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

brands, and danger enough they carried.
Yet, after some fashion, the little garri-
son kept down these incipient blazes,
held together the terrified Him.
repulsed each repeated charge of the Iro-
quois. and so at last wore through the
long and fearful night.
The sun was just rising across the tops
OF the distant groves when the Iroquois
made their next advance. It came not in
the form of a concerted attack, but of an
appeal for peace A party of the savages
left their cover and approached the fort,
ress, waving their shands above their
heads One of them presently advanced
alone.
What is it, Pierre?" asked Law. What
does the fellow want?''
Il care not what he wants." said Pierre
Noir carefully adjusting the lock of his
piece and steadily regarding the savage
as he approached, but I'll wager you a
years pay he never gets alive past yon-
der stump
"stay!" cried Pembroke, catching at
the barrel Of the leveled gun. Il believe
he would talk with u.s.
What does he say, Pierre?" asked Law.
Speak to him If you can
He wants to know" said Pierre, as
the messenger at length stopped and be-
gan a harangue, whether we are Eng
lish or French. He says something about
there being a big peace between Corlaer
men, the governor at New York and the
governor. at Quebec"
Tell him." cried Penn broke, with a
sudden thought, that am an officer of
Corlaer. and that Corlaer bids the Iro-
quois to bring in all the prisoners they
have taken. Tell him that the French
are going to give up all their prisoners
to us. and that the Iroquois must leave
the war, path, or my Lord Bellomont will
take the war trail and wipe their villages
off the earth" =
Something in this speech as conveyed
to the savage seemed to give him a GER
tain concern. He retired, and presently
his place was taken by tall and stately
figure, dressed in the full habiliments of
an Iroquois cheftain. He came on calm
ly and proudly, his head erect, and in his
extended hand the long stenlmed pipe of
peace. Pierre NOir heaved q deep sigh
Of relief.
Unless my eyes deceive me-" said he,
"'tis old Teganisoris himself, one Of the
head men of the Onondagos. If SO, there
Is some hope for Tegansoris is wise
enough to know when peace Is best"
1t was, indeed, that noted chieftain Of
the Iroquois who now advanced close up
to the wall. Law and Pembroke stepped
out to meet him beyond the palisade, the
old voyageur still serving as Interpreter
from the platform at their back.
He says-listen, Messieurs!-he says
1lS hHOWS IIlSIS AS SOAllS " NC d OAS
peace; that the Iroquois are
tired Of fighting and that their hearts
are sore. He Says-a most manifest lie,
l beg you to observe, Messieurs-that he
| loves the English, and that, although he
| ought to kill the Frenchmen Of our garri-
| son, he will, since some of us are Eng
lish. and hence his friends, spare US all if
we will cease to fight"
Pembroke turned to Law with question
in his eye.
There must be something done' said
T the latter In a low tone. 1--WE were short
enough Of ammunition here even before
Du Mesne left for the settlements, and
| your own men have none too much left"
Reflect! Bethink yourselves, English
nlenn he says to u.s. continued Pierre
| Noir.f We came to make war upon
| the Him., Our work here is DONE IT'S
| time now that we went back to our VIII
| lagos. - If there is to be big piece, the
| Iroquois must be there; for unless the
| Iroau0is demand it, there can be no peace
| at ALL And gentlemen, beg you to re-
member it is an Iroquois who is talking,
and that the truth Is not In the tongue of
an 1roquois."
~" IFS a desperate chance, Mr.. Law"
| said Pembroke. yet If we keep up the
| fight here, there can be but one end"
&c :" tbs true said Law; "and there are
others to be considered.''
1T was hurriedly thus concluded. Law
| AlLAIly advanced toward the tall uSure or
! the Iroquois headman, and looked him
| straight in the face.
| 6"TeH him. said he to Pierre Noir, that
| We are all English. and that we are not
afraid, and that If we are harmed the
| armies Of Corlaer will destroy the Iro-
quois, even as the Iroquois have the Him.
Tell him that we will go back with him to
the settlements because we are willing to
go that way upon a journey which he had
already planned. We could fight forever
II we chose, and he can see for himself
by the bodies of his young men how well
we are able to make war;
1T IS WELL" replied Teganisoris. "You
have the word Of an .Iroquois that this
1 shall be done, as I have said"
The word Of an 1roquois!" cried Pierre
Noir, slamming down the butt Of his mus
ket. THE word Of a snake, say rather!
Jean Breboeuf, harken you to what our
| leaders have, agreed We are to 20 as
prisoners Of the Iroquois! Mary, Mother
OF God. what folly! And there Is madame,
and Ia pauvre petite, that infant so young.
BY God! Were 1t left to me, Pierre
Berthier would stand here and fight to the
end. I know these Iroquois!'