XXXIII. TO US AND TO OUR CHILDREN




MONTLIVET

CHAPTER I

THE KEY

The May sun was shining on Michillimackinac, and I, Armand de
Montlivet, was walking the strip of beach in front of the French
garrison.

I did not belong to Michillimackinac. I had come in only the day
before with two canoes and four men, and I was bound for the beaver
lands further west. A halt was necessary, for the trip had been
severe, and remembering that it was necessity, and not idleness, that
held me, I was enjoying the respite. My heart was light, and since the
heart is mistress of the heels, I walked somewhat trippingly. I was on
good terms with myself at the moment. My venture was going well, and I
was glad to be alone, and breathe deep of the sweet spring air, and let
my soul grow big with the consciousness of what it would like to do.
So content was I, that I was annoyed to see La Mothe-Cadillac approach.

Yet Cadillac was important to me then. He was commandant at
Michillimackinac,--the year was 1695,--and so was in control of the
strategic point of western New France. The significance of all that he
stood for, and all that he might accomplish, filled my thought as he