The Dickson County herald. (Dickson, Tenn.) 1907-1979, 1914-07-03
CHAPTER xvili.


10 on now" | commanded grtmiy.
and do not forget Mademoiselle. DO
you 80 first, and show the way. will
keep good guard Of the rear"
he climbed the stairs. mutterinx
savagely. with me following 90 close
behind. the muEzls OF my gun touched
bis back.
am playing safe" muttered
grimly. so don't try any tricks In the
dark"
We came cut on the shore. pauslng
q moment to gaze out across the wa
ter to the gloom OF the mainland.
The red and yellow flames II, up the
open space fairly well. but all around
the black forest wall closed In tightly.
1t was like a grotesque picture In a
frame. Before the fire, mostly with
their backs toward us I counted TWEEN.
~ savages on the grass. their red
skins and matted hair showing clear
iy They were silent, motioniess, ap.
parensly staring into the flames The
tiendish yelling came from beyond.
from the other side OF the Are, where
! caught titfu! glimpse OF wildly dane
Ing figures. OF arms flung In air. OF
bfandished guna. and streaming hair.
! saw Mademoiselie rise silently to
her feet, but my hand only gripped
harder on the Englishman's shoulder
as 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 st:ct, a vicious blow, and
lappin ierked him forward between
the chiefs and the Are The warriors
sat there impassive. emotionless. their
eyes cold and mercIless Brady look
ed into that ring OF savage faces with
out a CULVER throwing back hts shoul.
ders, blood trickling down one cheek.
1t even seemed 10 me his eyes smiled
Then one OF the chiefs spoke without
rising. In deep cultural voice | heard
tina words, but they were meaningless.
tumble OF sound. yet somehow me
nacing. grur 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 ard
sparkled In the Wild savage eyes
The girl Stepped backward. noise
lessly. until she stood beside ma. her
hand touching my arm,
We 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
! know little OF the tongue. but there
is no mercy In hts words. Il .........
And you mean to 10 out there, to
face those nendsf Are you not
AFRAID"
She smiled. sad. brave smile up
into my eyes.
Monsieur. | must" she said plead
ingly II IL not only his life, but my
duty leave my rifle here. and bear
this: with Christ am not afraid"
And In her clasped hands, Redeemed
by the flames, saw crucifx,
"Mademoiselle. II this man speaks
a word OF treachery: II by look or ges,
ture he attempts to play us false, viii
you give me sign"
Yes, Monsieur"
Clasp your hands like this about
your head. Il will be his death war
rant Now. sir. are you ready"
There was hate In his eyes. but
vas glad OF H.
"Oh, but ri get you for this. Yes.
I'm ready. you clod OF Yankee peas
ant but youll pay before ever you
get out OF these woods--oh. Lord
you'll pay"
halt thought he would spring at
me, and drew back, my rife lifted.
But he only laughed. his lips snArling,
and strobe past crunching his way
through the shicket. caught the
swift upward glance OF the girls eyes
"A message OF thanks, ay' more
and she had followed him, | sprang
aside amid the trunks Of trees, conf
den, | could not b. seen. that every
savage eye would be rtveted upon
those two advancing figures The
light afforded me sufficient guidance.
ard possessed some Idea of where
wished to 10. | found It with dozen
quick steps, and, even M the f,rst
Wild scream OF discovery burst from
the red threats. crept In behind d
decayinx los,, at the very edge OF the
opening. and trust my f3e barrel
across the rotten bark Deliberately,
coolly with full determination to act,
drew bead on the red jacket.
They were not Ave warts away. adj
vancinE straight toward the startled
group OF chiefs, the girl slightly In
advance. the areligat on bar uplifted
face. the white crusiHx cleaning In
her hands The EnxltshnaA- step
behind, bis first mad anger already
dying. walked like a criminal. With
yowpreS head and eyes gaAncsng fu-~