Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1891-02-19
the entrance regarding her with grim
ani1a IF tri1,ynph


quarters" he said, ironically, land If
they are not as commodious as those of
Nine. Chevreul, madamoiselle must re-
member that a soldiers bride, like him
self, should submit gracefully to incon-
venience."
Nipnp regarded him silently, with an
exprd which reminded him of her
aunt at their last interview.
'Parbleur he exclaimed, fiercely,
with a gesture as if he was about to
strike her. ''Do you think it will be
safe to defy me? Am one of your vas
sails like De Barzac? Undeceive your
self, madamoiselle. am not your lover,
but your master. You will marry me in
the morning. The priest is here and
the bridal party waiting he added, with
a harsh laugh.
Ninon regarded him scornfully. "You
are cowardw she said in low tone,
but it touched every nerve in his body.
The blood rushed to his face and
murderous light shone in his eyes. He
made stride forward and struck her
across the face with the back of his
hand. His savage temper being aroused,
he might have used further violence,
but the squaw pushed herself before
him.
Perhaps the fair and gentle captive
touched some chord in the heart of this
child of the forest and unconsciously
enlisted her sympathy. Itiscertain that
she held knife concealed in her dress,
and the glitter in her eye indicated that
she was in dangerous mood. 1t needed
but gesture, however, to remind
Lemourier that he was disgracing 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 fire
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 a clump OF trees
on the 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
reconnoiter, his master following at
low that he could barely distinguish the
tepee. Searching on his knees for the
crevice through which he had escaped,
he found it at last, and cautiously feel
ing his way touched something from
which he 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 fexibles
and returned his pressure. At the same
moment he heard the voice of Lemourier
f1ercely 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 a column
of sparks and then thousand tongues
of fire which threw flood of vivid light
over the scene. Lemourier's quick eve
instantly took in the situation and with
savage oath he rushed upon the fugi-
tives, but Marden planted himself in
his way.
"Quicl, Ariel, quick! 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
sistance. The Frenchman drew his
sword and made lunge which Marden
avoided by springing backward, while
Lemourier in his rage stumbled heavily
forward. The active American sprang
to his side and unwilling to Stay 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.
'sTake 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 duslzy figure, and
an unseen paddleaided him to guide it.
s'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 dusly
figure stepped out of the canoe and held
it while Ariel helped Mile. Destain to
land.
SIS the lady safe, Ariel?" asked
Marden.