Mexico Missouri message., 1916-10-19

AOHIy outline IOF me 10 IOllOWI
Twas what ] started to tell. At
the edge of the water, but concealed
from the river by rocks, is small hut
where we keep hidden a canoe ready
| fitted for any secret service. Twas
Sieur de la Salle's thought that it
might prove of great use in time of
siege. No doubt it is there now, just
as we left it, undiscovered of the Iro-
quois. This will bear you down the
river until daylight, when you can hide
along shore"
"There is a riher
1.-TWO of them, with powder and
ball" He laid his hand on the others
shoulder. "There is nothing more to
say, and time is of value. Farewell, my
friend"
Farewell" their fingers clasped.
"There will be other days, Francois;
my gratitude to NJ. de Tonty." Bols-
rondet stepped back, and, hat in hand,
bowed to me.
"Adieu, madame; a pleasant jour
ney."
"a moment, monsieur" said, fall
ter in my voice. "You are NJ. OAR
tigny's friend, an officer of France, and
Catholic"
eyes, madame"
"And you think that I am right in
my choice-that am doing naught I'M
worthy Of my womanhoodp
Even in the darkness 1 saw him
make the symbol of the cross, before
he bent forward and kissed my hand.
MADAME" he said gravely, 81 am
but a plain soldier, with all my service
on the frontier. 1 leave to the priests
the discussion Of doctrines, and to God
my punishment and reward. l can
only answer you as D'Artigny's friend,
and an officer of France. l give you
honor and respect, and deem your love
and trust far more holy than your mar
riage. My faith, and my sword are
yours, madame"
felt his lips upon my hand, yet
knew not he had gone. stood there,
my eyes blinded with tears at his gal
liant words, only becoming conscious of
his disappearance when D'Artigny
drew me to him, his cheek pressed
against my hair.
"He has gone! We are alonew
Eyes, dear one; but thank God for
those last words. They have given me
courage and faith. So my old COM
rades believe us right the criticism of
others does not move me. You love
me. Adele? You do not regret"
My arms found way about his neck;
my lips uplifted to his.
Monsieur, shall never regret; I
trust God and you"
How he ever found his way along
that dim trail l shall never know.
Some memory of its windings, together
with the instinct of a woodsman, must
have given guidance, while no doubt
his feet clad in soft Indian mecca
sins, enabled him to feel the faint
track, imperceivable in the darkness.
1t led along steep bank, through low
tangled bushes, and about great trees,
with here and there a rock thrust
across the path, compelling detour
The branches scratched my face and
tore my dress, confusing me so that
had 1 not chung to his arm, 1 should
have been instantly lost in the gloom.
Our advance was slow and cautious,
every step taken in silence. Snakes
could not have moved with less noise,
and the precaution was well taken
Suddenly D'Artigny stopped, gripping
me in warning. For a moment there
was no sound except the distant MUIR
muir Of waters, and the chatter of some
night bird. Yet some instinct of the
woods held the man motionless, listen
. ing. A twig cracked to our left and
then voice spoke, low and rumbling.
1t sounded so close at hand the fellow
could scarcely have been five yards
away. Another voice answered, and
we were aware of bodies, stealing
along through the wood; there was a
:, faint rustling of dead leaves and the
occasional swish of a branch. We
crouched low in the trail, fairly hold
ing our breath, every nerve tense.
There was no sound from below, but
in the other direction one warrior
could see the dim outline of his ma
. ked figure-passed within easy reach
J of my outstretched hand.
Assured that all had passed beyond
nearing D'Artlgny rose TO MS reef, ana
assisted me to rise, his hand still grasp
ing mine.
''Iroquois, by the look of that war
rior," he whispered, "and enough of
them to mean mischief"
"'Twas the tongue of the Tuscaro-
!, ras," answered. "My father taught
me little of it years ago. The first
words spoken were a warning to be
: still; the other answered that the white
men are all asleep" I
: "And am not sure but that is true.
. If De Tonty was in command the walls
! would be well guarded, but De Baugis
: and Cassion know nothing of Indian
war"
al ''You believe it to be an assaultT
4 "It hath the look; It's not Indian ma
r ture to gather thus at this night hour
| vuitho11H a T111rTooa int rnnf fhpra Is