WHEN WILDERNESS WAS KING

A Tale of the Illinois Country

by

RANDALL PARRISH

Author of "My Lady of the North"

A. L. Burt Company, PublishersNew YorkCopyright by A. C. McClurg & Co. 1904Published March 26, 1904Second Edition, April 20, 1904Third Edition, July 2, 1904Fourth Edition, September 20, 1904Fifth Edition, October 20, 1904Sixth Edition, January 2, 1905Seventh Edition, December, 1905Entered at Stationers' Hall, LondonAll Rights Reserved

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

 I. A Message from the West II. The Call of Duty III. A New Acquaintance IV. Captain Wells of Fort Wayne V. Through the Heart of the Forest VI. From the Jaws of Death VII. A Circle in the Sand VIII. Two Men and a Maid IX. In Sight of the Flag X. A Lane of Peril XI. Old Fort Dearborn XII. The Heart of a Woman XIII. A Wager of Fools XIV. Darkness and Surprise XV. An Adventure Underground XVI. "Prance wins, Monsieur!" XVII. A Contest of Wits XVIII. Glimpses of Danger XIX. A Conference and a Resolve XX. In the Indian Camp XXI. A Council of Chiefs XXII. The Last Night at Dearborn XXIII. The Death-Shadow of the Miamis XXIV. The Day of Doom XXV. In the Jaws of the Tiger XXVI. The Field of the Dead XXVII. A Ghostly Vision XXVIII. An Angel in the Wilderness XXIX. A Soldier of France XXX. The Rescue at the Stake XXXI. A Search, and its Reward XXXII. The Pledge of a Wyandot XXXIII. An Intervention of Fate XXXIV. A Stumble in the Dark XXXV. The Battle on the Shore XXXVI. In the New Gray Dawn

 "I saw a dot upon the map, and a housefly's filmy wing-- They said 'twas Dearborn's picket-flag, when Wilderness was King. 

 * * * * * *

 I heard the block-house gates unbar, the column's solemn tread, I saw the Tree of a single leaf its splendid foliage shed To wave awhile that August morn above the column's head; I heard the moan of muffled drum, the woman's wail of fife, The Dead March played for Dearborn's men just marching out of life; The swooping of the savage cloud that burst upon the rank And struck it with its thunderbolt in forehead and in flank, The spatter of the musket-shot, the rifles' whistling rain, -- The sandhills drift round hope forlorn that never marched again. "

 --_Benjamin F. Taylor_. 

When Wilderness Was King

CHAPTER I

A MESSAGE FROM THE WEST

Surely it was no longer ago than yesterday. I had left the scythelying at the edge of the long grass, and gone up through the rows ofnodding Indian corn to the house, seeking a draught of cool water fromthe spring. It was hot in the July sunshine; the thick forest on everyside intercepted the breeze, and I had been at work for some hours. How pleasant and inviting the little river looked in the shade of thegreat trees, while, as I paused a moment bending over the high bank, Icould see a lazy pike nosing about among the twisted roots below. 

My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was inthe dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to melaughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his greatsplint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked howthe slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard. The oldBible lay wide open upon his knee; yet his eyes were resting upon thedark green of the woods that skirted our clearing. I wondered, as Iquaffed the cool sweet water at the spring, if he was dreaming again ofthose old days when he had been a man among men. How distinct in eachdetail the memory of it remains! The blue sky held but one fleecywhite cloud in all its wide arch; it seemed as if the curling film ofsmoke rising from our chimney had but gathered there and hung suspendedto render the azure more pronounced. A robin peeked impudently at mefrom an oak limb, and a roguish gray squirrel chattered along the lowridge-pole, with seeming willingness to make friends, until Rover, suddenly spying me, sprang hastily around the comer of the house tolick my hand, with glad barkings and a frantic effort to wave the stubof his poor old tail. It was such a homely, quiet scene, there in theheart of the backwoods, one I had known unchanged so long, that Ilittle dreamed it was soon to witness the turning over of a page ofdestiny in my life, that almost from that hour I was to sever everyrelation of the past, and be sent forth to buffet with the rough worldalone. 

There were no roads, in those days, along that valley of the upperMaumee, --merely faint bridle-paths, following ancient Indian trailsthrough dense woods or across narrow strips of prairie land; yet as Ihung the gourd back on its wooden peg, and lifted my eyes carelessly tothe northward, I saw a horseman riding slowly toward the house alongthe river bank. There were flying rumors of coming Indian outbreaksalong the fringe of border settlements; but my young eyes were keen, and after the first quick thrill of suspicion I knew the approachingstranger to be of white blood, although his apparel was scarcely lessuncivilized than that of the savage. Yet so unusual were visitors, that I grasped a gun from its pegs in the kitchen, and called warninglyto my mother as I passed on to meet the new-comer. 

He was a very large and powerful man, with a matted black beard and anextremely prominent nose. A long rifle was slung at his back, and theheavy bay horse he bestrode bore unmistakable signs of hard travelling. As he approached, Rover, spying him, sprang out savagely; but I caughtand held him with firm grip, for to strangers he was ever a surly brute. 

"Is this yere Major Wayland's place?" the man questioned, in a deep, gruff voice, reining in his tired horse, and carelessly flinging onebooted foot across the animal's neck as he faced me. 

"Yes, " I responded with caution, for we were somewhat suspicious ofstray travellers in those days, and the man's features were notpleasing. "The Major lives here, and I am his son. "

He looked at me intently, some curiosity apparent in his eyes, as hedeliberately drew a folded paper from his belt. 

"No? Be ye the lad what downed Bud Eberly at the meetin' over on theCow-skin las' spring?" he questioned, with faintly aroused interest. 

I blushed like a school-girl, for this unexpected reference was notwholly to my liking, though the man's intentions were evidently mostkind. 

"He bullied me until I could take no more, " I answered, doubtfully;"yet I hurt him more seriously than I meant. "

He laughed at the trace of apology in my words. 

"Lord!" he ejaculated, "don't ever let that worry ye, boy. The hullsettlement is mighty glad 'twas done. Old Hawkins bin on the p'int o'doin' it himself a dozen o' times. Told me so. Ye 're quite a lad, ain't ye? Weigh all o' hundred an' seventy, I 'll bet; an' strong asan ox. How old be ye, anyhow?"

"Twenty, " I answered, not a little mollified by his manner. "You mustlive near here, then?"

"Wal, no, but been sorter neighbor o' yourn fer a month er so back;stoppin' up at Hawkins's shebang, at the ford, on the Military Road, visitin'; but guess I never met up with none o' your folks afore. Myname 's Burns, Ol' Tom Burns, late o' Connecticut. A sojer from outWest left this yere letter fer yer father at Hawkins's place more nor aweek ago. Said as how it was mighty important; but blamed if this wasn't the fust chance he 's hed to git it over yere sence. I told him I'd fetch it, as it was n't more nor a dozen miles er so outer my way. "

He held out a square paper packet; and while I turned it over curiouslyin my hand, --the first letter I had ever seen, --he took some loosetobacco from an outside pocket and proceeded leisurely to fill his pipe. 

