Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1916-08-04

again. Come, Adele, we must return
to the canoe, and consult with Bar
beau. He has seen much of Indian
war"
The canoe rode close in under the
bank, Barbeau holding it with grasp
on a great root. He must have read
in u faces some message of alarm,
for he exclaimed before either of US
could speak:
what Is 1.-THE Iroquois?"
Eyes; why did you guess that?"
81 have seen signs for an hour past
which made me fear this might be
true. That was why I held the boat
so close to the bank. The village has
been attacked?"
ground is covered with the dead, and
the tepees are burned. Madame is
half crazed with the shock"
Barbeau took no heed, his eyes
scarce glancing at me, so eager was
he to learn details.
"The fiends were IN force, them"
"Their moccasin tracks were every
where. l could not be sure where
they entered the village, but they left
by way Of the Fox. l counted on the
sand the imprint of ten canoes"
deep and broad?"
SAY, war boats; It's likely some of
them would hold twenty warriors; the
beasts are here in force"
1t was all so still, so peaceful about
us that l felt dazed, incapable of COM
pretending u great danger. The
river swept past, its waters murmur-
ing gently, and the wooded banks
were cool and green. Not a sound
awoke the echoes, and the horror 1
had just witnessed seemed almost a
dream.
"Where are they now?"I questioned
family. "Have they gone back to
their own country?"
"Small hope of that" answered
D'Artigny, "or we would have met
with them before this, or other signs
of their passage. They are below,
either at the fort, or planning attack
on the Indian villages beyond. What
think you. Barbeau?"
81 have never been here" he said
slowly, 80 cannot tell what chance
the red devils might have against the
white men at st. Louis. But they are
below US on the river, no doubt of
that, and engaged in some hell act. I
know the Iroquois, and how they con-
duct war. Twill be well for us to
think it all out with care before we
venture farther. Come, D'Artigny,
tell me what you KNOWS the fort
one to be defended against Iroquois
raiders?"
"'Tis strong; built on a high rock,
and approachable only at the rear.
Given time, they might starve the gar
rison, Or drive them mad with thirst,
for I doubt If there be men enough
there to make sortie against a large
wal party"
But the Indian allies-the Algon-
quins?"
"One warwhoop Of an Iroquois
would scatter them like sheep. They
are no fighters, save under white lead
ership, and It's likely enough their viii
lagos are already like this yonder,
scenes of horror. I have cen all this
before, Barbeau, and this is NO mere
raid of a few scattered warriors. seek
ing adventure and scalps; tits IN or
ganized war party. The Iroquois have
learned of the trouble in New France,
of La Salle's absence from this valley
they know Of the few fighting men at
the Rock, and that De Tonty is no
longer in command. They are here
to sweep the French out Of this I'LL
nois country, and have given no warn
ing. They surprised the Indian vii
lagos first, killed every Algonquin
they could find, and are now b~esieging
the Rock. And what have they to OPP
pose them? More than they thought.
no doubt, for Cassion and De la Du-
rantaye must have reached there safe
~, yet at the best, the white defend
ers will scarcely number fifty men,
and quarreling among themselves like
mad dogs. There is but one thing for
US to do, Barbeau-reach the fort"
"Ay, but how? There will be death
now, haunting US every foot Of the
way"
D'Art1gny turned his head and his
eyes met mine questioningly.
There is a passage 1 know" he
said gravely, "below the south banks
yonder, but there will be peril in it.
peril to which I dread to expose the
lady" !.
I stood erect, no longer paralyzed
by fear, realizing my duty.
"Do not hesitate because of me,
monsieur" 1 said calmly. French
women have always done their part
and 1 shall not fail. Explain to US
your plan"
Ito Be Continued.)