Part 40 (1/2)

Jeanne sat trembling and the tears ran down her cheeks. In a moment there was a fragrant blaze of pine boughs, and a kettle swung over them.

”A little brandy would be better,” said the man.

Now that the strain was over Jeanne felt as if all her strength had given way. Was she really safe? The hearty French accent sounded like home; and the dark, round face, with the almost laughing black eyes, albeit there were wrinkles around them, cheered her inmost heart. The tea was soon made and the brandy added a piquant flavor.

”Thou wert late starting on thy journey,” said the woman, a tint of suspicion in her voice.

”It was only this afternoon that the Indian maid Owaissa found me and heard my story. For safety she sent me away at once. Perhaps in the daytime I might have been pursued.”

”True, true. An Indian knows best about Indian ways. Most of them are a treacherous, bad lot, made much worse by drink, but there are a few. The maiden Owaissa comes from the Strait.”

”To meet her lover it was said. He is that handsome half or quarter breed, Louis Marsac, a shrewd trader for one so young, and who, with his father, is delving in the copper mines of Lake Superior. Yes. What went before, child?”

She was glad to leave Marsac. Could she tell her story without incriminating him? The first part went smoothly enough. Then she hesitated and felt her color rising. ”It was at Bois Blanc,” she said.

”They had left me alone. The beautiful Indian girl was there, and I begged her to save me. I told her my story and she wrapped me in her blanket. We were much the same size, and though I trembled so that my knees bent under me, I went off the boat without any question. Wanita was waiting with the canoe and brought me over.”

”Were you not afraid--and there was no moon?”

Jeanne raised her eyes to the kindly ones.

”Oh, yes,” she answered with a s.h.i.+ver. ”Lake Huron is so large, only there are islands scattered about. But when it grew very dark I simply trusted Wanita.”

”And he could go in a canoe to the end of the world if it was all lakes and rivers,” exclaimed Loudac. ”These Indians--did you know their tribe?”

”I think two were Hurons. They could talk bad French,” and she smiled.

”And Chippewa, that I can understand quite well.”

”Were your relatives in Detroit rich people?”

”Oh, no, I have none.” Then Jeanne related her simple story.

”Strange! strange!” Loudac stroked his beard and drew his bushy eyebrows together. ”There could have been no thought of ransom. I mistrust, pretty maid, that it must have been some one who watched thee and wanted thee for his squaw. Up in the wild North there would have been little chance to escape. Thou hast been fortunate in finding Owaissa. Her lover's boat came in at Bois Blanc. I suppose she went to meet him.

Dame, it is late, and the child looks tired as one might well be after a long journey. Canst thou not find her a bed?”

The bed was soon improvised. Jeanne thanked her protectors with overflowing eyes and tremulous voice. For a long while she knelt in thanksgiving, her simple faith discerning a real miracle in her escape.

Surely G.o.d had sent Owaissa. She forgot the fell purpose of the Indian girl, and wondered at her love for Louis Marsac.

There was much confusion and noise among the children the next morning while the dame was giving them their breakfast, but Jeanne slept soundly until they were all out at play. The sun shone as she opened her eyes, and one ray slanted across the window. Oh, where was she, in prison still? Then, by slow degrees, yesterday came back to her.

The dame greeted her cheerily, and set before her a simple breakfast that tasted most delicious. Loudac had gone up to the great house.

”For when the White Chief is away, Loudac has charge of everything. Once he saved the master's life, he was his servant then, and since that time he has been the head of all matters. The White Chief trusts him like a brother. But look you, both of them came from France and there is no mixed blood in them. Rough as Loudac seems his mother was of gentle birth, and he can read and write not only French but English, and is a judge of fine furs and understands business. He is shrewd to know people as well,” and she gave a satisfied smile.

”The White Chief is away--”

”He has gone up to Michilimackinac, perhaps to Hudson Bay. But all goes on here just the same. Loudac has things well in hand.”

”I would like to return to Detroit,” ventured Jeanne, timidly, glancing up with beseeching eyes.

”That thou shalt, _ma pet.i.te_. There will be boats going down before cold weather. The winter comes early here, and yet it is not so cold as one would think, with plenty of furs and fire.”