My mother rolled my father's chair forward into the open doorway, andstood close behind him, as was her custom, one arm resting lightly uponthe quaintly carved chair-back. 

"What is it, John?" she questioned gently. Instantly aroused by hervoice, I crossed quickly over and placed the packet in my father's thinhands. He turned it over twice before he opened it, looking at the oddseal, and reading the superscription carefully aloud, as if fearfulthere might be some mistake:

 "Major David Wayland, Along the Upper Maumee. Leave at Hawkins Ford on Military Road. " "Important. "

I can see him yet as he read it, slowly feeling his way through therude, uneven writing, with my mother leaning over his shoulder andhelping him, her rosy cheeks and dark tresses making strange contrastbeside his pain-racked features and iron-gray hair. 

"Read it aloud, Mary, " he said at last. "I shall understand it better. 'T is from Roger Matherson, of whom you have heard me speak. "

My mother was a good scholar, and she read clearly, only hesitating nowand, then over some ill-written or misspelled word. 

 At FORT DEARBORN, near the head of the Great Lake. Twelfth June, 1812. 

My DEAR OLD FRIEND:

I have come to the end of life; they tell me it will be all over by themorrow, and there remains but one thing that greatly troubles me--mylittle girl, my Elsa. You know I have never much feared death, nor doI in this hour when I face it once more; for I have ever tried to honorGod and do my duty as both man and soldier. David, I can scarcelywrite, for my mind wanders strangely, and my fingers will but barelygrasp the pen. 'T is not the grip of the old sword-hand you knew sowell, for I am already very weak, and dying. But do you yet rememberthe day I drew you out of the rout at Saratoga, and bore you awaysafely, though the Hessians shot me twice? God knows, old friend, Inever thought to remind you of the act, --'twas no more than any comradewould have done, --yet I am here among strangers, and there is no oneelse living to whom I may turn in my need. David, in memory of it, will you not give my little orphan child a home? Your old comrade, upon his death-bed, begs this of you with his final breath. She is allalone here, save for me, and there is no blood kin in all the world towhom I may appeal. I shall leave some property, but not much. As youlove your own, I pray you be merciful in this hour to my little girl. 

 Your old comrade, ROGER MATHERSON. 

This had been endorsed by another and bolder hand:

Captain Roger Matherson, late of the Massachusetts Continental Line, died at this fort, of fever, fourteenth June, 1812. His daughter isbeing cared for by the ladies of the garrison. 

 NATHAN HEALD, Capt. First Regt. Inf. , Commanding. 

The tears were clinging to my mother's long lashes as she finished thereading; she was ever tender of heart and sympathetic with sorrow. Myfather sat in silence, looking far off at the green woods. Presentlyhe took the paper again into his hands, folded it carefully in the oldcreases, and placed it safely away between the Bible leaves. I saw mymother's fingers steal along the arm of the chair until they closedsoftly over his. 

"The poor little lamb!" she said gently. 

My father's old sword hung over the fireplace, and I saw his glancewander toward it, as something seemed to rise choking in his throat. He was always a man who felt deeply, yet said but little; and we bothknew he was thinking about the old days and the strong ties ofcomradeship. 

The stranger struck flint and steel to light his pipe; the actinstantly recalled my father to the demands of hospitality. 

"Friend, " he said, speaking firmly, "hitch to the stump yonder, andcome in. You have brought me sad news enough, yet are no less welcome, and must break bread at our board. John, " and he turned toward me, "see to friend Burns's horse, and help your mother to prepare thedinner. "

Out in the rude shed, which, answered as a kitchen during summerweather, I ventured to ask:

"Mother, do you suppose he will take the little girl?"

"I hope so, John, " she answered, soberly; "but your father must decidehimself. He will not tell us until he has thought it all out alone. "

CHAPTER II

THE CALL OF DUTY

It was upon my mind all through that long afternoon, as I swung thescythe in the meadow grass. I saw Burns ride away up the river trailsoon after I returned to work, and wondered if he bore with him anymessage from my father. It was like a romance to me, to whom so fewimportant things had ever happened. In some way, the coming of thisletter out of the great unknown had lifted me above the narrow life ofthe clearing. My world had always been so small, such a petty andrestricted circle, that this new interest coming within its horizon hadwidened it wonderfully. 

I had grown up on the border, isolated from what men term civilization;and I could justly claim to know chiefly those secrets which thefrontier teaches its children. My only remembrance of a different modeof life centred about the ragged streets of a small New Englandvillage, where I had lived in earlier childhood. Ever since, we hadbeen in the depths of the backwoods; and after my father's accident Ibecame the one upon whom the heavier part of the work fell. I hadtruly thrived upon it. In my hunting-trips, during the dull seasons, Ilearned many a trick of the forest, and had already borne rifle twicewhen the widely scattered settlements were called to arms by Indianforays. There were no schools in that country; indeed, our nearestneighbor was ten miles distant as the crow flies. But my mother hadtaught me, with much love and patience, from her old treasuredschool-books; and this, with other lore from the few choice volumes myfather clung to through his wanderings, gave me much to ponder over. Istill remember the evenings when he read to us gravely out of his oldShakespeare, dwelling tenderly upon passages he loved. And heinstructed me in other things, --in honor and manliness, in woodcraft, and many a pretty thing at arms, until no lad in the settlements aroundcould outdo me in rough border sport. I loved to hear him, of aboisterous winter night, --he spoke of such matters but seldom, --tellabout his army life, the men he had fought beside and loved, the daringdeeds born of his younger blood. In that way he had sometimesmentioned this Roger Matherson; and it was like a blow to me now tohear of his death. I wondered what the little girl would be like; andmy heart went out to her in her loneliness. Scarcely realizing it, Iwas lonely also. 

"Has he spoken yet?" I questioned anxiously of my mother, as I came upto the open kitchen door when the evening chores were done. 

"No, John, " she answered, "he has been sitting there silently lookingout at the woods ever since the man left. He is thinking, dear, and wemust not worry him. "

The supper-table had been cleared away, and Seth, the hired man, hadcrept up the creaking ladder to his bed under the eaves, before myfather spoke. We were all three together in the room, and I had drawnhis chair forward, as was my custom, where the candle-light flickeredupon his face. I knew by the look of calm resolve in his gray eyesthat a decision had been reached. 

"Mary, " he began gravely, "and you, John, we must talk together of thisnew duty which has just come to us. I hardly know what to decide, forwe are so poor and I am now so helpless; yet I have prayed earnestlyfor guidance, and can but think it must be God's will that we care forthis poor orphan child of my old friend. "

My mother crossed the room to him, and bent down until her soft cheektouched his lips. 

"I knew you would, David, " she whispered, in the tender way she had, her hand pressing back his short gray hair. "She shall ever be unto usas our own little girl, --the one we lost come back to us again. "

My father bent his head wearily upon one hand, his eyes upon the candleflame, his other hand patting her fingers. 

