Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-09-04


Evidently large fire had been
kindled on the bank to prevent the pas
sage OF boats to or from the forts ae
night, and doubtless there was sufficient
force to make the attempt perilous ii
not impossible. In few minutes the
boy returned and began to gesticulate
rapidly. He. had been taught the sign
language of the deaf mutes by priest
in Montreal, and Marden had become
proficient in it too. He reported that
there were at least two hundred In
dams with two or three Frenchmen in
uniform, and that strict watch was
kept along the river ban!r.
Marden at once decided to send JADE
back to the fort with the news of the In
dian encampment, while he and Ariel
remain where they were and en-
deavor by daylight to find some path
or creek by which to transport the canoe
to point on the river above the encamp-
ment. With this purpose they crossed
the stream, and while Marden and the
boy plunged into the forest, JADE re-
traced his way in the canoe, with orders
to return to the same spot on the fol-
lowing night.
Wrapped in their blankets the adj
venturers stepped among the moscow
cred roots of a tree, and with the dawn
of day proceeded to take observations OF
the enemy, but they found the opposite
bank obscured by fog, which the bon
fires failed to penetrate. Marden was
about to reproach himself for his hasty
action in sending back the canoe with
which they might have passed the hos
tile camp unobserved, when he saw
shadowy line spanning the river, which,
as the light increased, resolved itself
into Gordon of canoes, fastened end to
end, and effectually blocking the way.
Slowly the fog lifted, the Indian boat
men cut loose their barks and padded
to the opposite shore.
The barricade was complete. The day
was spent in vain search for some path
or creek by which the canoe could be
carried or foated to a point of safety,
and when the night closed in and the
red glare of the watch fire made the
smallest objects visible, Marden began
to think the task desperate one.
eve must give it up, ARIEL he whis-
pered, sadly, ''they have outwitted us.
There is nothing left 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.
SIT might be DONE" he unused. ''It
shall be done if the fog serves us we'll
And now rest thee, boy. I love thee,
faithful friend, and haply at some future
| day we will share peaceful home to-
! gether"
| 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. Al
last the sentinel hears the expected sig
nal, spectral shape looms up in the OBJ
security, and JADE steps upon the bank
''All safe, Captain?"
s'Thus far; and what says the com
mandant?"
''He thanks you heartily for the m
formation you sent, and tell him. say:
| he, 'to take no risks that he can avoid;
and then he says very low: L wish him
to be prudent as he is brave and faith
full
Jabe had brought some fresh pro
visions along, which he shared with hi:
officer, and after a long whispered con
versation, they arranged to watch ant
| sleep turn-about. Then Marden wen
on guard. Resolved to let his com
panions sleep until the time for actor
should arrive, he employed the idl'
hours in watching the enemy's camp
with vague hope that accident would
show him the means of passing thei
guard without detection. Few of thu
redskins were to be seen, for even thu
sentinels along the bank, with in
stinctive caution, crouched behind log
and hummocks of earth, while occasion
ally the fire was replenishe1 with res
inous branches which sent fortl
showers of sparks and tongues o
fame that gave demoniac ex
preston to the features of the savag
fireman. No hope but in the coming o
the fog-and if it should not come
Marden knew by the increasing chilli
ness that daylight Was approaching, We
! the stars shone undimmed and tn
stream showed no mist upon it's bosom
He leaned against a tree, the hig]
pressure of excitement reacting on hi
tired frame; he lost consciousness for
time. Then he awoke with the con
seriousness that something was about t
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 wer
being pushed into the water. The tim
of action had arrived. He was abou
to arouse his companions when he foun
Ariel at his side, and Jabe appeared
moment later. AS the fog deepene
the canoe was launched and the ad
venturers boldly pushed it in among tn
enemy, the white men taking the pre-
caution to wrap their blankets aroun
them.
: A few strokes would take them be
You'd the line which was rapidly form
! ! ing across the river. Marden observe
: that there was only one man to eac
canoe-a fact which might draw sus
piciOn to their own.
Nor was this an idle fear, for at tn
moment the thought occurred to him,
hand was laid on the gunwale of tn
bark and a hideously painted fac