Rocky Ford enterprise., 1905-03-24
oaks. and terminating q, . bluR ro,

II consisted Of . fairs building
and several smaller ones. all Of soo-i.
enclosed within q sioskads: and a
few cannon protected the nest-nos
consisting ot tso brisaiines. some
small seh0oaess and s.oops. and
large number Ct smaller eTafI-ah-
ehored Ia the haTboF AZ the rear OF the
island.
Outside the stoeksds were many
huts. constructed of logs. and with
matched Eoofs. where were always
domieilsd a small army OF i.afitts's
f-taineFs. Hhiie hs-shen al Grands
Tsrr--ahd . few Of his subieadsfs
had their quarters inside.
Shell Island. already mentioned. up
one of the almost inaccessible bayous,
Was his most fr.quatS atnas. where
he KEEP, about hia only f-S devoted
trabi. forests. aus conducted the
building Ct setc.is.
War between tn. rnit.i States and
Great Britain had b-.h ~asihE for a
year ar iHoT-. but IL had not yet
ihr-at.n-i Louisiana. nor had any
preparations bScn mad" at New Or
leans To resist an attack from ID.
enemy.
Hut. In the summer Of 1918. occurred
the horrible massacre at Fort Minis.
In th. Mississippi valley. occupied by
som. tao hundred and seventy per
sons. many of them women and chill
dr.n. ot whom all bu, seventeen were
put to death by the Greeks. on" Of the
tribes which the English had ~on
over for allies.
Gov. Claiborne had forcKH~n this
Threatened peril. hut was po~.rl-sE ,n
avert II. for his forces were few and
scattered. while the Indians seemed In
numrrnbl". and moved with wonderful
activity. hut the governor did all In
his power to restore confidence: and
not long aft-rward Con. Jackson ut
tcriy destroyed the Creeks NJ Taila.
dcgn.
My heart may he telling me WRONG
fully. Pierre" Jean said. aN tn. two sat
talking In their abode at Grandc Tcrr.
"a cabin outside. but luxurious with.
In. but I have a feeling that II I now
go to the emperor I may md the op
portuni,y for serving him: and that
this may prove to him tho love that
has never died.
Perhaps" answered Pierre. hoSI.
tatingly. but what is Il that makes
you think you may be of service to the
emperor and francc7"
ITO say truth. have no idea tha,
iE dehriic; but I feel an Irresistible in.
cllnation To Fo. and see II the oppor'
tunlty offers"
III you should find service over
thcrc-thcn 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 would do. If" and Pierre
hcsitatcd for an instant could
And what can PREVENT"
In such n case" Pierre replied de-
lihcratcly. 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 a matter"
Summer and fall are not now" was
the oracular declaration: and by the
time they come. II may be that the
English will have been made to stink
home again, as once before"
Il 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
tion. Il tell thee. lad, that Louisiana
has always possessed great attrac-
tion for Great Britain
Grant it." said Jean. rising and
stretching himself. Then all the more
reason why. in case they succeed in
obtaining it. that we should wish to
live somewhere else
"Ah but | 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.
1t was bright morning in May that
the Black Petrel," with Jean Lafitte
and picked crew. and bearing a car
go of rich merchandise. sailed from
Rarataria and Pierre. his heart filed
with loneliness and misgivings. sat on
the bluff. watching her sails until they
melted away on the horizon.
ITO he continued