The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1912-11-21
CHAPTER TX.
A RACE INTO THE NORTH.

them up with the cracking O1
n1U@59 his whip. and when How.
(AdiS3u land turned to look back he
saw bright fare Of light where the
other sledge had stopped 4 mans
voice came from the farther gloom.
calling to Croisset in French.
"He tells me | am to take you on
alone" said Croisset after he hid re-
piled TO the words spoken in patois
which Howland could not understand.
"They will join us again very soon"
''They" exclaimed Howland How
many will it take to kill me. my dear
Croisset?'
The half breed smiled down into his
face again.
'You may thank the blessed Virgin
that they are with u.s." he replied
softly "If you have any hope outside
Of heaven. m'seur. it Is on that sledge
behind"
Strengthening the leader in his traces.
Rowland stared back at the fire lit
space in the forest gloom. He could
see a man adding fuel to the blaze
and beyond MIN. shrouded in the deep
shadows of the trees. an indistinct
tangle of dogs and sledee. AS he
strained his eyes to discover more
there was movement beyond the
figure over the fire. and the young
engineers heart leaped with sudden
thrill. Croisset's voice sounded in a
shrill shout behind him. and at that
warning cry in French the second
figure sprang back into the gloom. But
Rowland had recognized it. and the
chilled blood in his veins leaped into
warm life again at the knowledge that
1t was Meleese who was trailing be
hind them on the second sledge.
when you yell like that give me d
little warning If you please. JEAN" nc
said, speaking as coolly as though he
| had not recognized the figure that ha'
come for an instant into the freight
1T is enough to startle the life out OF
one"
| 1T is our way Of saying goodby
m'seur." replied Croisset. with fierce
snap Of his whip. "Hoo-la. get aiont
therew he cried to the dogs. and II
half a dozen breaths the fire was los
| to view.
Dawn comes at about 8 O'Clock il
the northern midwinter Beyond tn
| fiftieth degree the first ruddy haze .
the sun begins to warm the southeast
ern skies at 8, and its glow had airead
risen above the forests before CROSSE
STONED his team again For tW
hours he had not spoken word to hl
prisoner, and after several unavailin
efforts to break the others taclturnH
Rowland lapsed into silence oi nj
own When he had brought his tire
dogs to a halt Croisset spoke for tn
first time.
Eve are going TO camp here Tor
few hours" he explained IF you WI
pledge me your word Of honor that 20
will make no attempt to escape ! WI
give you the use Of your legs unit
after breakfast, m'seur What do yo
sayT'
"Have you Bible. Croisset"
mo, m'seur. but have the cross
our Virgin. given to me by the mi
sioner at York factory"
"Then will swear by 1t. | WI
swear by all the crosses and all II
Bibles in the world that ! will mai
no effort to escape. | am paralyze
Croisset. couldn't run for week
Croisset was searching in his poe
cts
Mon Dieu," he cried excitedly.
have lost it! All. come to think, IN SET
| gave the cross to my Mariane befo
went into the south. But Will Ia
your word" :,
"And who is Mariane. Jean! W
she also be in at the 'kill?
"Marhne is my wife. m'seur, a
ma belle Mariane. ma cheri. the daue
ter Of an Indian princess ana
granddaughter Of chef De ha'a
Ion, mseur! Could there be bett