hand, a caress in his touch, a suggestion
of pride in his voice.

"The old chief is warrior still," he said, "and, unless all signs
fail, the Iroquois will long remember this day. Come, Adele, 'twill
not do for us to be far behind, and we have walked this trail before
together."

Had I not tested it with my own ears never would I have believed a
hundred men could have made way so noiselessly in the dark, through
such thick forest, rock strewn and deeply rutted. Yet not a sound of
their stealthy passage was wafted back to us on the wind--no echo of
voice, no rasping of foot, no rustle of leaves. Ghosts could not have
moved more silently. Some way the very thought that these grim savages
were thus creeping forward to attack, and kill, their hearts mad with
hate, wild beasts of prey stalking their victims, yielded me a strange
feeling of horror. I clung to De Artigny's arm, shrinking from the
shadows, my mind filled with nameless fear.

"Adele," he whispered, tenderly, "you still fear for me in this
venture?"

"Yes, Monsieur."

"There is no need. You heard La Forest say he bore orders of the King
which gave De Tonty command once more of Fort St. Louis."

"Yes, Monsieur; but you have already been tried and condemned. Even if
they have not authority to shoot you here, they have power to
transport to Quebec."

"There would be battle first, if I know my old comrades well. No, as
to that there is no cause to fear. I shall be given fair trial now,
and welcome it. My fear has been for you--the vengeance of Cassion, if
ever you came within his grasp again. But that also is settled."

"Settled? What is it you would tell me?"

"This, sweetheart; you should know, although I would that some other
might tell you. La Forest whispered it to me while we were alone
yonder, for he knew not you were estranged from your husband. He bears
with him the King's order for the arrest of M. Cassion. Captain de
Baugis is commissioned by La Barre to return him safely to Quebec for
trial."

"On what charge?"

"Treason to France; the giving of false testimony against a King's
officer, and the concealing of official records."

"_Mon Dieu!_ was it the case of my father?"

"Yes; the truth has been made clear. There is, as I understand from
what La Forest told me, not sufficient evidence against La Barre to
convict, yet 'tis believed the case will cost him his office. But M.
Cassion was his agent, and is guilty beyond a doubt."

"But, Mo