Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1890-08-21
HRIEh,
The aa1f-Breed.
A Romance of Colonial DAYS.
Cy ROBERT 4. CUNNING.
CHAPTER IL-CoSTINUED.


tant. The French are led by General
Montcalm, man of tireless energy.
He is preparing fotilla at Fort From
tenac and the favoring breeze which
watts MIN across Lake Ontario. will
place Oswego in great peril
Mercer and his New Englanders hold
that fort" said the youth in tone OF
confidence.
And if they can not?"
As the full import of this suggestion
flashed across his mental vision, Selwyn
arose with the air of one who shakes of
drowsy feeling of security.
what then?'' he asked
"Why, then in about a week your
peaceful Arcadia will be full OF Cana
dian sayages and Frenchmen.'
THE British troops?"
care comfortably quartered in Bos-
ton, New York or Philadelphia"
''Reinforceneats for Mercer?''
Il have no authority 10 raise troops, "
replied the knight.
But l could get volunteers-a hun
dred rifemen-my friends and neigh
bors,' said the youth, impetuously.
How soon?'
Ready to march in two weeks"
"a drop in the bucket, nephew; and
yet as the nucleus of a larger force, ii
might be effective. Try what thou
canst do, and in the meantime 1 will
to Albany with speed aud try my infiu-
ence with the authorities to lend thee
aid, falling which thou wilt of course
abandon the attempt
sEVhnn bond - y,1ar-- I |
not turn back, Sir William"
Boy! Boy exclaimed the baronet,
impatiently, lam bitten finds its way by
devious means, the chief of which is
prudent calculation. As have already
told thee, my visit here tonight had the
object of arousing thee from these book
ish dreams; yet counsel not rashness.
We will help each other. Charles. Thy
prompt action III raising troops will re-
dound to the family credit whether
succeed IN Albany or not. But to march
to Oswego with hundred men were
sheer folly
Mars Charles" interrupted a negro
servant, putting lis gray, woolly head
into the room, dem ar dogs is mighty
Uneasy. Deg is rattlin' dar chains an
''They scent a wild animal lurking
around the barnyard, perhaps" replied
Selwyn, taking rife from the wall.
''Injuns, mebbe,' suggested Peter.
Selwyn shook his head.
''The Mohawbs are our friends" said
he, ''and would come boldly if at all. :
So saying, he unbolted the hall door
and was about TO step forth upon the
moonlit lawn. but almost stumbled over
an object seated on the threshold, which
arose and stood before him silent and
motionless. Sclwyn was too well used
to Indian habits TO be surprised at this
apparition, the sex and features of
which were concealed by blanket
thrown over the head and almost touch
ing the ground.
Whom do you seek?" asked the
young man, in the Mohawk dialect.
Slowly the blanket dropped from
head and shoulders, revealing a hand
some boyish face, whose features were
rather French than aboriginal, and a
pair of large sparkling black eyes were
raised to his face with an expression
half shy, halt confident. and then
small brown hand drew from the bosom
a letter superseded in a bold English
hand. Charles Selwyn."
Taking the messenger by the arm,
Selwin led him into the hall and, point
ing to a chair, opened the letter. The
lad, however, seated himself on bear
skin mat, and, sling his head upon
his hand, remained motionless as before.
Exhausted" thought Selwyn, glanc-
ing at him. Peter, give him some food
What have you there?" asked Sir
William. But his kinsman was too
much occupied to heed the question.
"Old comrade and brother-in-arms,"
ran the missive, ''if this letter ever
reaches you, l confide the bearer TO
your protection and ympathy. He had
the misfortune to fall into the hands of
4 band of Hurons, who, being in play
'uI mood. cut out his tongue, and would
doubtless have deprived him of his hair
also if they had not been surprised by q
party of rangers, who quickly made
them look on this practical joke in a
cry serious light. The boy is faithful
md intelligent. and will serve thee as
Ariel served his master Prospero. |
saved him at the battle of Crown Point,