The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1914-05-21
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Fire IN the CLEARING.

NNN F"t wv hiNN SfCdfitH.
Go on now" commanded grimly.
and do not forget. Mademoiselle. do
you go first. and show the way. l will
keep good guard OF the rear"
She gave me her hand in a long, lin.
gering clasp. and then her slender fig-
ure blotted out the red glare as she
mounted the steps
You next, sir" the words sufficient
ly polite, but my rife flung forward. in
readiness to enforce the brief order.
Curse you! I'll make you pay for
this!"
Hold yourself to words, and
threats" returned coolly. but do as
| say-move on"
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
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 a grotesque picture In q
frame. Before the fire, mostly with
their backs toward us | 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 dano-
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 Engllshman's shoulder
as l watched Brady advanced be-
tween two Indians, his arms bound be-
hind him, a 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 a stick. vicious blow, and
Lappin jerked him forward between
| the chiefs and the fire The warriors
al there impassive. emouonless. their
| eyes cold and mercilcss Brady look.
ed into tina; ring of savage faces with
out a culver. throwing back his shout
/ ders, blood trickling down one cheek.
/ II 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 a half cir
/ Gle behind the prisoner The light
/ played over dark. sinister faces and
! sparkled in the wild savage eyes. IL
/ was a horrid scene-that small open
space lit up by the fire glare. and
banked about by the black wall OF
trees. filled with those demons, half
naked. repulsive. weapons cleaning
In their hands, their glittering eyes
on the helpless Brady waiting the tor
ture. AS l looked forth upon II
grew sick, my limbs trembling
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 himy'
THE chief speaks in Shawnee. and
I know little of the tongue. but there
] l.. In, ID
"And you mean to go out there, &c
face those fiends? Are you moi
sfraid?"
She smiled, a sad. brave smile uT
into my eyes.
Monsieur. l must" she said plead
ingly. 1T is not only his life, but my
duty. leave my rife here. and beaI
this; with Christ ! am not afraid.
And in her clasped hands, reddenee
by the flames. | saw crucifx.
She bowed her head, her lips press
ed to the cross. and. when she looked
up again into my face. had no word
to say; could but choke. and brusl
tears from my eyes.
"Mademoiselle, II this man speak
a word OF treachery; II by look or ges
ture he attempts to play US false. WI
you give me sign"
Yes, Monsieur"
CLASP your hands like this abou
your head: II will be his death wal
rant. Now, sir, are you ready?"
There was hate In his eyes. but
was glad OF IT, The very intensit
: with which he hated me at that me
: ment had brought back his courag'
He had forgotten all else In mad d.
sire TO get revenge on me. ] let hir
read defiance, scorn In my face, an
the look stung him like the lash OF
whip.
"oh! but I'll get you for this. Ye'
I'm ready, you clod OF Yankee pea
ant! but you'll pay before ever 20
get out OF these woods-oh, Lord
you'll pay"
half thought he would spring .
me. and drew back. my rife iifte'
:, But he only laughed. his lips snarlinl
and strobe past crunching his wa