spirals of smoke, the only visible symbols of destruction. A
haze hid the distant hills, giving to them a purple tinge, like a
frame encircling the picture. It was all so soft in coloring my mind
could not grasp the fact that we were besieged by warriors of the
Iroquois, and that this valley was even now being swept and harried by
those wild raiders of the woods.

I had neglected to bar the door, and as I stood there gazing in
breathless fascination, a sudden step on the floor caused me to turn
in alarm. My eyes encountered those of De Tonty, who stood hat in
hand.

"Tis a fair view, Madame," he said politely. "In all my travels I have
seen no nobler domain."

"It hath a peaceful look," I answered, still struggling with the
memory. "Can it be true the savages hold the valley?"

"All too true--see, yonder, where the smoke still shows, dwelt the
Kaskaskias. Not a lodge is left, and the bodies of their dead strew
the ground. Along those meadows three weeks since there were the happy
villages of twelve tribes of peaceful Indians; today those who yet
live are fleeing for their lives."

"And this fort, Monsieur?"

"Safe enough, I think, although no one of us can venture ten yards
beyond the gate. The Rock protects us, Madame, yet we are greatly
outnumbered, and with no ammunition to waste. 'Twas the surprise of
the raid which left us thus helpless. Could we have been given time to
gather our friendly Indians together the story would be different."

"They are not cowards then?"

"Not with proper leadership. We have seen them fight often since we
invaded this land. 'Tis my thought many of them are hiding now beyond
those hills, and may find some way to reach us. I suspected such an
effort last night, when I sent out the rescue party which brought you
in. Ah, that reminds me, Madame; you sent for me?"

"Yes, M. de Tonty. I can speak to you frankly? You are the friend of
Sieur de Artigny?"

"Faith, I hope I am, Madame, but I know not what has got into the
lad--he will tell me nothing."

"I suspected as much, Monsieur. It was for that reason I have sent for
you. He has not even told you the story of our journey?"

"Ay, as brief as a military report--not a fact I could not have
guessed. There is a secret here, which I have not discovered. Why is
M. Cassion so wild for the lad's blood? and how came there to be
trouble between Rene, and the fur trader? Bah! I know the lad is no
murderer, but no one will tell me the fa