The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1916-11-02
CHAPTER XIV.
The CHARGE Of the IlllnI.

inc OnaT8e OF NUS llllU'
II seemed long time, yet It could
scarcely have exceeded few mo
ments. for the light Of early dawn was
still dim and spectral, making those
savage figures below appear strange
and inhuman, while. through the tree
barrier, the more distant stockade was
little more than a vague shadow. I
could barely distinguish the sharp
pointed logs. and II any guard passed,
his movements were indstinguishable.
Had l not known where they were
even the position Of the gates would
have been a mystery. Yet | lay there,
my eyes peerlng through the cleft In
the rock. every nerve in my body throb-
bing. All had been intrusted TO me;
1t was to be my signal which would
send D'Artlgny, La Forest, and their
Indian allies forward. / must not fail
them; I must do my part. Whatever
the cost-even though II be his life
nothing could absolve me from this
duty.
The Iroquols were masslng toward
the center, directly In front Of the
closed gates. The change in formation
was made with all the stealthlness Of
Indian cunning, the warriors creeping
silently behind the conceallng bushes,
and taking up their new positions ac-
cording 20 motions OF their chiefs
Those having rifles loaded their weap-
ons. while others drew knives and tom
ahawks from their belts, and held them
glittering in the gray light. The white
leader remained beside the big tree,
paying no apparent heed to anything
excepting the stockade in front. The
daylight frightened, but mist clouds
overhung the valley, while floating
wreaths OF fog drIfted between the
great rock and the fort gates, occa-
slonally even obscuring the Iroquois
IN vaporous folds. There was no sound,
no sight Of those hidden below, wait
ing my word. / seemed utterly alone.
Suddenly started, lifting myself
slightly on one arm, so as 10 see more
clearly. Ay. the gates were opening,
slowly at hrst as though the great
wooden hinges made resistance; then
the two leaves parted, and | had a
glimpse within Two soldiers pushed
against the heavy logs, and, as they
opened wider. a dozen or more men
we're revealed, leaning carelessly on
their rides. Bolsrondet, bearing gun
In the hollow OF his arm, stepped for
ward into the opening, and gazed
| carelessly about over the gray, mist
shrouded scene
The arm Of the white renegade shot
into the air, and behind him the
massed Iroquois arose to their feet
crouchlng behind their cover ready to
spring. reached over the rock edge
and dropped the handkerchief
must have seen what followed, yet
do not know; the incidents seem
burned on my memory, yet are so con
fused can place them In no order
The white renegade seemed waiting
his arm upralsed. Ere It fell in sigma
to dispatch bis wild crew to the slaugh
ter. there was a crash Of rifles all
about me, the red fare leapng into
the gray mlst-a savage yell from O
hundred throats, and a wild rush Of
naked bodies.
saw warriors OF the Troquols films
up their arms and FAM I saw then
shrink and shrivel. brnk ranks ant
run. Surprised, stricken, terrified by
the warwhoops OF the maddened Illlni
realizing only that they were caugh
between enemies, their one and only
thought was escape. Two OF thei
chiefs were down. and the white rene
gade. stumbling and falling as thougI
also hurt, dived into the underbrush
Before they could rally, or even com
prehend what had occurred, their as
sallants were upon them. Leaplni
across the open. over rock and sand
yelling like hends, weapons gleaminl
In the dull Hight. the frenzled Illlnl. en-
famed with revenge, maddened witt
hate. flung themselves straight a
them. Rifles flashed In their faces
tomahawks whirled in the air. bu
nothing stopped that rush. Warrior
fell, but the others stumbled over th
naked bodies. saw D'Artlgny
stripped TO bis shirt, and that In rag
from the bushes he hac plunge,
through, his rife barrel gripped, yar
in front Of them all. saw La Forest
bare headed. and Sequltah. his India
stoicism forgotten In mad blood lus
Then they struck and were lost I
the fierce maelstrom OF struggle. strll
Ing. falling. red hands gripping at re
theoats. rife butts flung high. toms