Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1916-09-19

but in either case one thing remains
true-they anticipate no attack from
below All their vigilance is in the
other direction. A swift attack. a sur
prise. will drive them into panic. IT'S
grave risk l know, but there is no
other passage to the fort"
If we had arms, it might be done"
We'll give them no time to dis
cover what we have-a shot, a yell,
rush forward. Twill all. be over
with before a devil among them gets
his second breath. Then it's not likely
the garrison is asleep. If we once get
by there will be help in plenty to hold
back pursuit. Barbeau, creep for
ward about the bank; be a savage
now, and make no noise until | give
the word. You next madame. and
keep close enough to touch your lead
er. The instant l yell, and Barbeau
fires, the two of you leap up and rush
forward. Pay no heed to me-"
you would have US desert you.
MONSIEUR
st will be everyone for himself" he
answered shortly. 81 take my chance,
but shall not be far behind"
We clasped hands, and then, as Bar
beau advanced to the corner, 1 fol-
lowed, my only thought now to do all
that was required of me. l did not
glance backward, yet was aware
that D'Artigny was close behind.
Barhaau, lying low like a snake,
crept cautiously forward, making not
the slightest noise, and closely hug
ging the deeper shadow of the bank.
l endeavored to initiate his every mo-
ton, almost dragging my body for
ward by gripping my fingers into the
rockstrewn earth.
We advanced by inches, pausing
now and then to listen breathlessly
to the low murmur of the Indian
voices, and endeavoring to note any
change in the posture of the barely
distinguishable figures. We were
within a very few yards of them, so
close, indeed, l could distinguish the
paused, and. with deliberate caution,
rose on one knee. Realizing instantly
that he was preparing for the des-
perate leap, l also lifted my body, and
braced myself for the effort D'Artigny
touched me, and spoke but his voice
was so low it scarcely reached my
ears.
"Do not hesitate; run swift and
straight. Give Barbeau the signal"
What followed is to me a delirium
Of fever, and remains in memory in
distinct and uncertain. | reached out.
and touched Barbeau; heard the sud
den roar Of D'Artigny's voice. the
sharp report of the soldiers rifle. The
fame cut the dark as though it was
the blade of knife, and, in the swift
red glare, saw savage throw up
his arms and fall headlong, Then all
was chaos, confusion, death. Nothing
touched me, not even a gripping hand.
but there were Indian shots, giving
me glimpse of the hellish scene, of
naked bodies, long. waving hair, eyes
mad with terror, and red arms bran
dished, the rifles they bore shining in
the red glare.
saw Barbeau grip his gun by the
barrel and strike as he ran. Again
and again it fell crunching against
flesh. A savage hand slashed at him
with a cleaning knife, but 1 struck
the red arm with my pistol butt, and
the Indian fell fat, leaving the way
open. We dashed through, but Bar
beau grasped me. and thrust me ahead
of him, and whirled about. with up
lifted rife to aid D'Artigny, who faced
two warriors. naked knife in hand.
run, madame, for the FORT he
shouted above the uproar. "To my
help, Barbeau"