Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-11-06
:ARIEh,
The Ha1f-Breed.
A Romance of Colonial Days.
BIZ ROBERT A. CUMMING.
COPYRIGHT, 1890. I

touched some chord in the heart of this
ochild of the forest and unconsciously
enlisted her sympathy. It is certain that
she held knife concealed in her dress,
and the glitter in her eye indicated that
she was in a dangerous mood. It needed
but gesture, however, to remind
Lemourier that he was disgracing him
self, and boiling with rage at his own
rashness, not less than at the offense
given him, he strobe abruptly out of the
tepec. The night was warm and the fire
burned low. Confident in their numbers
and the isolation of their camp. the
Frenchmen slept around the embers or
smoked and talked with the vivacity of
their race.
Marden and his companion having
concealed the canoe in a clump of trees
on the shore, watched the enemy
through the branches, and while the
fire lasted made an estimate of their
numbers. Circumstances seemed to IA
vor the two scouts, and Marden made
up his mind that the rescue of the lady
could be effected easily.
Ariel was not so confident, remember
ing his late experience, but started to
reconnoiter, his master following at
short distance. The campfire was so
low that he could barely distinguish the
tepee. Searching on his knees for the
crevice through which he had escaped,
he found it at last, and cautiously feel
ing his way touched something from
which he was about to recoi1, when he
felt his hand grasped in one so hard and
muscular that his heart sank within
him, as the picture of failure and ruin
arose before his minds eye. Then his
hand was released, and shadow
emerged from the crevice.
Perplexed but undaunted, Ariel once
more felt for and clasped tho hand of
the incognito. 1t was soft and flexible
and returned his pressure. At the same
moment he heard the voice of Lemourier
fercely shouting to the negro, demand
ing why the watch fire was not kept
burning, and guard kept on the shore;
from which Ariel inferred that the chief
had suddenly awakened to find the
camp unguarded and in darkness. The
negro at once kicked the embers to-
gether and flung an armful of branches
on them from which shot up column
of sparks and then thousand tongues
of fire which threw a food of vivid light
over the scene. Lemourier's quick eye
4 instantly took in the situation and with
savage oath he rushed upon. the fugi-
tives, but Marden planted himself in
his way.
''Quick, Ariel, quick! to the cancer
he shouted, retreating slowly, his
sword pointed at the breast of his
enemy, whose followers, startled from
their repose, were hurryfng to his as
sistance. The Frenchman drew his
sword and made a lunge which Marden
avoided by springing backward, while
Lemourier in his rage stumbled heavily
forward. The active American sprang
to his side and unwilling to slay the de-
fenseless man, struck him behind the
ear with his clenched hand. The giant
fell senseless to the earth; but his fol-
lowers were crowding on. Thus far
they had RETAINED from using their fire.
arms for fear Of hitting their chief.
Take him alive" cried the negro, as
they were about to fire. The group was
standing in the full glare of the camp
IRE, but the canoe was hidden from
view. The men were about to rush
upon him when he plunged into the
river and disappeared from their view
the swift current bearing him away into
the darkness.
0rASA anu Mile. OcSC31n mad watched
the scene with breathless interest from
their hiding-place, and the former was
about to push the canoe into the stream
to rescue his master when he felt it
move, propelled by dusky figure, and
an unseen paddle aided him to guide it.
'Ariel!" 1t was Marden's voice, and
the boy followed the direction of the
sound until the bark touched the beach
of another island, from which could be
dimly seen the lights and figures of
the one they had left. The same dusky
figure stepped out of the canoe and held
it while Ariel helped Mile. Destain to
land.
SIS the lady safe. Ar1elq" asked
Marden.
ssShe is safe, M. Marden," said Ninon
laying her hand on his arm; land oh
SO grateful for her escape from that vii
lain!'
"We must make that certain he re
piled; ''but while they have boats they
can follow us, and they will begin ths
search at daybreak."
Ariel was now about to solve the prob
lem which had occupied his mind TO
the last hour. namely, what that ap