Middletown transcript., 1916-10-28
"They will not fan. Seouitah; the

LIE llQlan T0IdeQ MS nandS across
his breast, his eyes on the two men
facing him. There was silence, but
for the slight rustic of moving bodies
in the darkness.
"Sequitah hears the voice Of his
friend" he announced at last, "and his
words sound wise. The warriors Of
the Illini will hght beside the white
men,"
There was no time lost, although I
know but little Of what occurred. be-
ing left alone there while La Forest
and D'Artigny divided the men, and
arranged the plans of advance. The
dense night shrouded much Of this
hasty preparat ton, for all could per-
ceive were fitting figures, or the black
shadoWgof warriors being grouped to-
'gethef. I could hear voices, never loud,
Isgiving swift orders. or calling to this
or that individual through the gloom.
A party tramped by me, and disap-
peared, twenty or more naked war
riOrs, headed by q bearded
Frenchman, bearing a long rihe-the
detachment, no doubt, dispatched to
guard the slope east Of the trail, and
hurried forth to cover the greater dis
| tanee.- Yet these could have scarcely
| advanced far through that jungle
when the others were also in line, wait
ing the word.
The very silence In which all this
was accomplished, the noiseless bodies.
the almost breathless attention, scarce
~ enabled me to realize the true mean
ing of 1t ALL These men were going
into battle. into death grapple. They
meant to attack five times their own
number. This was no boys play; 1t
was war. savage. relentless war. The
stern horror Of it seemed to suddenly
grip me as with icy fingers. Here was
what had read of. dreamed of, being
enacted before my very eyes. was
even a part of 1t, for was going with
them to the field of blood.
Yet how different everything was
from those former pictures Of imagina-
ton. There was no noise, no excite
ment,- no, shrfnking-just those silent,
motionless men standing in the posi-
tons assigned to them, the dim light
cleaning on their naked bodies, their
ready weapons.
heard the voices of the white men,
speaking quietly, giving last instruc-
tions as they passed along the lines.
Sequitah took his place, not two yards
from me, standing like a statue. his
face stern and emotionless. Out Of
the darkness came D'Artigny. pausing
an instant before the chief.
"All is well, Sequitah?"
"Good-'tis as the white chief
wishes"
"Then we move at once; La Forest
will guide the rear; you and will
march together. Give your warriors
the word"
He turned and took my hand.
"You will walk with me, dear one;
you are not afraidY
"Not Of the peril of coming battle"
1 answered. "T-I think hardly real
lie what that all means; but the risk
you run. Rene! If-if you win, you
will be a prisoner condemned to
DEATH"
He laughed, and bent low, SO felt
his lips brush my cheek.
"You do not understand, dear girl.
A moment and will explain-once we
are beyond the stream. Now must
see that all move together"
We advanced through the woods
down a slight incline, the Indians NOV
ing like so many phantoms. Not
branch ratified as they gEided silently
forward, not a leaf rustled beneath
the soft tread Of moccasined feet.
D'Artigny led me by the hand, aiding
me to move quietly over the uneven
ground, but made no effort to speak.
Beside us, not unlike shadow, strobe
the chief Sequitah, his stern face up
lifted, shadoWed by long black hair,
rifle gripped in his sinewy arms. We
crossed the little river, D'AFtigny bear
ing me easily in his grasp, and, on the
opposite shore, waited for the others
to follow. They came, a long line Of
dark, shadowy forms, wading cautious
Iy through the shallow water, and
ranged themselves just below the bank,
many still standing In the stream.
What light there was fiekered over
naked bodies, and revealed savage eyes
cleaning from out masses Of black
hair.
D'Artigny stepped forward on the
exposed root of q tree to where he
could see his dusky followers, and La
Forest climbed the bank and Joined
him. A moment the two men con-
ferred, turning about to question Sc
quitah. AS they separated could dis
tinguish D'Artigny's final words.
''very well, then, If it is your wish
| take command. Sequitah, hundred
warriors will follow you along the
trail-you know it well. Have your
best scouts in advance, and circle your
braves so as to make attack imDos-
sible. Your scouts viii not go beyond
the great rock except on my order.
NJ. la Forest will accompany them.
This Is elearY'
The Indian muttered response In his
own tongue; then spoke more rapidly,
and the mass Of warriors below
changed formation, the greater number
climbing the bank, and grouping
themselves in the darker shadow Of
the woods.
"Who has charge of the othersY
asked D'Artigny.
"Bastian COurtray," replied La For
est. "He is yonder."
"Then, Courtray, listen: You follow
the stream, but do not venture from
cover. Post your men below the stock
ade and wait to intercept fugitives. We