The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-11-05
CHAPTER XII.
The lrouuois,

The lroquois.
Even as Sir Arthur and John Law
clasped hands. there came sudden in
terruption. A half-score yards deeper in
the wood there arose a sudden, half
choked cry, followed by 'shrill whoop.
There was a crashing as Of one running,
and immed iately there pressed into the
open space the figure of an Indian, an
old man from the village of the Illini.
Even as his staggering footsteps brought
him within gaze. the two startled OBJ
servers saw the shaft which had sunk
deep within his breast. He had been shot
through by an Indian arrow, and upon
the instant it was all too plain whose
hand had sped the shaft. Following close
upon his heels there came stalwart
savage, whose face. hideously painted, APP
peared fairly demoniacal as he came
bounding on with uplifted Ratchet. seek
Ing to strike down the victim already i'm
paled by the silent arrow.
"Quick!' cried Law, in a flash catch
Ing tho meaning Of this sudden spectacle.
Into the fort Sir Arthur, and call the
men together"'
Not stopping to relieve the struggles OF
the victim. who had now fallen forward
gaspng, Law sprang on with drawn blade
to meet the advancing savage. The latter
paused for an uncertain moment, and then
with a shrlll yell Of defiance. hurled the
keen steel Ratchet full at Laws head. 1t
shore away a piece of his hat brim. and
sank with edge deep buried in the trunk
of a tree beyond. The savage turned, but
turned too late. The blade Of the swords
man passed through from rib to rib under
his arm, and he fell choking, even as he
sought again to give vent to his war cry.
And now there arose in the woods be-
yond, and in the fields below the hill, and
from the villages Of tho neighboring In
dams, a series Of sharp, ululatinE YellS
within fortress
where the loop holes were already manned
There were borne from the nearest wig
vans Of the Illini the screams of wounded
men. the shrieks Of terrified women. In
an instant the peaceful spot had become
the scene of horrible confusion. Once
more the wolves Of the woods, the Iro-
quois. had fallen on their prey!
Swift as had been Laws movements
Pembroke was but a pace behind him as
he wrenched free his blade. The two
turned back together and started at speed
for the palisade. At tha gate they met
others hurrying In. Penbroke's men join
ing in the rush Of the frightened villagers
Among these the Iroquois pressed with
shrill yells, plying knife and bow and
Ratchet as they ran. and the horrifed eyes
Of those within the palisade saw many
tragedy enacted.
Watch the gate.'' cried Pierre Noir,
from his station in the corner tower AS
he spoke there came a rush of screaming
Irouuois. who sought to gain the entrance.
Now" cried Pierre Noir, discharging
his piece into the crowded ranks below
him; and shot after shot followed his own.
The packed brown mass gave back and
resolved itself into scattered units, who
broke and ran for the nearest cover.
They will not come on again until
dark" said Pierre NOir, calmly leaning his
piece against the wall. Wherefore 1 may
attend to certain little matters. Z,
80 He passed out into the entry-way, where
Law the bodies of three Iroquois. aban-
doned. under the close and deadly Ire'
by their companions where they had fall
len. When Pierre Noir returned and
calmly propped up again the door OF slabs
which he had removed, he carried IN his
hand three tufts of long black hair, from
which dripped heavy gouts OF blood.
Good Cod mani" said Pembroke. ~ on
must not be as savage as these Indians!
speak for yourself Monsieur Angleis,'
renlied Pierre, stoutly. You need not
save these head pieces If you do not care
for them. For myself, It's. part OF the
trade"
"Assuredly," broke in Jean Brebouef.
I'VE keep these trinkets, we voyageurs or
the Frenc'l. Make no doubt that Jean
Breboeuf will take back with him full tale
of the Indians he has killed. Presently
20 out. Zip goes my knife, and off comes
the topknot Of Monsieur Indian, him
killed but lately as he ran. Then shall
dry the scalp here by the fire, and mount
it on a bit Of willow, and take 1t back Tor
a present to my sweetheart, susanna Du-
chene, on the seigneury at home
Bravo, JEAN" cried out the old Indian
fighter. Pierre Noir, tho old baresark rage
of the fighting man now rising hot In his
blood. And look! Here come more
chances for our little ornaments
Pierre Noir for once had been mistaken
4>I 1T he
warriors Of the Onondagos. Lashing
themselves to fury al the thought of their
losses they came on again, now banding
and charging in the open close up to the
walls of the palisade. Again the little
party Of whites maintained steady fire
and again the Iroquois. bafhed and en-
ragged, fell back into the wood, whence
they poured volley after volley rafting
against the walls Of the sturdy fortress.
II am sorry, SIR" said Sergeant Gray
to Pembroke, but tits all up with me- ,
The poor fellow staggered against the
wall, and in few moments all was indeed
over with him. A chance shot had pierced
his chest.
"Peste! If this keeps up" said Pierre
Noir, there will not be many Of us lef,
by morning. l never saw them fight sc
we'll IT'S good watch We'll need this
night"
In fact, all through tho night the Iro.
quois tried every stratagem or their say
age warfare. With ear-splitting yells
they came close up to the stockade, and II
one such charge two or three Of theil
young men even managed to climb to- the
tops Of the pointed stakes. though but tt
meet their death at the muzzles of the
rnuskets within. Then there arose curv
ing lines Of fire from without the walls
half crcels which terminated at last IL
little Earring thuds where blazing arrows
fell and stood In log, or earth, unpro
tected roof These projectiles, wrapped
with lighted birch bark, served as fire