"It must be all of ten years, " he said slowly, "since last I had wordof Roger Matherson. He was in Canada then, yet has never since beenlong out of my mind. He saved my life, not once alone, as he wouldseem to remember, but three separate times in battle. We were childrentogether in the blue Berkshire hills, and during all our youngermanhood were more than brothers. His little one shall henceforth be asmy own child. God hath given her unto us, Mary, as truly as if she hadbeen born of our love. I knew that Roger had married, yet heardnothing of the birth of the child or the loss of his wife. However, from this hour the orphan is to be our own; and we must now decide uponsome safe means of bringing her here without delay. "

He paused. No one of us spoke. His glance slowly wandered from thecandle flame, until it settled gravely upon my face as I sat resting ona rude bench fitted into the chimney corner. He looked so intently atme that my mother seemed instantly to interpret his thought. 

"Oh, surely not that, David?" she exclaimed, pleadingly. "Not John?"

"I know of no other fit messenger, little woman, " he answered soberly. "It has indeed troubled me far more than all the rest, to decide onthis; yet there is no one else whom I think equal to the task. John isa good boy, mother, and has sufficient experience in woodcraft to makethe journey. "

"But the savages!" she insisted. "'T is said we are upon the verge ofa fresh outbreak, stirred up by this new war with England, that mayinvolve the settlements at any time. You know Burns told you justnow, --and he is an old scout, familiar with the West, --that Britishagents were active along the whole border, and there was greatuneasiness among the Indian tribes. "

"There is serious promise of danger, 't is true, " he admitted, a flashof the old fire in his eyes. "Yet that is scarce likely to halt DavidWayland's son. Indeed, it is the greater reason why this helplessorphan child should be early brought to our protection. Think of thedefenceless little girl exposed alone to such danger! Nor have wemeans of judging, Mary, of the real seriousness of the situation to thenorth and west. War between the nations may very likely arouse thespirit of the savages, yet rumors of Indian outbreak are always on thelips of the settlers. Burns himself was upon his return westward, anddid not seem greatly troubled lest he fail to get through. He claimedto live at Chicagou Portage, wherever that may be. I only know it isthe extreme frontier. "

My mother did not answer; and now I spoke, my cheeks aflame witheagerness. 

"Do you truly mean, sir, that I am to go in search of the little girl?"I asked, barely trusting my own ears. 

"Yes, John, " my father replied gravely, motioning me to draw closer tohis chair. "This is a duty which has fallen to you as well as to yourmother and me. We can, indeed, but poorly spare you from the work atthis season; yet Seth will be able to look after the more urgent needsof the farm while you are absent, while he would prove quite useless onsuch a mission as this. Do not worry, Mary. Friend Burns is wellacquainted with all that western country, and he tells me there isscarcely a week that parties of soldiers, or friendly Indians, do notpass along the trail, and that by waiting at Hawkins's place for a fewdays John will be sure to find some one with whom he may companion onthe long journey westward. He would himself have accompanied him, butmust first bear a message to friends at Vincennes. It is now someweeks since Roger Matherson died, and we shall prove unworthy of ourtrust if we delay longer in sending for his daughter. "

Though my mother was a western woman, patient and long habituated tosacrifice and peril, still her eyes, fixed upon my face, were filledwith tears, and the color had deserted her cheeks. 

"I know not why it should be so, David, " she urged softly; "but in myheart I greatly fear this trip for John. Yet you have ever found meready to yield wherever it seemed best, and I doubt not you are rightin your decision. "

At any other time I should have gone to her with words of comfort andgood cheer; but now my ambition was so aroused by this impendingadventure as to permit me to think of nothing else. 

"Is it so very far, father, to where I must go?" I questioned, eagerly. "Where is this Fort Dearborn, and how am I to journey in reachingthere? 'T is no garrison of which I have ever heard. "

"Bring me the map your mother made of this country, and the regions tothe westward, " he said. "I am not over clear in regard to the mattermyself, although friend Burns, who claims to know all that country, gave me some brief description; but I found him most chary of speech. "

I got the map out of the great square cupboard in the corner, andspread the paper flat upon the table, placing knives at each corner tohold it open. I rolled his chair up before it, and the three of usbent our heads over the map together, our faces glowing in the candleflame. It was a copy made by a quill from a great government map mymother had seen somewhere in her journeying westward; and, though onlya rude design, it was not badly done, and was sufficiently accurate forour purpose. Much of it was still blank; yet the main open trails hadbeen traced with care, the principal fords over the larger streams weremarked, and the various government posts and trading settlementsdistinctly located and named. Searching for the head of the GreatLake, we were not long in discovering the position of the fort calledDearborn, which seemingly was posted upon the western shore, nearlyopposite another garrison point at the mouth of the St. Joseph river. We were able to trace with clearness the military road that had beenconstructed northward from Fort Wayne, our nearest government post; butthe map failed to exhibit evidence of any beaten track, or used trail, leading westward and around the head of the lake. There were numerousirregular lines which denoted unnamed streams, but by far the largerportion of the territory extending to the west beyond Fort Wayne hadbeen simply designated as "forest land" and "unexplored. "

"Friend Burns tells me there is a trail used by both troops andsavages, which he has traversed several times, " my father explained, ashe lifted his eyes from the map; "but it is not over plain, nor easilyfollowed, as communication with the Fort is mostly maintained by meansof the waterways to the northward. The overland journey, however, willprove speedier, besides being less liable to disaster for oneunaccustomed to boats. How soon can John be ready, mother?"

Her voice trembled, and I felt the pressure of her hand upon my sleeve. 

"It will take all of the morrow, David, to prepare his clothingproperly, " she replied, with the patient resignation of the frontier. "There is much that will need seeing after. "

"Then John will start the next dawn. You had best ride the brown colt, my son; he is of good breed, and speedy. Seth shall accompany youuntil you find suitable companionship at Hawkins's. He will bring backword of how you started, and that knowledge will greatly comfort yourmother. "

He paused, and held out his thin hands. 

"You go upon this strange journey willingly, my son?"

"Yes, father. "

"You will be both kind and thoughtful with Roger Matherson's littlegirl?"

"She shall be to me as my own sister. "

I felt the confiding clasp of his fingers, and realized how much to himwould be a successful termination of my journey. 

"Kiss your mother, John, " he said, a trustful look coming into hiskindly eyes. "We must all be astir early on the morrow. "

Beneath the rived shingles of my little room, under the sloping roof, how I turned and tossed through those long night hours! What visions, both asleep and awake, came to me, thronging fast upon my heated brain, each more marvellous than its fellow, and all alike pointing towardthat strange country which I was now destined by fate to travel! Vaguetales of wonder and mystery had come floating to me out of that unknownWest, and now I was to behold it all with my own eyes. But marvellousas were my dreams, the reality was to be even more amazing than thesepictures of boyish imagination. Had I known the truth that night, Idoubt greatly whether I should have had the courage to face it. 

