Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-04-14

near the edges of the clearing. Sh0
 then quieted the women and children,
 and, choosing four of the former, fur.
 nished them with long sticks and bais
 them walk up and down just inside tho
 palisade with the end of the stick
 showing above, to deceive the enemy
 into thinking them to be sentinels.
 All seemed to become enthused with
 her spirit. She was everywhere, one
 moment encouraging the sick, another giving directions for the defense, an- other experimenting the preparation. of food for her tiny garrison. Luck lily one of the COWS, escaping the In-' dians, came to the gate and lowed for admission. This was great acquisi- tion, as she would furnish milk for the. sick and the children, and, if the siege were prolonged, would insure supply of meat sufficient to last a considerable
 period.
 Just at sunset canoe appeared from the river. containing one of the farm CTS and his family, who had eluded the redskins. Some reinforcement must be sent them, but Renee could prevail upon neither of the soldiers to go, so after leaving them at the gate she marched boldly down to the landing place. "The savages, thinking this to be some ruse intended to draw them on to an attack, remained quiet. On the way back the boldness with which the party marched overawed them in- to thinking the garrison must be very strong, so they gained the gate in safe ty. Elated with the success of her au- dacious act, Renee decided to assume the offensive and gave orders to fire upon the enemy whenever they showed themselves. As night fell the sky was overcast and threatened rain. which soon appeared. Even Renee began to lose heart; only for a moment, how ever. Summonihg her force, which now numbered six men and boys since the new arrival, she addressed them resolutely. Fear nothing. God has cared for us this day and will do so further, if we but do our part. To show you that I am not afraid am going to mount guard myself tonight on one of the bastions." Then turning to the two soldiers and the man who had come with his family, You, La Bonte and Gachet, and you, Pierre Fontane, go to the blockhouse with the women and children. It is the strong. est place. If am taken do not sur render, even though be cut to pieces before your eyes. If you fight we'll the enemy cannot hurt you there" She then placed the old man and the two boys on three of the bastions and took the fourth herself. And through the rain and night the answering cries of those on watch reached the ears of the hidden savages. The place seemed to them full of soldiers and they post poned the intended attack.
 Affairs went on thus for a week, the brave little general directing and sup porting her forces, giving them each a share of sleep, but taking little for herself. At last the hostiles became impatient at being thus baked of their prey, and from their renewed activity it was evident that the supreme mo- ment would soon arrive. All day they could be seen gathering bundles of dry wood and piling them up ready to be placed along the outside of the pal isade and then ignited.
 Once more Renee was called upon to exert all of her influence to keep ssive the waning courage of the garrison. One counselled thet they all try to slip away in the darkness, another suggested anew his plan of assembling in the hlockhouse and perishing to- gether by exploding the magazine. To all of these Renee presented . scorn. ful reply. Are you men and fear to die when you have all the means of de- fense about you? And you," she cried to the women. have you no faith? Are none of the prayers we have daily offered to avail anything: Surely le bon Dfeu would not have allowed us to escape the destruction the rest have met with. only to deliver us into the hands of the enemy at last. Have courage, mes amis. Help will yet come"
 She had scarcely spoken when one q the boys called ont that there were six large canoes coming rapidly down the river and that the savaees vere already retiring -It must be that the siesne1r has Aeafd of our plight and has sent - help frun Montreal." cried o1eL Whoever it was. tkey were frieAdA As they la1ded ed ap- pesaehsd ths 1srt u SnfFlssa evwd-