Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1890-10-30
CHAPTER III.
A LION IN THE PATH.


ters of Fort Oswego were Colonel
Mercer, Major Shirley and Captains
Pepperel and Marden.
A roughly-sketched map lay before
them. on which Mercer was tracing the
route to point on the st. Lawrence.
The half-breed stood behind Marden's
chair watching the proceedings with in
tense interest, while Jabe, the ranger,
looked on with the apathy Of a soldier
who is content to obey orders, whatever
they might be.
"Jabez Locke" said Mercer.
present" answered the ranger, rails
ing his hand to the salute. Mercer
smiled.
II have selected you," he continued,
"for service of great Importance, re-
lying on your courage, prudence and
skill as a wOodsman. You will accom-
pany Captain Marden on a reconnois-
arce of the woods between the fort and
a point on the St. Lawrence" laying his
finger on the map. 1T is left to Cap
tain Marden's discretion to proceed
further; but the utmost vigilance must
be used 10 avoid death or capture by the
enemy. You have an hour to make
preparations and report to Captain Mar
den"
The ranger showed neither surprise
or hesitation. He saluted and left the
room.
Gentlemen, believe we are agreed
as to Marden's proposal?" said Mercer.
at must not be laid to our charge
that we neglected any means to make
known our situation to the English
commanders, :" said Shirley. Doubtless
Sir William Johnson will lose no time
in communicating with Londoun or Alb
ercrombie, and if they can not or will
not come, then the onus of our defeat
will rest with them. But is it wise TO
entrust such an important message to a
m boy?"
my life upon his fidelity" said Mar
den, warmly.
II have no doubt of that" observed
Pepperel. His devotion t. you is un-
deniable, and his Indian training and
sagacity fits him peculiarly for the task
But have you consulted him9"
81 have" replied Marden, and he
spoke to the boy in French
''What sayest thou, Ariel? Wilt thou
spread thy wings for a long flight for
thy masters sake?"
The olive color in the boys cheeks
grew deeper and his eyes brighter, but
he simply laid his hand upon his heart
and bowed.
1--WE are all agreed, them" said Mer-
Ger, rising, land the details of both ex-
petitions are left to you, Captain Mar.
den."
1.-THE night is dark-all the better for
our purpose-and the canoe will leave
no track in the woods" replied Marden;
land now, brothers-in-arms, FAREWELL
Not for England or King George, but
for our native land we offer up our lives
and all that is dear to us. Farewellm
Then they clasped hands in silence
and separated
An hour later Mercer himself opened
the door of the fort for the departing
adventures. Marden, in the dress of
backwoodsman, armed only with rife
and a knife stuck in his belt; the half
breed, or Ariel, as we shall call him,
had exchanged his uniform for the moe
assins, leggings and blanket of an In
dian brave, bow in his hand and
knife, Ratchet and half dozen arrows
in his belt. He drew the blanket around
his head as Mercer, laying his hand on
his shoulder, spoke few kindly words
in French, to which he replied with
gesture of farewell.
Jabe was waiting for them at the
bank of the river. He, too, had dis
carded his uniform and wore a dress
similar to that of his leader The birch
canoe was freighted with few pro-
visions and blankets, to which were
added the rifles, and the party en-
barked. Jabe took his place in the
prov, which was turned up stream;
Marden seated himself in the stern. and
at his masters command Ariel lay down
on the blankets and fell asleep.
Propelled by paddles in four strong
hands the canoe shot rapidly up stream,
the paddles rising and falling with no
other sound than the ripple Of the water
at the prov. The spring-tide current
had carried the foatins ice out into the