The state herald., 1915-01-08

"Yes, monsieur"
Her hands obediently threw the
wrapping aside, permitting 1t to drape
over her shoulders. She lifted her
head, and stood facing them, with eyes
centering upon Oldham. He gasped,
and jerked the hat from of his head.
Il beg your pardon" he stammered.
"A white woman?"
"A French girl, sir. whom l found
with the Wyandots. Can you send us
back to st. Clair?"
He stared at her SO long. hat still
In hand. that thought he did not hear.
An officer touched him on the shoulder
and spoke word.
"Ah. yes. certainly-St. Clair. At
once, sir. but | don't envy you your
reception. BY Jove, lost my wits
seeing such woman as that here
In this hole. Someone send Masters
here"
He came quickly, youngish lad.
with white hair and eyebrows, but
intelligent face, who never took his
eyes off Rene. Oldham spoke
brusquely.
Take this officer and the-the lady
to General st. Clair at once. Tell But
Ter | say 1t Is important, that he be
given immediate interview. Here, walt!
get the lady horse somewhere. Cap
tain, can he take yours?"
with pleasure. sir; will fetch the
animal"
| They watched us depart until we had
crossed the ridge. Masters and trudg-
ing through the snow at the horses
head. Rene had drawn up her blanket,
but could see her eyes watching me,
when glanced around at her. 1t was
not long, however, until we came out
of the forest, into bit of lowland near
the river where dozen tents, grimy
and dirty looking, stood on the bank.
There were soldiers everywhere, gath
cred about the camp fires, with a few
guards patrolling beats along the for
est edge. Masters led the way through
the motley crowd up to the central
tent. There was delay there, Rene sit
ting motionless In the saddle, and |
waiting impatiently beside her. At
last Masters came back.
He will see you. SIR"
Very well; are there any women in
camp?"
"A few. sir: 'non-com' wives mostly,
washerwomen and cooks; they are In
those two tents there-the officers
kitchens"
Take the lady over there, and leave
her in good hands. Rene"
She looked down at me.
'Yes. monsieur"
This soldier will take you to some
women who will take care of you until
/ come. You will wait for me"
"Yes. monsieur"
! waited until they started, and then
advanced to the tent. A tall. slender
man. in n colonel's uniform, pointed
the way within. and stepped through
ing narrow opening. The Interior was
plain-a bearskin stretched on the
ground, two officers on campstools
against the canvas; sentry beside
the open flap standing motionless; q
rude table OF one unplaned board, and
behind II, seated. st. Clair. He was
spare man, with broad shoulders and
prominent nose. wearing a long queue
OF thick. gray hair. which was plainly
visible below his three-cornered hat,
He was attired in blanket coat, with
hood dangling down his back. had
met him once, but II was clear he
retained no recollection OF me. as he
surveyed me coldly across the table.
Well. sir" he snapped. Colonel
Oldham says you bring news. Who
are your"
Ensign Hayward of Fort Harmar."
! answered. bringing my hand up in
salute. u was sent with a message 10
the Wyandots."
The stern lines OF his face broke
into n grim smile.
"Ah. yes. recall that. one OF Har
mars fool notions. Told him as much
when J got back Well. your peace
Offering didn't do much good. did rs
] hear there Is hell brewing In those
north woods."
1T Is already brewcd. sir. The
tribes have got together TO crush you.
They rendczyoused on the Maumec. "
Huh! that IN a ways away. No
great danger from that source till we're
ready. What tribes were there. do
you know"
i saw them. cir. wyandots. Potta.
wattomies. shawnees. Delawarcs and
Miamis. There were also some orb.
was. and sprnkling OF others,
mostly young warriors"
Who heads the conspiracy"
Little Turtle. OF the Mlamls. bu,
there are Englishmcn with ,hcm also: (:
Hamilton himself was there"
The cursed hound; 10 you wore
there. with them. hcy' A prisoner r
Yes. general. scout named Ste
phcn Brady and I. We got away BY
means OF canoe on tho river"
Where Ia Bradyf know tho old
coon"
''ile died. sir. and / came on alone. %
No ono spoke. and went on.
1T was a hard journey. and there
! w~rr many dclays ON tho WAY I rnmo