Mexico Missouri message., 1916-10-12
A Romance of
Early Dogs In
the Middle West

ueTer or the WOODS, an escaped Dr1S-
oner, under condemnation of death,
never again safe within reach of
French authority. Ay, but he should
not go alone; in the depths of those
forests, beyond the arm of the law, be-
yond even the grasp of the church, we
should go together. In our own hearts
love would Justify. Without qualm
Of conscience, without even a lingering
doubt, 1 made the choice, the final
decision.
l know not how long it took me to
think this all out, until had accepted
brought happiness and courage. Food
was brought me by a strange Indian,
apparently unable to speak French;
nor would he even enter the room,
silently handing me the platter through
the open door. Two sentries stood just
without-soldiers of De Baugls,
guessed, as their features were unfa-
miliar. They gazed at me curiously,
as l stood in the doorway, but with
out changing their attitudes. Plainly
l was held prisoner also; NJ. Cassion's
threat was being put into execution.
This knowledge merely served to
strengthen my decision, and 1 closed
and barred the door again, smiling as
l did so.
1t grew dusk while l made almost
vain effort to eat, and, at last, push
ing the pewter plate away, l crossed
over, and cautiously opened the wood
en- shutter Of the window. The red
light of the sunset still illumined the
western sky, and found glorious reflec-
ton along the surface of the river.
1t was a dizzy drop to the bed of the
stream below, but Indians were on the
opposite bank, beyond rifle shot, in
considerable force, q half-doZen ca
noes drawn up on the sandy shore, and
several fires burning. They were too
far away for me to Judge their tribe,
yet a number among them sported war
bonnets, and had no doubt they were
Iroquois.
So far as 1 could perceive elsewhere,
there was no movement, as my eyes
Travelled the half-circle, over wide
vista of hill and dale, green valley
and dark woods, although to the left
1 could occasionally hear the sharp re-
port of q rifle, in evidence that besieg-
ing savages were still watchful of the
fort entrance. could not lean out far
enough to see in that direction, yet as
the night grew darker the vicious spits
of fire became visible. Above me the
solid log walls arose but few feet
a tall man might stand upon the win
dow ledge, and find grip of the roof;
but below was the sheer drop to the
river-perchance two hundred feet be-
meath. Already darkness shrouded
the water, as the broad valley faded
into the gloom of the night.
There was naught for me to do but
sit and wait. The guard which NJ.
Cassion had stationed at the door pre-
vented my leaving the room, but its
more probable purpose was to keep
others from communicating with me.
De Tonty had evidently resorted to
diplomacy, and instead of quarreling
with the three officers when they APP
preached him, had greeted them all so
he was disposed to permit matters to
take their natural course. He might
be watched of course, yet was no
longer suspected as likely to help res
cue the prisoner. All their fear now
was centered upon me, and my pos
sible influence.
If I could be kept from any further
af4
or De Tonty, it was scarcely probable
that any of the garrison would make
serious effort to interfere with their
plans. De Tonty's apparent indiffer-
ence, and his sudden triendllness with
De Baugis and Cassion, did not worry
me greatly. l realized his purpose in
thus diverting suspicion. His pledge
of assistance had been given me, and
his was the word of soldier and gen.
tleman. In some manner, and soon
before midnight certainly would re-
ceive message from Boisrondet.
Yet my heart failed me more than
once as / waited. How long the time
seemed, and how deadly silent was the
night. Crouched close beside the door,
could barely hear the muttered con-
Versation of the soldiers on guard;
and when 1 crossed to the open win
dow looked out upon a black void,
utterly soHudless.
Not even the distant crack of rife
now broke the solemn stiffness, and
the only spot Of color visible was the
dull red glow Of campfire on the OPP
posite bank of the river. had no way
of computing time, and the tagging
hours seemed centuries long, as terri
flying doubts assailed me.
Every new thought became an agony
of suspense. Had the plans failedi
Had Boisrondet discovered the pris
oper SO closely guarded as to make RES
cue rmpo5s::S5sse? Had his nerve, his
daring, vanished before the real dam
q a \ ~ 80