Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1914-04-24

Girty said religious teacher, whom
the tribe loved more than chief"
I crossed the narrow room twice, en-
deavoring to sum up the evidence
clearly.
"A poor pretense for war, surely" /
said at last, "but might be sufficient
to Indian mind"
More than one war, even among
civilized nations, has been started on
less" he answered soberly. Besides,
1t is my judgment all those devils want
Is an excuse. They may have manu-
factured this out of whole cloth; to
me it don't look reasonable. But you
have all the facts now, Hayward, and
can understand what to say and do.
Those red devils know our weakness,
and are wild to break loose. If |
send back a formal letter by the hands
of their messenger, denying any knowl-
edge of this medicine man of theirs,
and expressing regret at his disap-
pearance, they will consider it a lie.
l know Indian nature; they have got
to be b1uffed at their own game. Show
fear, and they are after you at once,
the whole pack in full cry; face them
boldly, and they hesitate. If you go
straight to them, through the woods
to their council fire, an officer of this
garrison, in uniform, they will inter-
pret your coming as sign that we
are not afraid of their threats"
Then am to talk boldly; threaten,
If necessary"
with discretion-yes. 1t is our only
chance to avert war. The scheme may
not work, but if it even results in de
lay, it will be worth the effort"
when do I start?"
"At dusk tonight. Come here first
for final instructions, and letter to
Hamilton. You will go up the Mus
kngum to the forks by boat, and then
straight through the woods. There
must be no lettering on the march"
There will be none, sir; and what
about Girty?"
| Il will hold him on some pretext un-
til morning. Your party will have fif-
teen hours start"
There seemed nothing more, and,
|
saluted.
Very well, sir; that is all?''
"All at present"
] turned toward the door, then hesi-
tated, as memory suddenly returned.
Pardon me, general" l said impul-
sively, but | met young woman In
the room yonder. Might inquire who
she may be?"
He stared at me with open mouth,
then laughed.
The witch! never knew she was
in there, Hayward, or l should never
have exposed you to such danger.
Said she anything about herself?"
"Only her name-Rene D'Auvray"
Huh! that does not sound much
like the one she gave me, though by
my soul, I've forgotten it; twas just
as Frenchified, and l never dared to
speak it aloud How came she to tell
your"
4 That's the odd part of 1t, sir. She
knew me, called me Monsieur Hay.
ward and insisted I would remember
her when she named herself. Then
she did, but it was no name eveI
heard before, nor have ever seen the
face; I'd swear to that"
And she is not the sort to be for
} gotten easily. If they raise such flow
ers in the Illinois country. I would
like service there. The tale is, as
repeated by the soldiers who talked
with the boatmen, that she seeks hel
father, who left this Kaskaskia a veal
, since with Vigo, on journey up tbs
Ohio. She stops at each settlement
to inquire, and the girl has money
French and English gold in plenty
Yet, If this be the truth, there is small
hunting done. Once only was she q
the village for an hour; nor has shs
spoken yet Of departure. She puzzles
me with her pert speech, and Frencl
talk, for she pretends little under
standing of English. But that my wifi,
likes her should have sent the huss,
: on her way before now"
But, general" l asked, still lingeI
ing, "how came she to know m,
T manner"
: Perhaps you spoke it first in he
: hearing"
Not l, sir; we spoke of other mat
( ters."
r CTo BE CONTINUED