At last the gray dawn came, stealing in at the only window, and foundme eager for the trial. 

CHAPTER III

A NEW ACQUAINTANCE

I drew rein upon the upper river bank, before we finally plunged intothe dark woods beyond, and glanced back. I had to brush the gatheringtears from my eyes before I could see clearly; and when I finally rodeaway, the picture of that dear old home was fixed in my memory forever. Our house stood near the centre of an oak opening, --a little patch ofnative prairie-land, with a narrow stream skirting it on one side, anda dense fringe of forest all about. The small story-and-a-half cabinof hewn logs, with its lean-to of rough hand-riven planks, fronted tothe southward; and the northern expanse of roof was green with moss. My father sat in the open doorway, his uplifted hand shading his eyesas he gazed after us; while my mother stood by his side, one armresting upon the back of his chair, the other extended, waving a whitecloth in farewell. Rover was without, where I had bidden him remain, eagerly watching for some signal of relenting upon my part. Beyondstood the rude out-buildings, silhouetted against the deep green. Itwas a homely, simple scene, --yet till now it had been all the world tome. 

With a final wave of the hand, I moved forward, until the interveningtrees, like the falling of a curtain, hid it all from view. Seth wasastride the old mare, riding bareback, his white goat-like beardhanging down his breast until it mingled with her mane, while his longthin legs were drawn up in the awkward way he had. He was a strange, silent, gloomy man, as austere as his native hills; and we rode on withno exchange of speech. Indeed, my thoughts were of a nature that I hadno wish to share with another; so it was some time before the depth ofloneliness which oppressed my spirits enabled me to feel even passinginterest in the things at hand. 

"I 'd hate like thunder ter be a-goin' on your trip, Maester John, "volunteered Seth at last, solemnly turning on the mare's broad back toface me. 

"And why?" I asked, wonderingly; for the man's rare gift of silence hadwon him a certain reputation for deep, occult knowledge which I couldnot wholly ignore. "It will bring me the sight of some wonderfulcountry, no doubt. "

His shrewd gimlet eyes seemed fairly to pierce me, as he deliberatelyhelped himself to tobacco from a pouch at his waist. 

"Wal, that may all be, Maester John; but I've heerd tell ther is somemost awful things goes on out yonder, " and he swung his long armmeaningly toward the west. "Animyles sich as don't prowl raound yere, man-yeatin' snakes as big as thet tree, an' the blood-thirstiestsalvages as ever was. An' arter a while ther ain't no more treesgrows, ther lan' is thet poor, by gosh! jist a plumb dead levil er'short grass, an' no show ter hide ner nuthin'. "

"Were you ever there, Seth?" I questioned with growing anxiety, for Ihad heard some such vague rumors as these before. 

"Me? Not by a dinged sight!" he replied, emphatically. "This yere isa long way further west thin I keer 'bout bein'. Ol' Vermont is plentygood 'nough fer this chicken, an' many 's ther day I wish I was backther. But I hed a cousin onct who tuk ter sojerin' 'long with GineralClarke, an' went 'cross them ther prairies ter git Vincennes frum theBritish. Lor'! it must a' bin more ner thirty year ago! He tol' methet they jist hed ter wade up ter ther neck in water fer days an'days. I ain't so durn fond o' water as all thet. An' he said as howrattlesnakes was everywhere; an' ther Injuns was mos' twice es big esthey be yere. "

"But Clarke, and nearly all of his men, got back safely, " I protested. 

"Oh, I guess some on 'em got back, 'cause they was an awful lot in thetarmy, mighty nigh two thousand on 'em, Ephriam said; but, I tell ye, they hed a most terrible tough time afore they did git hum. I seed mycousin whin he kim back, an' he was jist a mere shadder; though he wasbigger ner you whin he went 'way. "

"But Fort Dearborn is much farther to the north. Perhaps it will bebetter up there. "

"Wuss, " he insisted, with a most mournful shake of the head, "a dingedsight wuss. Ephriam said es how the further north ye wint, the tougherit got. He saw an Injun from up near the big lake--a Pottamottamie, orsomethin' like thet--what was nine fut high, an' he told him es how therivers in his kintry was all full o' man-eatin' critters like snakes, an' some on 'em hed a hundred legs ter crawl with, an' cud travel adinged sight faster ner a hoss. By gosh! but you bet I don't want noneon it. Your father must 'a' been plum crazy fer ter sind ye way outther all 'lone, --jist a green boy like you. What ye a-goin' fer, enyhow?"

I explained to him the occasion and necessity for my trip, but he shookhis head dubiously, his long face so exceedingly mournful that I couldnot remain unaffected by it. 

"Wal, " he said at length, carefully weighing his words, "maybe it's allright 'nough, but I 've got my doubts jist the same. I 'll bet thetther gal is jist one o' them will-o'-the-wisps we hear on, an' younever will find her. You 'll jist wander 'round, huntin' an' huntin'her, till ye git old, or them monsters git ye. An' I 'll be blamed ifever I heerd tell o' no sich fort as thet, nohow. "

Seth was certainly proving a Job's comforter; and I was alreadysufficiently troubled about the final outcome of my adventure. Hencemy only hope of retaining any measure of courage was to discountenancefurther conversation, and we continued to jog along in silence, although I caught him looking at me several times in a manner thatexpressed volumes. 

We camped that night in the dense heart of some oak woods, beside apleasant stream of clear, cool water. Late the following evening, justas the sun was disappearing behind the trees, our wearied horsesemerged suddenly upon the bank of a broad river, and we could discernthe dim outlines of Hawkins's buildings amid the deepening shadows ofthe opposite shore. 

Upon one thing I was now fully determined. Seth should start back withthe first streak of the next dawn. His long face and dismal croakingskept me constantly upon nettles, and I felt that I should face theuncertain future with far stouter heart if he were out of my sight. Firm in this resolve, I urged my horse to splash his reluctant waythrough the shallows of the ford; and as our animals rose on the steepbank of the western shore, we found ourselves at once in the midst of agroup of scattered buildings. It seemed quite a settlement in that dimlight, although the structures were all low and built of logs. Thelargest and most centrally located of these was evidently thehomestead, as it had a rudely constructed porch in front, and a thincloud of smoke was drifting from its chimney. As I drew nearer, Icould perceive the reflection of a light streaming out through the opendoorway. 

No one appeared in answer to our shouting, --not even a stray dog; and, in despair of thus arousing the inhabitants, I flung my rein to Seth, and, mounting the doorstep, peered within. As I did so, a shiny, round, black face, with whitened eyes and huge red lips, seemed tofloat directly toward me through the inner darkness. It was sostartling an apparition that I sprang back in such haste as nearly totopple over backward from the steps. Heaven alone knows what I fanciedit might be; indeed, I had little enough time in which to guess, for Ihad barely touched the ground, --my mind still filled with memories ofSeth's grotesque horrors, --when the whole figure emerged into view, andI knew him instantly for a negro, though I had never before seen one ofhis race. He was a dandified-looking fellow, wearing a stiff whitewaistcoat fastened by gilded buttons, with a pair of short curlymustaches, waxed straight out at the ends; and he stood there grinningat me in a manner that showed all his gleaming teeth. Before I couldrecover my wits enough to address him, I heard a voice from within thehouse, --a soft, drawling voice, with a marked foreign accent clingingto it. 

