The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1890-09-10
HRIEA,
The HalfBreed
A Romance of Colonial Days.
DY noszaT A eunm1So.
lcoPYRIoHr, iso0.l
CHAPTER v.-CoNrINURD.

"Sho Is overhauling u.s." said Mar
den, ''and we may as we'll end thi
matter at once" lie turned the prov
OF tho canoe TO shore, with the intsn
tion Of landing, when shot from tn,
pursuors whistled past his head. Jabc
instantly returned It, with what effec
he could not soc, as tho blanket con
cealed the enemy. harden ooolly wait
cd until the canoe was almost on line
with him, when the angle of the sal
gave him o glimpse OF tho man ut the
stern and no fred. Tho little barl
forged ahead, struck snag in the
middle OF the stream, and turned
slowly round. Tho heavy sail forced 1t
over on Its side, and 1t fioated holploss-
lydown stream. Then befeathored head
rose TO tho surface for moment and
sank out Of sight.
That shot Of yours, Jnbe, must have
hit one OF them," said Marden, as he
stepped on shore; "and now TO see II
there are any moro redskins on our
track. Ariel, climb this tree; IL will
give you good view OF the river" The
boy obeyed. climbing into tho topmost
branches with the agility Of a squirrel,
but soon returned with tho muto as
surance that no enemy was In sight.
Night was approaching and the tired
voyagers were fain to find o place OF
rest and security. The stream was be-
coming narrow and comparatively shall
low, and small island in its midst
forced 1t into rapids on either side. This
Marden selected for their bivouac, and
the canoe bore them to It's lower extrem-
ity. Here they ventured TO make fire
with the aid Of powder flashed In rifle
pan. 1t was kindled In tho chollow stump
OF tree, the light carefully concealed
by their blankets; and Ariel cooked
thcir supper, which consisted Of dried
venison, frizzlcd on the Goals, coffee and
corn cakes. After the repast Marden
and Jabe lit their pipes, while Ariel
gazed into the fro and seemed to be
lost In revery. This ~ tho end OF our
journey by water" Marden announced,
as he shook the ashes out OF his pipe.
by daylight tomorrow you and |, Jabe,
will take up our march through the for
est until We gain point in the st.
Lawrence whero wo may get some infor-
nation OF tho motions Of tho French.
We havo made wido detor to avoid
their Indian allies, but hope TO out
flank thom. Az for thee, my Ariel"
he continued in French, and with
a tinge Of pathos In bis voice,
"thou knowest the task before
thee. trust thy native instinct to
find the way TO the Mohawk valley and
the home OF my friend Charles Selwyn.
Thou wilt give him this letter, in which
] have commended theo TO his protec.
ton, and doubt not that he will shell.
ter thee until happier days shall restore
thee to thy master" Tho boy sat gar
ing into the fire rs II he wore reading
his fate In the cmbers. One hand half
concealed tho face which rested on II;
the other grasped that OF his master.
y At daybreak the party arose, and pad
ding across the stream secreted the
canoe under pile Of brush and leaves.
They were readyfor the march. Ariel
his masterStook his hand
and pressed II TO Ms lips, then with a
sign OF farewell to tho ranger, disap-
peared In the depths OF the forest. |
Jabe lookedafte him regretfully. |
1rHe's the first redslin that would |
trust further than can see," he re-
"and he is clear grit and truc
blue" : 800 |
Marden was silcnt; his spirits were
under Q cloud this morning. Ho
Dould not account for his interest In the
boy; he reproached himself for sending
him on such dangerous errand, and 70.
sailed with ang dish OF soul the parting
LOOK Of devoted affection in those dark,
expressive eyes-
Jabe, observing his companions troub-
led face and guessing Its cause, was
silent also, and they journeyed on with
scarcely word spoken. guided by the
sun, the moss on the trees, and pocket
,ompass which Marden carried, until
noon, when hunger and fatigue COM
PEELED them 10 rest Thus far there
were no Indian signs In the wet ground
which retained the tracks Of numerous
Wild animals; yet caution and silence
we're advisable.
Toward night rain began 70 fall, and
hey looked around for hollow tree or
projecting rock.