Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1891-02-20

Indians were seen running in every
direction brandishing their weapons and
falling with deadly fury upon every
white man that they could find.
At the first alarm Alphonse sprang up
and drew his sword; but Clare threw her
arms about him and clung to him with
all the strength of her terrible emotion.
"Do not go Oh, do not leave me-"
she cried. "stay with me or 1 shall
die"
1t was enough to have wrung the
nerves of stronger than Claire, as the
demoniac yells aud hoarse exclamations
of the savages were answered by the
shrieks and groans of their victims.
1t was apparent beyond doubt that the
whites were at the mercy of the savages.
Indeed, from where he stood, Al
phonse de Villars could see that the work
of determination would be over in a few
moments. He hesitated, not from any
feeling of cowardice, but with an over
whelming consciousness of the awful
doom that must fall upon him and his
beloved Claire, so soon, so certainly, with
such horrible conditions.
If he should leave Claire and attempt
to aid the shrieking and groaning vic
tins of massacre, the poor girl would be
at the mercy of the first furious Indian
that might come that way.
While he stood appalled, but calm, with
Claire clinging to him aud with Madame
Roman rushing toward him from the
house, he heard a well-known voice, aud
turned; the great Sun, feathered and
painted, brandishing tOmahawk, strobe
up to him from the midst of the riot.
"White man die :" exclaimed the giant
savage, liftirg higher his cleaning
hatcbet.
Claire raised her pale face from where
it had been pressed upon her lovers
/ bosom.
The Sun stopped short and glared.
"Sweet Violet" he muttered, deep in
his throat, as if the name were choking
him.
Alphonse de Villars put the girl be-
hind him aud threw himself into atti-
tude for action, his sword at guard.
1t was scene worthy of the pencil of
the master. The two opponents were
Sc. against background of blood and
slaughter never surpassed in the history
of savage warfare. They were both SUI
perb specimens-types of the races to
which they belonged. The Indian was
the larger, but the Frenchman showed a
a closer-knit and more compact frame.
In another arena, the struggle about to
take place would have been interesting
1t was the most expert swordsman of
France against the most adroit and pow
erful wielder of the tomahawk ever
known to the Matches tribe. Such a
duel meant an exhibition of strength and
skill seldom witnessed, especially in
deadly combat.
The Sun measured his antagonist with
one searching look; then rushed upon
him, and aimed swinging blow with
his tomahawk. A dne, clear steel note,
as the Frenchman's blade parried the
stroke, rang out like the sound of bell
when its sonorousness is suddenly
checked. The sword flashed through a
short curve and leaped forward in a
straight thrust. Quick as tightening, it
was turned aside by short sweep Of the
hatchet, which again was dashed at the
face of the white man, who caught it
fairly near his sword-hilt, and, by deft,
strong turn, wrung 1t from Suns hand,
and sent it whirling away.
It would have been easy for Alphonse
de Villars to have run the Sun through
the heart as he stood defenseless, but he
did not do it. Something in the proud
bearing of the savage checked his hand
for the moment.
The two men looked straight into each
others eyes. They were breathing hard;
neither finched not word was spoken.
Madame Roman had tainted, and lay
unconscious on the ground.
The tumult Of hideous sounds was be.
ginning to lessen, as the bloody work Of
the Indians neared completion. Not
white Of the garrison was spared.
Claire flung herself forward, and,
spreading out her arms, clasped the Sum-
"Ob, my red fatherl" she cried, shave
mercy on usl"
Her long, golden hair fell down, and
the breeze blew it across the Suns shoul-
der like scarf. She continued to plead
in the most piteous tones.
Meantime four or five infuriated braves
rushed to the spot, eager to continue the
slaughter.
Alphonse de Villsrs faced them with
sword ready.
The Sun with Claire still clinging to
him, stepped between and gave some Or
ders in the Indian tongue. The braves
stood still.
Turning now to the FrenchmaO, the
Sun said:
"White man put down his sword"
Alphonse hesitated, but when Claire
besouoht him he surrendered aud WAS