Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-10-23

until he got view of the scene, now
only few rods distant. In the fore
ground was fire on which were some
culinary utensils. Two OF the men
lounged on tho grass, while another
aided the cook, whose negro feature !
and the sound of his voice, as he direct. |
ed his assistant, indicated that he was
Lemourier's servant. In the back |
ground he caught glimpse of a rude |
shelter composed of bark and blankets |
suspended upon poles driven in the |
earth, at the entrance o1nwhich sat a |
girl whose long, straight, black hair fell |
over the vestnre of squaw or half |
breed.
Ariel waited few minutes for further
developments, and then crept back to
the canoe. He found Marden awaiting
his return with much anxiety.
"Where hast thou been, Ariel?'' he
asked. s'Thy face indicates some dis
covery."
The boy at once communicated his
adventure, after which he proceeded to
prepare breakfast while his master
| thought out plan to assure himself of
the presence Of Mile. Destain in the en-
| emy's camp and to rescue her if posi-
! BILE. After the meal the fire was exc
| tinguished, and the baggage transferred
| to the canoe, which was headed for the
island where Ariel made his first OBJ
| servations. There, concealed in the
foliage of the great tree, the adventures
watched the movements of the enemy.
| The whites were lounging on the
shore; but the negro was not visible.
Presently tall female figure emerg-
ed from the tepec, followed by another.
| which Ariel recognized as that of the
squaw.
Tho distance was too great to distin-
guish features, but Marden felt that
the tall slender form could belong to no
other than Ninon Destain. Two canoes
| were drawn up on the shore, and the
careless demeanor of the men Indicated
their entire sense of security from at
tack or observation. All day the scouts
kept watch in the branches until the
growing darkness hid the island from
view, when they descended and made a
fire to prepare the meal which their
long abstinence rendered necessary to
recruit them for their contemplated en-
terprise.
After two hours rest, they launched
the canoe and steered boldly for the
camp Of the enemy. The white men
|
was not to be seen when Ariel stepped
on shore to reconnoiter, and crept soft
ly toward the tepec, across the entrance
of which was stretched the bulky form
of the negro. Tho boy reiterated to the
rear of the tepec, where he searched for
crevice in the side. The interior was
dark with the exception of faint ray
which struggled through the entrance
from the fire without. Baffied in this
attempt to communicate with Ninon,
Ariel resolved upon a dangerous expert
ment. Creeping along the ground like
a snake, he approached the negro, whose
heavy breathing encouraged him to pro-
coed. He arose and stepped over him.
In doing SO he intercepted the ray of
light, which, as he perceived, fell upon
the face of the squaw. She moved, and
l as Ariel glided into the darkness, she
raised herself on ner elbow, then appar-
l emily satisfied, composed herself to rest
> again. Ariel paused to listen, and soon
) detected gentle breathing; he knelt
+. down and touched hand which shiver-
1 ed and withdrew. Then the negro
3 voice Jared upon his ear, asking the
:, squaw if she was asleep. The woman
8 replied sulkily. He muttered throat
3 and went away to the fire, and returning
|
at the entrance.
. Ninon, also awakened, stretched out
her hand and encountered that of Ariel
3 It was critical moment; would she
t scream? He placed finger on her lips
3 She did not move and scarcely breathed.
: Ariel traced his name letter by letter on
t the palm of her hand, and he knew by
the pressure on his own that she com
1 pretended all. Her presence of mind
e saved them, and while she asked the
y squaw some careless questions, she
r drew piece of bark aside and pushed
u him through the crevice. She wa:
: about to follow him when tho squav
d laid her hand upon her shoulder. ''Wh!
}, you not go to sleep?" she asked il
: broken French. Ariel heard the ques
Q ton and knew that the opportunity Wa
, lost for the present, although part O
8 his mission had succeeded. Mile. Des
q tain knew that her friends were a
g hand.
a s'That will be a relief to her." h
g thought, ''if she does not betray it b,
q her looks.''
Il Marden was growing inpatient, how
3 ever. He told Ariel, that no better op
d oprtunity was likely to occur, whil
some accident mi ght snatch the priz
IT from their grasp.
a $50 back" he said; ''or stay; I'll G.
y myself. We must have her tonight i
s. we have to fight against odds. Ha
t. what is that?" Something attracts thei
B. attention. ariel did you hear tina
n shout? 1t came from tho water. Sec!
II AS he spoke huge shadow appeared
few rods from the shore; another me
ment and the freight fell upon
barge, propelled by six rowers, in tn
bow of which stood a man of largo pro
portions. who sprang TO the shore befor
= the vessel Touched. Marden recognize
him instantly. Itwas Lemourier.
. CHAPTER Kill
"BRING HANDOUTS LILIES
Mercer was prepared, as far as hi
limited force admitted, for the attacl
of the enemy, with the courage of
man who was ready to die at his pos
mingled with scorn of the pusillanimit
which rendered the loss of an importar
: position almost certain, and for whic
the English Generals Loudoun and AL
ercrombie earned the lasting contemr
of the coloniStS, if not of their Ow