The state herald., 1917-01-26
CHAPTER xxllI-centInusd.


IL
clung to his hands, staring back
still at the grim outline Of the silent
fort. I understood his thoughts. his
desire to aid bis comrades; but, for q
moment my mind was a blank.
could not let him go alone to almost
certain death. No. nor would he aban-
don me on such a mission! Was there
no ether way by which we could server
Suddenly a thought crept into my
mind.
Monsieur" asked breathlessly.
where do you suppose those Illini In
dians to be?"
"Back from the river. in a glen Of
caves and rocks"
"How far from here7"
"Four or fve miles: there Is a trail
from the mouth of the creek"
"And you know the way? and there
might be many warriors there7 they
will remember you. and obey your or
dersT"
He Strengthened up, aroused as the
full meaning Of my questioning oc-
Cured to him.
"Ay. there Is a chance there. II we
nnd them in time, and in force enough
10 make forat. sacre! I know not
why such thought has not come to me
before. Could we but fall on those
devils from the rear In surprise, even
with third Of their number. they
would run like cats. Mon Dieu! I
thank you for the thought"
We plunged into the forest, no longer
sndeavoring to advance silently, but
inspired with desire to achieve our
goal as soon as possible. At the mouth
of stream entering the river, DAT
tigny picked me up In his arms and
waded across. On the opposite bank
he sought eagerly on hands and knees
for the old trace he dimly remembered.
At last he stood erect.
"Ay, lass, It's here to be easily fol-
lowed. What hour do you make 1t
nowT"
about three"
$50 I would have said: ana tbs not
daylight until after nve. We can scarce
make II, yet we will Try"
II was not as dark here away from
the gloom Of the Rock; the forest was
open. and yet I will never know how
D'Artigny succeeded In following that
dim tfail at so rapid a gait. As for
me. I could see nothing Of any path.
and merely followed him blindly. not
even certain Of the nature Of the
ground under my feet. Again and
again tripped over some obstacle-a
root. a tuft Of grassland continually
unnoted branches tapped against my
face. Once I fell prone. yet 80 Noise
lessly that Rene passed beyond view
before be realized my misfortune. and
returned to help me regain my feet.
Not until then. I think. did he COM
prehend the rapidity of his movements.
"Your pardon, dear GIRL" and his lips
brushed my hair, a. he held me in his
arms. ~ forgot all but our comrades
yonder. The night IL dark to your
eyes"
"I can see nothing" I confessed ~
gretfuliy, yet you have no diniculty."
"'Tis q woodsman's training. I have
followed many q dim trail In dark for
ests. and this IL 20 plain could keep
to II on q run II necessary. All! the
fort is awake and vigilant-that was
ride fire."
had not only heard the sharp re-
ports but seen the dash Of IRE cleaving
the darkness.
"The discharges came from the
woods yonder-they were Indian guns.
monsieur. See! those two last were
from the stocknde; could perceive the
logs In the fare"
"Ay. and that In all: the lads will
waste no ammunition In the gloom. ex-
cept to tell the savagcs they are awake
and ready"
How far have We Travelled. mon.
sieur3'
"A mile. perhaps. At the crooked
oak yonder we leave the stream. You
met with no harm when you feilr'
mo more than . bruiss. I can 20
on now"
We turned to the right. and plunged
into the thicket, the way now 30 black
that I grnsped his Jacket In fear OF
becoming lost. We were ciambering up
4 slight hill, cnreless Of everything but
our footing. when there was q sudden
rustiing Of the low branches on either
side our path. D'Artigny stopped,
thrusting me back. while at that very
instant indistinct forms seemed to leap
forth from tho covert. II occurred 20
quickly. 80 silently. that before even
realized danger. hc was struggling
mndly with the assnilantH. heard the
crash Of blows, an oath Of surprise. q
cultural exclamation. 4 groan Of pain.
Hnnds Eripped me savageiy; felt
naked bodies, struggled wildly 70
escape. but was dung helplessly to the
ground. q hand Erasping my hair. I
oould sec nothing. only confused mass
Of legs and arms, but D'Artixny was
still on his feet, atr,isgiing desperately.