Adventure Magazine Cover, March 20, 1925 — page 136: what you’re looking at

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

118 inmy head. And perhaps I forgot to count some that you traded.” Then he breathed deep and in great re- lief sighed: ‘Well, that trouble is kicked behind us. I am swimming in sweat. Now I feel like playing.” “Trouble behind you! What will hap- pen after Perrot comes and says there is more than a thousand beaver traded on his account?” “Bon Dieufl Am I a wise man tc know everything? Can’t you stop croaking and say something? The coureurs de bois have some brandy. I need a kez. I believe I will fight again with that bear of a Dubeau.”’ THEY found the drink and a riotous company; but Dubeau had changed his mind about fighting. His head still felt as if it were split apart from chin to crown. Carcajou soon observed that Char- tier had followed him, strutting proudly and staring insolently at the woods run- ners, his hand on his hip. Curious, and some vicious glances were cast at him; but Carcajou, speaking in the Ottawa tongue, gave warning that the young man carried his road belts, and evil to the man who troubled him. Unsuspecting that he was under the bush loper’s protection, Chartier gradually abated his haughty bearing and partook of the brandy. Warmed out of his veneer of hauteur, he acquiesced to Carcajou’s requests and sang several love songs. Pas- sionate in their loves and hates, the woods runners quickly reacted to the pathos and sentiment of the singing, and several were reduced to tears. Dead Bear, the Seneca, hovered along the edge of the camp as if keeping watch over his rescuer, but Brouwer remained in the fort. Turcot was staying in the camp, but kept much to himself and did not venture near Carcajou. Carcajou told his friends that Perrot would be along inside of another two days, yet several days passed without his ap- pearing. Durantaye’s messenger came back and reported Perrot as still believing he could induce the Ottawas to help carry the club against the Five Nations. When the coureurs de bois had exhausted their liquor they took to grumbling, and threatened to proceed alone to Niagara. And each day found it more difficult to hold those Indians from returning home Adventure who had not taken the long portage to Teiaiagon. Tonty urged an immediate departure for the Niagara, sensibly insisting that the In- dians could not be held to the expedition unless they were faced with action. Then came a messenger from Perrot saying he would wait only one more day. He briefly confirmed by this man Carcajou’s story of the Saulteur trade, and he mentioned a thousand instead of four hundred beaver. Carcajou was promptly called before the ccmmandant and questioned on this point. He readily explained: ‘“‘We had to work fast for fear the Otta- was would come and make mischief. Old Papa La Blanche helped me with the trade. We had been drinking, although I was sober enough. But that English rum filled Papa’s head with a heavy fog. He forgot to tell me all the packs he traded for, the old rascal! That is the curse of old men drinking En- glish rum. And m’sieur says a thousand beaver! Ma foi! But that is good! For one my ehemies can not say I talk too ig.” ‘‘What shall we do with a man like this, chevalier?” Durantaye asked of Tonty. ‘Put him in the front line when we strike the Iroquois,” was the prompt reply. “With the Wolverene prowling ahead of the army the Iroquois will not surprize us,” promised Carcajou. Durantaye summoned his officers and an- nounced that the army would start at once for the Niagara. Excitement and good feel- ing replaced sullenness in the camps of the coureurs de bois and the soldiers. ‘Those red allies who had not gone across country to Teiaiagon were thrown out in advance of the fleet with a dozen canoes of soldiers to dis- courage any sudden whim to desert or mutiny. In anticipation of an immediate departure the canoes had been pitched and the supplies kept intact. Carcajou and La Blanche paddled in the van of the coureurs de bois. Brouwer and Chartier were with the officers. Dead Bear the Seneca ranged abreast of Duran- taye’s canoe, where he could keep his eye on the young Frenchmen. The story of his rescue, thanks to Carcajou, was now known throughout the army. The coureurs de bois, having learned of his brave act of leap- ing into the sea, greatly embellished by the bush loper, viewed the slim figure in its tat- tered finery with much respect. Carcajou’s CORnNICLO© (©