CHAPTER VI.
A FENCING BOUT A few days after Helm's arrival, M.Roussillon returned to Vincennes, and if he was sorely touched in his amour propre by seeing his suddenly acquired military rank and title drop away, he did not let it be known to his fellow citizens.

He promptly called upon the new commander and made acquaintance with Lieutenant Fitzhugh Beverley, who just then was superintending the work of cleaning up an old cannon in the fort and mending some breaks in the stockade.
Helm formed a great liking for the big Frenchman, whose breezy freedom of manner and expansive good humor struck him favorably from the beginning.

M.Roussillon's ability to speak English with considerable ease helped the friendship along, no doubt; at all events their first interview ended with a hearty show of good fellowship, and as time passed they became almost inseparable companions during M.Roussillon's periods of rest from his trading excursions among the Indians.

They played cards and brewed hot drinks over which they told marvelous stories, the latest one invariably surpassing all its predecessors.
Helm had an eye to business, and turned M.Roussillon's knowledge of the Indians to valuable account, so that he soon had very pleasant relations with most of the tribes within reach of his agents.

This gave a feeling of great security to the people of Vincennes.