Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1917-01-12

4Outy outline TOT me 10 lOllOh :
Twas what | started to tell. At
the edge OF the water, but concealed
from the river by rocks, is a small hut
where we keep hidden a ready
fitted for any secret service. Twas
Sieur de Ia Sales thought that 1t
might prove Of great use In time of
siege. No doubt it is there now, just
as we left it, undiscovered of the Iro-
quols. This will bear you down the
river until daylight, when you can hide
along shore"
There is a rife?"
1.-TWO Of them, with powder and
ball" He laid his hand on the others
shoulder. There is nothing more to
say, and time is Of value. Farewell, my
friend"
Farewell" their fingers clasped.
There will be other days, Francois;
my gratitude to NJ. de Tonty." Bois-
rondet stepped back, and, hat in hand,
bowed to me.
"Adieu, madame; a pleasant Jour-
ney."
"A moment, monsieur" I said, a fall
ter in my voice. you are NJ. OAR
tlgny's friend, an officer Of France, and
a Catholic"
Eyes, madame"
"And you think that I am right in
my choice-that I am doing naught un-
worthy of my w~omanhood"
Even in the darkness I saw him
make the symbol Of the cross, before
he bent forward and kissed my hand.
Madame" he said gravely, II am
but a plain soldier, with all my service
on the frontier. I leave to the priests
the discussion Of doctrines, and to God
my punishment and reward. l can
only answer You as D'Artigny's friend.
and an officer Of France. I give you
honor and respect. and deem your love
and trust far more holy than your mar
riage. My faith, and my sword are
yours, madame"
I felt his lips upon my hand. yet
knew not he had gone. l stood there,
my eyes blinded with tears at his gal
liant words, only becoming conscious of
his disappearance when D'Artigny
drew me to him, his cheek pressed
against my hair.
"He has gone! We are alone"
Eyes, dear one; but I thank God for
those last words. They have given me
courage and faith. So my old COM
rades believe us right the criticism of
others does not move me. You love
me. Adele? You do not regretp
My arms found way about his neck:
my lips uplifted to his.
Monsieur, I shall never regret; I
trust God and you"
How he ever found his way along
that dim trail l shall never know.
Some memory Of its w~indings, together
with the instinct Of a woodsman. must
have given guidance, while no doubt
his feet, clad In soft Indian mecca
sins, enabled him to feel the faint
track, imperceivable in the darkness.
1t led along a steep bank, through low.
tangled bushes, and about great trees,
with here and there a rock thrust
across the path, compelling detour.
The branches scratched my face and
tore my dress, confusing me so that
had l not chung to his arm, l should
have been instantly lost in the gloom.
Our advance was slow and cautious,
every step taken in silence. Snakes
could not have moved with less noise,
and the %precaution was well taken.
Suddenly D'Artigny stopped, gripping
in warning. For q moment there
was no sound except the distant MUIR
muir of waters, and the chatter Of some
night bird. Yet some instinct of the
woods held the man m%otionless. listen
ing. A twig cracked to our left. and
then a voice spoke, low and rumbling.
1t sounded so close ut hand the fellow
could scarcely have been five yards
away. Another voice answered, and
we were aware of bodies, stealing
along through the wood; there was a
faint rustling Of dead leaves, and the
occasional swish of a branch. We
crouched low in the trail, fairly hold
ing u breath, every nerve tense.
There was no sound from below, but
In the other direction one warrior
l could see the dim outline of his ma
ked fgure-passed within easy reach
of my outstretched hand.
Assured that all had passed beyond
hearing D'Artigny rose to his feet, and
me to rise, his hand still grasp
ing mine.
"Iroquols, by the look Of that war
he whispered. "and enough Of
them to mean mischief"
"Twas the tongue Of the Tuscaro-
l answered. "My father taught
me a little of it years ago. The first
words spoken were a warning to be
still; the other answered that the white
men are all asleep"
"And I am not sure but that Is true.
II De Tonty was in command the walls
would be we'll guarded, but De Baugis
and Cassion know nothing of Indian
war"
"You believe 1t to be an ASSAULT"
ut hath the look; it's not Indian ma
ture to gather thus at this night hour.
without n DlirDNco Put nn1F thoro 10 |