Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1905-10-12

sand was warm and by lying on ii
they were able to gather sufficient heat
for comfort. Aside from their proX-
nifty 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 a long weary march
before them. After consulting among
themselves, it was determined to make
for Fort Niagara as rapidly as posi-
BILE. kl.ieSEo climbed the nearD;t tall
tree TO get a view OF the surrounding
country. lie could make out no signs
Of indians. They remained where they
We're for day in order to regain their
strength. During this time the Indian
was able 10 set trap and caught .
rabbit, which he brought back in tri-
umph. This had to be eaten raw. II
was not a palatable dish for Renee.
but she recognized the necessity of
fortifying herself against the fatigues
OF the journey and bravely ate IS
much as she could. A few berries Were
also found.
They made but a short distance the
first day, as Renee, unaccustomed to
| walking far, soon became foot-sore.
| They followed the shore of the lake
as closely as possible, both because OF
| the easier walking found there and al,
SO to keep near a supply of fresh water
| At night they sought shelter beneath
| 4 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 week. scantily supplied with
| food, although Akiesko exerted all of
| his skill and ingenuity in his endeayors
| 10 entrap small game or catch an Oc-
| Casional fish. and they had progressed
so far that Tonti began to feel easier
as to their ultimate safety. One day
| they were resting about noon beneath
! q tall fir-tree when Pompon was sud
! denly seized with the desire to climb
| to the top after possible nest that he
| thought he spied high up among the
| branches. He had hardly reached the
| upper limbs when Tonti, glancing up,
| was attracted by the vigorous signs he
! was making They were signs of alarm
! and caution. The rest Immediately be-
! came silent and waited. Within a mo,
ment there emerged into the little
! clearing near which they stood a band
| of some two score warriors. evidently
| a hunting party from their dress. At
| the same instant they caught sight of
! the little shipwrecked group beneath
49,, ,1,
| with shout Tonti stepped forward
and made signs of peace. The Indians
! proved to be n band of Senecas on their
way 10 the lake to fish. Their leader
! stepped pace nearer than the rest,
and, addressing Tonti said with a
! grunt. Who are you"
Tonti replied: I'VE are friends OF
the great OnoDtio of Quebec. He sends
his greetings to his children and bids
you aid us. We have lost our way
and ask you to help us. If you will
| furnish us with food and a guide to
his house by the Great Falls he will re-
ward you"
The hand of Onontio is weak, and
| he sometimes sleeps. We have not seen
him for a long time; perhaps he is
| dead. He does not love us or he would
not send the black gowns among us to
bewitch our children, nor the traders
who cheat us of our skins. If you were
his friends he would not have allowed
you TO start upon so long a journey
without providing you with food and
! guns. My white brother lies. The
| French at the house beside the Great
| Falls are not our friends, for they
have made our young men dTuE& with
! brandy and then killed them / can do
nothing for you; you must return with
us to our village. There the great chief
Loup,' will decide"
Resistance was useless, as during
this harangue the savages had scat
| tered and now completely surrounded
the party. A seeming friendly compli-
ance was the best course, so Tonti re-
plying said:
I'VE will go with you to your viii
lage and there smoke the peace pipe
with your chief. lie will restore our
strength and go with us to the Great
Falls and receive his reward"
The party then took up their return
march. Tonti and his companions were
not molested in any way, but were
treated with all kindness. He kept
near Renee, who, aflirighted at the
sight of so many half-naked redmen,
seemed TO forget her former antipathy
and imperceptibly moved closer to
! him. Pompon, unseen, was left be-
hind, sheltered by the branches of the
giant fir.
CHAPTER XX.
| IN WHICH SnAIE, nTSTnVlrPTISS ApTr