The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1916-11-24

\ the edge OF the water. but concealed
from the river 10y rocks, is a small hut
where we keep hidden "A canoe ready
fitted for any secret service. Twas
\ Sleur de la Salle's thought that II
might prove OF great use in time OF
siege. No doubt IL is there now, just
\ as we left II. undiscovered OF the lno-
\ quois. This will bear you down the
river until daylight, when you can hide
along shore"
] ''rhere is rieeg'
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 ~cSue. Farewell. my
friend" A
| Farewell" their fingers clasped
There will be other days, Francois:
my gratitude 10 NJ. de Tonty." Bols-
rondet stepped back, and. hat in hand.
bowed 10 me.
"Adieu, madame; a pleasant jour
ncy."
"A moment. monsieur" | said. n fall
ter in my voice. You are NJ. oar
tigny's friend. an officer Of France, and
a Catholic"
Eyes, madame"
"And you think that I am right I'm
my choice-that am doing naught un-
worthy OF my womanhoodT
Even i'm the darkness | saw him
make the symbol OF the cross. before
he bent forward and kissed my hand.
MADAME" he said gravely, IL am
but plain soldier. with all my service
on the frontier. leave TO the priests
the discussion OF doctrines, and 10 God
my punishment and reward. | can
only answer YOU as D'Artigny's friend.
and an officer OF France. | 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 10 him, his check pressed
against my hair.
"He has gonel We are aloner'
yes dear one; but thank God for
those last words. They have given me
courage and faith. SO my old com
radcs believe Us right the criticism OF
others does not move me- You love
me. Adele? You do not regretT'
My arms found way about his neck I;
my lips uplifted TO his
Monsieur, | shall never regret;
trust God and you"
How he ever found his way along
that dim trail | shall never know.
Some memory Of its windings. together
with the instinct of woodsman, must
have given guidance. while no doubt
/ his feet, clad I'm soft Indian mocca-
sins. enabled him 10 feel the faint
track, imperceivable in the darkness.
! II led along a steep bank, through low.
tangled bushes, and about great trees
with here and there rock thrust
across the path, compelling detour.
The branches scratched my face and
! tore my dress, confusing me so that
! had l not clung to his arm, ! should
! have been instantly lost I'm 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 moment there
was no sound except the distant muir
mur 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 n voice spoke low and rumbling.
/ IL 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 n
/ faint rustling OF dead leaves, and the
occasional swish OF branch. We
crOuched low In the trail. fairly hold
| ing our breath, every nerve tense.
| There was no sound from below. but
I'm the other direction one warrior
! could see the dim outline OF his ma
ked figure-passed within easy reach
OF my outstretched hand.
Assured that all had passed beyond
hearing D'Artigny rose 10 his feet, and
assisted me 10 rise, his hand still grasp
Ing mine.
"Iroquos, by the look Of that war
rIor," he whispered. "and enough OF
them 10 mean mischief"
Twas the tongue OF the Tuscaro-
ras," I answered. my father taught
me little OF IL years ago. The first
words spoken were warning 10 be
stil, the other answered that the white
men are all asleep"
"And / am not sure but that Is true.
II De Tonty was I'm command The walls
would be well guarded. but De Baugis
and Casslon know nothing OF Indian
war"
You believe IL TO be an assaultr'
1T hath the look; tits not Indian ma
ture 90 gather thus at this night hour.
without purpose. But pouf, there IL
little they can do against that stockade
of logs for all their numbers. II is
our duty to be well away - daylight
The remaining distance 10 the wa