The state herald., 1917-02-02
CHAPTER XIV.
The Charge Of the IIIInl.

NSNNs
The Charge Of the llIlnl.
It seemed a long time, yet II could
scarcely have exceeded few mo-
ments. for the light Of early dawn was
still dim and spectral, making those
savage figures below appear strange
and inhuman, while, through the tree
barrier, the more distant stockade was
little more than vague shadow. I
could barely distinguish the sharp
pointed logs, and II any guard passed,
his movements were indistinguishable.
Had not known where they were.
even the position of the gates would
have been a mystery. Yet I lay there.
my eyes peering through the cleft In
the rock, every nerve in my body throb-
blng. All had been intrusted to me;
1t was to be my signal which would
send D'Artlgny. La Forest, and their
Indian allies forward. must not fail
them; must do my part. Whatever
the cost-even though It be his life
nothing could absolve me from this
duty.
The Iroquois were massing toward
the center. directly In front Of the
closed gates. The change in formation
was made with all the stealthiness Of
Indian cunning. the warriors creeping
silently behind tho conceallng bushes.
and taking up their new positions ac-
cording to motions Of their chiefs.
Those having rifles loaded their weap-
ons, while others drew knives and TOM
ahawks from their belts. and held them
glittering in the gray light The white
leader remained beside the big tree.
paying no apparent heed to anything
excepting the stockade in front. The
daylight frightened. but mist clouds
overhung the valley, while floating
wreaths Of fog drifted between the
great rock and the fort gates, occa-
slonnlly even obscuring the Iroquois
in vaporous folds. There was no sound,
no sight, Of those hidden below. wait
ing my word. I seemed utterly alone.
Suddenly I started, lifting myself
slightly on one arm, SO as TO see more
clearly. Ay. the gates were opening.
slowly at first. as though the great
wooden hinges made resistance; then
the two leaves parted, and I had q
glimpse within. Two soldiers pushed
against the heavy logs. and. as they
opened wider. q dozen or more men
were revealed. leaning carelessly on
their rines. Boisrondet. bearing gun
in the hollow OF his arm. stepped for
ward into the opening. and gazed
careiessly 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 their feet,
crouching behind their cover ready to
spring. I reached over the rock edge,
and dropped the handkerchief.
must have seen what followed. yet
I do not know; the Incidents seem
burned on 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 q crash Of rifles all
about me, the red fare leaping into
tho gray mist-a savage yell from n
hundred throats. and wild rush OF
naked bodies.
saw warriors Of the Iroquois fling
up their arms and fall; saw them
shrink and shrivel. break ranks and
run. Surprised. stricken. terrified by
the wnrwhoops OF the mnddcncd Illini
realizing only that they were caught
between enemies, their one and only
thought wns escape. Two OF thcii
chiefs were down. and the white rene
gnde. stumbling and falling ms though
also hurt, dived into the underbrush
Before they could rally. or even com
prchcnd what had occurred, their ns
snilants were upon them. LcnpinI
across the open. over rock and sand
yelling like Hcnds. weapons cleaning
In tho dull light. the frcnxied Ililni. en-
famed with revenge. mnddcncd with
hate. flung themselves straight a,
them. Rifles flashed In their faces
tomnhnwks whirlcd In the mir. bu,
nothing stopped that rush. Warrior,
fell. but the others stumbled over the
naked bodies. saw D'Artigny
stripped TO his shirt. and that in rag,
from the bushes he had plunged
through. his rife barrel grippcd. a yard
in front Of them all. snw La Forest
bnrc headed. and sequitnh. his Indian
stoicism forgotten in mad blood lust
Then the. struck and were lost IA
the ncrcc mnclstrom Of struggle. strik
Ing. falling. red hands gripping at red
throats, rife butts nung high. tomn
hawks dealing tho death blow, knivei
cleaning as sincwy nrms drove Their
home. ! could not longer distinguisi
enemy from friend; they were inter
locked. struggling like mad dogs. nght
ing ns devils might. a wild. tangled
mass Of bodies, OF waving hair. oi
blazing eyes. Of upliftcd steel.
The iroquois hnd rallied from thsil
nrst shock: already they realised tn
small number Of tho attackers. Thos,
who had Ned wcrc turning back: thos'