"Sam, " it called, "have you found either of the scoundrelly rascals?"

The darkey started as if shot, and glanced nervously back over hisshoulder. 

"No, sah, " he replied with vigor, "dat Mistah Hawkins am not yere, sah. An' dat Mistah Burns has gone 'way fer gud, sah. But dar am a gemmanyere, sah, --"

"What!" came a surprised ejaculation that caused the negro to jump, andI heard a chair overturned within. "A gentleman? Sam, don't deceiveme! For the love of Heaven, let me see him. May I be bastinadoed ifit hasn't been three months since my eyes beheld the last specimen!Sam, where was it I saw the last one?"

"Montreal, sah. "

"By Saint Guise! 'tis gospel truth, " and the speaker strode forward, candle in hand. "Here, now, you ace of spades, " he cried impatiently, "hold the flame until I bid this paragon of the wilderness fit welcomein the name of Hawkins, who strangely seems to have vanished from thesylvan scene. Alas, poor Hawkins! two gentlemen at one time, I greatlyfear, will be the death of him. Would that his good friend Burns mightbe with him on this festive occasion. Ye gods, what a time it wouldbe!"

As the black hastily reached out for the candlestick, his erraticmaster as quickly changed his mind. 

"No, " he muttered thoughtfully, drawing back within the hall; "'tis farmore fit that such formal greeting should occur within, where theessentials may be found with which to do full courtesy. I will insteadretire. Sam, bid the gentleman meet me in the banquet hall, and then, mark you, thou archfiend of blackness, seek out at once that manHawkins in his hidden lair, and bid him have ample repast spreadinstantly, on pain of my displeasure. By all the saints! if it be notat once forthcoming I will toast the scoundrel over his own slow fire. "

"Seth, " I said to my staring companion, as soon as I could recover frommy own surprise, "find a place for the horses somewhere in the stables, and come in. "

"Where is your master to be found?" I questioned of the black, whoseair of self-importance had been resumed the moment he was left alone. 

"Second door to de right, sah, " he answered, gazing curiously at mydeerskin hunting-shirt as I pressed by. 

I had little difficulty in finding it, for all that the way was totallydark, as the fellow within was lustily carolling a French love-song. Ihung back for a moment, striving vainly to distinguish the words. 

Without pausing to make my presence known, I opened the door quietly, and stepped within. The room was not a large one, though it occupiedthe full width of the house; and the two lighted candles that illuminedit, one sitting upon a table otherwise bare, the other occupying therude dresser in the far corner, revealed clearly the entire interior. 

The sole occupant of the room sat upon a corner of the table, one footresting on the floor, the other dangling carelessly. Hardly more thana year my elder, he bore in his face the indelible marks of a lifevastly different. His features were clear-cut, and undeniablyhandsome, with a curl of rare good-humor to his lips and an audacioussparkle within his dark eyes. His hat, cocked and ornamented inforeign fashion, lay beside him; and I could not help noting his longhair, carefully powdered and arranged with a nicety almost conspicuous, while his clothing was rich in both texture and coloring, and exhibitedmany traces of vanity in ribbon and ornament. Within his belt, fastened by a large metal clasp, he wore a pearl-handled pistol withlong barrel; and a rapier, with richly jewelled hilt, dangled at hisside. Altogether he made a fine figure of a man, and one of a sort Ihad never met before. 

If he interested me, doubtless I was no less a study to him. I couldsee the astonishment in his eyes, after my first entrance, change toamusement as he gazed. Then he brought a white hand down, with a smartslap, upon the board beside him. 

"By all the saints!" he exclaimed, "but I believe the black was right. 'Tis the face of a gentle, or I know naught of the breed, though theattire might fool the very elect. Yet, _parbleu_! if memory serves, 'tis scarcely worse than what I wore in Spain. "

He swung down upon his feet and faced me, extending one hand with allcordiality, while lips and eyes smiled pleasantly. 

"Monsieur, " he said, bowing low, and with a grace of movement quite newto me, "I bid you hearty welcome to whatsoever of good cheer thisdesert may have to offer, and present to you the companionship ofVilliers de Croix. It may not seem much, yet I pledge you that kingshave valued it ere now. "

It was a form of introduction most unfamiliar to me, and seemedbristling with audacity and conceit; but I recognized the heartiness ofhis purpose, and hastened to make fit response. 

"I meet you with much pleasure, " I answered, accepting the profferedhand. "I am John Wayland. "

The graceful recklessness of the fellow, so conspicuous in each wordand action, strongly attracted me. I confess I liked him from hisfirst utterance, although mentally, and perhaps morally as well, no twomen of our age could possibly be more unlike. 

"Wayland?" he mused, with a shrug, as if the sound of the word wasunpleasant. "Wayland?--'t is a harsh name to my ears, yet I have heardit mentioned before in England as that of a great family. You areEnglish, then?"

I shook my head emphatically; for the old wounds of controversy andbattle were then being opened afresh, and the feeling of antagonism ranespecially high along the border. 

"I am of this country, " I protested with earnestness, "and we callourselves Americans. "

He laughed easily, evidently no little amused at my retort, twistinghis small mustache through his slender fingers as he eyed me. 

"Ah! but that is all one to me; it is ever the blood and not the namethat counts, my friend. Now I am French by many a generation, Gasconby birth, and bearing commission in the Guard of the Emperor; yetsooth, 't is the single accursed drop of Irish blood within my veinsthat brings me across the great seas and maroons me in this howlingwilderness. But sit down, Monsieur. There will be both food and wineserved presently, and I would speak with you more at ease. "

As he spoke he flung himself upon a low settee, carelessly motioning metoward another. 

"On my word, " he said, eying me closely as I crossed over to the bench, "but you are a big fellow for your years, and 't is strength, notflabby flesh, or I know not how to judge. You would make a fine figureof a soldier, John Wayland. Napoleon perchance might offer you amarshal's baton, just to see you in the uniform. _Parbleu_! I haveseen stranger things happen. "

"You are now connected with the French army?" I questioned, wonderingwhat could have brought him to this remote spot. 

"Ay, a Captain of the Guard, yet an exile, banished from the court onaccount of my sins. _Sacre_! but there are others, Monsieur. I havebut one fault, my friend, --grave enough, I admit, yet but one, upon myhonor, and even that is largely caused by that drop of Irish blood. Ilove the ladies over-well, I sometimes fear; and once I dared to looktoo high for favor. "

"And have you stopped here long?"

