The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1916-12-01

silent.
I'VE leap upon them from cover -
he asked calmly. land the white men
will sally forth 10 aii us?" '''
"'Tis so we eSpect-M. de Tonty. Is
never averse 10 fight"
Il believe in the Iron Hand; but it's
told me others command now. II they
fail. we are but few against many"
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 Illlni Will fight beside the white
men," 90
There was no time lost. although I
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 | could per
ceiye were flitting figures. or the black
shadow of warriors being grouped to
gether. could hear voices. never loud.
giving swift orders. or calling Co this
or that individual through the gloom.
A party tramped 10y me. and disap-
peared. twenty or more naked war
riors. headed by a black!heardcd
Frenchman, bearing long rine-the
detachment. mo doubt dispatched To
guard the slope east Of the trail. and
hurried forth 20 cover the greater dis
tance. 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 IL all. These men were going
into battle. into death grapple. They
meant 10 attack five times their own
number This was no boys playj II
was war. savage. relentless war. The
stern horror OF IL seemed TO suddenly
grip me as with Icy fingers. Here was
what had read of, deamed OF, being
enacted before my very eyes. l wis
even part OF IL. for was going with
them to the field OF blood. ''
Yet how different everything was
from those former pictures of imagIna-
ton. There was no noise. no excite
ment, no shfinking--iust those silent
motionless men standing lin the posi-
tions assigned To thom. the dim light
cleaning on their naked bodies. their
ready weapons. "rw o.,
| 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 statue his
face stern and emotionless. out of
the darkness came D'Artigny. pauslng
an instant before the chief.
"All ls well. Sequitah?"
"Good-'tis az the white chlcf
wishes"
"Then we move at once; In Forest
Will guide tie 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"
"Not OF the peril OF coming battle"
I answered. II think hardly real
ize what that all means; but the risk
you run. Renel If-if you win, you
will be prisoner condemned TO
death" rrd
He laughed, and bent low, so felt
his lips brush my check.
"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 slight incline. the Indians NOV
ing like so many phantoms Not n
branch ratified as they glhed silently
forward. not a leaf rustied beneath
the soft tread OF moccasined feet.
D'Artlgny led me by the hand. aiding
me 10 move quietly over the uneven
ground, but made no effort TO speak.
Beside us, not unlike n shadow, strobe
the chief Sequhah, his stern face up
lifted. shadowed by long black hair. IN
rife gripped In his sinewy arms. We
crossed the little river, D'Artigny bear
ing me easily In his grasp and on the
opposite shore, waited for the others
20 follow. They came. long line OF
dark, shadowy forms wadlng cautious
ly through the shallow wafer, aud
ranged themselves just below the bank
mauy still standing in the stream.
what light there was nickered over
naked bodies. and revealed savage eyes
cleaning from out masses OF block
hair.
D'Artlgny stepped forward on the
exposed root Of tree 10 whore. be
could see his dusky followers, and la
Forest climbed the bank and Joined
him. 4 moment the two men con-
ferred, turning about 70 question Se-
Quitah. As they separated ] could dis
tingulsh D'Artigny's final words.
VERY well. then. n IL Is your wish
take command. Sequitah, hundred
warriors will follow you along the
trail-you know N well. Have your