Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-06-05

THE CANOE SHOT RAPIDLY UP STREAM
terra frma was the boy. He had his
bow in his hand, and, with gesture to
his master, disappeared in the darkness.
Evidently large fire had been
kindled on the bank to prevent the pas
sage of boats to or from tho forts at
night, and doubtless there was sufficient
force to make the attempt per1lous 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 Frenohmen in
uniform, and that strict watch was
kept along the river bank.
Marden at once decided to send Jabe
back to the fort with the news Of the In.
dian encampment, while he and Ariel
remain where they were and en-
desvor 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, Jabe 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 ad-
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 reproaoh himself for his hasty
action in sending back the canoe with
which they might have passed the hos
tile camp unobserved, when he saw a
shadowy line spanning the river, which,
as the light increased, resolved itself
into a Gordon of canoes, fastened end to
end, and effectually blocking the way.
Slowly the fog lifted the Indian boat
men cut loose their banks 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 1oated to 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.
1--WE must give it up, Ariel" he whis-
pered, sadly, "they have outwitted u.s.
| There is nothing left but to abandon
| the canoe and make our way through
the forest"
| The boy shook his head and began tc
talk with his fingers. There was bare.
ly light enough to follow the rapid mo-
tions, but when he concluded, his mas
l L
at 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 a peaceful homo to
| gether."
Had the darkness permitted Marde1
would have seen the look of devoted at
lection which repaid the kindly speech
but the half-breed made no sign.
Revolving in his mind plans for tn,
furtherance of his mission and the re
moval of the present obstacle, Nfarde1
kept watch for the ranger and his canoe
and Ariel slept at his feet-the ligh
but refreshing slumber which natur
snatches from fatigue and danger. A
last the sentinel hears the expected sig
nal, a spectral shape looms up in the oh
security, and Jabe steps upon the bank
"All safe, Captain?"
"Thus far; and what says the com
mandant?'
"He thanks you heartily for the in
formation you sent, and tell him. say
he, TO take no risks that he can avoid
and then he says very low: ! wish hir
to be prudent as ne is brave and faith
full"
Jabe had brought some fresh PFC
visions along, which he shared with hi
officer, and after a long whispered COZ
versation, they arranged to watch an
sleep turn-about. Then Marden wen
on guard. Resolved to let his CON
panions sleep until the time for actio
should arrive, he employed the idl
hours in watching the enemy's cam,
with vague hope that accident woul
show him the means of passing the
guard without detection. Few of tn
redskins were to be seen, for even tn
sentine1s along the bank, with i,
stinctive caution, crouched behind los
and hummoclss OF earth, while occasion
ally the fire was replenishei with re
inous branches which sent fort
, showers Of sparks and tongues ,
To be contlnue..