CHAPTER V
I GO TO A PICNIC ON CHOUTEAU'S POND
"Many a youth and many a maid
Dancing in the chequered shade."
The good doctor uttered a sigh of relief as mademoiselle left the room, followed by madame, who no doubt, in the goodness of her heart, went out to praise the young lady for having done as she ought, and to condole with her for being obliged to go to the picnic with a man she knew so slightly, and knew but to dislike.
The sigh was quickly followed by a frown.
"I wish that my ward had not so strong a will of her own. I scarce think it safe for her to go to Chouteau's Pond at all if, as I fear, her enemies are plotting to capture her."
"I will defend her with my life, sir," I hastened to aver, "since you are so good as to intrust her to me."
The doctor smiled at my boyish ardor, but said kindly:
"I would trust her with you sooner than with most, my lad, for I believe I have seen enough of you to know that you are brave to a fault, and entirely trustworthy. But you know not the wiles of these treacherous Osages, and if this Chevalier Le Moyne is the man I fear he is, he is a much to be dreaded villain."