Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1890-12-25

emerged from the crevice.
Perplexed but undaunted, Ariel once
more felt for and clasped the hand of
the incognito. IL was soft and flexible
and returned his pressure. At the same
moment he heard the voice of Lemourier
fiercely shouting to the negro, demand
ing why the watch fire was not kept
burning, and guard kept on the shore;
from which Ariel inferred that the chief
had suddenly awakened to find the
camp unguarded and in darkness. The
negro at once kicked the embers to-
gether and flung an armful of branches
on them from which shot up column
of sparks and then a thousand tongues
of fire which threw food of vivid light
over the scene. Lemourier's quick eye
instantly took in the situation and with
a savage oath he rushed upon the fugi-
tives, but Marden planted himself in
his way.
''Quick. Ariel, quiclIl to the cancer
he shouted, retreating slowly, his
sword pointed at the breast of his
enemy, whose followers, startled from
their repose, were hurrying to his as
SAo0diEts iG EAGnOhuldl NIEW Ills
sword and made a iunge which Marden
avoided by springing backward, while
Lemourier in his rage stumbled heavily
forward. The active American sprang
to his side and unwilling to slay the de-
fenseless man. struck him behind the
ear with his clenched hand. The giant
fell senseless to the earth: but his fol-
lowers were crowding on. Thus far
they had refrained from using their fire.
arms for fear of hitting their chief.
''Take him alive" cried the negro, as
they were about to fire. The group was
standing in the full glare of the camp
fire, but the canoe was hidden from
view. The men were about to rush
upon him when he plunged into the
river and disappeared from their view
the swift current bearing him away into
the darkness.
Ariel and Mile Destain had watched
the scene with breathless interest from
their hiding-place, and the former was
about to push the canoe into the stream
to rescue his master when he felt it
move, propelled by dusky figure, and
an unseen paddle aided him to guide it.
"Ariel!'' 1t was Marden's voice, and
the boy followed the direction of the
sound until the bark touched the beach
of another island, from which could be
dimly seen the lights and figures Of
the one they had left. The same dusky
figure stepped out of the canoe and held
it while Ariel helped Mile. Destain to
land.
as the lady safe, Ariel?" asked
Marden.
''She is safe, NJ. Marden," said Ninon,
laying her hand on his arm; land oh,
so grateful for her escape from that viii
lainr'
"We must make that certain" he re-
piled; ''but while they have boats they
can follow US. and they will begin the
search at daybreak."
Ariel was now about to solve the prob
lem which had occupied his mind for
the last hour, namely, what that APP
partition was which he had dimly seen in
the canoe. After much cropping in the
dark he stumbled over blanketed form
reclining on bank, apparently asleep.
He returned to Marden and led him to
the spot, but the figure remained mo-
tionless and speechless. Marden COM
municated the fact to Mile. Destain.
sit must be Stella" she said, Il mean
that Indian woman who was my iailer
could not pronounce her name and 81
asked her to let me call her Stella, be-
cause her eyes are so bright"
"But how came sho to desert her
friends tofollow you?" asked Marden.
Ninon reflected for q moment. II
tried to gain her friendship" she said,
sand must have succeeded unconscious
ly, for she made no sign. But now see
that could not have escaped without
her aid, for she gave no alarm and
was at my side in the fight to the
shore" s.
sit is quite plain, now" said Marden,
land she followed you because She Jared
not remain behind" Ariel listened and
was satisfied.
Leaving Ninon to repose as best she
could, Marden and the boy sought the
nearest point to the camp of the enemy,
in pursuance of a plan conceived by the
former to prevent pursuit by combining
them on their island as in prison. The
barge which brought Bemourier, to-
gether with the canoes of the first party,
lay upon the beach, which was steep
enough to render approach possible I'M
der it's cover sentinel paced half
way between the campfire and the
shore. The others slept, for there was
nothing to fear.
Marden, having impaired his scheme
to Ariel, they padded their canoe to
the spot which had been its former hid
ing-place. where they left it. and crept
along under cover of the bank, carefully
watching the sentinel 1t took some
time to work their way to the barge, and
the danger Of discovery was extreme;
but the audacity of the enterprise aided
its success. Lemourier was not to be
seen; he was lying on the bear SKIN
lately occupied by his captive, his head
aching from the effects of the blow
and tie fall, while the negro, anxious
to atone for former carelessness,
rao%lacc1ry al