Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1916-09-08
blocked our path :

prised at the steadiness of my voice.,
1T is the lonely silence which makes
me shrink; as soon as we advance I
shall have my nerve again. Have we
not waited long enough?"
"Ay, 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 up ravine, through which we
found barely room for passage. the
walls rising steep and high on either
side. 1t was intensely dark down
there, yet impossible for us to escape
the trail, and at the end of that pas
sage we emerged into an open space,
inclosed with woods, and having a grit
of sand underfoot Here the trail
seemed to disappear, but Barbeau
struck straight across, and in the for
est shade beyond we found D'Artigny
waiting.
''Do not shoot" he whispered. 81
was afraid you might misjudge the
way here, as the sand leaves no clear
trace The rest of the passage Is
through the woods, and up a steep;
hill. You are not greatly wearied,
madame?"
"Oh, no; 1 have made some false
steps in the dark, but the pace has
been slow. Do we approach the fort?'
"a half league beyond; hundred
yards more, and we begin the climb.
There we will be in the zone of dan
ger, although thus far I perceive no
sign Of Indian presence. Have you,
BarbeauY'
"None except this feather Of war
bonnet I picked up at the big rock
below"
"a feather! Is it Iroquois?''
cit is cut square, and no Algonquin
ever does that
cay, let me see! You are right, Bar
beau; twas dropped from Tuscarora
war bonnet Then the wolves have
been this way"
We crossed the wood, and began to
climb among loose stones, finally find
ing solid rock beneath our feet, the
path skirting the edge of what seemed
to be a deep cash in the earth. and
winding about wherever it could find
passage. The way grew sleeper and
sleeper, and more difficult to traverse,
although, as we thus rose above the
tree limit, the shadows became less
dense, and we were able dimly to per-
ceive objects a yard or two in adj
vance. / strained my eyes over Bar
beaus shoulder, but could gain no
glimpse Of D'Artigny. Then we
rounded sharp edge Of rock, and
met him blocking the narrow way.
"The red devils are there" he said,
his voice barely audible. Beyond the
curve in the bank. twas Gods mercy
/ had a glimpse in time, or would
have walked straight into their midst.
A stone dropping into the ravine
warned me, and / crept on all fours
to where / could see."
"You counted them?"
> Hardly that in this darkness; yet
tits no small party. 'Twould be my
Judgment there are twenty warriors
there"
"And the fortY
"Short rifle shot away. Once past
this party, and the way is easy. Here
Is my thought, Barbeau. There is no
firing, and this party Of wolves are
evidently hidden in ambush. They
have found the trail, and expect some
party from the fort to pass this way"
Cor else" said the other thought
fully, "they lie in wait for an assault
at daylight-that would be Indian
war"
TRUE, such might be their purpose,
but In either case one thing remains
true they anticipate no attack from
below. All their vigilance Is in the
other direction. A swift attack, a sur
prise, will drive them into panic. 'Tis
q grave risk | know, but there is no
other passage to the fort"
"If we had arms, it might be DONE"
"We'l give them no time to dis
cover what we have-a shot, yell,
rush forward. Twill all be over
with before a devil among them gets
his second breath. Then it's not likely
the garrison is asleep. If we once get
by there will be help In plenty to hold
back pursuit. Barbeau, creep for
ward about the bank; be a savage
now. and make no noise until give
the word. You next, madame, and
Keep close enough to touch your lead>
er. The instant l yell, and Barbeau
fires, the two Of you leap up and rush
forward. Pay no heed to me-"
"You would have us desert you,
monsieur?'
1T will be everyone for himself" he
answered shortly. II take my chance,
but shall not be far behind"
We clasped hands, and then, as Bar
beau advanced to the corner, / fol-
lowed, my only thought now to do all
that was required Of me. did not
glance backward, yet was aware
that D'Artigny was close behind.
Barbeau, lying low like snake,