Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1891-01-08
THE CANOE SHOT RAPIDLY UP STREAM.

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THE CANOE SHOT RAPIDLY UP STREAM.
terra frma was the boy. He had his
bow in his hand, and, with gesture to
his master, disappeared in the darkness.
Evidently large fire had been
kindled on the bank to prevent the pas
sage of boats to or from the forts at
night, and doubtless there was sufficient
force to make the attempt perilous II
not impOssibles In few minutes the
boy returned and began to gesticulate
rapidly. He had been taught the sign
language of the deaf mutes by priest
in Montreal, and Marden had become
proficient in it too. He reported that
there were at least two hundred In
dams with two or three Frenchmen in
uniform, and that a strict watch was
kept along the river bank.
Marden at once decided to send Jabe
back to the fort with the news of the In
dian encampment, while he and Ariel
remain whore they were and en-
deavor by daylight to find some path
or creek by which to transport the canoe
to point on the river above the encamp-
ment With this purpose they crossed
the stream, and while Marden and the
boy plunged into the forest, Jabe re-
traced his way in the canoe, with orders
to return to the same spot on the fol-
lowing night.
Wrapped in their blankets the adj
venturers stepped among the moscow
cred roots of tree, and with the dawn
OF day proceeded to take observations of
the enemy, but they found the opposite
bank obscured by a fog, which the bon
fires failed to penetrate. Marden was
about to reproach himself for his hasty
action in sending back the canoe with
which they might have passed the hos
tile camp unobserved, when he saw
shadowy line spanning the river, which,
as the light increased, resolved itself
into a Gordon of canoes, fastened end to
end, and effectually blocking the way.
Slowly the fog lifted, the Indian boat
men cut loose their banks and padded
to the opposite shore.
The barricade was complete. The day
was spent in vain search for some path
or creek by which the canoe could be
carried or foated to point of safety,
and when the night closed in and the
red glare of the watch fire made the
smallest objects visible, Marden began
to think the task desperate one.
"We must give it up, Ariel" he whis-
pered, sadly, "they have outwitted us.
There is nothing left but to abandon
the canoe and make our way through
the forest"
The boy shook his head and began to
talk with his fingers. There was bare
ly light enough to follow the rapid mo-
tions, but when he concluded, his mas
ter gazed at him with admiration.
SIT might be done," he unused. ''It
shall be done if the fog serves us WE'LL
And now rest thee, boy. 1 love thee,
faithful friend, and haply at some future
day we will share peaceful home to-
gether."
Had the darkness permitted Marden
would have seen the look of devoted af-
lection which repaid the kindly speech;
but the half-breed made no sign.
Revolving in his mind plans for the
furtherance of his mission and tho re-
moval of the present obstacle, Marden
kept watch for the ranger and his canoe,
and Ariel slept at his feet-the light
but refreshing slumber which nature
snatches from fatigue and danger. At
last the sentinel hears the expected sig
nal, spectral shape looms up in the OBJ
security, and Jabe steps upon the bank.
Cali safe, Captain?"
''Thus far; and what says the COM
mandant?"
"He thanks you heartily for the in
formation you sent, and tell him. says
he, ito take no risks that he can avoid
and then he says very low: 4 wish him
to be prudent as he is brave and faith
full
Jabe had brought some fresh pro-
visions along, which he shared with his
officer, and after long whispered con-
versation, they arranged to watch and
sleep turn-about. Then Marden went
on guard. Resolved to, let his COM
panions sleep until the time for action
should arrive, he employed the idle
hours in watching the enemy's camp,
with vague hope that accident would
show him the means of passing their
guard without detection. Few of the
redskins were to be seen, for even the
sentinels along the bank, with in
stinctive caution, crouched behind logs
and hnmmocks of earth, while occosion-
ally the fire was replenishel with res
inous branches which sent forth
showers !. Of sparks and tongues Of