Book III.

FORT ST. LOUIS OF THE ILLINOIS.

I. IN AN EAGLE'S NEST 167

II. THE FRIEND AND BROTHER 176

III. HALF-SILENCE 188

IV. A FÊTE ON THE ROCK 200

V. THE UNDESPAIRING NORMAN 210

VI. TO-DAY 224

INTRODUCTION.

No man can see all of a mountain at once. He sees its differing sides. Moreover, it has rainy and bright day aspects, and summer and winter faces.

The romancer is covered with the dust of old books, modern books, great books, and out of them all brings in a condensing hand these pictures of two men whose lives were as large as this continent.

La Salle is a definite figure in the popular mind. But La Salle's greater friend is known only to historians and students. To me the finest fact in the Norman explorer's career is the devotion he commanded in Henri de Tonty. No stupid dreamer, no ruffian at heart, no betrayer of friendship, no mere blundering woodsman--as La Salle has been outlined by his enemies--could have bound to himself a man like Tonty. The love of this friend and the words this friend has left on record thus honor La Salle. And we who like courage and steadfastness and gentle courtesy in men owe much honor which has never been paid to Henri de Tonty.