The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1916-10-26
CHAPTER XXI.
We Reach the River.

We Reach the River.
1t was the voice of Boisrondet which
recalled US to a sense Of danger.
at is late. and we must not linger
here" he insisted. touching D'Artigny's
sleeve. "The guard may discover your
absence, Rene. before we get beyond
the stockade. Yet how can we get
madame safely over the logs"
"She must venture the same as we.
Follow me closely, and tread with
care"
So dark was the night I was obliged
to trust entirely to D'Artigny's guild
ance. but It was evident that both men
were familiar with the way. and had
thoroughly considered the best method
Of escape. No doubt De Tonty and
his young lieutenant had arranged all
details, 80 as to assure success. We
traversed the fat roofs Of the chain Of
log houses along the west side Of the
stockade until we came to the end.
The only light visible was a dull glow
Of embers before the guardhouse near
the center Of the parade, which re-
vealed a group Of soldiers on duty.
The stockade extended some distance
beyond where we halted, crouched low
on the fiat roof to escape being SEEN
There would be armed men along that
wall, especially near the gates, guard
ing against attack, but the darkness
gave us no glimpse. There was no
firing, no movement to be perceived.
The two men crept to the edge, and
looked cautiously over, and l clung
close to D'Artigny, nervous from the
silence. and afraid to become separat-
ed. Below us was the dense blackness
Of the gorge.
This Is the spot" whispered D'Ar-
tigny, "and no alarm yet. How far
to the rocksP'
"De Tonty figured the distance at
forty feet below the stockade: we have |
fifty feet of rope here. The rock shelf |
is narrow. and the great risk will be
not to stop of in the darkness. There
should be an iron ring here somewhere |
-ay. here 1t Is; help me draw the kn6t |
taut, Rene"
"Do we-do we go down here, mon
sieurT questioned, my voice falter-
ing.
Here, or not at all; there are guards
posted yonder every two yards. This
is our only chance to escape unseen"
Bolsrondet tested the rope, letting 1t
slip slowly through his hands down
into the darkness below, until 1t hung
at full length. ut does not touch" he
said, yet 1t cannot lack more than a
foot or two. Faith! We must take the
risk. 60 drst Rene-hush! tbs best
So-the lady would prefer that you
while test the passage. The
devil himself may be waiting there"
He gazed down, balancing himself on
the edge. the cord gripped in his hands.
"Now mind my word; once on the
'ock below, will signal with three
erks on the cord. Haul up then slow
y, so as to make no noise; make a
1oose for the lady's foot, and lower her
With care. You have the strengthP
"Ay, for twice her weight"
Good; there will be naught to fear,
for will be below to aid
'our footing. When give the signal
gain Rene will descend and join u.s."
THE rope is to be left dangllngY"
''Only until return. Once leave
'ou safe beyond the Iroouois. 'tiH nv
art to climb this rope again. Some
ask that" cheerfully, yet De Tonty
Gems 1t best that no evidence connect
IS with this escape. What make you I
be hourT ,
Between one and two" &
(Which will give me time before {
ay dawn; so here, chance it." l
He swung himself over the edge, and t
Tipped silently down into the black
1ystery. We leaned over to watch,