Thomas County cat., 1890-09-18
HRIEh,
The Ha1f-Breed.
A Romance of Colonial Days
BY ROBERT A. CUM1(1N0.
(coPYRIGHT. 1901
CHAPTER IL.
A LION IN THE PATH.

COPYRIGHT. 1890
CHAPTER IL.
LION IN THE PATH.
Seated at a table in the officers quar-
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 a 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 soldier
who is content to obey orders, whatever
they might be.
"Jabez Locke" said Mercer.
present" answered the ranger, rais-
ing his hand to the salute. Mercer
smiled.
81 have selected you," he continued,
''for service of great Importance, re-
lying on your courage, prudence and
skill as woodsman. You will accom-
pany Captain Marden on reconnn's-
ance of the woods between the fort and
a point on the St. Lawrence" laying his
finger on the map. cit is left to Cap
tain Marden's discretion to proceed
further; but the utmost vigilance must
be used TO 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.
"It 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 Abb
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
mere boy?"
"My life upon his fidelity" said Mar
den, warmly.
81 have no doubt of that" observed
Pepperel. His devotion t. yor is un-
deniable, and his Indian training and
sagacity fits him peculiarly for the task.
But have you consulted him?"
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.
''We are all agreed, them" said Mer-
Ger, rising, land the details Of both ex-
petitions are left to you, Captain Mar
den"
''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. FAREWELL
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 rifle
and 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 blanke- of an In
dian brave, bow in his hand and a
knife, q hatchet 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 a
gesture of farewell.
Jabe was waiting for them at the
bank of the river. He. too, had dis
carded his uniform and wore q dress
similar to that of his leader The birch
canoe was freighted with a 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;
Narden seated himself in the stern. and
It 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 floating ice out into the
lake, leaving no obstacle except what
might be apprehended from driftwood,
and for this Jabe kept watch with un-
firing vigilance. Two hours had passed
with nothing to disturb the feeling OF
security. Above their heads the trees
waved their leafless branches and the
stars twinkled benignly; below the river
offered smooth pathway, and the en-.
shrouding darkness concealed them from
prying eyes. Suddenly section of the
stars was obscured by a lofty bluff,
around which the stream was forced to
make its way at an acute angle, and
here the watchful Jabe gave the signal
agreed upon, and the bark crept eau
tiously around the point, then stopped
abruptly, for the eyes of the voyagers
accustomed to the darkness. were daz
.xled by glare of light which illuminated
the river and its banks for space tot
wide to be crossed with safety. The
tcanoe drifted into the shadow, and Mar