The state herald., 1917-01-26

the meaning clear. As O'Artigny
ceased the chief stood for a moment
silent.
1--WE leap upon them from Govern
he asked calmly. "and the white men
will sally forth to aid us7"
"'TIs SO we expect-M. de Tonty Is
never averse to fight"
II believe in the Iron Hand; but tbs
told me others command now. II they
fail, we are but few against many"
"They will not fall, Sequitah; they
are Frenchmen."
The Indian folded his hands across
his breast, his eyes on the two men
facing him. There was silence, but
for the slight rustic of moving bodies
In the darkness.
"Sequitah hears the voice Of his
friend" be announced at last, "and his
words sound wise. The warriors Of
the Illini win fight beside the white
men,"
There was no time lost, although I
know but little Of what occurred, be-
ing left alone there while La Forest
and D'Artigny divided the men, and
arranged the plans Of advance. The
dense night shrouded much Of this
hasty preparation. for all I could per
celve were fitting figures. or the black
shadow of warriors being grouped to-
gether. I could hear voices, never loud,
giving swift orders, or calling to this
or that individual through the gloom.
A party tramped by me, and disap-
peared, twenty or more naked war
riors, headed by ack-bearded
Frenchman, bearing a long riHe-the
detachment. no doubt, dispatched to
guard the slope east Of the trail. and
hurried forth to cover the greater dis
tance. Yet these. could have scarcely
advanced far through that jungle
when the others were also in line, wait
ing the word.
The very silence in which all this
was accomplished. the noiseless bodies,
the almost breathless attention, scarce
ly enabled me to realize the true mean
ing Of 1t all. These men were going
into battle. into death grapple. They
meant to attack five times their own
number. This was no boys play; It
was war. savage, relentless war. The
stern horror Of It seemed to suddenly
grip me as with icy fingers. Here was
what had read Of, dreamed of. being
enacted before my very eyes. was
even a part Of II, for I was going with
them to the field Of blood.
Yet how different everything was
from those former pictures Of imagina-
ton. There was no noise. no excite
ment no shrinking-just those silent.
motionless men standing in the posi-
tions assigned to them, the dim light
cleaning on their naked bodies, their
ready weapons.
heard the voices Of the white men,
speaking quietly. giving last instruc-
tions rs they passed along the lines.
sequitah took his place, not two yards
from me, standing like statue. his
face stern and emotionless. Out Of
the darkness came D'Artigny. pausing
an instant before the chief.
"All is well. SeQuitahr'
"Good-'tis a. the white chief
Wishes"
'Then We move at once; La Forest
will guide the rear; you and I will
march together. Give your warriors
the word"
He turned and took my hand.
you will walk with me. dear one;
you are not afraid?s
"Not Of the peril Of coming battle"
I answered. IL think I hardly real
ixe what that all means: but the risk
you run. Renei If-if you win. you
will be q prisoner condemned to
DEATH"
He laughed. and bent low. 20 felt
bis lips brush my cheek.
"You do not understand, dear girl.
A moment and I will explain-once We
are beyond the stream. Now ! must
see that all move together"
We advanced through the woods
down slight incline. the Indians NOV
ing like 30 many phantoms. Not
branch ratified A. they glided silently
forward. not q leaf rustled beneath
the soft tread Of moccasined feet.
DArugny le0'me Dy tne manu-. hiuiuk
me to move quietly over the uneven
ground. but made no effort to speak.
Beside NJ, not unlike a shadow. strobe
the chief sequitah. his stern face up
lifted. Shadowed by long black hair. q
ride gripped In his slnewy arms. We
crossed the little river. D'Artigny bear
Ing me easily In his grasp. and. on the
opposite shore. waited for the Others
to follow. They came. q long line Of
dark, shadowy forms. wading cautious.
" through the shallow water, and
ranged themselves Just below the bank.
many still standing In the stream.
What light there was nickercd over
naked bodies. and revealed savage eyes
cleaning from out masses Of black
haif.
D'Artigny stepped forward on the
exposed root Of q tree to where he
could see his dusky followers. and La
Forest climbed the bank and Joined
him. A moment the two men con.
O.