"Here--at Hawkins's, mean you? Ten days, as I live; would you believeI could ever have survived so grievous a siege?" and he lookedappealingly about upon the bare apartment. "Ten days of Hawkins and ofSam, Monsieur; ay! and of Ol' Burns; of sky, and woods, and river, withnever so much as a real white man even to drink liquor with. By SaintLouis! but I shall be happy enough to face you across the boardto-night. Yet surely it is not your purpose to halt here long?"

"Only until I succeed in joining some party travelling westward to theIllinois country. "

"No! is that your aim? 'T is my trip also, if Fate be ever kind enoughto bring hither a guide. _Sacre_! there was one here but now, as odd adevil as ever bore rifle, and he hath taken the western trail alone, for he hated me from the start. That was Ol' Burns. Know you him?"

"'T was he who brought the message that sent me here; yet he saidlittle of his own journey. But you mention not where you are bound?"

"I seek Fort Dearborn, on the Great Lake. "

"That likewise is to be the end of my journey. You go to explore?"

"Explore? Faith, no, " and he patted his hand upon the bench mostmerrily. "There are but two reasons to my mind important enough tolure a French gentleman into such a hole as this, and send himwandering through your backwoods, --either war or love, Monsieur; and Iknow of no war that calleth me. "

Love, as he thus spoke of it, was almost an unknown term to me then;and, in truth, I scarcely grasped the full significance of his meaning. 

"You seek some lady, then, at Fort Dearborn?" I asked, for his toneseemed to invite the inquiry. 

"Ay!" with quickened enthusiasm; "'tis there Toinette has hiddenherself for this year or more, --Toinette, on my word as a Frenchsoldier, the fairest maid of Montreal. I have just discovered herwhereabouts, yet I shall win her ere I traverse these trails again, orI am not Villiers de Croix. "

"I travel thither to bring back a little orphan child with me, " Iexplained simply, in response to his look, "and will most gladly aidyou where I can. "

Before he could answer, Hawkins, a gaunt, silent frontiersman, togetherwith Sam, entered the room, bearing between them our evening meal. 

CHAPTER IV

CAPTAIN WELLS OF FORT WAYNE

We tarried at the table a considerable time, --not because of anytempting variety in the repast, as the food furnished was of thecoarsest, but for the sake of companionship, and because we discoveredmuch of passing interest to converse about. De Croix had travelledwidely, and had seen a great variety of life both in camp and court. He proved a vivacious fellow, full of amusing anecdote, --a bottle ofrich wine drawn from his own private stock so stimulating hisimagination that I had little to do but sit and listen. Yet hecontrived to learn from me, --how, I hardly know, --the simple story ofmy life, and, indeed, assumed a certain air of patronizing superiority, boasting unduly of his wider experience and achievements in a way thatsomewhat nettled me at last, as I began to comprehend that he wasmerely showing off his genteel graces the better to exhibit hiscontempt for my provincial narrowness. I did not permit this really toanger me, for our views upon such matters were totally different, and Icould not help feel admiration for the brilliant and audacious fellow. 

The black waited upon us while we ate and drank, moving noiselesslyacross the rough floor, so keenly observant of his master's slightestwish as to convince me the latter possessed a temper which uponoccasion burst its bounds. Yet now he was surely in the best ofhumors; and with the coming of our second bottle, after the remains ofthe repast had been removed, he sang several love-songs in his nativetongue, the meaning of which I could only guess at. 

"Saint Guise!" he exclaimed at last, flinging one booted foot over thetable corner. "You are a very sphinx of a fellow. You deny beingEnglish, yet you have all the silence of that nation. I am hungry, Monsieur, for the sweet sound of the French tongue. "

"'T is a language of which I know little, " I answered, striving tospeak pleasantly, although his manner was becoming less and less to myliking. "I have met with your _coureurs de bois_ in plenty, and pickedup sufficient of their common phrases to enable me to converse onordinary themes with them; yet I confess I find it difficult to followyour speech. "

"_Canaille_, " he returned, in tone of undisguised contempt, "Canadianhalf-breeds, the very offscourings of our people. _Sacre_! but youshould know us at home, Monsieur, --we are the conquerors of the world!"

I wish I could picture to you how he said this. Simple as it nowreads, he made it vital with meaning. The insolent boast was utteredwith such a swagger that my face instantly flushed, and he noted it. 

"Is it not true, Monsieur?" he asked quickly, his own blood heated bythe wine. "I tell you, the whole of Europe has trembled, and willagain, at the nod of our Napoleon. Why, even over here we had to comewith our legions to help you repel the redcoats. Saint Guise! but itwas the Frenchmen who made you a nation. "

"Ay! but only that they might revenge themselves upon England, " Iretorted blindly, "and the force sent merely hurried a result alreadyinevitable; yet we gave you a slight touch of our own quality in '98that stung a bit, I warrant. "

"Bah! a ship or two. 'Twas well for you that our army was so closelyengaged elsewhere, or the story would have a different ending. "

We were both of us upon our feet by this time, glaring at each otheracross the board, our faces hot with the ill-restrained passion ofyouth. A word more from either would surely have precipitated matters;but before it could be spoken the door leading into the hallway washurriedly flung aside, and, without apology for the intrusion, two menstrode forward into the glare of light. 

"Serve supper here, Hawkins, " commanded the first, his back stillturned toward us. "Anything you may chance to have in the house, --onlylet there be little delay. "

He was a tall, dark-featured man, smoothly shaven, as swarthy as anIndian, with stern dark eyes, thick coarse hair, and an abrupt mannerborn of long command. His companion, of lighter build and youngerface, was attired in a travel-stained uniform of blue and buff; but hewho was evidently the leader was so completely wrapped within the foldsof a riding-cloak as to reveal nothing of rank other than hisunmistakable military presence and bearing. Turning from the door, heswept a penetrating glance over us, loosening the clasp of his cloak ashe did so. 

"I regret having thoughtlessly interrupted your quarrel, gentlemen, " hesaid brusquely, "but this appears to be the sole excuse for apublic-room in the place. However, my services are at your command ifthey be desired in any way. "

De Croix laughed, perfectly at his ease in a moment. 

"'T is scarce so serious, " he explained lightly. "A mere interchangeof compliments over the respective merits of our nations in war. "

The stranger looked at him intently, and with some manifest disapproval. 

"And yours, no doubt, was France, " he said shortly. 

De Croix bowed, his hand upon his heart. 

"I have worn her uniform, Monsieur. "

"I thought as much, and fear my sympathies may be altogether with yourantagonist in the controversy. Yet what's the use of wasting life likethat? Surely there is fighting enough in this world of ours for suchyoung blades, without inventing cause for quarrel. Come, sit down oncemore, and join with us in whatsoever cheer our landlord may provide. "

As he spoke, he flung aside his cloak, revealing beneath merely thewell-worn dress of a frontiersman, with an army sword-belt buckledabout the waist. 

