Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1916-10-13
CHAPTER XIII.
We Meet Surprise.


Not until we had fel. carefully from
wall to wall did we admit our disap-
pointment. There were no Overshad-
owing trees here, and what small glim-
mer of light came from the dull skies
found reflection on river and rocks, so
that we could perceive each other, and
gain dim view Of our surroundings.
Of the canoe there was absolutely no
trace, and, if arms had been hidden
there also, they had likewise disap-
peared. The very fact that the door
stood wide open, it's wooden lock
broken, told the story clearly. | re-
manned silent, staring about through
the semi-darkness of the interior, rem
dered speechless by feeling Of utter
helplessness. D'Artigny, after an ut
terance of disappointment, felt his way
along the walls; as he came back to
the open door our eyes met, and he
must have read despair in mine, for
he smiled encouragingly.
"Swept bare, little girl he said.
"Not so much as an ounce of powder
left. The savages got here before us.
it seems. Never Minds we shall have
to travel ways on woodcraft, and it
will not be the first wilderness jour-
ney I have made without arms. Did
De gTonty mention to you where he
believed the Illini were in hiding?"
"No, monsieur-are they IndiansY
eyes; the river tribes, the most
loyal of all to La Sale. 1t was one
of their villages we saw on the bank
of the stream as we approached the
fort from the west told Boisrondet
that it stood there deserted, but not
destroyed, and it was our judgment
the inhabitants were hiding among
the river bluffs. Without canoes they
could not travel far, and are probably
concealed out yonder. If we can find
them our greatest peril is past"
"They are friendly?"
! SAY, and have never shed white
blood. / know them well, and with
Leadership they would be match even
for the Iroquois. De Tonty led them
once against these same warriors, and
they fought like fiends. Come, we will
follow the stream, and see if we cannot
find trace of their covert"
It was but cluster Of rocks where
the hut stood, and few yards below
we found the forest creeping down to
the very bank Of the river. The sky
had lightened above us, the obscuring
clouds opening to let the silver CLEAN
of stars through, and we paused mo-
ment gazing back and upward at the
vast rock on which perched the be-
leaguered fort. We could dimly per-
ceive the vague outline Of it silhouet-
ted against the lighter arch Of sky. In
massive gloom and silence it seemed
to dominate the night, the grim forest
sweeping up to its very walls. Not
CLEAN of light appeared; not sound
reached us. I felt D'Artigny's arm
about me.
81 would that 1 really knew what
was going on yonder meath the screen
of trees" he said gravely. s"Some In
dian trick, perchance, which it might
be in my power to circumvent-at least
bear to the lads fair warning"
"You would risk life for that?
GAY, my own readily. That is a les
son Of the wilderness; the duty Of
comrade. But for your presence /
should be climbing the hill, seeking to
learn the purpose of those savages-
else were no true soldier Of France"
"What think you their purpose is,
monsieur"
Gan attack in force at dawn Those
who passed us were heavily armed,
and crept forward stea!thily stripped
and painted for war There were other
parties, no doubt, creeping up through
the woods from all sides. TITS my
thought the hour has struck for them
to make their great effort They have
scattered the friendly Indians, killed
them, or driven them in. terror down
the river. Their villages have been
destroyed. Now all the warriors who
have been at that business have re-
turned, filled with blood lust, and eager
to strike at the French
"But they cannot win? Surely they
cannot capture the fort monsieur?
Why, it is all rock?"
"On three sides-yes; but to the
south there is ample space for attack
in force. Those woods yonder would
conceal a thousand savages within q
few hundred yards Of the fort gates.
and what Of the defense? Opposing
them is one hundred and fifty feet of
stockade, protected at best by fifty
rifles. There are no more in the fort.
officers. Indians, and all; and Boisron-
DEF says scarcely dozen rounds of
powder aud ball to a man. If the
Iroquois know this-and why shonld
they not?-'twill be no great feat Of
arms to batter their way in. / would
do that which is right, Adele, if I saw
clearly"
chung to his hands; staring back
still at the grim outline of the silent
fort. I understood his thoughts, his
desire to aid his comrades; but for a