The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1916-11-09
CHAPTER XIV.
The Charge of the IIIini.

1t seemed long time, yet IL could
scarcely have exceeded a 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 vague shadow.
could barely distinguish the sharp
pointed logs, and if any guard passed.
his movements were indistinguiEhable.
Had l not known where they were.
even the position Of the gates would
have been mystery. Yet lay there,
my eyes peering through the cleft in
the rock, every nerve in my body thrOb-
bing. All had been intrusted to me;
it was to be my signal which would
send D'Artigny, La Forest. and their
Indian allies forward. l must not fail
them; must do my part Whatever
the cOst-even though it be his life
nothing could absolve me from this
duty.
The Iroquois were massing toward
IllC IShlCls ulIGClly III llOlll VI lHt
closed gates. The change in formation
was made with all the stealthiness Of
Indian cunning, the warriors creeping
silently behind the cOncealing bushes.
and taking up their new positions ac-
cOrding to 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-
sionally 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 l started, lifting myself
slightly on one arm, so as to see more
clearly. Ay. the gates were opening.
slowly at first, as though the great
wooden hinges made resistance; then
the two leaves parted. and l had a
glimpse within. Two soldiers pushed
against the heavy logs, and, as they
opened wider. a dozen or more men
were revealed, leaning carelessly on
their rifles. BOisrOndet. 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,
crouching 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 l can place them in no order |
The white renegade seemed waiting, |
his arm upraised. Ere it fell in signal
to dispatch his wild crew to the slaugh- |
ter, there was a crash of rifles all |
about me, the red flare leaping into |
the gray mist-a savage yell from a
throats, and q wild rush of |
naked bodies.
saw warriors of the Iroquois fling |
up their arms and fall; l saw them
shrink and shrivel, break ranks and |
run. Surprised, stricken, terrified by
the warwhoops of the maddened Illini, |
only that they were caught |
between enemies, their one and only |
thought was escape. Two of their
chiefs were down, and the white rene |
gade, stumbling and falling as though |
also hurt, dived into the underbrush.
Before they could rally, or even COM
prehend what had occurred. their as
sailants were upon them. Leaping |
across the open. over rock and sand, |
yelling like 1ends. weapons cleaning
In the dull light, the frenzied Illini. en-
famed with revenge, maddened with
hate. flung themselves straight at
them. Rifles flashed in their faces,
tOmahawks whirled in the air, but
nothing stopped that rush. Warriors
FELL, but the others stumbled over the
naked bodies. saw D'Artigny.
stripped to his shirt, and that in rags
from the bushes he had plunged
through, his rife barrel gripped. yard
n front Of them all. saw La Forest,
,are headed, and Sequitah, his Indian
'toicism forgotten in mad blood lust.
Then they struck and were lost In
he fierce maelstrom of struggle. strik-
ng, falling, red hands gripping at red
hroats. rife butts flung high, toma-