Thomas County cat., 1890-09-18

THE CANOE SHOT RAPIDLY UP STREAM.
perea, sadly, '-tney uave ourwltted US.
There is nothing loft but to abandon
the canoe and make our way through
the forest"
The boy shook his head and began to
talk with his fingers. There was bare
ly light enough~to follow the rapid mo-
tions, but when he concluded, his mas.
ter gazed at him with admiration.
''It might be done," he mused. "It
shall be done if the fog serves US we'll.
And now rest thee, boy. 1 love thee,
faithful friend, and haply at some future
day we will share peaceful home to-
gether.'
Had the darkness permitted Marden
would have seen the look of devoted af-
fection which repaid the kindly speech;
but the half-breed made no sign.
Revolving in his mind plans for the
furtherance Of his mission and the re-
moval of the present obstacle, Marden
kept watch for the ranger and his canoe.
and Ariel slept at his feet-the light
but refreshing slumber which nature
snatches from fatigue and danger. At
last the sentinel hears the expected sig
nal, a spectral shape looms up in the OBJ
scurity, and Jabe steps upon the bank.
Cali safe, Captain?"
''Thus far; and what says the COM
mandant?"
"He thanks you heartily for the in
formation you sent, and tell him. says
he, 'to take no risks that he can avoid;'
and then he says very low: L wish him
tn be prudent as he is brave and faith
full"
Jabe had brought some fresh pro-
visions along, which he shared with his
officer, and after long whispered con-
versation, they arranged to watch and
sleep turn-about. Then Marden went
on guard. Resolved to let his COM
panions sleep until the time for action
should arrive, he employed the idle
hours in watching tho enemy's camp,
with vague hope that accident would
show him the means of passing their
guard without detection. Few of the
redskins were to be seen, for even the
sentinels along the bank, with in
stinctive caution, crouched behind logs
and hummocks of earth. while OCCASION
ally the fire was replenishei with res
inous branches which sent forth
showers Of sparks and tongues of
flame that gave demoniac ex.
preston to the features of the savage
fireman. No hope but in the coming Of
the fog-and if it should not come?
Marden knew by the increasing chilli
ness that daylight Was approaching, yet
the stars shone undimmed and the
stream showed no mist upon its bosom.
He leaned against q tree, the high
pressure of excitement reacting on his
tired frame; he lost consciousness for .
time. Then he awoke with the con-
sciousness that something was about to
occur. A thin vail interposed itself be-
tween him and the opposite shore;
the fire was growing dim; there was .
stir among the Indians; canoes were
being pushed into the water. The time
of action had arrived. He was about
to arouse his companions when he found
Ariel at his side, and Jabe appeared q
moment later. As the fog deepened
the canoe was launched and the ad-
venturers boldly pushed it in among the
enemy, the white men taking the pre-
caution to wrap their blankets around
them.
A few strokes would take them be-
yond the line which was rapidly form
ing across the river. Marden observed
that there was only one man to each
Canoe fact which might draw sus-
| picion to their own.
Nor was this An idle fear, for at the
moment the thought occurred to him, a
hand was laid on the gunwale of the
bark and . hideously painted face
thrust itself almost into his own. That
glance satisfied the savage. and he
thrw back his head to give utterance to
tho war-whoop, whom Jabe grasped his
throat with his iron fingers and eRectu-
ally stiasd the sound. The sedakin
stEuRRled e =" - --