The state herald., 1917-02-02

the
Frontier
by RANDALL PARRISH
: A Romance Of Early Days
In the Middle West
Asthee si skssA d ths Bsrdsf." "My
Lady si Doabt," "Ths Maid
n ~ Forest" etc.
CHAPTER xxIv-cen.lnusd.
Copyrxhs. 4. c. Mcclurs 4 Co.


whelming me. My 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 I forgot where 1
was, my weird, ghastly 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 reverle. and
his silence drew me closer-the steady
pressure of his arm brought me peace.
Suddenly before US loomed the shad-
ow Of the great rock. which rose a
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-
psctant the Indians scarcely ventur-
ing to breathe, the two white men con-
versing In whispers. sequitah stood
motionless a. q statue, his lips tightly
closed.
"Your scouts ventured no fartherr
questioned D'Artlgny.
"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 would see with my
own eyes. There is crevice here. ms
remember. to give foothold. Ay, here
It Is. an easy passage enough. Come.
In Forest, a glance ahead will make
clear my plans"
The two clambered up noiselessly.
and outstretched themselves on the dat
surface above. The dawn frightened,
almost imperceptibly, 80 I could dis
tinguish the savage forms on either
side. some standing, some squatting on
the grass. all motionless but alert.
their weapons cleaning. their cruel
eyes glittering from excitement La
Forest descended cautiously and turned
toward me.
madame, D'Artigny would have you
Join him."
Surprised at the request 1 rested my
foot In his hand. and crept forward
along the smooth surface until I lay
beside Rene. He glanced aside into
my face.
do not lift your head" he whis-
percd. "Peer through this cleft In the
stone"
Before US was a narrow opening,
devoid Of vegetation. a sterile patch Of
stone and sand. and beyond this a
fringe OF trees. matted with under
brush below 80 rs to make good screen.
but sufficiently thlnned out above. 30
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" whispered timidly,
''you can never attnck; there are too
many"
"Thcy appear more numerous thnn
they are" he answered confidently,
"but II will be q stiff nght. Not all
Tuscnroras either: there are Eries yon.
der to the right. and n few renegade
Mohawks with them. Look. by the foot
Of that big tree. the fellow In war bon.
net and dccrskin shirt-what make
you Of himf"
"A white man In spite Of his paint
"'T'was my guess also. I thought II
likely they had renegade with them.
for this IL not Indian strategy. La
Forest was Of the same opinion, al.
though twas too dark when hc was
here for ~ to make sure"
"For what are they waiting and
watchingf'
The gates to open. no doubt. II
they suspect nothing within. they will
send out Q party soon to reconnolter
the trail. and reach the river below for
water. II In tho custom. and. no doubt.
these devils know. and will wait their
chance. They uree the inggards now" !"
We lay and watched them, his hand
clasping mine. Those warriors who
had been lying prone rose to their
knees, and. weapons In hand, crouchcd
for . spring: the chiefs scattered. care.
ful to kssp coscesled behind cover
Not q mound reached us. every move.
ment noiseleas. the orders conveyed BY
gesture Of the hand. D'ArtiRny pressed
ny nnsers.
"Action will esms soon" he contin'
ued. his lips At my ear. "and I must
b. rcndy below to take the lead. You
oan servs us best here. Adele: there
IL no safer spot n yon iic low. You
have = bit of cioth--n hnndkcrchiefr r
Yes. monsieur"
Then watch the fort gates. and II
fou Gee them opcu drop tho cloth oy es