment. "Ten days of Hawkins and of
Sam, Monsieur; ay! and of Ol' Burns; of sky, and woods, and river, with
never so much as a real white man even to drink liquor with. By Saint
Louis! but I shall be happy enough to face you across the board
to-night. Yet surely it is not your purpose to halt here long?"

"Only until I succeed in joining some party travelling westward to the
Illinois country."

"No! is that your aim? 'T is my trip also, if Fate be ever kind enough
to bring hither a guide. _Sacre_! there was one here but now, as odd a
devil as ever bore rifle, and he hath taken the western trail alone,
for he hated me from the start. That was Ol' Burns. Know you him?"

"'T was he who brought the message that sent me here; yet he said
little of his own journey. But you mention not where you are bound?"

"I seek Fort Dearborn, on the Great Lake."

"That likewise is to be the end of my journey. You go to explore?"

"Explore? Faith, no," an