The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1917-05-24
CHAPTER XXI.
We Reach the River.

III Is luIt, anu we iluSt iOt iliSC
here" he insisted, touching D'Artigny'
sleeve. 1.-THE guard may discover you
absence, Rene, before we get beyond
the stockade. Yet how can we ge
madame safely over the logs"
"she must venture the same as we
Follow me closely, and tread witt
care"
So dark was the night ] was Obliged
to trust entirely to D'Artigny's guild
ance. but 1t was evident that both men
were familiar with the way. and had
thoroughly considered the best method
OF escape. No doubt De Tonty and
his young lieutenant had arranged all
details, so as to assure success. We
traversed the fiat roofs Of the chain OF
log houses along the west side Of the
stockade until we came to the end.
The only light visible was q dull glow
OF embers before the guardhouse near
the center of the parade, which re-
vealed a group Of soldiers on duty.
The stockade extended some distance
beyond where we halted, crouched low
on the fat roof to escape being seen.
There would be armed men along that
wall, especially near the gates, guard
ing against attack. but the darkness
gave us no glimpse. There was no
firing, no movement to be perceived.
The two men crept to the edge, and
looked cautiously over, and / chung
close to D'Artigny, rvo from the
silence, and afraid to become separat.
ed. Below us was the dense blackness
of the gorge.
This ls the spot" whispered D'Ar-
tigny, land nc alarm yet. How far
to the rocks?"
"De Tonty figured the distance at
forty feet below the stockade; we have
fifty feet Of rope here. The rock shelf
is narrow, and the great risk will be
not to stop Off In the darkness. There
should be an iron ring here somewhere
-ay, here 1t is; help me draw the knot
taut. Rene"
"Do we-do we go down here, mon
sieur" ! questioned. my voice falter.
ing.
"Here, or not Mt all; there are guards
posted yonder every two yards. This
is II only chance to escape unseen
Boisrondet tested the rope. letting II
slip slowly through his hands down
into the darkness below, until it hung
at full length. 1T does not touch" he
said, "yet It cannot lack more than a
foot or two. Faith! We must take the
risk. l go first Rene-hush! it's best
so-the lady would prefer that you
remain, while I test the passage. The
devil himself may be waiting there
He gazed down, balancing himself on
the edge, the cord gripped In his hands.
"Now mind my word; once on the
rock below, I will signal with three
jerks on the cord. Haul up then slow
", 30 as to make no noise; make a
noose for the lady's foot. and lower her
with carr You have the strengthY"
"Ay, for twice her weight"
"Good: there will be naught to fear
madame. for I will be below to aid
your footing. When I give the signal
again Rene will descend and Join u.s.
'The rope is to be left dangling?"
"Only until I return. Once lea We
vou safe beyond the 1roquois, tbs my
part to climb this rope again. Some
task that" cheerfully, yet De Tonty
deems 1t best that no evidence connect
rs with this escape. What make You
the hour?"
Between n ana two"
(which will give me time before
day dawn; 80 here, l chance it."
He swung himself over the edge, and
slipped silently down into the black
mystery. We leaned over to watch.
but could see nothing, our only evil
dence Of his progress the jerking Of the
cord. D'Artigny's hand closed on mine.
"Dear," he whispered tenderly. I'VE
are alone now-you are sorryY
II am happier than l have we been
n my life," ] answered honestly. II
have done what / believe to be right,
ana trust God. All I care to know now
h that you love me-"
with every throb Of my heart
be said solemnly. 1T II my love which
makes me dread lest you regret"
s.That win never be, monsieur; l
IN Of the frontier. and do not fear the
twopds. ALL he has reached the rock
pafoly-'tts the signal"
D,ArtiSny drew up the cord, testing
& TO make sure the strands held 1rm.
md made careful MOOSE, into which hs
my loot
Snow. Adele, Jon ars readyr'
ssXoa swpetheart; kiss mo nrst."
sssxOu have no fearYs
mot Win your strong hands 70 sup
~ hpt ~ not keoo me- w1atang long
Nv. it'll wasIfE1Ghtonsd - I swung
y INTO 1tioeaE wa cinglng D.
Io1ntDly t1et s1lGht fopes steadily
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