Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-07-14
CHAPTER XVIII.

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CHAPTER XVIII.
The Fire In the Clearing.
go on now" commanded grimly
land do not forget. Mademoisalle, do
you go first, land show the way. will
keep good guard Of the rear
She gave me her hand In a long, lin.
Eering 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" I returned coolly, "but do as
l say-move on!"
He climbed the stairs. muttering
savagely. with me following SO close
behind, the muzzle of my gun touched
his back.
II am playing safe" I muttered
grtmly, $50 don't try any tricks in the
dark"
We came out on the shore, pausing
a 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.
It was like a grotesaue picture in a
frame. Before the IRE, mostly with
their backs toward us counted TWEEN
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
hendish yelling came from beyond
from the other side Of the fire, where
I caught fitful glimpse of wildly dane.
ing figures, of arms hung in air., of
brandished guns, and streaming hair.
saw Mademoiselle rise silently to
her feet, but my hand only gripped
harder on the Engishman's shoulder
as I watched. Brady advanced be-
tween two Indians, his arms bound be.
hind him, a bloody cloth concealing
his jaw. He was hare-headed, his
clothing rags. and he staggered slight.
~ 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
sat there impassiva .emotionless. thei1
eyes cold and merciless. Brady look
ed into4that ring OF savage faces with
out q 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.
q tumble Of sound, yet somehow me-
nacing. grun with threat. The dis
cordant yelling ceased. and q dark
mass Of forms clustered beyond the
blase, drawing together in a half cir
Gle behind the prisoner. The light
played over dark, sinister faces and
sparkled in the wild savage eyes. 1t
was q horrid scene-that small open
space lit up by the hre 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 looked forth upon 1t I
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?"
1.-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, to
face those fiends? Are you not
afraid?"
She smiled, a sad. brave smile up
into my eyes.
Monsieur. must" she said plead
tnsly. 1T is not only his life, but my
duty. leave my ride here, and bear
this; with Christ am not afraid"
And In hey clasped hands, Redeemed
by tho flames. I saw a crucifix.
She bowed her head, her lips press
ed to the cross. and, when she looked
up again into my face, had no words
to say; could but choke. and brush
tears from my eyes.
"Mademoiselle, 10 this man speaks
a word of treachery; If by look or ges-
ture he attempts to play Us false, will
you give me sign?"
yes, Monsieur"
CLASP your hands like this about
your head; it will be his death war
rant. Now, sir, are you ready?"
There, was hate in his eyes, but l
was glad Of it. The very intensity
with which he hated me at that mo-
ment, had brought back his courage.
He had forgotten all else In mad de-
sire to get revenge on me. l let him
read defiance, scorn In my face, and
the look stung him like the lash Of a
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 you
get out Of these woods-ohs Lord!
you'll pay"
half thought he would spring at
me, and drew back. my rife lifted.
But he only laughed. his lips snarling.
and strobe past crunohing his way
through the thicket. /. caught the
swift upward glance OF the girls eyes
Ia message, Of thanks, ~! more
and she had followed him. sprang
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