Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-06-05

very serious l18nb. Inc DoJ 10 AoAoAAo1@
and Intelligent, and will serve thee as
Ariel served his master Prospero. l.
saved him at the battle of Crown Point
and thus earned his gratitude; but
have taken the liberty Of translating.
his Indian name, which Is as long as
this letter, into that of Shakespeare's
sprite, Ariel. But why do indite this
epistle to thee, o my Pythias, and
venture life to place it in you hands?
IT is because thy Damon is beg irt
with foes-his castle threatened by the
barbarian and the still more dreaded
Gaul gathers his forces at Montreal and
Trontenac, to make destruction sure.
Where are those renowned English
heroes, Londoun and Abercrombie, and
why do they not march to our reHefP
Are they waiting, like their predeces-
sors, for the despised provinoials to beat
the foe and then claim the victory in
grandiloquent dispatches to the homo
6overnmentP Mercer will hold the
fort till it crumbles beneath his feet,
but nsught can avert the catastrophe
unless help arrives before summer
opens st. Lawrence to the bateaux OF
the enemy. Whisper this in the ear OF
thy kinsman, Sir William johnson,
whose eloquence may rouse those slug
gish Englishmen to make an effort to
save this important post. know thy
love for me may prompt thee to attempt
the rescue with ahandful Of volunteers,
but that would not avail, and we are
enough to die. Adieu.
"GEoRaE MARDEN."
Selwyn handed the letter to Sir Will
lam and began pacing the floor with
hasty steps and thoughtful brow. The
Indian boy, having eaten, had rolled
his blanket up for . pillow and stretched
himself on the beAr-skin. where he slept
soundly. The baronet, having read the
letter, returned 1t to his kinsman with
the remark:
1.-THE hour is late. Tonight for rest;
tomorrow for action"
CHAPTER Ill
LION IN THE PATH.
Seated at a table in the officers quar-
ters of Fort Oswego were Colonel
Mercer, Major Shirley and Captains
Pepperel and Marden.
A roughly-sketohed map lay before
| them. on which Mercer was tracing the
route to . point ON the st. Lawrence.
The half-breed stood behind Marden's
chair Watching the proceedings with in
| tense interest, while Jabe, the ranger,
| looked on with the apathy Of a soldier
who Is content to obey orders, whatever
| they might be.
"Jebez Locke" said Mercer.
present" answered the ranger, rails
| ing his hand to the salute. Mercer
smiled.
81 have selected you," he continued,
| "for service Of great Importance, re-
| lying on your courage, prudence and
| skill as q woodsmAn. You will accom-
pany Captain Marden on a reoonnois-
ance of the woods between the fort and
point on the ST. Lawrence" laying his
| finger on the map. "It is left to Cap
| tain Marden's discretion to proceed
further, but the utmost vigilance must
be used 10 avoid death OF capture by the
| enemy. You have an hour to mako
| preparations and report to Captain Mar
den"
The ranger showed neither surprise
or hesitation. He saluted and left the
| room.
Gentlemen, believe we are agreed
as to Marden's proposal?" said Mercer,
at must not be laid to our charge
that we neglected any means to make
known our situation to the English
commanders" said Shirley. Doubtless
Sir William johnson will lose no time
in communicating with Londoun or Alb
ercrombie, and II they can not or will
not come, then the onus of our defeat
will rest with them. But Is it wise to
entrust suoh an important message to a
mere boy?"
"My life upon his fidelity" said Mar
den, warmly.
II have no doubt Of that" observed
Pepperel. His devotion to you is un
deniable, and his Indian training and
sagaoity Ats him peculiarly for the task
But have you consulted him?"
II have" replied Marden, and hs
spoke to the boy in French.
"What sayest thou, Ariel? Wilt tho,
spread thy wings for long fight fol
thy masters sake2"
The olive color in the boys cheeks
grew deeper and his eyes brighter, blu
he simply laid his hand upon his hear
and bowed.
1--WE are all agreed, them" said Mer
Ger, rising. and the details Of both ex
petitions are left to you, Captain Mar
den."
.'The night is dark-all the better TO
our purpose-and the canoe will leav
no track in the woods" replied Marden
"and now, brothers-in-arms, farewell
Not for England or King George, bu
for our native land we offer up our live
and all that is dear to us. Farewellp
Then they clasped hands in silenc
and separated.
An Hour later Mercer himself openet
the door Of the fort for the departin,
adventurers. Marden, in the dress of
backwoodsman, armed only with a riff
and knife stuck in his belt; the hall
breed, or Ariel. as we shall call him
had exchanged his uniform for the moe
assins, leggings and blanket of an In
dian brave, bow In his hand and
knife, Ratchet and half dozen arrow
in his belt He drew the blanket aroun
his head as Mercer, laying his hand o
his shoulder, spoke q few kindly word