Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1916-09-28

They will not fail. sequitah; they
are Frenchmen."
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 Of
the Illini will 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'Artigny divided the men, and
arranged the plans of advance. The
dense night shrouded much of this
hasty preparation, for all I could per,
ceive were fitting figures, or the black
shadow of warriors being grouped to-
gether. I 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
F~renchman, bearing a long ri1e-the
detachment, no doubt, dispatched to
guard the slope east of the trail, and
hurried forth to cover the greater dis
lance. 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
ly enabled me to realize the true mean
ing of it 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; 1t
was war, savage, relentless war. The
stern horror of it seemed to suddenly
grip me as with icy fingers. Here was
what l had read of, dreamed of, being
enacted before my very eyes. l was
even a part of it, for was going with
them to the field Of blood.
let uUW ulltIeuI CNCl IllhS "o'
from those former pictures of imagina-
ton. There was no noise, no excite
ment, no shrinking-iust those silent,
m~otionless men standing in the posi-
tons assigned to them, the dim light
cleaning on their naked bodies. their
ready weapons.
l heard the voices of the white men,
speaking quietly, giving last instruc-
tons as they passed along the lines.
Sequitah took his place, not two yards
from me, standing like a statue. his
face stern and em%otionless, Out Of
the darkness came D'Artigny, pausing
an instant before the chief.
"All is well, Sequitah?
"Good-'tls as the white chief
wishes"
"Then we move at once; La Forest
will guide the rear; you and l 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?"
"Not of the peril of coming battle"
I answered. 81 think l hardly real
lie what that all means; but the risk
you run. Rene! Tiff you win, you
will be a prisoner condemned to
DEATH" -
He laughed, and bent low, so l felt
his lips brush my cheek.
"You do not understand, dear girl
A moment and l will explain-once we
are beyond the stream. Now IAmusf
see that all move together"
We advanced through the woods
down a slight incline, the Indians NOV
ing like so many phantoms. Not q
branch ratified as they glided silently
forward, not a leaf rustled beneath
the soft tread Of moccasined feet
D'Artigny led me by the hand, aidins
me to move quietly over the unever
ground, but made no effort to speak
; Beside us, not unlike a shadow, strod'
| the chief Sequitah, his stern face up
lifted, Swallowed by long black hair,
rifle gripped in his sinewy arms. W,
crossed the little river, D'Artigny bear
ing me easily in his grasp, and, on tn
! opposite shore, waited for the other
to follow. They came, a long line o
E dark, shadowy forms, wading cautious
ly through the shallow water, an,
e ranged themselves just below the bank
| many still standing In the stream
, What light there was fickered owe
naked bodies, and revealed savage eye
cleaning from out masses Of blacI
hair.
D'Artigny stepped forward on tn
exposed root Of a tree to where h
could see his dusky followers, and L
Forest climbed the bank and joine
him. A moment the two men COL
ferred, turning about to question 81
quitah. AS they separated I could dis
tinguish D'Artigny's final words.
Every well, then, If it is your wis
1 take command. Sequitah, a hundre
warriors will follow you along th
4 trail-you know 1t well. Have you
A best scouts in advance, and circle you
braves so as to make attack impo'
slble. Your scouts will not go beyon
4 the great rock except on my orde
NJ. la Forest will accompany then
This is clearp
4 The Indian muttered response in h
" own tongue; then spoke more rapid,
VI and the mass Of warriors belo'
n changed formation, the greater numbt
II climbing the bank. and groupin
N themselves In the darker shadow {
the woods.
Y "Who has charge of the others
. asked D'Artgny.
"Bastian Courtray," replied La Fo
y est. "He Is yonder."
"Then. ConrtraY. listen: You folio