Adventure Magazine Cover, March 20, 1925 — page 129: what you’re looking at

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

The Bush Lopers hour, and the sun was splashing the western waters with a dazzling light. “To feel rested as a child is also good. But to be easy in the heart is better, my little one. I hope you will find it easy to explain to M’sieur Perrot, who will beach his canoes shortly.” Like a released spring Carcajou was erect and glaring toward the west. Many canoes had swung in from the southwest and were bobbing toward the point. “Name of names!” gasped Carcajou. “‘Now I must wake up and clear my head! You think it is M’sieur Perrot and his Indians, old drunkard?” ‘“‘Who else would come from the West?” Carcajou ran to the edge of the water and fired his rifle. Several plumes of smoke rose above the leading canoes, and then came the dull detonations. A small brass cannon boomed at the fort in welcome to a captain of the West. Carcajou sat down and pressed his head between his hands. After a minute of concentration he glanced up at his companion and sharply ordered: “Look here, my boy; say nothing about . the trading venture. I'll do the talking. You agree to what I say. Father Mar- quette put some brains in my head!” The canoe containing Perrot, two French- men and a Potawatomi chief streaked ahead of the others, and before it reached the shore Perrot was shouting: “‘Where are the men? Where is Mon- sieur Durantaye?”’ Carcajou rushed into the water to greet the trader, and so great was his boisterous enthusiasm that he plucked him from the canoe and carried him ashore on his shoul- der despite Perrot’s commands that he set him down. The chief snatched up his medicine bag from the prow of the canoe and leaped ashore. “Now, you big child, tell me what has happened,” said Perrot as he waited for the fleet to come up. “This very morning M’sieur Durantaye and his men and Indians started for Detroit. If m’sieur did not arrive to follow them at once then Carcajou was to take m’sieur’s talk to them, saying when he would be at the Narrows.”’ “As close as that!’ sighed Perrot. ‘Well, we'll soon be after him. Is that all?” “He took some thirty English prisoners with him who come up the lakes to trade.” 12 @! “The English! Prisoners! Why don’t you talk?” impatiently prompted Perrot. Carcajou rapidly filled in the details of the capture and the events following the return of the expedition to Mackinac. When he paused Perrot said— “Tf that is all I will find a good camping place for my Potawatomis.”’ “If m’sieur be so good,” mumbled Carca- jou, now at the climax of his concern. “I was so bold as to trade your share of the goods to the Saulteurs. I got more than a thousand beaver which I hope m’sieur will approve of. They brought their trade from the Sault after the men had started for Detroit. Ma foil Had you come a bit earlier you could have handled the trade yourself.” “My share of the goodsr”’ Perrot repeat- ed, greatly puzzled. ‘“‘What are you talking about? I have no goods at the point.” Carcajou hastily explained, making up his facts as he went along. ‘The substance of his story was that there had been a divi- sion of the captured goods and that a share had been set aside for Perrot. “So you see, m’sieur,”’ concluded Carca- jou, “you had goods, but now you have some prime beaver. And the beaver is marked with your name and stored in the fort under guard. There are your peltries, and here am I, ready to paddle to the Nar- rows and tell the m’sieur the commandant that you are coming.” ‘““A thousand beaver! trade, Carcajou I would not have done better myself. But I scarcely understand yet. Who did Durantaye, Tonty and Du Lhut trade with? Why didn’t they trade my share when they traded their own?” “They traded a little with the Ottawas and Hurons. They gave away some of their goods. But they took extra goods to give away. I gave the Saulteurs a keg of rum——”’ “‘That was right,” interrupted Perrot. “The commandant would not wait for the Saulteurs’ trade as there was no knowing when they would come from the Sault. Now Old Papa and I will start for the Narrows at once to say you are coming.” “Not so fast. You walk with me until T have talked with the Ottawas. We will all go together, I expect,” said Perrot. He gave orders to his subordinates and made for the fort. This delay was not te Carcajou’s liking. You made a good CORnnIECLOe (©