The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1914-03-19
CHAPTER 10.
A Perllous Venture.


Ing out OF the window. his eyes frewn-
ing. ] closed the door. and stood wait
ing. swiftly determining to discover
the identity OF that young woman
within. and feeling slight heed Of aught
else. Harmar turned his eyes toward
me. surveying me a moment In silence.
What do you weigh, HaywArdf" he
snapped out, as tho noting my girth
for the first time.
Two hundred and thirty. sir."A
"Huhl and every inch muscle y
bone from the look OF you. I've got
some serious work picked out for you.
How far north have you ever been1'
ITO the forks OF the Muskingum."
He drummed with his fingers on the
table: then pored over q rough map.
Huh! the hard travel viii DO be-
yond. after you leave the boat Would
you undertake q journey TO sandusiyi"
alone, sirf" I asked. startled at the
question. the distance vague in my
mind.
with q scout, who knows the
woods" he answered. studying my
face. and an enlisted man 10 cook.
and DO odd Jobs around camp A
small party is better than . largo one
on such . trip" He paused. thinking.
Il will obey orders, sir. an .
soldier"
"Yes!" he got TO his feet But nov
that isn't what ! want ] expect my
men to do that. But this II not strict
ly q military matter. and give you no
orders. I need . confidential messen-
ger. Q man OF intelligence and nerve;
but he will take his life In his hand.
and possibly 10 no purpose. I half
suspect treachery. and will order no
ofYicer Of my command to such hazard
GUS service"
He stopped. and stood staring out Of
the window. his broad back toward me.
you must deem this matter OF
grave importance" said. firmly. End
need seek no further; volunteer to
CO."
He wheeled about. and srasped my
hand.
II thought 80. Hayward. I Am not
often mistaken In q man. and I like
your face. Yet do not be too hasty In
decision. Sit down here. where we
can have the map between us. until
can explain what hell Ia brewing In
the pot OF those north woods. What
think you honestly of Simon 0irtyr
Everything bad; a scoundre, from
head to foot"
"Ay! yet Hamilton uses him. The
man was a messenger. evca a. he
claimed. The Englishman wrote that
with his own hand; ! have sean the
writing before"
He pushed the crumpled bit Of pa
per across, and I read the crooked
lines slowly. for the penmanshlp was
almost iliegible. Twice I read It half
convinced my brain played me some
trick.
lis this true. sir?"
Some OF It is; enough TO make me
afraid Il may all be. The enact situa-
ton Is this. Hayward. The tribes OF
the northwest are ready for war. In
spite OF the influence OF the chiefs
many Of the young men are already on
the war trail. They are In small par
ties ranging the woods. attacking out
lying settlers and hunters. Stories OF
outrages come drifting in here every
day. Nothing prevents q general out
break but British restraint. and the
position OF the Wyandots." -
"A strong nation"
"The most important In the Indian
alliance. They are no friends Of ears.
yet they claim TO be Christian. con-
verted by French Jesuits. and thus far
the priests have held them on the side
OF peace. For the first time their
chiefs have met in council with the
others and threaten war. Do you un-
derstand the causef'
mot clearly. sir: because Of some
prisoners we hold. Is II notf"
ct was Greek TO me. also. until
Girty explained. That IL where trouble
arises. We have no such prisoner, but
II send that word back by 0irty. they
will believe lied. But II an ofioer
OF this garrison goes boldly To them.
In response 10 their challenge; faces
them at their council FIRE. and says 80
openly they will probably accept his
word"
IF the Wyandots join the other
tribes II viii mean warf"
"Yes; the length and breadth Of the
frontier. have no force with which
TO meet them; hundreds OF liyes-men.
women and children - will be de-
stroyed; settlements ruined. l doubt
II there be a white man left north OF
the Ohio In three months II those
fends break loose. This is not my
work. endeavoring to treat with those
red devils. II is the duty Of the gov.
ernor. But ST. Clair is away; ] have
no means OF reaching him with this
information. The Wyandots demand
instant reply, and our messenger must
reach them as soon as. II not before.
tina return Of Gritty.
Continued next week.