and commands.

"But I had nigh forgot, so unused am I to society and the usages
thereof,"--he said, turning back with an engaging smile, "Alfred de
Courtenay, known in that world across the water; and which my taste, or
that of itself, more properly speaking, has caused me to forswear for
some length of time, as Mad Alfred, I am, M'sieu--?"

"Anders McElroy," supplied the other, "and factor of Fort de Seviere."

"Monsieur le facteur, your servant, of French lineage, English
nativity, and adventurous spirit."

With a motion indescribably graceful he swept off his wide hat and
executed a bow which in itself was proof of his gentleness.

"And now, M'sieu, lead on to those delights of rest and converse which
your hospitality hath so graciously promised."

Leaving his company to beach and store for the night the canoes with
their loads of merchandise, under the direction of his aide or
lieutenant whom he introduced to the factor as John Ivrey, a young man
of fine presence, Alfred de Courtenay walked beside McElroy up the
gentle slope of the river bank, entered the great eastern gate of the
post, not without an appreciative glance at its massive strength and at
the well-nigh impregnable thickness of the stockade, the well-placed
surveillance of the towering bastions, and thus up the way between the
cabins to the door of the factory, open and inviting.

"Mother of God, M'sieu!" he said with a copious sigh; "what it is to