Middletown transcript., 1916-09-23
CHAPTER XVI.
The Words Of Love.

1.-THE spirit of the old days; the
words of a soldiers daughter, hey.
Barbeau?'
"a La Chesnayne could make no
other choice" he answered loyalty.
But we have no time to waste here
in compliment. You know safe pas
sage, you say?
"Not a safe one, yet a trail which
may still remain open. for it IS known
to but few. Let us aboard, and cross
to the opposite shore, where we will
hide the canoe. and make our way
through the forest. Once safely afOOt
yonder. I will make my purpose clear." "
A dozen strokes landed us on the
other bank, where the canoe was
drawn up. and concealed among the
bushes while we descended a slight
decIivity, and found ourselves in the
silence of a great wood. Here D'Ar-
tigny paused to make certain his
sense of dh -ction.
81 will go forward slightly in ad-
vance," he said, at last, evidently hav-
ing determined upon his course.
"And we will move slowly, and as
noiselessly as possible. No one ever
knows where the enemy are to be met
with in Indian campaign, and we are
without arms, except for Barbeau's
gun"
81 retain my pistol" l interrupted
"Of small value since its immersion
in the lake; as to myself. l must trust
to my knife. Madame, you will fol-
low me, but merely close enough TO
make sure of your course through the
woods, while Barbeau will guard the
rear. Are both ready"
Perhaps it might be well to explain
more clearly what you propose" said
the soldier. "Then if we become sep
arated, we could figure out the proper
direction to follow"
mot a bad thought. that. 1t is
rough road ahead, heavily wooded.
and across broken land. My route is
almost directly west, except that we
bear slightly south to keep well away
from the river. Three leagues will
bring US to a small stream which
empties into the Illinois. There is a
faint trail along it's eastern bank.
which leads to the Rock, where it is
possible for one knowing the way to
attain the palisades of the fort. If
we can attain this trail before dark
we can make the remaining distance
by night. Here, let me show you"
and he drew with a sharp stick a
hasty map on the ground. "Now You
understands; If we become separated,
keep steadily west~ ard until you
reach a stream flowing north"
In this order we took up the march.
and as I had nothing to bear except d
shoulders. found little difficulty in
following my leader At first the un-
derbrush was heavy. and the ground
very broken, so that Oftentimes | lost
sight entirely of D'Artigny. but as he
constantly broke branches to mark his
passage, and the sun served as guid
ance, l had small difficulty in keeping
the proper direction. To our right
along the river appeared masses of
Isolated rock. and these we skirted
closely, always In the shadow and
silence of great trees. Within half
an hour we had emerged from the re-
tarding underbrush, and came out into
an open wood, where the walking was
much easier.
The sun had not entirely disap-
peared when we emerged from the
dark wood shadows into a narrow.
grassy valley, through which flowed
silvery stream. not broad, but deep.
Assured that this must be the water
we sought. sank to the ground. eager
for moments rest. but D'Arhgny.
tireless still. moved back and forward
along the edge Of the forest to assure
himself Of the safety of our surround
ings. Barbeau Joined him. and ques-
toned.
1--WE have reached the trail?'
"Ay. beside the shore yonder; see
you anything Of Indian tepees across
luC Sll GduI " Qle l6lls
Below. there are wigwams there
just in the edge of the grove. You
can see the outlines from here: but
make out no moving figures"
Deserted then; the towards have
run away. They could not have been
attacked. or the tepees would have
been burned"
IAN Algonquin village?"
'Miamis. had hoped we might
gain assistance there. but they have
either Joined the whites in the fort.
or are hiding in the woods. 'Tis evil
dent we must save ourselves"
/ And how far is it?'
ITO the fort? A league or two. and
rough climb at the farther end
through the dark. We will wait here
until after dusk, eat such food as we
have without fire, and rest up for a
bit Of venture. The next trip will
test rs all. and madame Is weary
enough already"
"An hour will put me right" I said.
smiling at him, yet making no attempt
to rise. 81 have been in a boat so
long have lost all strength in my
limbs"
I'VE feel that. all Of u.s." cheeriv.
'but come, Barbeau. unpack, and let
US have what cheer we can"
I know not when food was ever
more welcome. although it was simple
enough to be sure-a bit OF hard
cracker. and some jerked deer meat.
washed down by water from the
stream-yet hunger served to make
these welcome. The loneliness and
peril of our situation had tendency to
keep us silent, although D'Artigny en-
dcavored to cheer me with kindly
| snench and gave Rarhann carn f11l do.