The National tribune., 1902-10-30
CHAPTER XVII.
SOLD AS SLAyES-A GLIMPSE OF THE
WALLED CITY.

Before the spellbound Indians could re-
cover from the CONSERVATION thrown over
them by the sight of that wild. supci-
natural being. neither beast nor man. bat
devil, as it had been described, the wolf
ish demon brought the stock of gun to
its shoulder. For Il moment the ominouS
-muzzle swept the excited throng. until ii
had selected its victim. when the sharp re
port of the weapon was swiftly succeeded
by the death-cry of one of the brayeSt o.
the st. Francis warriors.
{ Wild yells now rang on the air from the
Indians, but the French soldiers. less dis
concerted by the terrible sight. seized thcii
handy firearms, to pour Il vOlley of bull
lets upon the dread slayer. Whether any
of these shots took effect could not be told.
1t was certain the creature was seen q
moment after the smoke had cleared away,
still erect, and giowering upon them. The
next moment, with another wOlflSh laugh,
it vanished into the night.
Its disappearance the signal for the In
dians to act. they rushed out to seek the
terrible slayer. But no trace OF their
enemy could be found, look where they
would, and finally they gave up the search
with dire forebodings. The joy of the
feast had fed, and in place of the dance
and merry-making were their walls of lam
entations over the fate of their comrade.
This was so hideOus that The captiyes were
glad when they were returned to the build
ing where they had been kept as prisoners.
Even then they could hear the hOwllngs
and wailings of the Indians over the death
of their companion, and they could not
sleep until nearly morning.
They had not been awake long before
they were surprised to find the French
soldiers entering the building, and as they
were in the back part, where 1t was too
dark for them to be seen plainly. the Ser
geant ordered that they be brought for
ward. This being done, while they Won
dered what this could mean, the officer
held a short consultation with the Chief.
Swift Bear, and then left the place.
"What can they think Of doing now!
asked Mrs. Craig, though she did not ex-
pect an answer from her companion, who
was then alone with her.
81 dare not think" said Mary. H'er-
haps they will kill US to avenge the death
of the Indian that awful creature killed
last night. Do you know, l could not
Keep that awful object out of my sight all
last night. even when +! closed my eyes.
What could it have been:"
.sLet it be what it might, the Injuns
were as badly scared as we. But here
comes the Chief back again. and we shall
soon know what is stewin'."
Stern and speechless the young chief
entered the building, and pointing to the
wondering captives mOtioned for his at
thongs about their ankles were now re-
moved, and they were made to understand
that they must walk.
"Merciful Fatherr' moaned Mrs. Craig.
stas il we had not already borne enough.
Still silent, the Chief led the way down
through the village. past the chapel, where
the frIar was still standing, prayer-book
y II hi a
under his breath. ~
"They are going to take us away from
here" whispered Mrs. Craig.
+. mo place can be any worse" replied
Mary, closing her eyes as she caught sight
of one of the tall poles Haunting at its top
half dozen scalp-lOcks that she know
only too well had been taken from the
heads of hapless sisters Of her race. There
were more than 60 of these fr;ghtful re-
minders of suffering and horror displayed
on the buildings and poles of st. Francis.
The river was soon reached, when they
were helped into canoe, and Swift Bear,
with one of his companions, entered with
them. The other Indians returned to the
settlement, while the four in the frail
boat started on hundred-mile journey
down the St Lawrence. Nothing was to
be seen of the French soldiers.
Except for the few whispered words OF
the captiyes, the journey was continued
In silence for two or three hours, and it
might have not been broken then had it
not been for an accident. Mary Shepley,
in leaning over the side of the canoe, while
she listlessly dipped her hand into the
river. somehow dislOdged the little ladle
she had kept with her so choice: when it
slipped from its resting place and fell into
the water.
She gave a cry of dismay, and so great
was her grief at its loss she seemed about
to spring overheard after it, as useless as
such an act would have been. But Merru-
,Maqua was equal to the emergency, and
saying in broken English:
. s.Pale-face wait; lne get it." and be-
fore she was scarcely aware of it he had
tine tiny object just as it was being sucked
down into the current where it must have
been lost.
With a gravity worthy of his dignity as
"a elieftain he was about to hand it to
her, when something about it seemed to
have caught his attention, and an ex-
clamation in the Indian tongue escaped
his lips. Then he said in English:
.sSome toy the pale face keepsE
'.You speak English" she exclaimed in
voluntarily. II am so glad" though she
could not have given any reason for this
thought.
: "a little" he replied, handing her the
wooden ladle, without insisting on n reply
to his question. "Pick up some from
whites that come to Sagarac."
Something tells me you are not Indian
born"
He shook his head, which may not have
been intended for a reply, as he quickly
said:
: ..Me good Injun: big Chief at Sagarac"
"Your home is not at st. Francis?'
Again he shook his head, adding this
time:
Not all good Injrns there. Like Sa-
garac better"
: "Are We going there now?'
: This time he shook his head without any
explaining speech.
Where are we going!' she asked, gain
ing confidence with each question.
ITO the town on the rock" replied the
young Chief. Paleface much tongue"
Unheeding this hint, she continued:
why are we being taken to the town
on the rocki"
French want women to do work; pay
Indians good price. Paleface go work
there"
..Do you mean Quebec?'
g. '.Yes. Men who buy palefaces live near
there"
Are we both going to the same place?''
Same town; not same family
when shall we get there!'
Morrow; maybe sooner"
Thinking perhaps she had tried the pa
tience of the Chief enough for her first
trial. Mary relapsed into silence, to watch
with a mournful interest the landscape as
they sped on their way. Mrs. Craig
further was spoken for hours of this
FINALLY Narv heguu bar ouacf ion.