The National tribune., 1902-10-16
CHAPTER A Nv.
Az INTERRUPTED FEAST.

"Hora." exclaimed the aroused chief,
as the hatchet in the hands of Mary Shep-
ley descended, its blade buried in the earth
where a moment before his head had rest
ed. SO narrowly had he missed the fatal
blow that he felt the weapon touch his
ear ON its downward sweep.
Before she could realize the blunder
she had made he was on his feet, his COM
panions following him so closely that their
actions seemed instantaneous to the be-
wildered and frightened captive. She did
have presence enough of mind to know
| that it would be futile to try and escape.
| Mrs. Craig had not struck her first blow,
but had been in the act of raising her
| tOmahawk over the head of one of the
warriors, when the alarm suddenly thwart-
| ed her purpose. AS it had turned out it
was probably better that she had not done
so, else they might not have Jared as well
| in the end.
sought for the handles of their weapons,
and they seemed about to dash out the
brains of the frightened captives. when
| the chief, Merru- -Maqua. checked them
with n wave of his hand, saying in the
Indian tongue:
''Squaws. like foolish geese, strike their
heads against rocks. They cannot run
| Thongs shall cut like knives. and palefaces
shall talk together no more"
Unable to understand word of what
was being said, the poor captives natur-
ally felt, under the circumstances, that
| they had been sentenced to he put to death,
and both shuddered at the thought of their
| fate. But instead of any such punishment
| they were bound again. this time so tight
ly that the ligatures fairly cut into their
| flesh. and they gould not move limb.
Besides this they were placed SO far apart
that they could exchange no words.
Mary's bonds were fastened so tight that
her ankles began to swell, and she could
not refrain from crying out in agony.
Finally the chief, attracted by her suffer
ing, ordered that her thongs be loOsened
somewhat This was done, but from that
time to the end of their painful journey
they were allowed less liberty than before
their unfortunate attempt to escape, while
they found no opportunity to speak to each
other more than brief question and re-
ply. At night, when they lay down to
sleep, stout cord was fastened to each.
the other end being held in the hand of
one Of the guards.
During the long trip through the will
derness line of lakes was passed, then
another carrying-plac when q stream
flowing northward. showing that they had
passed the watershed OF the country, was
reached just at nightfall. The little party
camped here till informing, and from what
they could catch Of the terse speeches of
their captOrS, the clptlyeS learned that
they were on the last stage Of their jour
ney, and that the f1diAl settlement of St
Francis, near the function OF this stream
with the St Lawrsnce,i was their destina,
ton. ~,
Another proof Of the fact that they were
. approaching their stopping place was the
fact that each morning, and again at night
as they halted, two,warwhoops were given
by the Indians, the resonant notes ring
|. ing far and wide on the lonely scene. One
cry was given fOrbeach captive, and had
there been other, prisoners more cries
would have been given to tell their wait
ing comrades the result Of their raid.
Finally, at the close OF an Autumn day
which had been unusually pleasant NJ
pause was made following the usual rud,
announcement of their advance. Tht
anxiety to keep on may have been due t.
. the appearance of black storm-clouds Oh
the western sky, that had come up an houl
before sunset. As the night lowered upon
the scene it became SO intensely dark tina
, an object could not be distinguished any
, distance. The river had now become
quite stream, but 1t was not always q
!. smooth passage. One of the strongest OF
the five warriors sat near the middle o.
, the light craft, with the aid of the strong
current, sending with his long, silent
strokes, the canoe ahead at furiou.
speed. Another trusty warrior sat in thu
stern, holding the steering paddle. Will,
the chief, Swift Bear, occupied q position
in the bow ,peering, with piercing gaze
into the black wall ahead. Near him. Sc
ssrely bound hands and feet, sat Mar,
Shepiey, while near the stern sat Mrs