Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-02-16
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cIes which terminated at last in little
Earring thuds, where blazing arrows
fell and stood in log, or earth, or un-
protected roof. These projectiles.
wrapped with lighted birch bark.
served as fire brands, and danger
enough they carried. Yet, after some
fashion, the little garrison kept down
these incipient blazes, held together
the terrified Illini, repulsed each re-
peated charge of the Iroquois, 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
lroquois made their next advance. 1t
came not in the form of concerted
attack, but of an appeal for peace. A
party of the savages left their. cover
and approached the fortress, waving
their hands above their heads. One
of them presently advanced alone.
What is it, Pierre?" asked Law.
What does the fellow want?"
II care not what he wants." said
Pierre Noir, carefully adjusting the
lock of his piece and steadily regard
ing the savage as he approached; "but
I'll wager you a years pay he never
gets alive past yonder 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
began a harangue, whether we are
English or French. He says something
about there being big peace between
Corlaer and Onontio; by which he
means, gentlemen, the governor at
New York and the governor at Que
bec.''
Tell him." cried Pembroke, with
sudden thought, that 1 am an officer
OF Corlaer, and that Corlaer bids the
lroQuois 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 con-
veyed to the savage seemed to give
him certain concern. He retired.
and presently his place was taken by
a tall and stately figure, dressed in
the full habiliments of an Iroquois
chieftain. He came on calmly and
proudly, his head erect, and in his ex-
tended hand the long-stemmed pipe of
peace. Pierre Noir heaved deep sigh
of relief.
Unless my eyes deceive me-" said
he, it's old Teganisoris himself, one
of the head men Of the Onondagos. If
so, there is some hope, for Tcganisoris
is wise enough to know when peace is
best
It was. indeed, that noted chieftain
OF the Iroquois who now advanced
close up to the wall. Law and Penn
broke stepped out to meet him beyond
the palisade, the old voyageur still
serving as interpreter from the plat
form at their back.
"He says-listen, messieurs!-he
says he knows there is going to be
big peace; that the Iroquois are tired
Of fighting and that their hearts are
sore. He says-a most manifest lie,
I beg you to observe, messieurs- that
he loves the English, and that, al
though he ought to kill the French
men Of our garrison, he will, since
some of us are English, and hence his
friends, spare us all If we will cease
to fight"
Pembroke turned to Law with ques-
ton in his eye.
There must be something done,"
said the latter in a low tone. I'VE
were short enough of ammunition here
even before Du Mesne left for the set
Elements, and your own men have none
too much left
Reflect! Bethink yourselves, Eng
lishmen!' he says to u.s. continued
Pierre Noir. We came to make war
upon the Illini. Our work here is
done. IT'S time now that we went
back to our villages. If there is to be
a big peace, the Iroquois must be
there; for unless the Iroquois demand
1t, there can be no peace at ALL And,
gentlemen, beg you to remember it is
an Iroquois who is talking, and that
the truth is not in the tongue of an
Iroquois."
otis desperate chance, Mr.. Law"
said Pembroke. "Yet If we keep up
the fight here, there can be but one
end"
Tis true" said Law; "and there
are others to be considered"
It was hurriedly thus concluded.
Law finally advanced toward the tall
figure Of the Iroquois headman. and
looked him straight in the face.
Tell 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 de-
stroy the Iroquois, even as the Iro,
quois have the Illini. Tell him that
we will go back with him to the set
Elements because we are willing to go
that way upon journey which we
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 shall be done, as have said."
THE word Of an Iroquois!'' cried
Pierre Noir, slamming down the butt
of his musket. THE word of snake,
say rather! Jean Breboeuf, harken
you to what our leaders have agreed!
We are to go as prisoners of the Iro-
quois! Mary, Mother of God, what
folly! And there is madame, and la
pauvre petite, that infant SO young.
By God! Were it left to me, Pierre