Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1916-12-22
CHAPTER XVIII.
Within the Fort.

-
that was enough to give me glimpse
Of the weird scene. l saw D'Artigny
lunge with his knife, a huge savage
recling beneath the stroke, and Bar
beau cleave passage to the rescue, thu
stock OF his gun shattered as he strucl
fiercely at the red devils who blocked
his path.
Outnumbered, helpless for long II
that narrow space, their only hope lay
in a sortie by the garrison, and 1t was
my part to give the alarm. Even as
l sprang forward, a savage leaped
from the ruck, but l escaped his
hand, and raced up the dark trail, the
one thought urging me on. God knows
how | made ito me tits but a mem,
DRY 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 tripped and fell just as the gate
swung wide, and l saw a dozen dark
forms emerge. One leaped forward
and grasped me, lifting me partly to
my feet.
"Mon Dieu! a woman!" he exclaimed
In startled voice. what means this,
in heavens name"
Quick" I gasped, breaking away,
able now to stand on my own feet.
They are fighting there-two white
men-D'Artigny-"
What, Rene! Ay, lads, to the res
cue! Cartier, take the lady within.
Come with me, you Others"
They swept past me, the leader well
In advance. l felt the rush az they
passed, and had glimpse Of vague fig
ures ere they disappeared in the dark
ness. Then | was alone, except for
the bearded soldier who grasped my
arm.
"Who was that" l asked, "the man
who led?"
"Boisrondet, Francois de Boisron.
det."
IAN officer Of La Sales? You, then,
are Of his company"
II am" a bit proudly, "but most OF
the lads yonder belong with De Bau.
gis. Now we fight a common foe, and
forget our own quarrel. Did you say
Rene d'Artigny was in the fighting
yonder?"
"Yes; 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 a popinjay they cal
Cassion to recruit De Baugis' forces
De ia Durantaye was with him from
the portage, so that now they out
number us three to one. You know
this Cassion, madame?"
"Ay, l travelled with his party from
Montreal"
"Ah. then you will know the truth
no doubt. De Tonty and Cassion were
at swords points over a charge the
latter made against Rene d'Artigny-
that he had murdered one Of the party
at st. Ignace."
Hugo Chevet, the fur trader"
"Ay, that was the name. We Of Ls
Sales company know IT to be a lie
Sacre! l have served with that lac
two years, and It's not in his nature
to knife any nan In the back. Ant
so De Tonty said, and he gave Cas-
sion the lie straight in his teeth.
heard their words, and but for d,
Baugis and De Ia Durantaye, Fran
co.'s Cassion would have paid well fo'
his false tongue. Now you can tel
him the truth"
~ shall do that, but even my word
fear, will not clear D'Artigny Of tn,
charge. believe the man to be limo
cent; in my heart there is no doubt
yet there is so little to be proven"
"Cassion speaks bitterly; he is al
enemy"
Monsieur Cassion Is my husband
said regretfully.
your pardon, madame. All, I un
derstand It all now. You were sup
posed to have been drowned In tn,
great lake, but were saved by DAT
tigny. Twill be a surprise for mon
sieur, but in this land, we witness
: strange things. Mon Dieu! see. the,
come yonder; It's Bolsrondet and hi
! men"
: They approached in silence, mer
shadowy figures, whose numbers
could not count, but those in advanc
bore q helpless body in their arms
! and my heart seemed to stop its beat
ing, until heard D'Artlgny's voice Il
. cheerful greeting.