Adventure Magazine Cover, March 20, 1925 — page 114: what you’re looking at

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

96 English presents the Indians were sure to rise and massacre all the French on the Upper Lakes and the Illinois. “They must be captured before they get here,” he added, ‘‘and be made to look like very small men in the Indians’ eyes.” Just then a messenger from the Narrows entered bearing the note which Carcajou had sent to Du Lhut asking him to send presents to the Rat, who, the note added, was about ready to jump to the English. The commandant flew into a rage and ordered Carcajou in irons. However, he escaped, and with old Papa La Blanche set about paddling like mad westward to find his friend Nicolas Perrot, former governor of the Upper Lake country, who he knew would understand everything and afford him protection. At the Oconto River they encountered a party of twelve Fox tribe hunters. The whites were forced to kill one of them to make their escape, and two APA LA BLANCHE slipped Mm through the growth until he ’ could enter the path above the camp. In a few minutes he was strolling into the firelight. The moment Perrot saw him he called out— “Where is Carcajou?”’: “T left him in the woods. He is like an owl. He likes darkness. When night comes it is the time for warm blankets.” Perrot led him away from the fire so the Frenchmen might not overhear their talk. They. talked for some minutes. Then La Blanche returned to the fire and called out— “T will go find him, m’sieur, if he doesn’t return soon.” Perrot resumed his seat on the river bank and stared at the stars in the water. La Blanche gathered up the two packs and blankets and entered the timber. One of the Frenchman went to inform his master. La Blanche hurried deeper into the forest with Carcajou at his heels. “What is it? What is in the talk?” in- sisted Carcajou. ‘What a fellow you are for trouble! You big ox! Stir your legs and come along. How many men would let you run away after getting that talk from Mackinac. Perrot can catch you if he wants.to. The Potawatomi man can track us.” “Diable m’emporte! Squaws will be beat- ing me with sticks next!’ muttered Carcajou as he slung on his pack and took the lead, moving in a half circle until he could gain the path north of the camp. “Look here, Old Foolish; what’s all this about?” “Not till we’re in the canoe. Only a good man like Perrot would give you this chance. My medicine was strong. It saw Adventure others, messengers sent from the home village, to prevent the hunting party from knowing that the Foxes had taken the warpath against the French. Then he hurried on after Perrot, whom he found making camp on the Fox River. Perrot placated the Foxes and promised Carcajou a pardon from New France when they returned to Niagara. The Foxes, won over to the French side, promised to return with the party to Mackinac and Niagara as allies against the English. After the departure of the Foxes a Potowatomi runner came up with a ‘“‘medicine-talk”—letter—for Perrot. Carcajou saw Perrot’s face grow stern and gloomy as he read. Carcajou hid himself. ‘““This is serious,’ muttered Perrot. ‘That fellow Carcajou will get himself killed yet.” The bush loper whispered to La Blanche: “Find out what is in that paper. I can hear ghosts laughing at me. Be quick!” the Potawatomi man coming. It tried to tell me the talk he had in his girdle, but my old head was stupid. I must make it a big feast.” “Open your talk, or I'll twist your neck, snarled Carcajou. “Durantaye sends a writing, saying you must be brought a prisoner to Mackinac,” hoarsely whispered La Blanche. “He has the mind of a pig! And all be- cause I borrowed a little of his brandy to make allies for New France,” wrathfully jeered Carcajou. “Such a man with such a small head will never help France or serve his Majesty.” “T tell you it is not the brandy. You did right in that, although you gave it to the Menominee men instead to Papa, the owner,” said La Blanche as they trotted rapidly toward the mouth of the river. “You had a right to take——” “Here! Where is your neck? I will twist it in two,” savagely cried Carcajou. “But I am trying to tell you, big bear. The night we ran away from the Mackinac fort two Ottawa men were killed by axes in the Ottawa village. M/’sieur Durantaye has listened to evil birds. He knows about the Tionontati man killed at the Narrows. He believes you killed the Ottawas.” “Head of wood!” ‘“‘And he tells Perrot to make you a pris- oner if he meets you, and to bring you to Mackinac. - Perrot lets you escape.” They drew the hidden birch from cover and quickly launched it, with the medicine- bag in the prow. After they had paddled into the bay Carcajou said: “T have you a witness. You will say I killed no Indians. That is fool’s talk. You GOMIGIOO (©