Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1917-01-19
CHAPTER xxIv-contlnued.
Copyright. A. c. Mcciurg & Co.

b
I cannot describe my feelings-joy,
sorrow, memory of the past over
whelming me. Ny eyes were wet with
tears. and could find no words. DAT
tigny seemed to understand, yet he
made no effort to speak. merely hold
Ing me close with his strong arm. So
In silence. our minds upon the past and
the future, we followed the savages
through the black night along the dim
trail. For the time l forgot where
was. my weird, CHASTITY surroundings,
the purpose Of our stealthy advance,
and remembered only my father, and
the scenes Of childhood. He must
have comprehended, for he made no
attempt to interrupt my reverie, and
his silence drew me closer-the steady
pressure Of his arm brought me peace.
Suddenly before us doomed the shad-
ow of the great rock, which rose
mighty barrier across the trail. its crest
outlined against the sky. The Indians
had halted here, and we pressed for
ward through them, until we came to
where the chief and La Forest waited.
There was a growing tinge of light In
the eastern sky, enabling us to perceive
each others faces. All was tense, ex-
pectant, the Indians scarcely ventur-
ing to breathe, the two white men con-
versing In whispers. Sequltah stood
motionless as a statue, his lips tightly
closed.
Your scouts ventured no fartherY
questioned D'Artigny.
"No; twas not safe; one man scaled
the rock. and reports the Iroquois
just beyond"
'They hide in covert where I sus-
pected them; but l would see with my
own eyes. There is crevice here, as
remember, to give foothod. Ay. here
1t is. an easy passage enough. Come.
La Forest, a glance ahead will make
clear my plans"
The two clambered up noiselessly,
and outstretched themselves on the fiat
surface above. The dawn frightened,
almost imperceptibly, so l could dis
tinguish the savage forms on either
side, some standing, some squatting on
tue 6idSct I'LL uOltOnlCoS Uul
their weapons cleaning, their cruel
eyes glitterlng from excitement. La
Forest descended cautiously and turned
toward me.
Madame, D'Artigny would have you
Join him."
Surprised at the request rested my
foot In bis hand, and crept forward
along the smooth surface until 1 lay
beside Rene. He glanced aside into
my face.
do not lift your head" he whls-
pered. peer through this cleft in the
stone"
Before us was a narrow opening.
devoid of vegetation, sterile patch of
stone and sand, and beyond this
fringe of trees, matted with under
brush below so as to make good screen,
but sufficiently thinned out above, so
that. from our elevation, we could look
through the interlaced branches across
the cleared space where the timber had
been chopped away to the palisades of
the fort. The first space was filed
with warriors, crouching behind the
cover OF underbrush. Most of these
were lying down, or upon their knees.
watchfully peering through toward the
fort gates. but few were standing. or
moving cautiously about bearing word
Of command.
Monsieur" l whispered. timidIy.
you can never attack; there are too
many"
'They appear more numerous than
they are" he answered confidently,
~but 1t will be a stir fight. Not all
Tuscaroras either; there are Fries yon-
der to the right, and few renegade
Mohawks with them. Look, by the foot
Of that big tree. the fellow in war bon
net and deerskin shlrt-what make
you of him7"
"a white man in spite of his paint"
"'Twas my guess also. thought 1t
likely they had renegade with them,
for this is not Indian strategy. La
Forest was of the same opinion, al
though twas too dark when he was
here for US to make sure"
"For what are they waiting and
watching?"
1.-THE gates to open. no doubt. If
they suspect nothing within, they will
send out party soon to reconnolter
the trail, and reach the river below for
water. II is the custom. and, no doubt,
these devils know, and will wait their
chance. They urge the laggards now"
We lay and watched them. his hand
cIasping mine. Those warriors who
had been lying prone rose to their
knees. and. weapons in hand, crouched
for spring: the chiefs scattered, care
full to keep concealed behind cover.
Not sound reached US. every move
ment noiseless. the orders conveyed by
gesture Of the hand D'Artigny pressed
my fingers.
action will come soon." he contin-
ued. his lips at my ear, land I must
be ready below to take the lead. You
can serve US best here. Adele; there
Is no safer spot IL you lie low. You