The state herald., 1916-12-29
CHAPTER XVII.
We Attack the savapes.

We Attack the savaaes.
II was already 90 dark that the SOL
dier was almost upon us before ! per-
ceived his shadow. but It was evident
enough from his first words that hs
had overheard none Of our converse
tion.
There are no Indians In the vii
lage," he said gruffiy, leaning on his
gun and staring at us. II got across
to a small island, along the trunk Of
dead tree. and had good view Of the
whole bank yonder. The tepees stand.
but not a squaw nor a dog is left"
-Were there any canoes in sight
along the shoreT
"Only one, broken beyond repair"
'@Then. rs read the story. the tribe
hed down the stream. either to join
the others on the Illinois. or the whites
at the fort. They were evidently not
attacked, but had news OF the com.
ing Of the Iroquois. and escaped with
out waiting to give battle. IT'S not
likely the wolves will overlook this
village long. Are we ready to go for
wardr
He disappeared In the darkness.
vanishing silently. and We stood mo-
tionless waiting our turn to advance.
Neither spoke. Barbeau leaning for
ward. his gun extended. alert md
ready. The intense darkness, the
quiet night. the mystery lurking amid
those shadows beyond. all combined to
arouse within me sense Of danger.
could feel the swift pounding Of my
heart. and I clasped the sleeve OF the
soldiers jacket merely TO assure my
self of his actual presence. The pres
sure OF my fingers caused him to
glance about.
"Do not be frightened. madame"
he whispered encouraglnely. There
would be firing yonder II the Iroquois
blocked our path"
"Fear not for me-" answered. sur
prlsed at the s:eadiness OF my voice.
ut is the lonely silence which makes
me shrink. us soon as we advance
shall have my nerve again. Have we
not waited long enonghT
"Ay, come: but be careful where
you place your feet"
He led the way. walking with such
slow caution. that. although followed
step by step. not a sound reached my
ears. We circled about large rocks.
and up n ravIne, through which W"
found barely room fo- passage. the
walls rising steep and high on either
side II was Intensely dark down
there. vet impossible for us to escape
the trail. and AT the end OF that pas
sage we emerged into nm open space.
incloscd with woods, and having grit
NJ sand underfoot. Here the trail
seemed 10 disappear. but Bnrbcau
struck straight across. and In the for
cst shade beyond we found D'ArtiGny
waiting.
APO not shoot" he whispered. ~
vns nfrald you might mlsJuige the
way hero. ms the sand leaves no clear
trace The rest OF the passage IL
through the woods. and up steep
hin. You are not greatly wcnrted,
bindameT
"Oh. no; ! have made some false
stems In the dark. but the pace has
been slow. DO we approach the fortT'
"a half league beyond; hundred
Yards more. and We begin the climb.
There we will be In the zone OF dan
ger. although thus fnr ! perceive no
sign OF indian presence. Have you
Bnrbcnuf'
"Nonc except this feather OF war
bonnet l picked up at the big rock
below"
"A fca,hcrl Il II froduoisT
at Ia cut square. and no Algonquin
ever does that"
"Ay. let me sc-' You are right. Bar
Leau, twas dropped from Tuscnrorn
wnr bonnet. T'hcp the wolves have
been this way
We crosscd the wood, md began TO
,,,mb among Ioos. stones, finally ind
Ing solid rock beneath our feet. the
nath sklrting the edge Of what seemed
10 hc a deep rnsh In the earth. mud
winding about wherever It could hnd
n,ssaee. The wnv grew sleeper ANA
s,ecper. and more 1.flcplt to Traverse
.i,houyh. ns we thus rose above the
,.sa limit. the shadows became lesn
S.n.. and W. wers able dlmly to per