“La Forest! You were in France three months ago.”
“Aye; I was there when Sieur de la Salle landed. He told me the whole tale. I was with him when he had audience with Louis. I am here now bearing the orders of the King, countersigned by La Barre at Quebec, restoring De Tonty to command at Fort St. Louis, and bidding De Baugis and that fool Cassion return to New France.”
De Artigny crushed the man’s hand in both his own, dropping the rifle barrel to the ground. His voice trembled as he made answer.
“He won the King’s favor? he convinced Louis?”
“No doubt of that––never saw I a greater miracle.”
“And the Sieur de la Salle––has he returned?”
“Nay; he remains in France, to fit out an expedition to sail for the mouth of the Great River. He hath special commission from the King. To me was given the honor of bearing his message. Ah! but La Barre 370 raved like a mad bull when I handed him the King’s order. I thought he would burst a blood vessel, and give us a new governor. But no such luck. Pah! I stood there, struggling to keep a straight face, for he had no choice but obey. ’Twas a hard dose to swallow, but there was Louis’ orders in his own hand, all duly sealed; and a command that I be dispatched hither with the message.”
“How made you the journey in so short a time?”
“Overland from Detroit, the same trail you traveled with La Salle; ’tis much the shorter.”
“Alone?”