Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1890-11-13

literally provided. and took his first
draught of the well-spring OF know
ledge, which he found so sweet that he
returned to it again and agalnand found
that balm for anxious thought which
nothing else affords.
For the next two weeks Selwyn was
absent securing the country for volun-
teers and arms, until he found himself
at the head of a band of two hundred
men, all of whom had seen service as In
dian fighters or in the army; while war
party of Mohawk warriors under young
chief named Brant swelled the force 10
about three hundred and fifty men. On
beautiful morning in May, 1856, Sell
wyn and Renwicl, reviewed their troops
on a bank of the Mohawk river, and
while the dew yet fingered on the grass
began the march TO the relief of
0swego, guided by the half-breed,
who relinquished the newly-discov-
cred treasu of literature with
sigh of regret which was quick
~ stifled by an eager desire to 60
to the aid of his master. In many places
the primeval forest was impenetrable
without the aid of axes to clear away
the Jungle Of undergrowth; or
swamp necessitated a wide circuit;
or a creek raised to sudden i'm
portance by freshet, defied their eff
forts to make the passage, and the inn
patient leaders chafcd while precious
hours ran heedlessly away. night in
June found the little army encamped on
.q a.. -
those park-like spots sometimes found
in the midst Of the forest, and almost
encircled by gigantic trees The creek
YVES the bed OF an ancient river, and tho
opposite bank thickly strewn with sand
and boulders among which few stunted
trees found scanty nourishment.
Through the day the scouts brought in
news of having discovered trail which
indicated the presence of an enemy,
and Gordon of sentinels was placed
around the camp, logs and branches col
lected TO form breastworks, fires extin-
guished and all precautions taken to
guard against surprise.
Anon the stars began TO twinkle in a
cloudless sky; the breeze died away; the
creek murmured in its rocky bed, and
mingled with the variety Of sounds i'm
digenous to wood and stream; but in the
camp conversation was carried on in
subdued tones, scouts came and went
noiselessly, and sentinols moved with
mufiled steps. II was nearly midnight
when Renwick, returning from an in
spection Of the sentinels, laid his hand
on Selwyn's arm, and pointed to dis
tant section Of the sky. where a faint
rosy light appeared, wayering and
evanescent, like blush on a woman's
cheek, fading away to return again.
what is it?' asked Selwyn.
81 am going to see. believe it to be
the bivouac fire of French detachment;
Indians would not make such blaze,
and it is far off. Where is Ariel?" A
slight touch on his hand answered the
question.
81 will 90 with YOU" Selwyn said
mo. We must not take the risk"
and he and the boy disappeared like
ghosts.
Selwyn leaning on his rife, watched
the roseate CLEAN as il by its aid no
could follow the track Of his friends,
when scream rang out, echoing
through the woods with shrill vibration.
Involuntary he grasped the rifle and
made step forward, then paused and
smiled at his own nervousness; it was
the cry Of the cougar; he had heard it
often before. Then the cultural v0ice
Of Brant, the Mohawk chief, muttered
in his ear:
THE Hurons will be here at day
lightr'
He was about to reply, but the red
chief was gone.
FRO BE CONTINUED.