The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1890-09-24

war-dance and chanted their deeds OF
prowess until the scene resembled pan
demonium. ifIH
"We have only fought their slirmish
line as yet" observed Renwick, lazily
reclining between tho roots Of tree;
"the heavy battalions are behind"
Selwyn was pacing up and down In
thoughtful mood. Tho responsibility OF
his situation was greater than his ex-
perience, and while he had tho fullest
confidence In his friend and lieutenant,
Renwick. no felt that he was by no
means his superior In military skill.
But II Marden wero by his side.
"a strange boy, that Ariol, and fan.
ciful name" said Renwic1, breaking in
upon his reverie. "Did you ever notice
how shy he Is and how eagerly he lis
tened when you spoke OF Marden7 He
seems to be devoted to him" ~.
''Marden is man { to gain the conhr
dence and love OF all who c~me In con-
tact with him." replied Selwyn. BE
sides, he saved the boys life, and he has
been in his service ever since. You
know that Indian gratitude Is proyerb-
ialr ''"
ale is brave as lion, too,p continued
Renwick, land as cunning as fox or q
redskin, else he would not have under
taken such long journeys through the
woods with nothing to rely on but his
own sagacity, or instinct, as you may
choose to term It,"
"Instinct is tho lowest form OF rea-
son." was the reply. at belongs to ami
mails and not to mon. 1t Is the Off
spring OF practical experience, some
times aided by hercdlty. A mechanic
does not accomplish his work by In
stinct, but by skill derived from prao-
tice, and II his father and grandfather
were mechanics he inherits from them
q mysterious aid to his ingenuity Of
which he Is unconscious, and which we
call natural transmission, as we find
names for other things which wo can
not explain" .
There being no response to these re-
marks, Selwyn became aware that his
friend was fast asleep. Silonce reigned
in the camp; the fires were smoldoring
in their ashes, like human passions;
dim shadows revealed the sentinels ut
their posts, watchful as the stars and as
silent. Wrapped in blanket, his back
resting against tree, Brant, the Mo
hawk chief, sat motionless, bat not
asleep. From the dense forest In tho
rear OF the camp came the hoot OF an
owl. After an interval OF q minute
the cry was echoed at distance
on She opposite side Of the stream. II |
any one had been watching tho red |
chief they would scarcely have been
aware that he had changed his position,
30 deep was tho obscurity; but ho was
not there. Again the dismal sound |
tolled forth like q funeral boil, nnd had |
It's echo as before; again and again and |
then IL ceased. The sentinels were |
Selwyn, sicepless and vigilAnt,
inspected the posts. All was we'll. Tho |
red chief rested In the Same place; but |
his eyes shone like panthers In the
darkness, and there was fresh scalp at |
his belt. F
The hour before dawn was tho time
whom tho sentinols were most vigilant,
for II was the hour when an attack was
most 70 be expected, but whom tho sun
arose there was no appearance OF the
enemy. Brant secured the timber In
the rear Of the Damp and found nothing
except the carcass Of Huron minus his
scalp and with khife-cut in his breast.
Selwyn's anxiety was rather increased
by this impressive silonce, and he was
awaiting tho return, Of
scouts, when sentinel observed q canoe
coming up tho stream and keeping close |
10 the opposite shore. Then II suddenly
shot across the stream. and Jabo and
another ranger sprang up tho bank and
Dver tho bfeastworh. IIc was tho bearcr
of o lettcT TO Sclwyn from tho com
OF 0swcgo. Wf
The young soldier eagerly broke tho
seal. The dispatch was brief. After
Selwyn for his patriotism and
energy In coming TO his reliof, Colonel
Mercer requested him 10 hold his posi. !