Part 25 (2/2)

You just floated.”

”And you watched me and lost your streamer twice. Rose did not like it.”

He was a little jealous and a little vexed at Rose giving him the go by in such a pointed manner. He would get even with her.

”Why did you go off so early? We all went up for you.”

”I wanted to gather flowers for the shrines.”

”But we could have gone, too.”

”No, it would have been too late. It was such a pleasure to Pani. She can't dance, you know.”

”Let us walk around and see the tables.”

They were being spread out on the green sward, planks raised a foot or so, for every one would sit on the gra.s.s. Some of the Indian women had booths, and were already selling birch and sa.s.safras beer, pipes and tobacco, and maple sugar. Little ones were running helter-skelter, tumbling down and getting up without a whimper. Here a knot of men were playing cards or dominoes. It was a pretty scene, and needed only cavaliers and the glittering, stately stepping dames to make it a picture of old France.

They were all tired and breathless with the dance presently, and threw themselves around on the gra.s.s for a bit of rest. There was laughing and chattering, and bright eyes full of mirth sent coquettish glances first on this side, then on that. Susette had borne off her partner in triumph to see her mother, and there were old neighbors welcoming and complimenting Pierre De Ber.

”Pierre,” said a stout fellow banteringly, ”you have shown us your improvement in dancing. As I remember you were a rather clumsy boy, too big for your years. Now they are going to try feats of skill and strength. After that we shall have some of the Indian women run a race.

Monsieur De Ber, we shall be glad to count you in, if you have the daring to compete with the stay-at-homes.”

”For shame, Hugh! What kind of an invitation is that? Pierre, you do not look as if you had spent all your prowess in dancing;” glancing admiringly at the big fellow.

”You will see. Give me a trial.” Pierre was nettled at the first speaker's tone. ”I have not been up on the Mich for nothing. You fellows think the river and Lake St. Clair half the world. You should see Lake Michigan and Lake Superior.”

”Yes, Pierre,” spoke up another. ”You used to be good on a jump. Come and try to distance us stay-at-homes, if you haven't grown too heavy.”

They were marking off a place for the jumping on a level, and at a short distance hurdles of different heights had been put up.

Pierre had been the b.u.t.t of several things in his boyish days, but, though a heavy lad, often excelled in jumping. The chaffing stirred his spirit. He would show what he could do. And Jeanne should see it. What did he care for Susette's s.h.i.+ning eyes!

Two or three supple young fellows, two older ones with a well-seasoned appearance, stood on the mark. Pierre eyed it.

”No,” he said, ”it is not fair. I'm a sight heavier than those. And I won't take the glory from them. But if you are all agreed I'll try the other.”

”Why, man, the other is a deal harder.”

Pierre nodded indifferently.

The first started like a young athlete; a running jump and it fell short. There was a great laugh of derision. But the second was more successful and a shout went up. The next one leaped over the mark. Four of them won.

Rose was piqued that Martin should sit all this while on the gra.s.s chatting to Jeanne. She came around to them.

”Pierre is going to jump,” she announced. ”I'm sorry, but they badgered him into it. They were really envious of his dancing.”

Jeanne rose. ”I do wonder where Pani is!” she said. ”Shall we go nearer?”

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