Adventure Magazine Cover, March 20, 1925 — page 124: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

106 work of some one who wants to turn you against Onontio and his children.” The chorus of hate died down somewhat. All became quiet as a new figure, that of the Rat, the Tionontati chief, came through the crowd and stared at the dead men. Then he said: “These men were killed by French axes. A Tionontati man was killed on the Detroit by a French ax. A few suns ago Ottawa men were found dead in this village—killed by a French ax. A bad medicine is working here. We are asked to carry Onontio’s club against the Iroquois, but our men are killed by French axes.” Nansoaskouet pointed a finger at Carca- jou and demanded: “‘Where was Onontio’s runaway son last night? Let us look at his ax. The men at the fort hunted for him the night he ran away. That was the night two of our men were found killed.” Ferocious eyes were turned on Carcajou. Without turning his head the Rat replied: “The white wolverene does not kill his red brothers. He covers them with presents when another kills them. He was with the Tionontati men at the Detroit when a man was killed. He covered the dead. Why should he kill them?”’ This unexpected support gave Carcajou much comfort; the more so because the Rat had wanted to make him a prisoner at the Narrows. Had he known the Rat was to arrive at the point that morning he would have felt uneasy. As all, except the Rat, stared at him he clapped a hand on La Blanche’s shoulder and said: “This man will talk forme. I have killed only enemies of the Ottawas and Hurons. Their villages are places where I can rest and sleep and not be afraid.”’ La Blanche immediately stepped forward and in a raucous voice proclaimed: “The white wolverene has not left my side since we came to the point together. Would I be his brother if he killed my red fathers? They ask for him at the fort, and he covers his head with a blanket and hides among his red brothers until Onontio’s great son, Perrot, can come and take his hand. For many winters you have known me. I do not walk in the woods with a man who kills my red people.” Carcajou drew his ax, handed it to Nan- soaskouet and said: “All the Ottawa blood I have made Adventure run is now on that ax. I do not know who killed the Tionontati and the Ottawas. My medicine will tell me before we reach the Niagara.” This promise gave a new turn to red thought and speech. The Rat promptly an- nounced: “The Tionontati will not go to Montreal until they know for whom the Iroquois kettles are waiting. We come here to find out what this talk about the French dying in Montreal and Quebec of the big sickness —smallpox—means. They say Onontio is sick and weak and will give us to the Iro- quois so the Long House will stop burning white Jodges on the St. Lawrence.”’ “They tell lies,’ spoke up Carcajou. ‘Some enemy brings that talk to hold you back while he strikes Onontio. There is no sickness on the St. Lawrence.’ I came from there when the ice was leaving the rivers. But there are many birches there to carry soldiers to the Western Door of the Long © House. “A strong Onontio will lead in place of a weak Onontio. This time the Iroquois will have to make a big fight. They will not dare to send their fighting men to strike your villages again. Your father, Perrot, will be here in two sleeps. He sent me ahead to stay with you and talk to you. When he comes and talks with the fort people they will take the white wolverene by the hand. You hear the son of Perrot talking. He will go to the Niagara and show you how a wolverene kills the Iroquois.” This speech displeased the Rat, who had stood sponsor for the bush loper; it pleased Nansoaskouet, who had been willing to turn suspicion against him. The Ottawa chief had allied himself with the French and was anxious to overcome the animosity of the Hurons and lead their warriors with his down the lakes. The Rat was sincere in distrusting the French, just as he was in liking Carcajou. So, although displeased at the strange quirk the situation had taken, he would not weaken his defense of the bush loper. La Blanche nudged Carcajou’s elbow in warning. From the corner cf his eye the latter beheld a small group of French officers standing on the edge of the crowd. Brouwer and Chartier were with them, and behind the young Frenchman stood the rescued galley slave. Durantaye advanced to Car- cajou and harshly demanded, ‘What are CORnNICLOe (©