Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-10-02
banquet which King George might

on the river bank. After a few mo-
ment's parley, a raft was manned and
pushed across the stream, but soon re-
turned with a 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.
'sWho are you?" asked Selwyn. The
man gave the military salute.
''Jabez Locke, sir, scout and ranger"
Sand where is Captain Marden?'
ga prisoner to the French, sir"
ssYou could not aid him, though you
escaped yourself?"
s.No, sir; and had his orders to do
just what l did if he 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" - lli
show did you find this placer
81 struck your trail this morning."
.sSit down and have something to'eat,"
said Renwick, ''you look pretty we'll
used up"
81 am said Jabe,, and he dropped
down exhausted. A plentiful supper,
however, revived him and he began to
ask questions %T@ g
.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 mum bers of which he
estimated by their trail, was the result
of that mission His next question was:
s'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. - H.
81 must start for the fort in the morn
ing said Jabe, ito 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, and
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 tho 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
rapidity 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 hoseiles, and, having received per-
mission, disappeared. The afternoon
ings of the camp, terrifying weak places
and making all other preparations for
| defense.
The excitement of the rangers was in
tense, for the wind bore to their ears
|
were distant and scattering, but in
creased in frequency and volume as
they drew nearer, until it seemed as if a
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 mon Renwick claimed
the right to lead them.
''You had your share of glory the
other day, Charley" he said, land 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 tho yells Of
the savage combatants, he made de
tour through the dense timber in order
to gain the rear, and soon gained posi-
ton which revealed tho fact that the
Mohawks were slowly retreating,
while. judging by the heavy tramp, {;
party of regulars was coming to the aiG
of tho Hurons. Quickly placing his me1
in ambush, Renwick awaited the ap
proach of tho latter. On they came, I'M
suspecting danger until half their force
of fifty men had passed tho ambush
when the rangers opened fire.
|
norant of the number of their aSSailants
the Frenchmen fell into confusion
Their officers bravely endeavored t.
. rally them. and were picked off one b.
one, until the panic-stricken survivor
threw down their arms and led into thu
forest. The Hurons, who were pressing
hard upon Brant and his braves, pauset
when they heard the sounds of battle il
their rear, while the red chief, suspect
ing the cause, shouted the war-cry O
the Mohawks and pressed them in hi
turn. The Frenchnen being disposed
of, Renwick advanced cautiously on tn,
rear of the HuronS, who, instead of tn,
assistance they expected, finding them
; selves between two fires, retreated il
confusion. While the Mohawks were
engaged in scalping and plundering the
} dead, the rangers collected the arms ana
ammunition of the French, the musket
being furnished with bayonets which
Renwick thought might be made avail
able, and the entire force returned t.
the camp.
; When night came the Mohawks cele
brated their victory by kindling a grea
fire, around which they danced thei
war-dance and chanted their deeds o