The Holly chieftain., 1905-03-24

lew cannon protected the neet-nOW
consisting of two brigatines, some
small schooners and sioops. and a
large number CT smaller craft-an-
chored in the harbor Gl the rear of the
island.
Outside the stockade were many
huts, constructed of logs, and with
matched roofs, where were always
| retainers, while he-when at Grande
Terre-and a few of his subleaders
had their quarters inside.
Shell Island, already mentioned, up
one of the almost inaccessible bayous,
was his most freques.N ALode, where
he kept about him only few devoted
followers: stH. here. amid impene-
trable forests. xns conducted the
building ct vescels.
War between the United States and
Great Britain had been waging for a
year or more: but it had not yet
| threatened Louisiana, nor had any
| preparations been made at New Or
leans to resist an attack from the
| enemy.
But, in the summer Of 1918. occurred
| the horrible massacre at Fort Minis,
| in the Mississippi valley, occupied by
| some two hundred and seventy per-
sons, many of them women and chill
| dren, of whom all but seventeen were
put to death by the Creeks one of the
tribes which the English had won
over for allies.
| Gov. Claiborne had foreseen this
| threatened peril, but was powerless to
avert it, for his forces were few and
| scattered. while the Indians seemed in.
| Vulnerable. and moved with wonderful
| activity. But the governor did all in
his power to restore confidence; and
not long afterward Gen. Jackson ut,
terly destroyed the Creeks at ITALIA.
| dega.
My heart may be telling me wrong
fully, Pierre" Jean said, as the two sat
talking in their abode at Grande Terre
"a cabin outside, but luxurious with.
| in, "but | have feeling that if | now
go to the emperor may find the op.
| portunity for serving him; and that
this may prove to him the love that
has never died"
Perhaps" answered Pierre, hesi,
tatingly. But what is it that makes
| you think you may be of service to the
| emperor and France?"
"To say truth, have no idea that
is definite; but feel an irresistible in.
clination to go, and see if the oppor-
tunity offers"
'If you should find service over
| there-then what?"
Why" replied Jean, then you can
wind up our matters here, and come
| over to join me. Why not?"
why not, indeed? That is assured
| ly what lwould do, if" and Pierre
hesitated for an Instant could"
"And what can PREVENT
"In such case" Pierre replied de-
liberately, there would be valuable
| cargo to come with me, and watchful
| enemies here to blind. Then possibly,
or most probably, by summer or fall,
| with the English vessels patrolling the
waters around us, the safe getting
away might not be so easy matter"
Summer and fall are not now" was
| the oracular declaration; and by the
time they come, it may be that the
English will have been made to stink
home again, as once before"
II don't feel at all sure as to that"
Pierre commented. as he rose to cover
| the embers upon the hearth. Then,
| turning to Jean, he continued as
though there had been no Interrupt
| ton, Il tell thee, lad, that Louisiana
has always possessed a great attrac-
ton for Great Britain
Grant it, said Jean. rising and
! stretching himself. ''Then all the more
reason why, in case they suaceed in
obtaining it, that we should wish to
| live somewhere else"
"Ah. but l am not saying that they
will rule here" exclaimed Pierre, with
a showing of anger at thought of the
possibility suggested by Jeans words.
God forbid"
Amen to that said Jean, laughing
at the quick change in his foster
brothers manner and look: and they
soon parted for the night
| It was bright morning in May that
the BLACK Petrel," with Jean Lafitte
and a picked crew, and bearing car
go Of rich merchandise, sailed from
Barataria; and Pierre, his heart filled
with loneliness and misgivings, sat on
the bluff, watching her sails until they
melted away on the horizon.
ITO be continued,)