The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1917-04-12

and the two men managed TO drag IT
far enough up the bank to enable the
water to drain out. Later, aided by
a flaming torch, we looked 1t over, and
decided the canoe could be made to
float again. 1t required two days
work. however, before we ventured
TO trust ourselves to its safety.
Bat the dawn Of the third day saw
us afoat on the sluggish current, the
two men plying %improvised paddles
70 Increase our speed, while / busted
myself In keeping the frail craft free
from water by constant use OF a tin
cup.
Roth men believed there was peace
in the valley, except for the Jealousy
between the white factions at Fort st
Louis. and that the various Algonquin
tribes were living quietly in their vii
lagos under protection Of the Rock.
D'Artigny described what a wonder
full sight 1t was, looking down from
the high palisades to the broad mead
ows below, covered with tepees, and
alive with peaceful Indians. He
named the tribes which had gathered
there for protection, trusting in La
Sale. and believing De Tonty their
friend-Illini. Shawnees. Abenakies,
Miamis. M~ohegans-at n time reach
ing a total OF twenty thousand souls.
Owing to the leaking OF our canoe.
and many difficulties experienced, we
were three days In reaching the spot
where the Illinois and the Fox rivers
Joined their waters, and swept for
ward in one broad stream. The time
of our arrival at this spot was early in
the afternoon, and, as D'Artigny said
Fort st. Louis was situated scarce ten
miles below, our long journey seemed
nearly ended. We anticipated reach
Ing there before night, and, in spite
Of my fear Of the reception awaiting
us. my heart was light with hope and
expectation.
was but a girl in years, excitement
was still to me a delight, and I had
| listened TO so many tales, romantic,
wonderful, Of this wilderness fortress.
| perched upon a rock, that my vivid
lIlidRlllutloil IL WCdNNu dDouI IL ali
atmosphere Of marvel. The beauty of
the view from its palisades. the vast
%concourse Of Indians encamped on the
plains below. and those men guarding
Its safety-the faithful comrades Of
La Sale in explorations of the I'M
known. De Tonty, ~Boisrondet, and all
the others, had long since become to
my mind the incarnation of romantic
adventure. Wilderness born, | could
comprehend and appreciate their tolls
and dangers, and my dreams centered
about this great, lonely rock, on which
they had established a home. But the
end was not yet. Just below the con
huence of the rivers there was a vii
lage Of the Tamaroas, and the Prov
Of our canoe touched the bank, while
D'Artigny stepped ashore amid a
tangle Of low-growing bushes, that he
might have speech with some of the
warriors, and thus learn conditions at
the fort. With his foot on the bank.
he turned laughing, and held out his
hand to me.
Come, madame" he said, pleasant
ly, you have never seen a village Of
u western tribes; it will interest
you"
l Joined him gladly, my limbs feel
Ing awkward under me, from long
cramping in the boat, yet the climb
was not difficult, and he held back the
boughs to give me easy passage. Be-
yond the fringe of brush there was an
open space, but as we reached this,
both paused, stricken dumb by horror
at the sight which met our view. The
ground before us was strewn with
dead, and mutilated bodies, and was
black with ashes where the tepees had
been burned, and their contents scat
tered broadcast.
Never before had I seer such view
of devastation, Of relentless, savage
cruelty, and l gave utterance to a sud-
den sob, and shrank back against
D'Artigny's arm, hiding my eyes with
my hand. He stood and stared, mo-
tiOnless. breathing heavily, urcon-
sciously gripping my arm.
"Mon Dieu!" he burst forth, at last.
"What meaneth this? Are the wolves
again loose in the valley?'
lie drew me back. until we were
both concealed behind a fringe OF
leaves, his whole manner alert, every
instinct of the woodsman instantly
awakened.
Remain here hidden" he whis-
pered, until l learn the truth; we
may face grave peril below"
He left me trembling and white
Tipped, yet l made ne effort to re-
strain him. The horror Of those dead
bodies gripped me, but l would not
have him know the terror which held
me captive. With utmost caution he
crept forth, and l lay in the shadow
Of the covert, watching his move
-optc pOdv after hndv no an