The citizen., 1914-07-10
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Fire in the Clearing.

tHG FTG kUG Gt0dFln0.
60 on now," commanded grimly,
and do not forget. Mademoiselle, do
you go first, and show the way. will
keep good guard of the rear"
He climbed the stairs, muttering
savagely, with me following so close
behind, the muzzle of my gun touched
his back
Il am playing safe," muttered
grimly, so don't try any tricks in the
dark"
We came out on the shore, pausing
a moment to gaze out across the wa
ter to the gloom of the mainland.
The red and yellow flames lit up the
open space fairly well, but all around
the black forest wall closed in tightly.
1t was like grotesque picture in a
frame. Before the fire, mostly with
their backs toward US l counted twen-
ty savages on the grass, their red
skins and matted hair showing clear
ly. They were silent, motionless, ap-
parently staring into the flames. The
fiendish yelling came from beyond,
from the other side of the fire, where
caught fitful glimpse of wildly dane
ing figures, Of arms flung in air, of
brandished guns, and streaming hair.
saw Mademoiselle rise silently to
her feet, but my hand only gripped
harder on the Englishman's shoulder
as l watched. Brady advanced be-
| tween two Indians, his arms bound be-
hind him, bloody cloth concealing
his jaw. He was bare-headed, his
clothing rags, and he staggered slight
| ly as he walked. An Indian struck
him with stick, a vicious blow, and
Lappin jerked him forward between
the chiefs and the fire. The warriors
sat there impassive, emotionless, their
eyes cold and merciless. Brady look
ed into that ring of savage faces withs
out Quiver, throwing back his shoul-
ders, blood trickling down one cheek.
1t even seemed to me his eyes smiled.
Then one of the chiefs spoke without
rising, in deep cultural voice. heard
the words, but they were meaningless,
a tumble of sound, yet somehow me-
nacing, gruff with threat. The dis
cordant yelling ceased, and dark
mass of forms clustered beyond the
blaze, drawing together in half cir
Gle behind the prisoner. The light
played over dark, sinister faces and
sparkled in the wild savage eyes.
The girl stepped backward, noise
lessly, until she stood beside me, her
hand touching my arm.
I'VE are here in time," she whis-
pered, but can delay no longer"
He Is condemned then? They will
not spare him?"
"The chief speaks in Shawnee, and
l know little of the tongue, but there
Is no mercy in his words"
"And you mean to go out there, to
face those fiends? Are you not
afraid2"
She smiled, sad, brave smile up
into my eyes.
Monsieur, l must" she said plead
ingly. 1T is not only his life, but my
duty. l leave my rife here, and bear
this; with Christ am not afraid"
And in her clasped hands, Redeemed
by the flames, saw crucifix.
"Mademoiselle, il this man speaks
word of treachery; If by look or ges-
ture he attempts to play US false. will
you give me a sign?"
Yes, Monsieur"
CLASP your hands like this about
your head; it will be his death war
rant. Now, sir, are you ready?"
There was hate in his eyes, but
was glad of it.
"Oh! but I'll get you for this. Yes.
I'm ready. you clod of a Yankee peas.
ant! but you'll pay before ever you
get out of these woods-oh, Lord!
you'll pay"
l half thought he would spring at
me, and drew back, my rife lifted.
But he only laughed, his lips snarling,
and strode past crunching his way
through the thicket caught the
swift upward glance of the girls eyes
"a message Of thanks, ay! more
and she had followed him. I sprang
aside amid the trunks of trees, conf
dent / could not be seen, that every
savage eye would be riveted upon
those two advancing figures. The
light afforded me sufficient guidance.
and l possessed some idea of where
wished to go. found 1t with dozen
quick steps. and, even as the first
wild scream of discovery burst from
the red throats, crept in behind
decaying log. at the very edge Of the
opening, and trust my rife barrel
across the rotten bark. Deliberately,
coolly, with full determination to act.
l drew bead on the red jacket.
They were not five yards away, ad-
vancing straight toward the startled
group Of chiefs; the girl slightly In
advance, the freight on her uplifted
face, the white crucifix cleaning in
her hands. The Englishman. a step
behind, his first mad anger already