The Benson signal., 1917-02-24
CHAPTER vi.
Moonlight.

moonlight
David was thoughtful, while the
light banter ran on.
Governor Harrison" he said, "may
have word with you alone?
have some information that I wish to
lay before you."
The young governor bowed assent
and led the way to a. quiet corner.
David told the story OF the meeting
between Girty, Cranmer and Scull.
Harrison's face grew grave
"Why did you not report this soon
erY' he asked sharply. r
ST wrote at once to John Upton,
at Vincennes," David answered. 81
asked him to tell you Immediately. I
have had no reply from him, but I
have supposed that he gave you the
message. Johns handler with his
rifle than with pen, Governor Har-
rison. as you know"
"Yes," smiled Harrison, "it's agony
for him to write. But fear that he
has not received your letter even yet.
He has been away on hunting and
scouting trip for weeks. I myself am
going away for a while, but shall
inform General Gibson, who is to
have charge of the territory in my alb
Sence, and shall direct him to have
his rangers make a thorough search
for these men. AS for Tecumseh, ru-
mOrs that his brother, Elkskatawa,
the Prophet, is stirring the warriors
to discomfort have reached my ears.
Rest assured, Mr.. Laurence, that we
shall keep careful watch over these
matters. I thank you for what you
have told me-"
David felt that load had been lift
ed from his mind. He had done his
duty to the land that had received
him with such simple hospitality.
'T know Cranmer," the governor
went on, "but I never suspected so
honest-appearing fellow. You say
he went to Vincennes? am certain
that he has not been there of late.
Let me know if he returns to Cory
don. The whole Northwest has rea-
son to know that renegade Girty, but
I fear it is useless to hope for his cap
ture now. He knows the wilderness
like an Indian. AS well hope to find
q wild bird in the tree tops. By now
he is doubtless back in the British
posts above Erie. You say that the
third man was one known to you as
Scull? The name is new one.
Strange, how he disappeared. Well
watch for him."
He returned to his friends with an
added word of thanks. David's face
darkened as he thought once more of
Scull. Where was he? How could
he hide himself so completely? The
memory of tie mans betrayal of Da-
vid's father rose up in David anew !;
and be thought once more of the oath
that he had sworn, over the purple
pogy'' of the weaver's brotherhood, to
apenge that wrong.
When the party had broken up at
last in laughing "good nights" Toi-
nette, Blackford and David strolled
toward Toinette's home together. Ike
began humming a song as they walked
along:
Could you to battle march away,
And leave me here complaining
"a mighty fine evening, wasn't it?-
I'm sure 'twould break my heart to say,
When you were gone campaigning. -.
"Trust a. woman to suit her own
sweet will"
"What's the song, Ike?"
"That? Oh, a catch that we used
to sing at Princeton. Poor old Billy
Paterson wrote it years ago, rest his
soul! The late attorney general
class of 1763," he added explanato-
rily. His rich tenor swung on into
the lilt Of the chorus:
'-Ah, non, non, non, pauvre Madelon
Would never quit her Rover,
All, non, non, non. pauvre Madelon
Would go with you the wide world
over!'
He broke Off abruptly: "Wouldnt
it be fine to have a wench hanging
to your coattail as you marched"
He said good night abruptly at
Toinette's door and went on.
When he had gone, they two, Da-