ec, but Cassion
grinned as he boasted that the new governor would not even give him
audience. Bah! I despised the man, yet I lingered beside him, and thus
learned that La Salle's party consisted of but two _voyageurs_, and
the young Sieur de Artigny. I was glad enough when he went away,
though I gave him my hand to kiss, and waved to him bravely at the
landing. And now he was back again, bearing a message from La Barre,
and seeking volunteers for some western voyage of profit. 'Twas of no
interest to me unless my uncle joined in the enterprise, yet I was
kind enough, for he brought with him word of the governor's ball at
Quebec, and had won the pledge of Chevet to take me there with him. I
could be gracious to him for that and it was on my gown I worked, as
the two planned and talked in secret. What they did was nothing to me
now--all my thought was on the ball. What would you? I was seventeen.

The grape trellis ran down toward the river landing, and from where I
sat in the cool shadow, I could see the broad water gleaming in the
sun. Suddenly, as my eyes uplifted, the dark outline of a canoe swept
into the vista, and the splashing paddles turned the prow inward
toward our landing. I did not move, although I watched with interest,
for it was not the time of year for Indian traders, and these were
white men. I could see those at the paddles, voyageurs, with gay
cloths about their heads; but the one in the stern wore a hat, the
brim concealing his face, and a blue coat. I knew not who it could be
until the prow touched the bank, and he stepped ashore. Then I knew,
and bent low over my sewing, as though I had seen nothing, although my
heart beat fast. Through lowered lashes I saw him give brief order to
the men, and then advance toward the house alone. Ah! but this was not
the slender, laughing-eyed boy of three years before. The wilderness
had made of him a man--a soldier. He paused an instant to gaze about,
and held his hat in his hand, the sun touching his tanned cheeks, and
flecking the long, light-colored hair. He looked strong and manly in
his tightly buttoned jacket, a knife at his belt, a rifle grasped
within one hand. There was a sternness to his face too, although it
lit up in a smile, as the searching eyes caught glimpse of my white
dress in the cool shade of the grape arbor. Hat still in hand he came
toward me, but I only bent the lower, as though I knew nothing of his
approach, and had no interest other than