The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1917-05-31

the eastern sky, enabling us to perceive
each others faces. All was tense, ex-
pectant, the Indians scarcely ~ventur-
Ing to breathe, the two white men con-
versing in whispers. Sequitah stood
motionless as q statue, his lips tightly
closed.
"Your scouts ventured no farther?'
questioned D'Artigny.
"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, as I
remember, to give foothold. Ay, here
1t is, an easy passage enough. Come,
La Forest, a glance ahead will make
clear my plans"
The two clambered up noiselessly,
and outstretched themselves on the fiat
surface above. The dawn frightened,
almost imperceptibly, so 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 I 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-
pered. "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 so as to. make good screen,
but sufficiently thinned out above, so
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,
w~atchfully peering through toward the
fort gates, but a few were standing, or
moving cautiously about bearing word
Of command.
Monsieur" I whispered timidly,
"you can " attack; there are too
many"
"They appear more numerous than
they are" he answered confidently,
"but 1t will be a stiff fight. Not all
Tuscaroras either; there are Fries yon-
der to the right, and a few renegade
Mohawks with them. Look, by the foot
Of that big tree, the fellow in war bon
net and deerskin shirt-what make
you Of him?"
"a white mar in spite of his paint"
"'Twas my guess also. I thought it
likely they had a renegade with them,
for this Is not Indian strategy. La
Forest was Of the same opinion, al
though twas too dark when he was
here for us to make sure"
For what are they waiting and
watchingY
1.-The gates to open, no doubt. If
they suspect nothing within, they will
send out a party soon to ~reconnoiter
the trail, and reach the river below for
water. 1t Is the custom, and, no doubt,
these devils know, and will wait their
chance. They urge the ~laggards now"
We lay and watched them, his hand
o1o cptnn NINA Thnso rvs rria ~, r-I0
had been lying prone rose to their
knees, and, weapons in hand, crouched
for a spring; the chiefs scattered, care
full to keep concealed behind cover.
Not a sound reached us, every move
ment noiseless, the orders conveyed by
gesture of the hand. D'Artigny pressed
my fingers.
"Action will come soon," he contin-
ued, his lips at my ear, "and I must
be ready below to take the lead. You
can serve us best here, Adele; there
is no safer spot If you lie low. You
have a bit of cloth-a handkerchief
Eyes, monsieur"
"Then watch the fort gates, and II
yOo sec lueul open uIOp uc CIV" o'CA
the edge Of the rock there in signal.
I will wait just below, but from where
We are we can see nothing. You un-
derstand?"
Surely, monsieur; l am to remain
here and watch; then signal you when
the fort gates open"
cay, that Is it; or If those savages
advance into the open-they may not
wait" arr
"Yes, monsieur
His lips touched mine, and I heard
him whisper a word Of endearment.
"YOu are a brave girl"
mo, monsieur; l am frightened, ter
ribly frightened. but-but I love YOU.