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

A quarter Of mile away the break
between the mountains was filled with
moving figures
THE Crees' gasped Pierrot Nov.
Msieur, watch what happens"
Philip dug his fingers into Jeans
arm.
I'VE are too late!"
Eyes, too late" said Pierrot, point
ing up the chasm. See! They are
almost to that black streak Of rock
that runs across the break from one
wall to the other. and the Safcees
must be there. They are within easy
range. Mon Dteu, strong arm could
throw stone to them now!"
Suddenly shot rang out n was
followed by scattering fusillade Of
others. and then the FIRE Of the Cres
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 singleshot guns, 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
shining mass in the sun. In her hand
she carried rife.
Philip glanced quickly at Jean.
"Maballa," said Pierrot quietly.
He was drawing something from hts
breast, but Philip did not wait TO see
what 1t was. Under his eyes tho last
of race were dying, and he scarce
breathed as he looked upon the trag.
edy. He saw now that half a dozen
women had taken hold Of the litter on
which Sakimay lay. They carried Il
out into the meadow, following Ma
balla, and as they staggered under It's
weight they chauted q song which
came family up to the top Of the cltfk
The women stopped when the remnant
Of the Sarcee band came to the edge
Of the meadow. There were six Of the
fighters left Shattered for q moment
from the Gree fire they ran to 6akt-
may and kneeled beside him. theiP
guns waiting for the Crees- Behind
them stood Maballa, straight and tall
the sun glowing like fire in her hatr.
Jean touched Philips arm.
Look. M'sieur," he said.
On the fiat face Of the rock before
him glistened the silken tress which
Maballa had sent to Philip. and beside
II, cleaning white and pure, was jean
Pierrots cross Of the Virgin.
"M'sieur," he said. with 9 strange
CULVER in his voice. there are but two
Gods to Jean Pierrot. There 10 your
God and there Is mine-and my God 10
!, the God of Maballa 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
p them reached the shelter of the rocks.
i And still the fire pursued them along
t the top of the chasm, until Philip
/. caught the hot barrel of Jeans Win.
l chester In his hand and turned 1t to
the sky.
Enough" be said, breathing hard.
They looked back. The group In the
a meadow was moving. 1t 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
l rock, and from the motionless group
Of a 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
The lone figure went back. The
q group moved. 1t disappeared into the
: scrub growth Of the mountain.
/. 1T was Maballa" said Philip softly
l He placed his hand on Jeans bowed
!, head, She knew that 1t WAS you
!. Jean"
k Yes, M'sieur. believe that sht