Thomas County cat., 1890-10-30
CHAPTER VIII.

Ariel having departed on his mission
to Fort Oswego, the little army under
Selwyn began its 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, 4 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
encamped on the opposite shore.
''They may come now ii 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""
''We left broad trail to follow on"
replied Selwyn, land We must be pre-
pared. The logs which formed the RATS
mus: be hauled up Cn 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 q seraph-
&c promise of enjoyment.
wait till get my supper, Charley,
and I will arise like giant refreshed.
How delightful it is to repose in sec,iri-
" under that star-sprinkled vault Of
blue and watch the preparations for q
banquet which King George might
envy"
81 would that Loudoun or Abercrom-
Die could smell it, then, and come hith-
or to share it," laughed Selwyn. ''brt
their culinary tastes, like theirlegs, run
IN another direction"
"Who goes there?' shonted sentinel
on the river bank. After few mo-
ment's parley, o raft was manned and
pushed across the stream, but soon re-
turned with stranger who was led to
the spot where Selwyn and Renwick
stood. The man was ragged, haggard
and faint from fatiguc 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"
"You could not aid him, though you
escaped yourself?"
mo, sir; and had his orders to do
just what I 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
aleep."
"How did you find this place?"
~ struck your trail this morning."
''Sit down and have something to eat, "
said Renwick. you look pretty well
used up"
81 sm," 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 Marden'a
friend, to whom Ariel carried the letter.
Ariel must have succeeded. therefore
and this force, the mum bers of which be
estimated by their trail, was the resul,
Of that mission. His next question was
"Where is Ariel?''
Selwyn knew this man by the half
breeds narrative of the expedition w
the river, and he explained the reason
Of bis a6sence.
n must start Tor the TOru m the morn
ing" said Jabe, Ito warn them that the
French are coming on in force by land
and the gun-boats from Fort Frontena,
will attack them from the lake"
IF the redskins left this place t,
join their friends" said Renwick. ''the,
must have destroyed their canoes o.
hidden them"
'.They wouldn't destroy them" sail
Jabe, quickly. They must have bidder
them on the other side Of the river. anS
we must find them. for if they com,
back they'll be creeping over here il
the dark to pick up scalps."
The wisdom of this suggestion bein.
obvious, il was decided to act on il b,
daylight, and, the necessary arranl e
ments being made 10 relieve guar,
through the night, the tired ranger
sought repose.
With the first pale light Of morn
ing the camp was astir. To Bran
and his Mohawks was assigned the dut,
of searching for the canoes, whil
the rangers raised breastwork OF log
TO urctect the river bank. The Indian
Aad lis&le difficulty in finding tn,
GANGS. which were hidden under brush
wooa near the river. Jabe selected on<
ana cuununenced his journey to the fort.
The work on The fortifications con
suued fhe forenoon. AID Selwyn ha
seee1n = eengratulate himself on IA
xnnis1rr . the work. for Brant Wit