Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1906-04-18

centrate her mind upon the beads in
her hand. She looked down. A noise
at the door aroused her. Perhaps II
was Pompon returning with bad news!
She gave shrek of terror. The door
had opened and the Comte de Miron.
in all the ferocity of his Iroquois war
paint. with a knife held between his
teeth, stood before her
The nuns on seeing this terrible ap-
partition ran to the farthest corner.
Miron approached Renee before she
could overcome her terror sufficiently
to move. snatched up the light. ap-
piled II 10 the bark wall of the lodge
which quickly ignited, seized Renee in
bis arms and was gone.
The battle still ragged furiously for
the possession of the gate. Already
bad the line of crawling, climbing
devils almost gained the top of the
path. The situation was desperate
The young Sieur de Boisrondet an
preached at n signal from Tonti. "Ten
the men IL the gate is gained and
forced we must make a last stand Just
within the entrance. We can do moth
ing If these fiends once really enter
the yard"
The young man saluted and then in
a hesitating tone, said: M. lie Capt.
tame will not be offended IL a subor-
dinate were to make a suggestion? It
is only our great extremity that leads
me to speak"
Non, certainement," replied Tonh.
Speak up and let us know what you
have in mind"
You will remember some time ago
you placed in my care the work of OK.
cavating new magazine In which to
store our POWDER"
yes"
We'll. as NJ lie Capitaine left the
entire task TO me, the ch dice OF situa-
ton as we'll as the oversight of the
excavation"
60 on" cried Tonti impaticntly. as
the yells of the savagcs rose louder
than before, indicating that an adj
vance had been made.
Il thought it might be a good plan
sometime TO have a mine laid ready TO
be exploded"
So you"
L made the excavation SC that II
would lie just beneath the outside
path some score of feet from the top"
"Sangue di Dio." cried Tonti joy
ously. as the idea of The young man
flashed into his mind. I'VE are saved
You mean to fire the magazine beneath
their very feet, and make an opening
in the path they can never CROSSE"
That was my thought" replied the
young man modestly. flushing with
pleasure as he saw his leader approved
It, "The powder mas not been stored
there yet, but can be In very few
moments"
Take three men with you" ordered
Tonti and place half OF all our stock
OF powder in the new magazine, and
arrange so that il can be exploded on
given signal"
I'm 20 minutes ii shall be ready" re-
piled the youth, and fastened away to
carry out the command
Hold out for half-hour longel and
we shall blow these devils 30 perci.
ton" shouted Pompon in til ears of
the line OF men defending the pass. A
cheer was the response. soon the
young Sieur de Boisrondet returned.
1T is accomplished" lie reported with
a smile.
Just then strange lull in the con
fused sounds of the combat occurred.
1t lasted but a few seconds; but dur.
ing that silence there came to the ears
of the men the sound Of a womang
scream from the interior of tie fort
yard. Both Tonti and Pompon recog-
niled the voice and turned together
The light of the bIrning building was
seen and they started at rapid pace
Tont shouting to the Sieur de Bots
rondet to take command until his re-
turn. More agile than his friend
reryed to action by the fear i'm his
heart for Renee's safety. he gained the
other side of the fort first. BY tho
light Of the blazing lodge he beheld his
enemy ascending the platform bearing
In his arms the form OF his beloved.
With a cry ne sprang after him.
Miron heard his voice. and. having
gained the top. turned to meet his foe
TOnti felt for his pistol that he had
placed in his belt but found that il
mad dropped ovt in his hasty uTog-
ress. Nothing daunted without a
weapon, he rushed up the little ladder
ana grappled with his enemy. Miron
dropped Renee 20 the platform and re-
ceiyed Tonti with a smile of sayag,
JOY, hrandishlnC his knife. Tonfi
struck the arm holding the weapon a
furious blow with his iron hand 10
forco him 10 drop IL. and seized his
throat with the other.
MirOn still retained his knife and
ToDu By the fast increasing light saw
the blade descend. and felt as it were
red-hoi iron plunged into his shoulder.
Again IL fell. this time into his back.
A blackness fell suddenly before his
eyes. His hold upon the throat of his
adversary loosened roaring filed his
ears. followed BY a great explosion
which seemed TO shake the platform
on which they stood and he fell bacl,