The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1890-10-29
HRIEA,
The HalfBreed.
A Romance of Colonial Days.
BY ROBERT A. CUMMING.
CHAPTER Xv.-CoSrNuED.
lCoPYRIGHT, 1901


Perhaps the fair and gentle captive
touched some chord in the heart Of this
child of the forest and unconsciously
enlisted her sympathy. 1t is certain that
she held knife concealed In her dress,
end the glitter In her eye indicated that
she was In dangerous mood. 1t needed
but a gesture, however, to remind
Lemourier that he was disgraoing him.
self, and boiling with rage at his own
rashness, not less than at the offense
given him, he strobe abruptly out Of the
tepec. The night was warm and the fro
burned low. Confident in their numbers
and the isolation OF their camp, the
Frenchmen slept around the embers or
smoked and talked with the vivacity Of
their race.
Marden and his companion having
concealed the canoe in clump Of trees
on tho shore, watched the enemy
through the branches, and while the
fire lasted made an estimate OF their
numbers. Circumstances seemed TO IA
vor the two scouts, and Marden made
up his mind that the rescue Of the lady
could be effected easily.
Ariel was not SO confident, remember
ing his late experience, but started TO
.Feconnoiter, his master following at
short distance. The campfire was 80
low that he could barely distinguish the
tepec. Searching on his knees for the
crevice through which he had escaped,
he found 1t at last, and cautiously feel
ing his way touched something from
which no was about TO recoil, when he
felt his hand grasped in one so hard and
muscular that his heart sank within
him, as the picture Of failure and ruin
arose before his minds eye. Then his
hand was released, and a shadow
emerged from the crevice.
Perplexed but undAunted, Ariel once
more felt for and clasped the hand Of
the incognito. 1t was soft and flexible
and returned his pressure. At the same
moment he heard the voice OF Lemourier
fiercely shouting 10 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 swsksned 10 find the
camp unguarded and in darkness. The
negro at once kicked the embers to-
gother and flung an armful OF branches
ON them from which shot upa column
OF sparks and then thousand tongues
Of fire which threw q flood OF vivid light
over the scene. Lomourier's quick eye
instantly took in the situation and with
q savage oath he rushed upon the fugi-
tives, but Marden planted himself in
his way.
"Quick, Ariel, quick! to the canoeT
no shouted, retreating slowly, his
sword pointed at the breast OF his
enomy, whose followers, startled from
their repose, were hurrying to his as
distance. The Frenchman drew his
sword and made lungo which Marden
avoided by springing backward, while
Lemourier in his rage stumbled heavily
forward. The active American sprang
10 his side and unwilling TO slay the do
fenseless man, struck him behind the
car with his clenched hand. The giant
fell senseless 10 the earth; but his fol-
lowers were orowding on. Thus far
they had refrained from using their fire.
arms for fear Of hitting their chief.
Take him alive" cried the negro, %
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 tho
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 10 push tho canoe into tho stream
10 rescue his master whom he felt II
move, propelled by dusky figure, and
an unseen paddle aided him 10 guide IL
"Ariell" II was Marden's voice, and
the boy followed the direction Of tho
sound until the bark touched the beach
Of another island, from which could be
dimly seen the lights and figures Of