Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-05-23

and caught him by the arm. The
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 he strangled or shot"
"It Is best not to say that" objected
Cockburn.
Tell them" commanded Philip
by God, If I could talk their lin.
go"
He whirled fiercely on the waiting
Crees, and Pictou repeated Cockburn's
warning. There was no change in the
sullen faces.
What do they say7" 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, I'VE are within
a quarter of q mile of their camp.
Msieur."
Philip turned to the Crees with
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 l are going
on alone to Sakimay's camp. If they
surrender, there will be no fight. II
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 we're
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.
II wish to Heaven that horde was a
hundred miles from here!'
80 do I, Ms1eur" 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, Msieur-follow me,
he entreated I'VE have not one mo-
ment to lose. will show you some
thing. 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. Msieur." he urged. There
is a nearer way, but this is best"
The sun was rising in their faces
and lighted up Jeans eyes with 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 half mile than a quarter die
Pierrot stop for a third time and wal
for his companion. Philip was strug
Cling hard for breath when he came
Jeans voice as he drew him cautiousl.
, to the broken edge Of the ridge ant
, said. Look, M'sieur-look dowr
, there!"
Five hundred feet below them In I
small green meadow shut in on TIVE
sides by walls of rock was the SARGE,
camp. From where he crouched Philil
found himself looking straight up tn
chasm. The break between the TIVE
ridges ended in the little meadow be
? low. All this he took in at glance
even before ne had made sure tina
= there was no life abou. the tepees. an,
D that Sakimays camp was deserted,
8 They've gone" he said aloud t
. Pierrot.
9 Jean placed warning finger on hi
q lips
Q mo, Msieur," he whispered "the
are not gone"
t Foot by foot he crept down anon
Q the rocks. At last he came to a pre-
y cipitous ledge and peered over. Phil
z drew himself to the edge and clutche
0 at the rocks as he looked straigh
Q down to the base of the mountain
o Huddled below him were doze
r women and children. He had time I
q see that one of these women wa
standing with her face turned up tn
chasm. and that she stood beside
). man bolstered against rock II
n drew back. dizzy.
Il THE women and children are there
r with Maballa and Sakimay," sal
n Jean. "Sakimay is badly wounded.
!. doubt II he will live. even II the Cree
g give him a chance There were thre
v old men in the camp last night The
d have gone with the others-to fight.
?. What do you mean" demande
r. Philip. "Where have they gomez"
=, "There!" replied Jean. He pointe
>. up the chasm, where the tips of tn
black rocks were beginning to cate
the glow Of the sun. This Is ma
s ter OF Indians, M'sieur. That is why
Z brought you up behind the camp il
:, stead of down the chasm. You wi
I" understand-and pardon me-whe
n you see what happens. Look-loo
U there!"