Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1906-03-08
CHAPTER xxi.

PLAYED THE ACE OF TRUMPS.
The captives were led back to their
respective prisons after this sickening
scene Of barbarity. and soo a silence
Tell upon the camp as though the in
ASsltants were fatigued by the excite
nent of the day and had sought re-
pose. Pence had nerved herself to wit
ness the horrible spectacle and had
borne herself bravely throughout I'M
til the last, but when she found herself
nee more alone and conscious, a re-
action set in and she became but a
weak and trembling woman after all.
Tonti, used as he was to the scenes
of carnage of civilized warfare. could
not repress a shudder as he recalled
the recent ordeal. His chief anxiety
was now for Renee; for himself he
had faced danger and death too many
times to experience any fear at their
proximity; he would sell his own life
as dearly as possible, and promised
himself that more than one recruit for
the happy hunting-grounds would be
started on the long journey thither
before they would have him dashed to
the stake. He realized that neither of
them could hope anything from the
mercy of the comte. Their only chance
would be through the opportune ar
rival in the camp of some party sent
out from Fort Niagara in search of
them. This was, however, hardly pos
sible, as any such expedition would
naturally follow along the shore of
the lake ever as far as Fort Fronte-
nae, before they would turn back or
think of visiting any of the Indian
tribes. To be sure, Pompon had sig
nailed to him before they arrived at
the camp that he would effect a res
cue, but he would not have had the
time to procure assistance and there
was but little reliance to be placed
on his ability to achieve anything
alone. The comte would not allow his
people to be deprived by any tricks
that he would play, as had happened
at the time Of their Huron captivity,
and, aside from some such measure,
Tonti feared that for once the little
fellows wit would be lacking.
1t was while absorbed in these dis
consulate thoughts that his quick ear
caught the sound of some small object
striking against the bark covering of
his lodge. He listened. Again it came
and yet again; then it ceased, but soon
recommended. Three times three did
he count, and then he understood it
was a signal from his trusty friend,
probably produced by lightly tapping
with some hard substance against the
exterior. He repaired to the back wall
from whence the sound came, and
placing his lips close to it he gave a
slight cough. He then heard a low
whisper:
1T is ], Pompon. Go to your door
and see if the guard is awake, and
make no noise"
Tonti did as he was bid, and peep
ing out saw the sentinel seated be-
fore his prison asleep, but in such a
position that it would be impossible
for any one to either enter or leave
the place without arousing him. Tonti
reported the fact to Pompon, who re-
piled:
1T is we'll. l will cut a hole in the
saplings wide enough to pass you a
knife. You can then work from the
inside to enlarge the opening while l
am employed out here. Madame Biz
ard is assisting m~ademoiselle at this
moment. Make haste"
Soon Tonti heard a strip of bark
cautiously give way, and ere long an
opening large enough to admit a hand
was made. Through this Pompon
passed a knife. Work diligently, but
noiselessly, o capitaine," he urged, |
we will soon have you freed"
Tonti turned to with a will, and be-
tween them they oon had, by dint of
and pulling at the interlacing
branches, an aperture formed, through
which Tonti squeezed himself. He
seized Pompon's hand in silent pres
sure, and the two stood with straining
ears, fearful lest the noise they had
been compelled to make had been
heard. There was no evidence of this,
and they both tiptoed to the back of
the lodge in which Renee was con-
fined and assisted Madame Bizard in
her similar e%rdeavors. Pompon> in
some unaccountable way had placed
in communication with this
creature, who, true to her re-
solve to aid, had entered heartily in
10 his plan. She had seen to it that
he guard at Renee's door received a
potion that Pompon bad pre-
pared out of the contents of his in
lispensable pouch, and was thus able
o enter without detection, stepping
lightly over the sentinel's recumbent
igure. Their work was finally accom-
and Renee was assisted
through the opening and was followed
~ Madame BLIZZARD.
AS has been said, the village was
,ulit upon a plateau overlooking the
AXE. The houses in which the pris-
'ners had been confined were erected
within a few feet of the edge Of this
which ended in a sheer preci-
ice some so feet above the surface OF
he water. AS assistance and escape
we're deemed impossible from this di-
ection, no attempt had been made to
the rear Of the lodges. AS the
title party stood together, Tonti was
uzzled as 10 their next step. Before
e could say anything, Pompon ex,
lained the situation to them.
RIO Be C%ontinued.1