Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1916-10-05
CHAPTER XIV.
The CHARGE of the Ijni,

1t seemed a long time, yet it 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 nor than a vague shadow. |
could barely distinguish the sharp
pointed logs, and if any guard passed,
his movements We're indistinguishable.
Had l not known where they were,
even the position of the gates would
have been a mystery. Yet l lay there,
my eyes peering through the cleft in
the rock, every nerve in my body throb-
bling. 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
the center, directly in front of the
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 &C.
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
il vaporous folds. There was no sound,
no sight, of those hidden below, wait
ing my word. l seemed utterly alone.
Suddenly I started, lifting myself
slightly vi JIG ILl1 81 dS W oNC lOI Z
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 oil 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. l 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 I can place them in no order
The white renegade seemed waiting
his arm appraised. Ere it fell in sigma
to dispatch his wild crew to the slaugh.
ter. there was a crash of rifles al
about me, the red fare leaping into
the gray mist-a savage yell from {
hundred throats, and a wild rush Of
naked bodies.
/ saw warriors Of the %Iroquois fins
up their arms and fall; l saw then
| shrink and shrivel, break ranks ant
run. Surprised, stricken, terrified b.
the warwhoops of the maddened Tllini
realizing only that they were caugh
between enemies, their one and onl!
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
sailants were upon them. Leapin,
across the open, over rock and sand
yelling like fends, weapons cleaning
In the dull light, the frenzied Illini, 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 tn,
naked bodies. | saw D'Artigny
stripped to his shirt, and that in rag
from the bushes he had plunget
through, his rife barrel gripped, a var,
In front Of them all. ] saw La Forest
bare headed, and Sequitah, his India
stoicism forgotten in mad blood lust
Then they struck and were lost Il
the fierce maelstrom Of struggle, strik
Ing, falling, red hands gripping at re,
threats. rife butts lung high. tomn