The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1906-05-18
~
A ROSE OF q
| NORMANDY
WILLIAM r. A. WILSON !
21S
CHAPTER XXvl.-CoNr1NuED.

q CHAPTER XXVl.-CoNTINUED.
Reinforced by others from the in
terior of the woods, they prepared for
another advance. This time, instead
Of rushing directly in one solid line.
they separated, running a few steps
and then suddenly crouching down
close to the ground. The barricade
was finally reached, and after watt
ing to receive its fire. they precipi-
tated themselves Upon 1t before the
defenders could load again. The
br%ush-heaps were ignited, and their
light served to render the foe more
easily distinguishable. The chevalier
was seemingly at every spot along the
Zine at once, cheering his allies and
ably directing the defense. At this
moment, however. just as the tide
seemed about to turn against the at
lacking force, the dreaded Iroquois
yell was heard from the river at the
rear of the defenders. Terror seized
them, believing themselves to be sur
pounded by the enemy, and despite all
the efforts of Baugis to rally them they
fled southwark along the rivers edge.
"a score of willy ~Iroquols had entered
the river above, and swimming noise
lessly down until they were well past
the fort, had landed and approached
the besieged form the rear, making as
much noise as possible, hoping to be
able to deceive them into thinking that
a large force was behind them. They
succeeded admirably, and oon the en-
kfra onann about tho hoco ~ tho fowl
was one mass Of ferocious hostile
faces.
1onti in the meantime had directed
the fire of both Of the canno and the
guns of his men to the best advantage.
The young Indian he had posted to
watch the river for any approach from
that direction had reported nothing,
and was nowhere to be found when
the yells of the small Iroquois band
proclaimed the success Of their under
taking. He saw with tears of rage in
his eyes the retreat of the allies under
Baugis. There was no time to afford
him aid, as the fort was surrounded
before he could order a portion of his
men t O their assistance. AS has been
stated, the rock vas absolutely mac
cessible from three sides, so the whole
attention of both the attacking party
and the defenders of the fort was d.
rected towards the remaining side.
Hhe approach here was by q zigzag
path, less than four feet in width,
fashioned out Of the rock. UP this
path the savages swarmed, only to be
shot down or crushed by stones let
drop from the walls above. The num-
Der of Iroquois, however, was SO great
that no sooner did one fall than an
other took his place.
Tonti was surprised in not seeing
Miron anywhere. for he had sufficient
knowledge Of Indian warfare to recog-
nize his directing hand in the mode of
attack. so different from the methods
usually employed by the savages.
Pompon, with eye alert to catch sight
of the Villains face. moved rapidly
about the enclosure, finding time occa-
sionaily to run back to the lodge where
the nuns and Renee were, to assure her
Of Tonti's safety and report the prog
ress Of the defense. He always re-
turned, however, to Tonti's elbow, aid
ing him In the carrying out of their ef-
forts to repulse the horde slowly
Climbing the pathway, a painful fact
made evident by the glare Of the blaz-
ing brush-lres.
The side Of the fort towards the
river being furthest from these fires
was In comparative darkness. The
shade was not so deep, however, as to
prevent an observer, had he been pres
cnt. from seeing the figure Of the young
aroquois spy slip out from a place Of
concealment, and, mounting the plat.
form. peer anxiously over the edge into
the river below. In answer to some
signal he stopped. and picking up a
long object, fastened one end about
the Flagstaff on the platform and threw
the other into the river. He waited
until he heard a splash, then, mount
zng over the edge of the palisade, he
disappeared. He had procured a strong
vine rope and thus effected his escape
He had been gone but q short time
when q sound a. of some one ascend.
ing the rops could have been heard
and soon = hand touched the top and
the half-naked figure Of . man ap-
peared. He cautiously gained the
shadow and rapidly approached one
after another Of the small buildings IN
the enclosure. listening at each one be.
fore passing on to the next. At length
~ caus = The . Ia which ~ nSal