not remain here to mourn, for I am on the King's
service. Come, we have lost time already, and the canoes wait."

"You would go at once?" I asked, startled at his haste, "without even
waiting until he is buried?"

"And why not? To wait will cost us a day; nor, so far as I can see,
would it be of the slightest value to Hugo Chevet. The priests here
will attend to the ceremony, and this handful of silver will buy him
prayers. _Pouf_! he is dead, and that is all there is to it; so come
along, for I will wait here no longer."

The man's actions, his manner, and words were heartless. For an
instant I stood in revolt, ready to defy openly, an angry retort on my
lips; yet before I found speech, Pere Allouez rested his hand on my
shoulder.

"'Tis best, my child," he said softly. "We can no longer serve the
dead by remaining here, and there are long leagues before us. In the
boat your prayers will reach the good God just as surely as though you
knelt here beside this poor body. 'Tis best we go."

I permitted him to lead me out through the door, and we followed
Cassion down the steep path to the shore. The latter seemed to have
forgotten all else save our embarkation, and hurried the soldier off
on a run to get the boats in the water. The _pere_ held to my arm, and
I was conscious of his voice continually speaking, although I knew
nothing of what he said. I was incapable of thinking, two visions
haunting me--the body of Hugo Chevet outstretched on the bench in the
mission house, and Rene de Artigny far away yonder on the water. Why
had it happened? What could ever excuse a crime like this?

On the beach all was in readiness for departure, and it was evident
enough that Moulin had already spread the news of Chevet's murder
among his comrades. Cassion, however, permitted the fellows little
time for discussion, for at his sharp orders they took their places in
the canoes, and pushed off. The priest was obliged to assume Chevet's
former position, and I would gladly have accompanied him, but Cassion
suddenly gripped me in his arms, and without so much as a word, waded
out through the surf, and put me down in his boat, clambering in
himself, and shouting his orders to the paddlers.

I think we were all of us glad enough to get away. I know I sat
silent, and motionless, just where he placed me, and stared back
across the widening water at the desolate, dismal scene. How lonely,
and heart-sickening it was, those few log houses ag