"Come, Walter, " he called to his companion, who remained standing, "there is to be no touch of ceremony here to-night. Gentlemen, I amCaptain Wells, formerly of the army, now Indian agent at Fort Wayne;and this is Sergeant Jordan. "

The Frenchman bowed gracefully, and extended a card across the table. The other glanced at it carelessly. 

"Ah! De Croix; pleased to meet you. Think I heard some of ourofficers speak of seeing you a month ago at Detroit, --McBain or Ramsey, I have forgotten which. "

"I recall a game of cards with a Lieutenant Ramsey, a rather cholericScotchman, with a magnificent capacity for strong whiskey. "

The Captain turned inquiringly toward me, and I hastened to name myself. 

"Wayland, did you say?" he asked, with deepened interest. "'T is not acommon appellation, yet I once knew a Major by that name in Wayne'scommand. "

"My father, sir, " I asserted proudly. 

With quick impulsiveness he extended his hand. 

"As noble a soldier as I have ever known, " he exclaimed heartily. "Iserved with him in two campaigns. But what are you two young fellowsdoing here? for it would be hard to conceive of a more dishearteningplace of residence. Surely, De Croix, you are not permanently locatedin this delightful spot?"

"The saints forbid!" ejaculated the other, with an expression of horrorthat caused the younger officer to smile. "Yet I have already survivedten days of it. We seek to join some party bound westward, either toFort Dearborn or beyond. "

The elder officer smiled gravely, as his stern eyes wanderedthoughtfully over our faces in the candle-light. 

"You will scarcely find those who go beyond, " he said, at last, slowly. "That is our extreme frontier; and even this post, I hear it rumored, is to be abandoned shortly. Indeed, I am now proceeding thither, hoping to escort a niece safely eastward because of that veryprobability. I can offer you naught save companionship and guidanceupon the journey; yet if you needs must go, you may ride with us andwelcome. But 't is my first duty to advise you strongly against it. "

"You look for trouble?" I asked, for his words and manner were grave. 

"I am not one easily alarmed, " he answered, scanning our faces as wefronted him; "but I have lived long among the Indians, and know themwell. This new war with England will not pass without atrocities alongthe border, and in my judgment we are now on the eve of a generaluprising of the savages. It will surely come with the first news ofBritish success, and 't is the fear of reverses at Dearborn that hashurried me westward. You, sir, " and he turned toward me, "are young, but it is evident you have been bred to the frontier, so you willrealize what it may mean to us if we be caught in the Illinois countryby such an uprising. "

I bowed, deeply impressed by his earnestness. 

"I have, indeed, seen something of savage warfare, and know much of itshorror, " I replied stoutly. "Yet what you say of the possible futureonly makes more urgent my duty to press on. "

"And you?" he asked De Croix. 

"Faith, Captain, " was the instant reply, "it is the gentle hand of lovewhich leads me westward, and never yet did a true Frenchman hesitate insuch a quest because danger lurked between. "

Wells smiled grimly. 

"Then my conscience is left clear, " he exclaimed heartily; "and if youride with me to death, 'tis of your own choosing. However, glad enoughwe have cause to be thus to gain two more fighting men. I have a partyof Miamis travelling with me, and I doubt not there will be ample workfor all before we return. Here comes supper; let us eat, drink, and bemerry, even though to-morrow it be our fate to die. 'T is the bestborder philosophy. "

CHAPTER V

THROUGH THE HEART OF THE FOREST

We lingered long over the wine, --for that which De Croix had furnishedproved excellent, and greatly stimulated our discourse. Yet, I mustconfess, it was drunk chiefly by the Frenchman and Jordan; for Wellsbarely touched his glass, while I had never acquired a taste for suchliquor. De Croix waxed somewhat boastful, toward the last; but we paidsmall heed to him, for I was deeply interested in Captain Wells'searlier experiences among the savages, which he related gravely andwith much detail. Jordan proved himself a reckless, roistering youngfellow, full of high spirits when in liquor; yet I formed an impressionthat he stood well in his commander's favor, for the latter warned himkindly to be more abstemious. 

However late it may have been when we finally sought rest, we wereearly astir the next morning. I despatched Seth upon his returnjourney to the farm, bearing under his girdle as cheerful a note offarewell as I could frame; and then, though it was scarce later thansun-up, the rest of us were fairly upon the westward trail. There werein the party thirty Miami Indians, strong, lusty-looking warriors, mostof them. The larger portion of them travelled in our advance, undercommand of one of their chiefs; a smaller detachment acting in similarmanner as a rear-guard. The white men, as well as the negro, whocontrolled a pack animal heavily laden with his master's baggage, wereon horseback; and it pleased me greatly, --for I was young and easilyflattered, --to have Captain Wells rein in his horse at my side as soonas we were safely across the ford, leaving the Frenchman either tocompanion with Jordan or ride alone. 

I looked at De Croix curiously, as he moved forward with slowcarelessness in our front, for he had kept the entire company waitingoutside the house for half an hour in the gray dawn while he curled andpowdered his hair. Doubtless this was what so disgusted Wells, whoselong black locks were worn in a simple queue, tied somewhat negligentlywith a dark cord. I almost smiled at the scowl upon his swarthy face, as he contemplated the fashionably attired dandy, whose bright-coloredraiment was conspicuous against the dark forest-leaves that walled usround. 

"I have heard it claimed these gay French beaux fight well when needarises, " he commented at last, thoughtfully; "but 't is surely a poorplace here for flaunting ribbons and curling locks. Possibly my finegentleman yonder may have occasion to test his mettle before we rideback again. Sure it is that if that time ever comes he will not lookso sweet. "

"You make me feel that we go forward into real peril, " I said, wondering that he should seem so fearful of the outcome. "Have youspecial reason?"

"The Miamis have already been approached by Indian runners, and theiryoung men are restless. It was only because I am the adopted son ofBig Turtle, and a recognized warrior of their tribe, that these haveconsented to accompany me; and I fear they may desert at the first signof a hostile meeting, " he answered gravely. "There is an Indianconspiracy forming, and a most dangerous one, involving, so far as Ican learn, every tribe north of the Ohio. Now that war with Englandhas actually been declared, there can no longer be doubt that thechiefs will take sides with the British. They have everything to gainand little to lose by such action. The rumor was at Fort Wayne, evenbefore we left, that Mackinac had already fallen; and if that provetrue, every post west of the Alleghanies is in danger. I fear thatdeath and flame will sweep the whole frontier; and I franklyacknowledge, Wayland, my only hope in this expedition is that, by hardtravel, we may be able to reach Chicagou and return again before theoutbreak comes. Tom Burns, an old scout of Wayne's, and a settler inthat country, was at Fort Wayne a month since with an urgent messagefrom the commandant at Dearborn. I tell you frankly, it will be touchand go with us. "

"Chicagou?" I questioned, for the word was one I had heard but oncebefore and was of an odd sound. 

"Ay! old Au Sable called it the Chicagou portage long before the fortnamed Dearborn was ever established there. 'T is the name the Frenchapplied to a small river entering the Great Lake from the west at thatpoint. "

"Have you journeyed there before?"

