The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-04-14
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Fire in the Clearing.

you go HfSI, and snow the way. / VIII
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, .ebut 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
L am playing safe,o / 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 we'll, 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 I 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
fendish 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
I saw Mademoiselle rise silently to
her feet, but my hand only gripped
harder on the Eng1ishman's shoulder
as I 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 a 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 with
| out CULVER, throwing back his shout
| ders, blood trickling down one cheek.
| It 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. It
was a horrid scene-that small open
space lit up by the fire glare, and
banked about by the black wall OF
trees, filed with those demons, half
naked, repulsive, weapons cleaning
in their hands, their glittering eyes
on the helpless Brady waiting the tor.
4 ture. AS I looked forth upon 1t
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 him?'
THE chief speaks in Shawnee, and
I know little of the tongue, but there
is no mercy in his words
And you mean to go out there, tc
face those fends? Are you moi
afraid?'
She smiled, sad, brave smile III
into my eyes.
Monsieur, must she said plead
ingly. TT is not only his life, but my
duty. I leave my rifle here, and beal
this; with Christ / am not afraid
And in her c1asped hands, reddeneG
by the flames, I saw crucifix.
She bowed her head, her lips press
J ed to the cross, and, when she looked
up again into my face, had no words
to say; I could but choke, and brush
tears from my eyes.
. "Mademoiselle, if this man speak,
, a word of treachery; if by look or ges
ture he attempts to play us false, vii
you give me a sign?'
Yes, Monsieur"
: Clasp your hands like this abou
, 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. The very intensit.
with which he hated me at that me
ment, had brought back his courage
, He had forgotten all else in a mad dc
sire to get revenge on me. let hin
read defiance, scorn in my face, an,
: the look stung him like the lash of
! whip.
oh. but I'll get you for this. Yes
I'm ready, you clod of Yankee peas
: ant! but you'll pay before ever yo
2 get out OF these woods-oh, Lord
ynn'1l nav"