Argosy All-Story Weekly, August 9, 1924 — page 62: what you’re looking at

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

212 of his eyes he saw the door open and Bien- ville look curiously toward him. The Canadian asked a question of a sol- dier who passed the door, and D’Albret saw him start in surprise and quickly hasten toward him. Bourdelais looked up as D’Albret passed, and Tesoto, the Indian who conversed with him, regarded the Gas- con impassively. ‘“‘ Antoine!” panted Bienville as he caught up with his friend. ‘ What is this { hear—that thou intendest braving the dangers of the forest alone!” D’Albret smiled wistfully upon the boy— he could not bring himself to hold aught against the young Canadian who would, he knew, did he but realize the passion that he, D’Albret, entertained toward Felice, cease his attentions toward the maiden at no matter what cost to himself. “It is the truth, Jean,” he replied. am a soldier, and I crave action.” “ But the savages—the Chickasaws!” cried Bienville. ‘‘ Surely thou dost not in- tend braving the perils of the forest alone! Let me join thee, Antoine!” D’Albret gently disengaged his friend’s clutching arm as he nodded toward Ros- signol. ‘““Nay, Jean,” he admonished the boy. “IT go well served with so valiant a body- guard as Rossignol beside me. Better that thou stayest behind to keep Mlle. Paradis company and—and if I return not—”’ He gulped and endeavored to speak, but the words would not come. ‘Turning to his friend he clutched him by the hand and, despite his protests, walked swiftly away, accompanied by his faithful attendant. ave | The forest was densely wooded and a moist coolness pervaded the shaded aisles beneath the towering oaks and magnolias and Rossignol looked appreciatively about him as they followed a winding path parallel to the course of a small stream. But D’Albret did not stop to admire the beauty of the vistas which were forever opening out in front of him and he pressed forward at such a pace that Rossignol soon transferred his attention from the forest about him to the hummocks and fallen limbs upon which he was continually stumbling. “ M’siew!” he panted at last as he ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. switched his musket from one arm to an- other and wiped his streaming face with a very soiled kerchief. ‘Is there any par- ticular hurry to reach the place to which we may be going?” D’Albret came back to earth and he slackened his pace as he grinned shame- facedly upon his servant. ‘“‘ My thoughts were wandering, André,” he said, “and I was thinking of other things.” He stopped and looked about him and, for the first time, he appeared to be aware of the stately magnificence of the trees which, at this particular point, tow- ered majestically on all sides of him. His eyes lighted appreciably as his roving glance took in the loveliness of the sylvan land- scape and for a moment the sadness which had filled his countenance was lost in the wonder which took its place. “ Tiens!” he murmured in awed tones. “Truly God never made a lovelier spot!” Rossignol threw himself to the ground and sighed happily as he wiped the sweat from his brow. “‘°*T would be paradise had we something to eat,” he declared. “I am hungry.” D’Albret sadly regarded the man who could talk of food in such a place as this. So far as he was concerned he did not care whether he ever ate again, and he lapsed into silence as he sank to the ground and again became lost in bitter thought. But even grief and vain repining will not prevail against the natural desire of a healthy body, and before long D’Albret was forced to the painful conclusion that he needed nourishment. The sun was high in the heavens, as evinced by the fanciful pat- terns of light and shade which carpeted the soft floor of the forest about him, and it was with mixed feelings that he watched Rossignol cautiously pick up a short length of fallen branch and hurl it with unerring aim at an incautious hare which had ap- proached too closely to the resting men. It was the matter of but a few minutes to prepare the animal and soon a small fire hissed and crackled beneath the spitted car- cass and the savory odor of cooking meat tantalized their nostrils. ‘“‘ Master,” queried Rossignol as, their hunger satisfied and their thirst slaked at COMmicloo (-) 6S (C@) im