Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1891-01-29
iel, or the Half-breed
&c ROBERT. A. CUMMING.
(CoNTINUED.)
CHAPTER VIII.
WAR AND PHILOSOPHY.

WAN AMI fhl<OSOfHHs
liel having departed on his mission
ort Oswego, the little army under
ryn began it's march, confident that
enemy would not recover from their
rise in time to harrass it's retreat,
oagh the commander had no doubt
they would follow as soon as they
collect their demoralized allies.
Eiously feeling their way, with the
awks in the rear to guard against
rise, they reached the Blackwater
at the close of the second days
ch, at the point where Marden ran
Indian blockade; but there was no
3 of the enemy. They had probably
ed their allies and formed a part of
force recently repulsed. Selwyn
ded TO- place the river between
and the foe, and at once ordered
construction of RATS to convey
n across, task easily accomplished
he rangers, who cut the trees in uni
b lengths with their axes and bound
pa together with wild grape-vines-
en night closed the entire force was
Rmped on the opposite shore.
They may come now if they choose"
Renwick, lighting his pipe at the
where supper was being prepared,
though l don't think they will get
b before tomorrow evening""
We left "a broad trail to follow on"
lied Selwyn, land we must be pre-
ed. The logs which formed the RATS
Bt be hauled up on the bank for
astworks and more added to them. It
BIT be done at daybreak."
enwick was tired and hungry, and
smell of venison broiling on the
Us stole over his senses with seraph-
Promise Of enjoyment.
Wait till get my supper, Charley
will arise like a giant refreshed.
Nv delightful it is to repose in securi-
under that star-sprinkled vault of
e and watch the preparations for a
hquet which King George might
by"
Il would that Loudoun or Abercrom-
could smell it, then, and come hith-
Ito share it," laughed Selwyn, t'but
Dir culinary tastes, like their legs, run
enother direction"
FWho goes thereT shouted a sentinel
/ the river bank. After few mo-
>nt's parley, raft was manned and
Shed across the stream, but soon re-
fned with stranger who was led to
; spot whore Selwyn and Renwick
bod. The man was ragged, haggard
q faint from fatigue and want of food.
'Who are you?". asked Selwyn. The
An gave the military salute.
f'Jabez Locke, sir, scout and ranger"
f'And where is Captain Marden?"
IA prisoner to the French, sir"
''You could not aid him, though you
|caped YOURSELF"
f'No, sir; and had his orders to do
(st what I did if he was taken. You
|e we had got all the information we
hnted and were on the way back to
swego, when he was surprised in his
eep."
"How did you find this placer"
81 struck your trail this morning."
''Sit down and have something to eat"
lid Renwick, ''you look pretty well
sed up.'
II am" said Jabe, and he dropped
own exhausted. A plentiful supper,
owever, revived him and he began to
SIX questions.
"Whose command is this?"
captain Selwyn's Mohawk rangers"
Jabe reflected. Selwyn was Marden's
lend, to whom Ariel carried the letter.
riel must have succeeded, therefore,
nd This force, the numbers of which he
by their trail, was the result
that mission. His next question was:
Where is Ariel?"
Selwyn knew this man by the half
reeds narrative of the expedition up
le river, and he explained the reason
his absence.
81 must start for the fort in the morn
lg," said Jabe, Ito warn them that the
rench are coming on in force by land,
nd the gun-boats from Fort Frontenac
i'll attack them from the lake."
ST the redskins left this place to
lin their friends" said Renwick, 4.they
lust have destroyed their canoes or
idden them"
"They wouldn't destroy them" said
abe, quickly. "They must have hidden
hem on the other side of the river, and
% must find them, for if they come
ack they'll be creeping over here in
he dark to pick up scalps."
The wisdom Of this suggestion being
bvious, it was decided to act on it by
aylight, and, the necessary arrange
rents being made to relieve guard
trough the night, the tired rangers
ought repose.
With the first pale light Of morn
az the camp was astir. To Brant
nd his Mohawks was assigned the duty
searching for the canoes, while
be rangers raised breastwork Of logs
protect the river bank. The Indians
ad little difficulty in finding the
anoes, which were hidden under brush
'ood near the river. Jabe selected one
nd commenced his journey to the fort.
The work on the Qualifications con-
amed the forenoon, and Selwyn had
eason to congratulate himself on the
apidity of the work, for .Brant with
is scouts came in with the news that
ne enemy were approaching in force,
ae Hurons in front, and numbering
bout three hundred. The red chief
olunteered to check the approach of
ne hosSiles, and, having received per-
lission, disappeared. The afternoon
as spent in inspecting the surround