Adventure Magazine Cover, March 20, 1925 — page 135: what you’re looking at

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

The Bush Lopers sends me ahead with a talk,” replied Car- cajou. “He will start in a day or two. He will bring the Potawatomi and other Bay Indians. He hopes to bring along more of the Ottawas. He says m/’sieur the commandant is not to wait for him as he will travel fast and overtake m’sieur before he makes the Niagara.”’ “Y can not wait for him. Most of my Ottawas and Hurons have left their canoes on the east shore of Huron and are making their way to Teiaiagon. ‘They will travel to the Niagara by land. If they do not find us there they will start back for Mack- inac. I started a canoe today to tell him his Excellency sends orders for us to make haste. Have you finished your message?” “That is all of M’sieur Perrot’s talk, m’sieur. ‘There is a small matter that is hardly worth m’sieur’s ears, but Carcajou 1s careful in little things as well as great. ‘ I am speaking of some trade goods some villains stole and hid down the shore of the strait. I mean the goods old Papa La Blanche and I found shortly after m’sieur sailed for this place.” : “Found stolen trade goods? Who stole them?’ snapped Durantaye, his gaze grow- ing suspicious. ‘Some villains unknown.” Carcajou’s hair now felt wet at the roots. But his face remained blank as he added: “T know m’sieur should not be bothered by such trifles. As the Saulteurs happened to come in from the Sault and were angry to find no trade I knew it would be serving New France to trade. J knew they would not come again for a long time if they brought a winter hunt to the French and found no goods waiting for them. I knew m’sieur, if present, would wish them to be spared disappointment e “You traded!’ cried Durantaye, his face revealing his growing anger. ‘You dare to stand before me and confess that once more you have broken the law?” “But, m/’sieur! Have kindness.. Have an inch of patience,” begged Carcajou. “T am no law-breaker. I have been to confession. I have mended all my broken ways. Traded? Yes. But in the name of M’sieur Perrot, whose engagé I am. M’sieur blamed me without knowing all the facts. Perhaps that is natural. The few peltry I received I left in the fort, marked with m’sieur’s name. I could not leave them for the thieving Ottawas; and I 117 will not keep in my own hands a single beaver until I receive a permit. “I knew you, m’sieur, were engaged in war and would not be back for some time. Being M’sieur Perrot’s man I could legally trade only in his name. Of course I under- stood that you, m’sieur, would approve, as M’sieur Perrot had no share of the English goods, although the rascally Ottawas had much. I am a fighter; not a trader or a talker. Old Papa La Blanche could have given the tafk better. I do not wonder m’sieur should be impatient——’”’ “That will do,” broke in Durantaye in a low, ominous voice. ‘Several canoe loads of goods were stolen. How many did you find?” “Only enough to bring about four hun- dred beaver, if it please m’sieur.”’ “Only enough for four hundred beaver on a rising market and with no other trade but yours awaiting the Saulteurs!”’ exclaimed Durantaye. “T suspect, m’sieur, that the thieving Ottawas hid most of the goods in their vil- lage and the few we found were some of the last stolen.” Durantaye eyed him grimly, and re- gretted. “Tf I had known this yesterday I would have told my messenger to ask about it at the point. If you leave this place except to go with us to the Niagara I will mark you as a deserter and a traitor, even as I have marked Fontaine. Then if you ever fall into my hands again——” He did not finish the threat. humbly bowed and sighed: “My heart is heavy that m’sieur should think so poorly of me. Take me to the Seneca country. I will smash down the Western Door alone. When M’sieur Perrot comes he will fell you I have told the truth. I can die, m/’sieur, with a smile. I am avery brave man. But I am too simple to lie.” “Do not wander from this place,” warned Durantaye, and he turned and en- tered the fort. Papa La Blanche stole up beside Carca- jou’s side and tremulously whispered: “T dare to breathe, my little one. But through all your talk my heart stood still. You’ll soon need another trip to Quebec ana another confession for all your lies.” “Silence, Old Imbecile. I said ‘about’ four hundred. Iam noclerk to keep figures Carajouc CORnNIECLO© (©