Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1890-06-10

here before tomorrow evening"
1--WE left q broad trail to follow on,
replied Selwyn, land we must be pre-
pared. The logs which formed the RATS
must be hauled up On the bank for
breastworks and more added to them. 1t
must be done ut daybreak."
Renwiok was tired and hungry, and
the smell of venison broiling on the
Goals stole over his senses with a seraph.
10 promise Of enjoyment.
"Wait till get my supper, Charley,
and will arise like giant refreshed.
How delightful it is to repose in securi-
ty under that star-sprinkled vault of
blue and watch the preparations for a
banquet which King George might
envy"
81 would that Loudoun or Abercrom-
bic could smell 1t, then, and come hith-
er to share It," laughed Selwyn, 'sbrt
their culinary tastes, like their legs, run
in another direction"
''Who goes there?" shouted sentinel
on the river bank. After few mo-
ment's parley, q raft was manned and
pushed across the stream, but soon re-
turned with stranger who was led to
the spot where Selwyn and Renwick
stood. The man was ragged, haggard
and faint from fatigue and want Of food.
''Who are you?" asked Selwyn. The
man gave the military salute.
''Jabez Locke, sir, scout and ranger"
"And where is Captain Marden?"
ga prisoner to the French, sir.'
"Yop could not aid him, though you
escaped yourself?"
''No, sir; and had his orders to do
just what I did If no was taken. You
see we had got all the information we
wanted and were on the way back to
Oswego, when he was surprised in his
sleep"
GLOW did you find this placer"
~ struck your trail this morning.
''Sit down and have something to eat"
said Renwick, ''you look pretty well
used up"
81 am" said Jabe, and he dropped
down exhausted. A plentiful supper,
however, revived him and he began to
ask questions.
''Whose command is this?''
Captain Selwyn's Mohawk rangers"
Jabe reflected. Selwyn was Marden's
friend, to whom Ariel carried the letter.
Ariel must have succeeded, therefore,
and this force, the nun bers of which he
OooAA4SOC0 ny UAC1T was Uuo result
Of that mission. His next question was:
"Where is Ariel?''
Selwyn knew this man by the half
breeds narrative of the expedition up
the river, and he explained the reason
of his absence,
II must start for the fort in the morn
ing" said Jabe, ''to warn them that the
French are coming on in force by land,
and the gun-boats from Fort Frontenac
will attack them from the lake."
''If the redskins left this place to
join their friends" said Renwick, ''they
must have destroyed their canoes or
hidden them"
"They wouldn't destroy them" said
Jabe, quickly. "They must have hidden
them on the other side of the river, end
we must find them, for if they come
back they'll be creeping over here in
the dark to pick up scalps."
The wisdom of this suggestion being
obvious, it was decided to act on it BY
daylight, and, the necessary arrange
ments being made to relieve guard
through the night, the tired rangers
sought repose.
With the first pale light of morn
ing the camp was astir. To Brant
and his Mohawks was assigned the duty
of searching for the canoes, while
the rangers raised breastwork of logs
to protect the river bank. The Indians
had little difficulty in finding the
canoes, which were hidden under brush
wood near the river. Jabe selected one
and commenced his journey to the fort.
The work on The Notifications con-
sumed the forenoon, and Selwyn had
reason to congratulate himself on the
raptdity Of the work, for Brant with
his scouts came in with the news that
the enemy were approaching in force,
the Hurons in front, and numbering
about three hundred. The red chief
volunteered to check the approach OF
the hosGiles, and, having received per-
mission, disappeared. The afternoon
was spent in inspecting the surround
ings of the camp, fortifying weak places
and making all other preparations for
defense.
The excitement of the rangers was in
tense, for the wind bore to their ears
the sounds of battle. At first the shots
were distant and scattering, but in
creased in frequency and volume as
they drew nearer, until it seemed as ifa
general engagement was in progress,
and Selwyn resolved to send party of
rangers to the assistance of the red
chief. Calling for twenty volunteers,
the entire force responded, and when he
had selected his men Renw1ck claimed
the right to lead them.
"You had your share of glory tho
other day, Charley" he said, s'and now
it's my turn. Besides your presence is
needed here" So saying he stepped
into a canoe followed by the volunteers
Guided by the firing and the yells Of
the savage combatants, he made de-
tour through the dense timber in order
to gain the rear, and soon gained a posi-
ton which revealed the fact that the
Mohawks were slowly retreating,
while, judging by the heavy tramp, q
party Of regulars was coming to the aid
of the Hurons. Quickly placing his men
in ambush, Renwick awaited the ap-
proach Of the latter. On they came, un-
suspecting danger until half their force
IF Affu hoI <La