Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1890-11-27
HRIEA,
The Half Breed.
A Romance of Colonial Days.
BY ROBERT a. CUMMING.
[coPYEIGHT, 1901
OTTER -.
WAR AND PHILOSOPHY.


Ariel having departed on his mission
to Fort Oswego, the little army under
Selwyn began it's march, confident that
the enemy would not recover from their
surprise in time TO harrass its retreat,
although the commander had no doubt
that they would follow as soon as they
could collect their demoralized allies.
Cautiously feeling their way with the
Mohawks in the rear to guard against
surprise, they reached the Blackwater
river at the close of the second days
march, at the point where Marden ran
the Indian blockade; but there was no
trace of the enemy. They had probably
joined their allies and formed part of
the force recently repulsed. Selwyn
decided to place the river between
him and the foe, and at once ordered
the construction of RATS to convey
them across, task easily accomplished
by the rangers. who cut the trees in uni
form lengths with their axes and bound
them together with wild grape-vines.
When night closed the entire force was
encamoed on the opposite shore.
"They may come now if they choose"
said Renwick lighting his pipe at the
fire where supper was being prepared,
although l don't think they will get
here before tomorrow evening"
1--WE left broad trail TO follow on"
replied Selwyn, land we must be pre-
pared. The logs which formed the RATS
must be hauled up en- the bank for
breastworks and more added to them. 1t
must be done at daybreak."
Renwick was tired and hungry, and
the smell of venison broiling on the
Goals stole over his senses with seraph-
ic promise of enjoyment.
'Wait till get my supper, Charley,
and will arise like giant refreshed.
How delightful it is to repose in secilri-
ty under that star-sprinkled vault Of
blue and watch the preparations for
banquet which King George might
envy
Il would that Loudoun or Abercrom-
bic could smell it, then, and come hith-
er to share it," laughed Selwyn. but
their culinary tastes, like theirlegs, run
in another direction"
"Who goes there?" shouted sentinel
on the river bank. After a few mo-
ment's parley, raft was manned and
pushed across the stream, but soon re-
turned with a stranger who was led to
the spot where Selwyn and Renwiok
stood. The man was ragged, haggard
and faint from fatigue and want of food.
''Who are you?" asked Selwyn. The
man gave the military salute.
''Jabez Locke, sir, scout and ranger"
"And where is Captain Marden?'
"a prisoner to the French, sir"
'sYou could not aid him, though you
escaped yourself?"
''No, sir; and had his orders to do
just what l did if he was taken. You
see we had got all the information we
wanted and were on the way back to
Oswego, when he was surprised in his
sleep"
''How did you find this placer
81 struck your trail this morning"
''Sit down and have something to eat"
said Renwick, you look pretty well
used up
81 am" said Jabe, and he dropped
down exhausted. A plentiful supper,
however, revived him and he began to
ask questions.
Whose command is this?"
Captain Selwyn's Mohawk rangers"
Jabe reflected. Selwyn was Mardens
friend, to whom Ariel carried the letter.
Ariel must have succeeded, therefore,