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Show 394 TilE LILY AND THE TO'fl:!l-1. exploration of the golden territories of which they had heard, II.! well as the French. But his arguments failed to influence the impatient people under his control. Sharp words and a warm controversy, one night, took place over the camp-fires, and led to a division of the party in nearly equal numbers. It was in vain that Alphonse D'Erlach and his brother employed all their arguments, nnd used every appenl, in order to persuade his people to cling OOgcther a.!! the only means of safety. One Le Caillc, n. sergeant, who was greatly endowed, in his own rcg-.mls, na a leader among men, and who had enjoyed s:ome experience in Indian adventure under Laudonniere, set himself in direct opposition to the two brothers. "We are leaving the route, entirely, to the great city. 'Ve are speeding from it rather than towards. It lies back of us already, ncconling to all the accounts given us, and as we march now, we seck nothing. 'l'here is our path, pointing to the great blue summist in the north-west, and thither should we turn, if we seck for the Grand Copal." He found believers and followers. So warm had grown the controversy, that the two parties separated that very night, and camped apnrt, each having itil own firc>s. The greater number, no lc&t! than thirteen, went with Le Caille, leaving but nine to D'Erlach, including himself and brother. The young lender brooder over the disaster, for such he regarded it, in silence. IIc found that it was in vain that he slJOuld argue, solely on the strength of his own conjectures, against any course which they should take, when his own course, though maintaining them in health and safety, had failed to bring them to any of the ends which they most desired. They were now wearied of wander~ ing-they craved a haven where they might rest for a seaaou; 395 and were quite willing to listen to any one wl10 could speak with boldness and seeming certainty of any such place. Thus it was that they followed Le Caille. " Let us at least separate in peace and good.fcllowship, tnes ea1narades," said Alphonse D'Erlaeh, passing o\·cr, with the dawn, 00 that side of the thicket where the others had made their camp. '!'hey embraced and parted, taking separate courses, like a stream that having long joumeycd through a wild empire, divides at last, only to lose thcmseh'CS both more rapidly in the embracing sea. For more than two hours had they gone upon thei1· different routes, the one J>arty moving straight for the mountains, the other still pursuing the route along their bases, in the direction of the ellSt, when Alphonse D'Erlach said to his brother: H It grieves me that these men slJOuld perish: they will perish of cold and hunger, and by violence among the savages. This ma.u J~e Caille will fight bravely, but he is a sorry dolt to have the conduct of brave men. Besides, we shall all perish if we do not keep together. Perhaps it is better that we should err iu our progress-go wide from the proper track-than that we f;hould break in twain. Let us retrace our steps-let us follow them, and unite with them for a season, at least, until their eyes open upon the truth." He spoke to willing listeners. His followers obeyed him through habit ; they acknowledged the authority of a greater will and a stronger genius; but they had not been satisfied. They, too, hungered secretly for the great city and the place of rest, and were impatient of the wearisome progress, day by day, without any ultimate object iu their eyes. Cheerfully, and with renewal of their strength, did they turn at the direction of their leader, and push forward to re-unite with their comrades. They had a wearisome |