Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1916-09-22
CHAPTER XVII.
We Attack the savaaes.


It was already so dark that the sol
der was almost upon us before per-
ceived his shadow, but it was evident
enough from his first words that he
had overheard none of our cOnversa-
ton.
There are no Indians in the vii
lage," he said gruffly, leaning on his
gun and staring at us. 81 got across
to a small island, along the trunk OF
a dead tree, and had good view of the
whole bank yonder. The tepees stand,
but not a squaw nor a dog is left
Were there any canoes in sight
along the shore?"
"Only one, broken beyond repair"
'"Then, as read the story, the tribe
fed down the stream, either to join
the others on the Illinois, or the whites
at the fort They were evidently not
attacked. but had news of the COM
ing of the Iroquois, and escaped with
out waiting to give battle. IT'S 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 our turn to advance.
Neither spoke, Barbeau leaning for
ward, his gun extended, alert ana
ready. The intense darkness, the
quiet night, the mystery lurking amid
those shadows beyond, all combined TO
arouse within me a sense of danger.
/ could feel the swift pounding of my
heart, and | clasped the sleeve of the
soldiers jacket merely to assure my
self of his actual presence. The pres
sure of my fingers caused him to
glance about.
'Do not be. frightened, madame,
me whispered encouragingly. There
would be firing yonder if the 1roquois
blocked our path"
"Fear not for me-" l answered, sur
prised at the steadiness of my voice
att is the lonely silence which makes
me shrink: as soon as we advance
shall have my nerve again. Have we
not waited long enoughF
cay, come; but be careful where
you place your feet"
He led the way, walking with such
slow caution. that although / followed
step by step, not sound reached my
ears. We circled about large rocks
and MP ravine, through which we
found barely room for passage. the
walls rising steep and high on either
side. 1t, was intensely dark dowT
there. yet impossible for us to escape
the trail. and at the end of that pas
sage we emerged into an open space
Enclosed with woods, and having gri
OF sand underfoot. Here the trail
seemed to disappear, but Barbeal
struck straight across, and in the for
est shade beyond we found D'Artigny
waiting.
"Do not shoot" he whispered. :"
was afraid you might misjudge TIT
way here, as the sand leaves no ciea
trace. The rest of the passage Il
through the woods, and up a steel
hill. You are not greatly wearied
madame?"
- ooh, no: I have made some falls
steps In the dark. but the pace ha
Deen SLOW. 1O we dppAoa thS AVA~'
"a half league beyond: hundred
wards more. and we begin the climb
There we will be in the zone of dan
ger. although thus far | perceive NJ
sign of Indian presence. Have you
Barbecue"
.sNone except this feather of a wa
bonnet / picked up at the big roel
below"
"a feather! Is it IroquoisT
"It is cut square. and no Algonquin
ever does that"
"Av. let me see! You are right Bar
naau. twas dropped from Tuscaror
war bonnet Then the wolves nav
been tits way"
We crossed the wood, and began
climb among loose stones, finally nno
inc solid rock beneath our feet. Ia
path skirting tne edge OF what SCENE
10 he deep cash in the eartn. an
w;nding about wherever 1T could nm
massage. The way grew sleeper an
stesner and more difficult to travers'
although. as we thus rose above ~
free limit. the shadows became ies
dense. and we were able dimiy !" 20