Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1905-11-09
do NOT GO"

Onontio. Another is a Black Gown.
They flee before the cloud. They wan
der alone; they are in need of food.
They cry for help, but there is none,
and the cloud has swept all away. |
see-I see" but the hand relaxed its
grasp, the voice sank low and ceased,
convulsive catching of the breath
and the message was delivered; the
messenger had gone.
Renee quickly followed Tonti to the
outer air. What can this mean?" she
asked anXiously, as she saw look OF
face.
Il know not, but fear much" was
the reply. The bear, the badger. and
the hawk are three of the most power
full clans of the Iroquois. 1t may be that
they are invading the Illini or have
already done so. In either case I must
hasten on my way. Perhaps my arri-
val may save some impending disas-
ter to La Sale. But after all, it may
be nothing but the dying delirium of
an ignorant savage. Come. mademoi-
selle, do not be alarmed, | shall reach
there in time, never fear" and he
looked reassuringly into Renee's trou-
bled face.
She was strangely agitated. "Ah,
mon ami" she cried, "do not go until
you learn some news of what has hap
pened. La Sale may be dead and you
will but arrive to fall a victim too.
Send out your scouts that they may
report to you what they learn. They
can bear succOr if such is needed as
we'll as you. Or if you will CO." she
continued pleadingly, take me also
Let us all go together. Is it not my
duty to be where there may be wounds
to heal and sickness to relieve? What
would become of me were the Sieur de
la Sale to be lost and you meet your
death in a vain task of rescuing him?"
A great wave of feeling passed over
Tonti. He struggled hard to retain
his footing. Why should he not tell
her now how much it meant to him
that she should not expose herself to
further danger, but wait for his re-
turn? Tell her all the full story of his
love. promising that if he found La
Sale to be lost he would qaickly re-
turn and claim her for his own? If
the lower country were all ablaze with
savage warfare he could hardly hope
with his small band to avail aught in
defense or rescue; annihilation for
them all would be certain. Why could
he not snatch a few moments of joy
before plunging into the whirlpool of
danger and woe before him? But as
he strove against himself the words OF
the dying Indian rang clear upon his
ear again, ''They cry for help, but there
is none" His comrade, still confiding
in his faithfulness, turned to him with
cry; even in his last extremity, not
knowing where his lieutenant might
be, he sought his aid. Should he fail
him now?
Renee watched the struggle through
tear-dimmed eyes and saw the victory
won. SeiZing her hand, he said hur-
riedly:
"You know not what you ask,
mademoiselle. You would be the first
to despse me were | to yield" and
hastily raising her hand to his lips, he
strode rapidly away. Renee kissed the
spot where his lips had been, and,
sinking to the ground, burst into tears
of mingled despair and joy.
The next day when his little canoe
passed through the straits, lone fig
ure waved adieu from the edge of the
highest cliff back of the settlement,
and when the tiny speck had disap-
peared from view repaired to the
chapel, there to pray for the safety of
one about to encounter great peril,
Tonti reached Fort Miami at the
mouth Of the river in safety and there
found his men who had preceded him
in larger vessel. They were all well
and had made a good-siZed fleet of ca
noes, but were much disturbed at ru-
mOrs they had heard that, during the
early summer, the Iroquois had made
a grand invasion of the country of the
Illini and had driven them from their
homes, numbering and scattering the
tribes. Tonti, with this corroboration
Of the Indians vision, was still more
alarmed for the safety of his friend,
and pushed on with all speed They
found plenty Of deer and buffalo, and
were thus enabled to lay in bountiful
supply Of meat. As they drew near the
great town of the lllini their fears
were confirmed Instead Of the noise
OF great encampment they found 81
lence. The meadow below tho high
rock was one scene Of devastation and