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

n quarter Ol mile away the Orcdk
between the mountains was filed with
moving figures.
''The Crees!" gasped Pierrot Now.
Msieur, watch what happens!"
Philip dug his fingers into jeans
arm.
Eve are too late!"
Eyes, too late" said Pierrot, point
ing up the chasm. See! They ara
almost to that black streak OF rock
that runs across the break from one
wall to the other. and the Sarcees
must be there. They are within easy
range. Mon Dteu, a strong arm could
throw a stone to them now!"
Suddenly a shot rang out. It was
followed by a scattering fusiuade OF
others, and then the fire of the Cree
rifles rolled in thunderous echoes be-
tween the black walls of the noun
tains. 1t was Jeans hand that gripped
Philip now. His fingers dug in deeper
as the Crees advanced, lodging from
rock to rock, firing with their repeat.
ers. AS yet the two watchers could
see nothing of the Sarcees ambushed
among the broken masses of trap and
limestone. The sound of their rifles
were drowned in the heavy roar of the
Cree guns.
God in Heaven" breathed Jean in
dismay. "Sakimay's people have moth.
ing but single-shot guns. a half of them
loaded with powder and ball! They
are lost-lost-"
He stopped and sprang to his feet.
The Sarcees were running back now.
fighting from rock to rock, and for
the first time there came to them the
yells of the pursuing Crees. At first
Philip counted ten, then nine-and
then eight of Sakimay's people. He
was counting again when something
drew his eyes to the meadow below.
A figure was running swiftly toward
the scene Of battle. 1t was a woman.
Her long black hair streamed out in a
shining mass in the sun. In her hand
she carried a rifle.
-'AAP 6AoASNu dhANhAs ~ JVdhs
"Maballa," said Pierrot quietly
He was drawing something from his
breast, but Philip did not wait TO see
what it was. Under his eyes the last
Of a race were dying, and he scarce
breathed as he looked upon the trag-
edy. He saw now that half dozen
women had taken hold Of the litter on
which Sakimay lay. They carried II
out into the meadow, following Ma
balla, and as they staggered under its
weight they chanted a song which
came family up to the top Of the cliff.
The women stopped when the remnant
of the Sarcee band came to the edge
Of the meadow. There were six Of the
fighters left. Sheltered for a moment
from the Cree fire they ran to Saki.
may and kneeled beside him, their
guns waiting for the Crees. Behind
them stood Maballa, straight and tall
the sun glowing like fire in her hair.
Jean touched Philips arm.
Look, M'sieur," he said.
On the fat face of the rock before
him glistened the silken tress which
Maballa had sent to Philip, and beside
1t, cleaning white and pure, was Jean
Pierrots cross Of the Virgin.
'M'sieur," he said. with a strange
CULVER in his voice, there are but two
Gods to Jean Pierrot There is your
God and there is nIine-and my God is
: the God of MabaIla and her people"
His rife glittered in the sun. There
was nothing to shelter the Crees from
him, and death burst upon them from
the top Of the cliff.
Philip caught up his carbine.
"And there is but one law in such
a case as this" he said. Here goes
in the name of the King!"
The Crees fell back before the deadly
fire of the two rifles. Only third of
them reached the shelter Of the rocks
And still the fire pursued them along
the top of the chasm, until Philip
: caU@' the hot barrel Of Jeans Win
chester in his hand and turned It to
the sky.
Enough" he said, breathing hard.
They looked back. The group in the
meadow was moving. It climbed
slowly up the steep side Of the ridge,
the litter borne in its midst. At the
}, top the figures were silhouetted against
the sun. Jean leaped high up on a
rock, and from the motionless group
Of mile away one figure moved
slowly out and stood for a moment,
alone.
May the Great God bless you. for
ever, and forever" said Jean Pierrot.
Tho lone figure went back. The
group moved 1t disappeared into the
: scrub growth az tho mountain.
!, 1T was ManaIla." ss.sl P.:ili:, scftiy,
l Tic Dlaoec h. hard on jeans bowed
!, bead. she trev that 1t was you.
: ses1"
( "Yes. A'sieur. beiieSv that she