examine your map."

"And waited until I was alone; I appreciate the compliment," and he
removed his hat in mock gallantry. "There was a time when you would
have come earlier."

"Your sarcasm is quite uncalled for. You have my pledge relative to
the Sieur de Artigny, Monsieur, which suffices. If you do not care to
give me glimpse of your map, I will retire again."

"_Pouf_! do not be so easily pricked, I spoke in jest. Ay, look at the
paper, but the tracing is so poor 'tis no better than a guess where we
are. Sit you down, Madame, so the fire gives light, and I will show
you our position the best I can."

"Did not De Artigny know?"

"He thinks he does, but his memory is not over clear, as he was only
over this course the once. 'Tis here he has put the mark, while my
guess would be a few leagues beyond."

I bent over, my eyes seeking the points indicated. I had seen the map
before, yet it told me little, for I was unaccustomed to such study,
and the few points, and streams named had no real meaning to my mind.
The only familiar term was Chicagou Portage, and I pointed to it with
my fingers.

"Is it there we leave the lake, Monsieur?"

"Ay; the rest will be river work. You see this stream? 'Tis called the
Des Plaines, and leads into the Illinois. De Artigny says it is two
miles inland, across a flat country. 'Twas Pere Marquette who passed
this way first, but since then many have traversed it. 'Tis like to
take us two days to make the portage."

"And way up here is Port du Morts, where we crossed the opening into
Green Bay, and we have come since all this distance. Surely 'tis not
far along the shore now to the portage?"

"_Mon Dieu_, who knows! It looks but a step on the map, yet 'tis not
likely the distance has ever been measured."

"What said the Sieur de Artigny?"

"Bah! the Sieur de Artigny; ever it is the Sieur de Artigny. 'Tis
little he knows about it in my judgment. He would have it thirty
leagues yet, but I make it we are ten leagues to the south of where he
puts us. What, are you going already? Faith, I had hopes you might
tarry here a while yet, and hold converse with me."

I paused, in no way tempted, yet uncertain.

"You had some word you wished to say, Monsieur?"

"There are words enough if you would listen."

"'Tis no fault of yours if I do not. But not now, Monsieur. It is
late, and cold. We take the boats early, and I would rest while I
can."

He was on his feet, the map gripped in h