Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-04-17

tuoy WOulu uUVUI UC oUAO " AVD0u} shore under the existing circumstances, shouted that he was coming, and, after throwing of his well-soaked coat. plunged to their rescue.
 It was time that some help arrived, ] for the nun had clasped the man about his neck with grasp that he was un-. able to shake of. Before Tonti had covered half the distance they sank from view. They soon reappeared, ,;' however, struggling anew. They were well-nigh exhausted and remained on. the surface but . moment. Tonti called encouragingly, but they did not, hear him, and sank again. As he reached the spot where they had dis appeared, the head of the Mohegan arose from the depths, but he was alone. Breathless and half drowned he was, and Tonti had to support him to enable him to regain his strength. He soon learned that the nun had maintained her grip on the Indians neck until they had sunk the second time and had only released her hold when they touched the bottom. FTonti then dived, but to no purpose, and yet a second time; she was not to be found. Feeling his own strength beginning to fail, and knowing that the strong undercurrents had probably swept her body from that locality, he turned his attention to Pompon, who was mak- ing vigorous signals of distress, leaving the Mohegan behind to swim about and watch for the nuns reappearance. He reached Pompon, who had been occu- pied in slipping from the rock and clambering up again, just in time. and with him in tow turned toward the shore. The Indian soon relieved him of this weight, for he was fast reaching a condition when he would need help himself. As it was, had the shore been a dozen yards farther of he could not have reached it. He managed, how sver, to touch bottom and crawl out, throwing himself "pon the sand. rfseriy exhausted. Renee, who had watched his brave efforts, ran to him, and loosening the sodden clothing about his neck and chest as best she might, chafed his hands anxiously. Forgotten for moment was the past with the lies whispered by Madame Bizard into her unwilling ear, and she saw only her lover and hero, engaged, as when they first met, in bravely de-, lending and rescuing those in distress: saw him, as she had dreamed of him so many times before, boldly battling for others, rocking not of the tre.. mendous odds against him; saw him victorious, yet vanquished And as he fell her woman's heart beat fast with sympathy and alarm. Her touch seemed to invigorate him, for in a few, moments he opened his eyes, breathed deeply, and murmured, Grace Dieu. you are safe! But the nun is lost; did my best"
 Renee as soon as she saw that he had revived dropped his hand and con- tented herself with telling him of her appreciation of his superhuman ef- forts, assuring him that she was un- hurt, and although lamenting the loss of her companion, expressed her thanks that the remainder were saved.
 They. were all indeed in a sorry. plight. Not daring to light a lire, If they had had the means with which to do so. for fear of attracting the at tention of the savages, they were un- able to dry their clothes. Luckily the sand was warm, and by lying on it they were able to gather sufficient heat for comfort. Aside from their prox- mity to the dreaded Iroquois. other dangers threatened them. All of their guns, ammunition. and provisions had been lost in the wreck of the canoe; they were thus without food and with the prospect of long weary march before them. After consulting among themselves. it was determined to make for Fort Niagara as rapidly as possi- ble. Akiesko climbed the nearest tall tree to get a view of the, surrounding country. He could make out no signs of Indians. They remained where they were for day in order to regain their strength. During this time the Indian was able to set trap and caught a rabbit, which he brought back in tri- umph. This had to be eaten raw. It was not a palatable dish for Renee. but she recognized the necessity of fortifying herself against the fatigues of the journey and bravely ate as much as she could. A few berries were also found.
 They made but short distance the first day, as Renee, unaccustomed to walking far, soon became foot-sore. They followed the shore of the lake | IS closely as possible. both because of the easier walking found there and al- 30 to keep near supply of fresh water. At night they sought shelter beneath . tree. and each of the men took turns in watching, while Renee. wrapped in Tontis coat. slept soundly after the fatigue of the day. They proceeded thus for a week. scantily supplied with food. although Akiesko exerted all of his skill and ingenuity in his endeavore to entrap small game or catch an oc- .asional fish. and they had progressed 90 far that Tonti began to feel easier as to their ultimate safety. One day they were resting about roon beneath a tall fir-tree when Pompon was sud- i denly seized with the desire to climb to the top after a possible nest that he | thought he spied high up among the