Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1916-09-21
CHAPTER xxi.
We Reach the River.

1t was the voice of Boisrondet which
recalled us to a sense of danger.
at is late, and we must not linger
here" he insisted, touching D'Artigny's
sleeve. "The guard may discover your
absence, Rene. before we get beyond
the stockade. yet how can we get
madame safely over the logs?"
"She must venture the same as we.
Follow me closely, and tread with
care"
So dark was the night | was obliged
to trust entirely to D'Artigny's guild
ance, but it was evident that both men
were familiar with the way, and had
thoroughly considered the best method
Of escape. No doubt De Tonty and
his young lieutenant had arranged all
details, so as to ssure success. We
traversed the fiat roofs of the chain of
log houses along the west side of the
stockade until we came to the end.
The only light visible was a dull glow
of embers before the guardhouse neal
the center of the parade, which re-
vealed Il group of soldiers on duty.
The stockade extended some distance
beyond where we halted, crouched low
on the fiat roof to escape being seen.
There would be armed men along that
wall, especially near the gates, guard
ing against attack. but the darkness
gave us no glimpse. There was no
firing, no movement to be perceived.
The two men crept to the edge, and
looked cautiously over, and l chung
close to D'Artigny, nervous from the
silence, and afraid to become separat-
ed. Below us was the dense blackness
of the gorge.
This is the spot" whispered D'Ar-
tigny, 'and no alarm yet. How far
to the rccks?"
DE Tonty figured the distance at
forty feet below the stockade; we have
fifty feet Of rope here. The rock shelf
is narrow, and the great risk will be
not to stop off in the darkness. There
should be an iron ring here somewhere
-ay, here it is; help me draw the knot
taut, Rene"
DO we-do we go down here. mon
sieur" I questioned, my voice fslter-
ing.
Here, or not at all; there are guards
posted yonder every two yards. This
is II only chance to escape unseen"
Boisrondet tested the rope, letting it
slip slowly through his hands down
into the darkness below, until it hung
at full length. st does not touch" he
said, yet it cannot lack more than a
foot or two. Faithl We must take the
risk. l go first Rene-hush! It's best
so-the lady would prefer that you
remain, while l test the passage. The
devil himself may be waiting there"
He Eazed down, balancing himself OH
the edge, the cord gripped in his hands.
"Now mind my word; once on the
rock below, l will signal with three
jerks on the cord. Haul up then slow
ly, so as to make no noise; make a
moose for the lady's foot. and lower her
with care. You have the strength"
SAY, for twice her weight"
Good; there will be naught to fear,
madame, for l will be below to aid
your footing. When l give the signal
again Rene will descend and join us"
"The rope is to be left dangIing?"
"only until I return. Once l leave
you safe beyond the Iroquois, It's my
part to climb this rope again. Some
task that" cheerfully, yet De Tonty
deems it best that no evidence connect
us with this escape, What make you
the hour?"
Between one and two"
(which will give me time before
day dawn; so here, | chance it."
He swung himself over the edge, and
slipped silently down into the black
mystery. We leaned wei to watch.