alone! But now I denounce this man as the murderer of Hugo
Chevet, and order him under arrest. Here, lads, seize the fellow."

CHAPTER XXVI

IN DE BAUGIS' QUARTERS

De Tonty never gave way an inch, as a dozen soldiers advanced at
Cassion's order.

"Wait men!" he said sternly. "'Tis no time, with Iroquois about, to
start a quarrel, yet if a hand be laid on this lad here in anger, we,
who are of La Salle's Company, will protect him with our lives--"

"You defend a murderer?"

"No; a comrade. Listen to me, Cassion, and you De Baugis. I have held
quiet to your dictation, but no injustice shall be done to comrade of
mine save by force of arms. I know naught of your quarrel, or your
charges of crime against De Artigny, but the lad is going to have fair
play. He is no _courier du bois_ to be killed for your vengeance, but
an officer under Sieur de la Salle, entitled to trial and judgment."

"He was my guide; I have authority."

"Not now, Monsieur. 'Tis true he served you, and was your _engage_ on
the voyage hither. But even in that service, he obeyed the orders of
La Salle. Now, within these palisades, he is an officer of this
garrison, and subject only to me."

De Baugis spoke, his voice cold, contemptuous.

"You refuse obedience to the Governor of New France?"

"No, Monsieur; I am under orders to obey. There will be no trouble
between us if you are just to my men. La Barre is not here to decide
this, but I am." He put his hand on De Artigny's shoulder. "Monsieur
Cassion charges this man with murder. He is an officer of my command,
and I arrest him. He shall be protected, and given a fair trial. What
more can you ask?"

"You will protect him! help him to escape, rather!" burst out Cassion.
"That is the scheme, De Baugis."

"Your words are insult, Monsieur, and I bear no more. If you seek
quarrel, you shall have it. I am your equal, Monsieur, and my
commission comes from the King. Ah, M. de la Durantaye, what say you
of this matter?"

A man, broad shouldered, in the dress of a woodsman, elbowed his way
through the throng of soldiers. He had a strong, good-humored face.

"In faith, I heard little of the controversy, yet 'tis like I know the
gist of it, as I have just conversed with a wounded soldier of mine,
Barbeau, who repeated the story as he understood it. My hand to you,
Sieur de Artigny, and it seems to me, Messieurs, that De Tonty hath
the right of it."

"You take his side against us who hat