The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-07-24


Breed stopped, and Philip said to Cock
burn:
Tell him to say this to his people
that the man who does not obey my
commands will be strangled or shot"
"It is best not to say that" objected
Cockburn.
Tell them!" commanded Philip.
by God, if could talk their lin
60
He whirled fercely on the waiting
Crees, and Pictou repeated Cockburn's
warning. There was no change in the
sullen faces.
What do they say?" he demanded.
Hear for yourself" replied Cock
burn. They say nothing"
Philip motioned Pictou on and
swung his carbine from his shoulder
to the hollow of his arm. Half an
hour later Jean said, 1--WE are within
a quarter of a mile of their camp,
Msieur."
Philip turned to the Crees with a
sudden, sharp command. They crowded
up to him, looking beyond him to Pic
tou.
Tell Pictou what to say" he said
to Cockburn. Jean and I are going
on alone to Sakimay's camp. If they
surrender, there will be no fight If
they don't. we will return inside of an
hour"
He walked on past Pictou, with Jean
close beside him. He did not look
back until they had gone a hundred
yards up the chasm. The Crees were
packed about Pictou, who was tower
ing from a rock in their center.
I'm drawing the first easy breath
since we started, jean" he exclaimed.
Il wish TO Heaven that horde was a
hundred miles from here!"
$50 do I, Msieur." They passed be-
hind a mass of broken rock and Pier
rot caught Philip suddenly by the arm.
For the first time he showed excite
ment. Quick, M'sieur-follow me"
he entreated. I'VE have not one mo-
ment to lose. will show you some
thing. l swear that you may have
faith in me. Gomez"
He turned and began leaping from
rock to rock up the broken side of the
mountain. At the top of the ridge he
stopped and waited. Philip was~pant-
ing when he reached him. Jean gave
him no time to speak.
Hurry. M'sieur," he urged. There
is a nearer way, but this is best"
The sun was rising in their faces
and lighted up Jeans eyes with a red
fire. The Breed moved with the sure
ness of one of the gray mountain cats,
finding footing where Philip stumbled
and slipped. Not until they had gone
nearer a half mile than a quarter did
Pierrot stop for third time and wait
for his companion. Philip was strug-
Cling hard for breath when he came
up, but there was scarce a break in
Jeans voice as he drew him cautiously
to the broken edge of the ridge and
, said, Look, M'sieur-look down
there!"
Five hundred feet below them In a
small green meadow shut in on two
sides by walls Of rock was the Sarcee
camp. From where he crouched Philip
) found himself looking straight up the
chasm. The break between the two
ridges ended in the little meadow be,
2 low All this he took in at a glance,
even before he had made sure that
= there was no life about the tepees, and
D that Sakimay's camp was deserted.
3 They've gone" he said aloud to
]. Pierrot.
3 Jean placed a warning finger on his
e lips.
9 mo, M'sieur," he whispered, they
are not gone"
t Foot by foot he crept down among
e the rocks. At last he came to a pre-
y cipitous ledge and peered over. Philip
2 drew himself to the edge and clutched
D at the rocks as he looked straight
9 down to the base of the mountain.
g Huddled below him were a dozen
r women and children. He had time to
! see that one of these women was
standing with her face turned up the
! chasm, and that she stood beside a
: man bolstered against rock. He
D drew back, dizzy.
j 1.-The women and children are there
r with MabalIa and Sakimay," said
d Jean. "Sakimay is badly wounded.
: doubt if he will live. even if the Cree:
2 give him a chance. There were three
y old men in the camp last night. They
/ have gone with the others-to fight
: What do you mean?" demanded
: Philip. Where have they gomez"
:, 'There!" replied Jean. He pointed
). up the chasm, where the tips Of the
black rocks were beginning to catch
" the glow Of the sun This is a mat
8 ter Of Indians, M'sieur. That is why
Z. brought you up behind the camp z
;, stead of down the chasm. You vii
= understand-and pardon rce-vheI
q you sac what lappeus Lzo0E-lool