The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1914-12-10
Blu Randall Parrish
illustrated ibu D. j. LAWN
IlIll1lllINlfIH||I llIl

tCopyrieht. 1918. BY A. c. McClurx & Col
An officer touched him on the shoulder
and spoke word.
"Ah. yes, certainly-St. Clair. = At
once, sir, but l don't envy you your
reception. By Jove, I lost my wits
seeing such a woman as that here
in this hole. Someone send Masters
here"
He came quickly, a youngish lad,
with white hair and eyebrows, but
intelligent face, who never took his
eyes off Rene. Oldham spoke
brusquely.
take this officer and the-the lady
to General St. Clair at once. Tell But
Ter l say it is important, that he be
given immediate interview. Here, wait!
get the lady horse somewhere. Cap
tain, can he take yours?"
with pleasure, sir; will fetch the
animal"
They watched us depart until we had
crossed the ridge, Masters and trudg-
ing through the snow at the horses
head. Rene had drawn up her blanket,
but could see her eyes watching me,
when glanced around at her. It was
not long, however, until we came out
of the forest, into bit of lowland near
the river, where a dozen tents, grimy
and dirty looking, stood on the bank.
There were soldiers everywhere, gath
cred about the camp fires, with few
guards patrolling beats along the for.
est edge. Masters led the way through
the motley crowd up to the central
tent. There was delay there, Rene sit.
ting motionless in the saddle, and
waiting impatiently beside her. At
last Masters came back.
HE will see you, SIR" ~
VERY we'll; are there any women in
camp?
"A few, sir; Anon-ccm' wives mostly,
washerwomen and cooks; they are in
those two tents there-the officers
kitchens"
Take the lady over there, and leave
her in good hands. Rene"
She looked down at me.
"Yes, monsieur"
This soldier will take you to some
women who will take care of you until
I come You will wait for me-"
Eyes, monsieur"
waited until they started, and then
advanced to the tent. A tall, slender
man, in colonel's uniform, pointed
the way within, and stepped through
the narrow opening. The interior was
plain-a bearskin stretched on the
ground, two officers on campstools
against the canvas; a sentry beside
the open flap standing motionless; a
rude table of one unplaned board, and
behind it, seated, st. Clair. He was
a spare man, with broad shoulders and
prominent nose. wearing a long queue
OF thick. gray hair, which was plainly
visible below his three-cornered hat.
He was attired in blanket coat, with
hood dangling down his back. had
met him once, but it was clear he
retained no recollection Of me. as he
surveyed me coldly across the table.
We'll. sir" he snapped. Colonel
Oldham says you bring news. Who
are you?"
Ensign Hayward Of Fort Harmar,"
l answered. bringing my hand up in
salute. II was sent with a message to
the Wyandots."
The stern lines of his face broke
into q grim smile.
"Ah. yes. recall that. One of Har-
mars fool notions. Told him as much
when l got back. Well, your peace
offering didn't do much good, did 1t?
l hear there is hell brewing in those
north woods"
1T is already brewed. sir. The
tribes have got together to crush you.
They rendezvoused on the Maumee."
Huh! that is a ways away. No
great danger from that source till we're
ready. What tribes were there. do
yoa knowr ..
= saw them. siri Wyandots. 'Potta-
y&1optaA ahAYneeA DelawereD ond