The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1916-10-26

The Indian folded his hands 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.
"Sequltah hears the voice Of his
friend" he announced at last. "and his
words sound wise. The warriors or
the Illini win fight beside the white
men,"
There was no time lost, although
know but little of what occurred. be
Ing left alone there while La Forest
and D'Artlgny divided the men, and
arranged the plans OF advance. The
dense night shrouded much OF this
hasty preparation, for all ! could per
ceIve were fitting figures. or the black
shadow OF warriors being grouped to
gether. could hear voices, never loud,
giving 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 a black-bearded
Frenchman, bearing a long rlie-the
detachment, no doubt, dispatched to
guard the slope east OF the trail, and
hurried forth to cover the greater dis
tance. Yet these could have scarcely
advanced far through that jungle
when the others were also In line, walt
Ing the word.
The very silence in which all this
was accomplished. the noiseless bodies.
the almost breathless attention. scarce
ly enabled me to realize the true mean.
ing Of II ALL These men were going
Into battle. into a death grapple. They
meant to attack Ave times their own
number. This was no boys play; II
was war. savage. relentless war. The
stern horror Of II 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 II, for was going with
them to the field Of blood.
Yet how different everything was
from those former pictures OF lmagina-
tlon. There was no noise, no excite
ment, no shrlnking-lust those silent,
mOtionless men standing In the posi-
tions 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 lnstruc-
tlons as they passed along the lines.
Sequitah took his place, not two yards
from me. standing like statue. his
face stern and emotionless. Out OF
the darkness came D'Artigny, pauslng
an instant before the chief.
"All ls well. Sequltah?"
"Good-'tls 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 afraid?"
mot Of the peril OF coming battle"
! answered. I'll think hardly real
ize what that all means; but the risk
you run. Rene! If--if you win. you
will be prisoner condemned to
death"
He laughed. and bent low, 80 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 Hike so many phantoms. Not a
branch ratified as they gllded silently
forward, not a leaf rustled beneath
the soft tread Of moccaslned feet.
D'Artlgny led me by the hand. aiding
me TO move quietly over the uneven
ground but made no effort to speak.
Beside US, not unlike q shadow. strobe
the chief Sequltah. his stern face up
lifted. shadowed by long black hair. n
rifle grlpped In his sinewy arms. We
crossed the little river, D'Artlgny bear
Ing me easily In his grasp. and, on the
opposite shore. waited for the others
10 follow. They came, long line OF
dirk. shadowy forms, wadlng cautious
ly through the shallow water. and
ranged themselves Just below the bank,
many still standing In the stream.
what light there was hlekered over
naked bodies. aud revealed savage eyes
cleaning from out masses OF black
hair.
D'Artigny stepped forward on the
exposed root OF a 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
quitoh As they separated | could dis.
tlnguish D'Artlgny's final words.
Every we'll then. II 1t is your wish
| take command. SeQultah, a hundred
warriors will follow you along the
trail-you know II well. Have your
best scouts In advance, and circle your
braves 20 as TO make attack impos-
sible. Your scouts win not 20 beyond
the great rock except on my order
NJ. Ia Forest will accompany them
This Is clearT"
The Indian muttered response In his
own tongue; then spoke more rapidly
and the mass OF warriors below
changed formation. the greater numbei
climbing the bank. and grouplne
themselves in the darker shadow oil
the woods
"wbo has charge OF the othersY
asked D'Artlgny.
"BastiAn Courtray," replied Ia For