of this haunted journey flown away with you?"

"Angels or demons, they would have naught of me," she replied in
seeming unconsciousness of his mood. "My thoughts, I fear, have been
sufficiently sad to accord well with the gloom, only my shadows are
within, not without."

"_Sacre_! mine are all yonder," he exclaimed, indicating with a gesture
the vast extent of angry water. "Why should I bear heavy heart, except
for brooding phantoms of the night? Life is still mine in all its
sweetness. Not that I greatly valued it, to be sure, yet 'tis somewhat
better than I once thought, and there is always pleasure left in the
world for the young. From whence springs your mood of sadness, Eloise?"

"My thought was with my father."

"'Tis not strange it should be. Yet, it might be better if you dwelt
upon the brighter view of our own future. He is at rest; no tears can
be of aid. But we can look forward to dreams of happiness. 'Tis my
plan to cross the great ocean, seeking better fortune on the Continent.
France, they say, has ever a vacant place for a good sword, nor is the
king likely to refuse service to a nephew of Bienville. You and I,
Eloise, shall yet tread the Paris streets, nor shall we go as beggars."

I marked her quick smile, but thought it not wholly untouched by
sadness, as she attempted answer.

"We will hope for the best; yet, Monsieur, we are still deeply buried
in the wilderness. Ay! worse--in the country of our enemies. You may
not comprehend the full truth of this, but Spain lays claim now to all
this great river, with the country bordering it. O'Reilly has already
despatched soldiers as high as the mouth of the Ohio, to guard its
passage; so there is peril lurking before us, as well as behind."

"O'Reilly has sent soldiers northward? How know you this, Eloise?"

"It was common talk in the town. I saw with my own eyes the departure
of one expedition. It was composed of a captain, with twelve soldiers,
destined for the Ohio. I have heard that twice since others have been
despatched northward, although to what points was unknown."

"The saints defend us! 'tis indeed serious. I supposed the boat which
passed contained all the Dons on the upper river, but if this be true
we may have to desert the stream, and take to the eastern trail on
foot. _Sacre_! I like it not! What say you, you sphinx of an English
borderman? Knew you this all along?"

"It is news to me," I answered soberly. "But