Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-02-16
CHAPTER XVII.
THE IRoQuo1s.

claSped hands, there came sudden in
corruption. A half-score yards deeper
IN the wood there arose sudden, half
cnoked cry. followed by a shrill whoop.
There was a crashing as Of one rum
ming, and Immediately 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
1 TWO startled observers saw the shaft
which had sunk deep within his breast.
He had been shot through by an In
dian arrow, and upon the instant 1t
was all too plain whose hand had sped
the shaft. Following close upon his
heels there came a stalwart savage.
whose face. hideously painted, appeared
iairly demoniacal as he came bounding
on with uplifted Ratchet, seeking to
str1ke down the victim already impaled
by the silent arrow.
Quick" cried Law, in flash catch
Ing the meaning of this sudden spec
tacle. Into the fort, Sir Arthur. and
call the men together!"
Not stopping to relieve the struggles
pf the victim, who had now fallen
/ Forward, gasping, Law sprang on with
{ frawn blade to meet the advancing
savage. The latter paused for an un-
pertain moment, and then with shrill
yell OF defiance, hurled the keen steel
ratchet full at Laws head. Il shore
away piece of his hat brim, and sank
with edge deep buried in the trunk OF
2 tree beyond. The savage turned, but
turned too late. The blade of the
ywordsman passed through from rib
70 rib under his arm, and he fell chok-
tng. even as he sought again to give
gent to his war cry.
And now arose in the woods beyond.
Md In the fields below the hill, and
Iom the villages of the neighboring
edians, series of sharp, undulating
flls< Shots came from within the
Sfk ytress, where the loop-holes were al
Y ldy manned. There were borne from
nearest wigwams of the Ilini the
Inns of wounded men, the shrieks
Mortified women. In an instant the
. 1eful spot had become the scene of
u Nrible confusion. Once more the
a n,es Of the woods, the Iroquois, had
ID on their prey!
r. kift as had been Laws movements,
broke was but pace behind him
70 wrenched free his blade. The
turned back together and started
Feed for the palisade. At the gate
~ met others hurrying in, Penn
g men joining in the rush of the
#Rned villagers. Among these the
Us pressed with shrill yells, ply
life and bow and Ratchet as they
Ind the Mortified eyes of those
ahe palisade saw many a trag-
tted.
seh the gate!" cried Pierre NOR,
BE station In the corner tower.
spoke there came a rush of
ling lroQuois, who sought to gain
Rance.
\" cried Pierre Noir, discharg-
piece into the crowded ranks
PIN; and shot after shot fol-
his own. The packed brown
!snye back and resolved itself in
I bred units, who broke and ran
s xVhearest cover.
Y.Iey will not come on again until
" said Pierre Noir, calmly, lean
us piece against the wall. There
4 may attend to certain little mat
L passed out into the entry-way,
lay the bodies Of three Iroquois,
Toned, under the close and dead
- by their companions where
Sad fallen. When Pierre Noir re-
and calmly propped up again
pr of slabs which he had re-
he carried in his hand three
long black hair, from which
heavy gouts of blood.
I'D God, mani" said Pembroke.
DRmust not be savage as these In
Yak for yourself, Monsieur An
replied Pierre, stoutly. "You
Tot save these head pieces If you
care fer them. For myself, tbs
the trade"
uredly," broke in Jean Breboeuf.
xEeep these trinkets, we voya-
Ut the French. Make no doubt
pan Breboeuf will take back
I'm full tale of the Indians
killed. Presently go out.
q ftes my knife, and off comes the
OF Monsieur Indian, him
lt now as he ran. Then shall
Z scalp here by the fire, and
on bit Of willow. and take
Tor q present to my sweetheart,
ek Duchene, on the seignieury
10, Jean!" cried out the old In
a1 hter. Pierre Noir, the old bare
sSge Of the fighting man now ris-
In his blood. "And look!
a!ts."
Noir for once had been mis-
Id underestimate the courage
'arriors Of the Onondagos.
themselves to fury at the
y-$f their losses, they came on
f IY banding and charging in
3Alose up to the walls Of the
Again the little party OF
tained steady fire, and
n lauois. baffled and enraged,
IA the wood, VIII, - they
- leys after volley rafting
d walls Of the sturdy fortress.
ilorry, sir" said Sergt. Gray to
III "but tbs all up with me-"
fellow staggered against the
y in few moments all was
Er with him. A chance shot
ny his chest.
ye}yIf this keeps up" said
rlF, there will not be many
K. Eby morning. i never saw