The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1917-02-23

from the river by rocks, is q small hut
where we keep hidden a canoe ready
fitted for any secret service. Twas
Sicur de la Sales thought that It
might prove Of great use in time of
siege. No doubt it is there now, Just
as we left it, undiscovered of the Iro-
quois. This will bear you down the
river until daylight. when you can hide
along shore"
There is q rife?"
1.-TWO of them. with powder ard
baIl." He laid his hand on the others
shoulder. There is nothing more to
say, and time il Of value. Farewell. my
friend"
Farewell" their fingers clasped.
There will be other days, Francois;
my gratitude to NJ. de Tonty." Bois-
rondct stepped back, and. hat in hand.
bowed to me.
"Adieu, madame; a pleasant jour
ncy."
"A moment, monsieur" 1 said, a fall
ter in my voice. You are NJ. OAR
tigny's friend, an officer Of France. and
a Catholic"
Eyes. madame"
"And you think that I am right In
my choice-that I am doing naught un-
worthy CT my wcmanhood"
Even in the darkness I saw him
make the symbol Of the cross, before
he bent forward and kissed my hand.
Madame" he said gravely, II am
but a plain soldier, with all my service
on the frontier. I leave to the priests
the discussion Of doctrines, and to God
my punishment and reward. I car
only answer you as D'Artigny's friend.
and an officer Of France. l give you
honor and respect. and deem your love
and trust far more holy than your mar
riage. NY faith, and my sword are
yours, madame"
felt his lips upon my hand. yet
knew not he had zone. | stood there,
my eyes blinded with tears at his gal
liant words, only becoming conscious Of
drew me to him, his cheek pressed
against my hair.
HE has gone! We are alone"
Yes, dear one; but l thank God for
those last words. They have given me
courage and faith. SO my old com
rades believe us right the criticism OF
others does not move me. You love
me. Adele? You do not regret?"
My arms found way about his neck:
my lips uplifted to his.
Monsieur, l shall never regret; I
trust God and you"
How he eve found his way along
that dim trail / shall never know.
Some memory Of It's windings. together
with the instinct of a woodsman, must
have given guidance, while no doubt
his feet, clad In soft Indian mecca
sins, enabled him to feel the faint
track, imperceivable In the darkness.
It led along a steep bank. through low.
with here and there a rock thrust
across the path. compelling detour.
The branches scratched my face and
tore Ely dress, confusing me so that
had l not chung to his arm, l should
have been instantly lost in the gloom.
Our advance was slow and cautious.
every step taken in silence. Snakes
could not have moved with less noise,
and the %precaution was we'll taken.
Suddenly D'Ardgny stopped, gripping
me in warning. For q moment there
was no sound except the distant mur-
muir OF waters, and the chatter Of some
night bird. Yet some instinct OF the
woods held the man motionless, listen
ing. A twig cracked to our left, and
then a voice spoke, low and rumbling.
It sounded so close at hand the fellow
could scarcely have been five yards
away. Another voice answered, and
we were aware Of bodies, stealing
along through the wood: there was a
faint rustling OF dead leaves, and the
occasional swish OF a branch. We
crouched low in the trail, fairly hold
ing our breath, every nerve tense.
There was no sound from below. but
In the other direction one warrior
I could see the dim outline Of his ma
ked ~fgure-passed within easy reach
OF my outstretched hand.
Assured that all had passed beyond
hearing D'Artigny rose to his feet, and
assisted me to rise, his hand still grasp
ing mine.
"Iroquois, by the look Of that war
rior," he whispered, land enough OF
them to mean mischief"
"'Twas the tongue Of the T'uscaro-
ras." l answered. "My father taught
me q little Of it years ago.. The first
words spoken were a warning to be
still; the other answered that the white
men are all asleep"
"And l am not sure but that Is true.
IT De Tonty a In command the walls
would be well guarded, but De Baugis
and Cassion know nothing OF Indian
war"
'You believe It to be an assault7'
1T hath the look; It's not Indian nj
ture 70 gather thus ut this night hour.
without q purpose. But pouf, there IL
little they can do against that stockade
Of logs for all their numbers. 1t 10
our duty to be well away by daylight"
The remaining distance to the VA