The state herald., 1916-12-29
CHAPTER XVIII.
Within the Fort,

doubt II paused second, yet
that was enough to give me glimpse
of the weird scene. saw D'Artigny
lunge with his knife, huge savage
reeling beneath the stroke. and Bar
beau cleave passage TO the rescue, the
stock of his gun shattered as he struck
hercely at the red devils who blocked
his path.
Outnumbered. helpless for long In
that narrow space, their only hope lay
in sortie by the garrison. and II was
my part to give the alarm. Even as
sprang forward. 4 savage leaped
from the ruck. but I escaped his
hand. and raced up the dark trail. the
one thought urging me on. God knows
how l made ito me 'tis but men,
ory Of falls over unseen obstacles. Of
reckless running; yet the distance
could have been scarce more than a
hundred yards, before my eyes saw
the dark shadow Of the stockade out
lined against the sky.
Crying out with full strength Of my
voice, I burst into the little open space,
then trlpped and fell Just as the gate
swung wide, and I saw a dozen dark
forms emerge. One leaped forward
and grasped me, lifting me partly to
my feet.
mon Dieu! a womanv he exclaimed
in startled voice. "What means this.
In heavens nameT
Quick" gasped. breaking away.
able now to stand on my own feet
''They are fighting there-two white
men-D'Artigny-"
"what, Rene! Az. lads. to the res
cue! Cartier. take the Indy within.
Come with me. you others"
They swept past me, the leader well
In advance. I felt the rush as they
passed. and had glimpse Of vague dg-
ures ere they disappeared in the dark
ness. Then ! was alone. except for
the bearded soldier who grasped my
arm.
"who was thatr' I asked. "the man
who lodi"
"Bolsrondet. Francois de Boisron-
dst."
"An officer Of La salle'sl You. then,
are Of his company"
~ am" bit proudly. "but most of
the lads yonder belong with De Bau-
gis. Now We hght common foe. and
forget our own quarrel. Did you say
Rene dArtigny was in the lighting
yonder?'
Eyes; he and a soldier named Bar.
beau"
The fellow stood silent. shifting his
feet.
""Twas told us he was dead" he
said finally. with effort "Some more
OF La Barre's men arrived three days
ago by boat. under n popinjay they call
Cassion TO recruit De Baugis' forces.
De In Durantnyc was with him from
the portage. so that now they out
number us three to one. You know
this Cassion. madamer
"Ay, Travelled with his party from
Montreal"
"Ah. then you will know the truth.
no doubt. De Tonty and Cassion were
Mt swords points over n charge the
latter made against Rene d'Artlgny-
that he had murdered one OF the party
nt St Ignncc."
"Uugo Chcvet, the fur trader"
"Ay, that was the name. We Of In
Sales company know II 10 be n lie.
sacrc! have served with that lad
two years. and tits not In his nature
to knife any man In the back. And
80 De Tonty said. and he gave Cas-.
sion the lie straight In his teeth. ]
heard their. words. and but for De
Bnugis and De In Durantnyc. Fran.
coils Cnsslon would have paid we'll for
his false tongue. Now you can tell
him the truth"
~ shall do that. but even my word.
I fear. will not clear D'ArtiFny OF the
charge. ! believe the man 10 be limo.
cent: In my heart there " no doubt
yet there Is no little 20 bc proven"
"Cnsslon spcnks bitterly; he is mn
enemy"
monsieur Cnssion Is my husband"
I said rcgrctfully.
Your pardon. madame. All. un
dcrstnnd II nil now. You wcrc sup.
posed TO have been drowned In the
great lake. but were saved by DAT.
tIyny. Twill bc surprise for mon.
sicur. but In this land. we witness
strange things. Mon Dlcul see. they
come yondcr: 'us BoIarondct and his
men"
Thcy approached In silence, mere
shndowy figures. whose numbers I
could not count but those In ndvnnce
bore helpless body In their arms,
ana my heart seemed to stop its beat.
ing. until I heard D'Artlgny's voice In
cheerful greeting.