Chapter I: Appendix: Illustrations

LOI "Come, fellow, thou art trapped; give me up my purse." . . _Frontispiece_

"What is it; what device is there?"

"The old man gazed steadily at me for some moments." ELOI

_FRANCE--In the old world and in the new!_

_The France of romance and glory under Henry of Navarre; of pride and glitter under Louis XIV, in whose reign was builded, under the silver lilies, that empire--Louisiana--in the vague, dim valley of the Mississippi across the sea: these are the scenes wherein this drama shall be played. Through these times shall run the tale which follows. Times when a man's good sword was ever his truest friend, when he who fought best commanded most respect. It was the era of lusty men----the weak went to the wall._

_King and courtier; soldier and diplomat; lass and lady; these are the people with whom this story deals. If, therefore, you find brave fighting and swords hanging too loosely in their sheaths; if honor clings round an empty shadow and the women seem more fair than honest, I pray you remember when these things did happen, who were the actors, and the stage whereon they played._

_THE AUTHOR._

THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED