The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1917-06-07

great rock and the fort gates. occa-
sionally even obscuring the Iroquois
in 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 on one arm, so as to see more
clearly. Az. the gates were opening.
slowly at first, as though the great
wooden hinges made resistance: then
the two leaves parted, and l had q
glimpse within. Two soldiers pushed
against the heavy logs, and, as they
opened wider, a dozen or 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 theiv feet,
c~rouching behind their cover ready to
spring. I reached over the rock edge,
and dropped the handkerchief.
I must have seen what followed, yet
I do not know; the incidents seem
burned or 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 signal
to dispatch his wild crew to the slaugh-
ter, there was a crash of rifles all
about me, the red flare leaping into
the gray mist-a savage yell from a
hundred throats, and a wild rush OF
naked bodies.
saw warriors Of the noquois ding
up their arms and fall; I saw them
run. Surprised, stricken, terrified by
the warwhoops Of the maddened Illini,
realizing only that they were caught
between enemies, their n and only
thought was escape. Two OF their
chiefs were down, and the white rene
gade, stumbling and falling as though
also hurt, dived into the underbrush.
Before they could rally. or even COM
prehend what had occurred, their as
sailants were upon them. Leaping
across the open, over rock and sand,
yelling like fiends, weapons cleaning
In the dull light, the frenzied Illini, en-
famed with revenge, maddened with
hate, flung themselves straight at
them. Rifles flashed in their faces,
~tomahawks whirled in the air, but
nothing stopped that rush. Warriors
fell, but the others stumbled over the
naked bodies. 1 saw D'Artigny,
stripped to his shirt, and that in rags
from the bushes he had plunged
through, his rife barrel gripped, a yard
bare headed, and Sequitah, his Indian
stoicism forgotten in mad blood lust.
Then they struck and were lost in
the fierce maelstrom Of struggle, strik-
Ing, falling, red hands gripping at red
throats, rifle butts flung high, toma-
hawks dealing the death blow, knives
cleaning as sinewy arms drove them
home. l could not longer distinguish
enemy from friend; they were inter
locked, struggling like mad dogs, fight
Ing as devils might, a wild, tangled
mass OF bodies, OF waving hair, Of
blazing eyes, of uplifted steel
The %Iroquois had rallied from their
first shock; already they realized the
small number Of the attackers. Those
who had fed were turning back; those
on either flank were running toward
the scene Of fight. I saw the white
renegade burst from the press, urging
these laggards forward. Scarcely had
he attained the outer edge, when D'Ar-
tigny fought his way forth also, tear
ing the mass asunder with sweep Of
rifle. They stood face to face, glazing
into each others eyes.
The rifle in D~'Artigny's hand was
but a twisted bar of iron; the rene
gade's only weapon was a murderous
knife, it's point REDEEMED with blood.
What word was said, l know not, but
l saw D'Artigny fling his bar aside,
and draw the knife at his belt. Mon
Dieu! l could not look; l know not
how they fought; 1 hid my eyes and
prayed. When I glanced up again
both were gone, the fighting mass was
surging owe the spit-but the Iroquois
were In flight, seeking only some
means Of escape, while out through the
fort gates the soldiers Of the garrison
were coming On a run, pouring volleys
Of lead into the fleeing savages. saw
De Tonty, De Baugis, De la Duran
taye-ay! and there was NJ. Cassion.
back among the stragglers, waving his
sword CALAMITY IL the air. 1t was all
over with SO quickly I could but sit
and stare; they ran past me in pur-
suit, wild yells echoing through the
woods, but all I thought of then was
NJ. d'Artigny. I scrambled down the
rock, falling heavily in my haste, yet
once upon my feet again, rushed forth,
reckless Of danger. The ground was
strewn with dead and wounded, the
victorious Illini already scattered in
merciless, headlong pursuit. Only a
group Of soldiers remained at the edge
OF the forest. Among these were De
Tonty and La Forest. Neither noticed
my approach until I faced them.
"what. madame" exclaimed De
Tonty. you here alsoT" he paused as
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