Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1916-08-31
CHAPTER XVI.
We Attack the SaVages.

We Attack the SaVages. |
Ii was already so dark that the sol
rller was almost upon us before per
ceived his shadow, but it was evident
enough from his first words that he
mad overheard none of our conyersa-
ition.
There are no Indians in the vii
Elage." ne said gruftly, leaning on his
,gun and staring at us. Il got across
Ito a small island, along the trunk OF
n dead tree, and had good view of the
whole bank yonder. The tepees stand
hut not a sQuaw nor a dog is left"
Were there any canoes in sight
along the shofe2"
"Only one. broken beyond repair
""rhen, as | read the story, the tribe
fled down the stream, either to join
the others on The Illinois, or the whites
lat the fort. They were evidently not
ATTACKED. hut had news of the com
ling Of the ~Troquois, and escaped with
out waiting to give battle, Ills not
likely the wolves will overlook this
village long. Are we ready to go FOR
ward?"
He disappeared in the darkness.
vanishing silently, and we stood mo
tionless waiting III turn to advance
Neither spoke. Barbeau leaning for
ward, mis- gun extended, alert and
ready. The intense darkness, the
quiet night. the mystery lurking amid
those shadows beyond, all combined &c
AROUSE within me o sense OF danger
could feel the swift pounding of my
Jhcar+, and I clasped the sleeve of tn
soldiers Jacket merely to assure my
self of his actual presence. The pres
sure of my fingers caused him II
glance about.
do not be frightened, madame,
he whispered encouragingly. The
would be firing yonder if the lroquol
blocked u path"
''Fear not for me-" l answered, SUI
prised at the Steadiness Of my voice
at is the lonely silence which make
me shrink. ls soon as we advance
shall have my nerve again. Have W
not waited long enough?"
'Ay, come; but be careful wher
YOU place your feet"
He led The way, walking with sue
slow caution, that, although folloWe
stop by step. not a sound reached n
ears. We CjrcIed about large o
and IN o ra yiue, through which v
found barely room for passage. II
walls rising steep and high on eth
side. 1t was intensely dark dow
'thorp. vet impossible for us to escal
ithe trait. aud at the end of that pa
sage we emerged into an open spa(
Enclosed with woods, and having a g
of sand uaderfOot. Here the tn
seemed to disappear, but Barbe
struck straight across, and in the fl
est shade beyond We found DArtiS
waiting.
DO not shoot" he whispered.
twas afraid you might misjudge t
way here, as tbe sand leaves no clt
trace. The rest Of the passage
through the woods. and up a ste
hill. YOu are not greatly weari
madame?"
ooh. no. I have made some ia
isteps in the dark, but the pace
been slow DO we approach the for
"a half league beyond; a hund
yards more, and we begin the CHI
There VIC will be in the zone OF d
ger. although thus Far I perceive
sign of indian presence. Have 5
Barbeaup'
"None except this feather of a
bonnet picked up at the big l
below"
"a featherl IL it IroquoisT"
ut Is cut squire, and no Algont
ever does that"
"Ay. let me see! You are right,
ibeau; 'tWns dropped from a Tusca
war bonnet. Then the wolves |
been this way"
We crossed the wood, and bega
climb among loose stones, finally
Aug solid rock beneath our feet,
path skirting the edge Of what see
10 be O deep cash in the earth.
winding about wherever 1t could
massage. The way grew sleeper
sleeper, and more difficult to trny
although, as we thus rose above
tree limit, the shadows became
dense, and we were able dimly to
ceiye objects a yard or two In
vance. I strained my eyes over
bcau's shoulder. but could gail
glimpse Of D'Artigny. Then
rounded q sharp edge Of rock,
met him blocking the narrow way
"The red devils are there he
his voice barely audible. "Beyon
curve in the bank Twas Gods 7
I had a glimpse In time, or '
have walked straight into their
la stone dropping into the T
warned me, and ! creDt on all
10 where I could see"
IYou counted themw
.L.at.L taot to fila dorlru0ns