"Once, in 1803. I held Indian council on the spot, and helped lay outthe government reservation. 'T is a strange flat country, with muchbroken land extending to the northward. "

Little by little our conversation lapsed into silence; for the narrowtrail we followed was a most difficult one, and at times taxed ouringenuity to the utmost. It led through dense dark woods, fortunatelyfree from underbrush, skirted the uncertain edges of numerous marshesin the soft ooze of which the hoofs of our horses sank dangerously, andfor several miles followed the sinuous course of a small but rapidstream, the name of which I have forgotten. There were few openings inthe thick forest-growth, and the matted branches overhead, interlacedwith luxuriant wild vines, so completely shut out all vestige of thesun that we toiled onward, hour after hour, in continuous twilight. 

What mysterious signs our guides followed, I was not sufficientlyexpert in woodcraft to determine. To my eyes, --and I sought to observewith care, --there was nowhere visible the slightest sign that othershad ever preceded us; it was all unbroken, virgin wilderness, markedonly by slow centuries of growth. The accumulation of moss on thetree-trunks, as well as the shading of the leaves, told me that wecontinued to journey almost directly westward; and there was noperceptible hesitancy in our steady progress, save as we deviated fromit here and there because of natural obstacles too formidable to bedirectly surmounted. 

We skirted immense trees, veritable monarchs of the ages, hoary withtime, grim guardians of such forest solitudes; climbed long hillsroughened by innumerable boulders with sharp edges hidden beneath thefallen leaves, that lamed our horses; or descended into dark and gloomyravines, dank with decaying vegetation, finally halting for a briefmeal upon the southern edge of a small lake, the water of which was asclear and blue as the cloudless August sky that arched it. The sand ofthe shore where we rested was white as snow, yet De Croix had his manspread a cloak upon it before he ventured to sit down, and with caretucked a lace handkerchief about his throat to prevent stray crumbsfrom soiling the delicate yellow of his waistcoat. 

"One might fancy this was to be your wedding day, Monsieur, " observedWells, sarcastically, as he marked these dainty preparations, and notedwith disgust the attentive negro hovering near. "We are not perfumedcourtiers dancing at the court of Versailles. "

De Croix glanced about him carelessly. 

"_Mon Dieu_, no, " he said, tapping the lid of a richly chased silversnuff-box with his slender fingers. "Yet, my dear friend, a Frenchgentleman cannot wholly forget all that belongs to the refinements ofsociety, even in the heart of the wilderness. Sam, by any foul chancedid you overlook the lavender water?"

"No, sah; it am safe in de saddle-bags. "

"And the powder-puff, the small hand-mirror, and the curling-iron?"

"I saw to ebery one ob dem, sah. "

De Croix gave a deep sigh of relief, and rested back upon the cloak, negligently crossing his legs. 

"Captain, " he remarked slowly and thoughtfully, "you 've no idea thetrouble that negro is to me. Would you believe it? he actually left mynail-brush behind at Detroit, and not another to be had for love ormoney this side of Montreal! And only last night he mislaid a box ofrouge, and, by Saint Denis! I hardly dare hope there is so much as anounce of it in the whole party. "

"I rather suspect not, " was the somewhat crusty reply; "yet if a bit ofbear's grease could be made to serve your turn, we might possibly findsome among us. "

"I know not its virtue, " admitted the Frenchman gravely; "yet if itreddens the lips it might be useful. But that which I had came fromthe shop of Jessold in Paris, and is beyond all price. "

We were ten days upon this forest journey, from the time of ourcrossing the Maumee; and they were hard days, even to those of us longhabituated to the hardships of border travel. Indeed, I know few formsof exertion that so thoroughly test the mettle of men as journeyingacross the wilderness. There are no artificial surroundings, either toinspire or restrain; and insensibly humanity returns to naturalconditions, permitting the underlying savage to gain ascendency. Ihave seen more than one seemingly polished gentleman, resplendent withall the graces of the social code, degenerate into a surly brute withonly a few hours of such isolation and the ceaseless irritation of thetrail. Yet I must acknowledge that De Croix accepted it all without amurmur, and as became a man. His entire plaint was over the luxurieshe must forego, and he made far more ado about a bit of dust soilinghis white linen than about any real hardship of the march. 'T is mymemory that he rather grew upon us; for his natural spirits were sohigh that he sang where others swore, and found cause for amusement andlaughter in much that tested sorely even the Indian-like patience ofWells. He was like a boy, this gayly perfumed dandy of the Frenchcourt; but beneath his laces and ribbons, his affectations andconceits, there hid a stout heart that bade him smile where other menwould lie down and die. He companioned mostly with Jordan as wejourneyed, for Wells never could become reconciled to his mincing ways;yet I confess now that I began to value him greatly, and longed morethan once to join with the two who rode in our advance, cheering theirwearisome way with quips of fancy and snatches of song. He knew ittoo, the tantalizing rascal, and would frequently send back a bitingsquib over his shoulder, hoping thus to draw me away from the silentgrim-faced soldier beside whom I held place. 

It was truly a rough and wild journey, full enough of hardship, andwithout adventure to give zest to the ceaseless toil. I know now thatwe made a wide detour to the southward, trusting thus to avoid anypossible contact with prowling bands of either Pottawattomies orWyandots, whom our friendly Miamis seemed greatly to dread. This tookus far from the regular trail, rough and ill-defined as that was, andplunged us into ah untrodden wilderness; so that there were times whenwe fairly had to cut our way through the twisted forest branches andtangled brakes of cane with tomahawks and hunting-knives. We skirtedrocky bluffs, toiled painfully over fallen timber, or waded ankle deepin softened clay, in the black gloomy shadows of dense woods whichseemed interminable, meeting with nothing human, yet constantlystartling wild game from the hidden coverts, and feeling more and more, as we advanced, the loneliness and danger of our situation, --realizingthat each league we travelled only added to the length and peril of ourretreat if ever disaster came or Fort Dearborn were found deserted. 

Captain Wells, naturally grave and silent from his long training amongsavages, grew more and more reticent and watchful as we progressed, riding often at my side for hours without uttering a word, his keeneyes warily searching the dark openings upon every hand as ifsuspecting that each spot of gloom might prove the chosen place for anambuscade. Our Indian allies moved like shadows, gliding over theground noiselessly; and the occasional outbursts of merriment from DeCroix and his equally reckless companion grew gradually less frequent, and appeared more forced. The constant and never-ending toil of ourprogress, the depressing gloom of the sombre primeval forest on everyside of us, the knowledge of possible peril lurking in each league ofthis haunted silence, weighed upon us all, and at last closed the lipsof even the most jovial of our number. 

It was the tenth day, as I remember, --though it may have been later, for I have no writing to guide me concerning dates, --when we emergedinto a broad valley, treeless save for a thin fringe of dwarfed growthskirting the bank of a shallow stream which ran almost directlywestward. I cannot describe how sweet, after our gloomy journey, thesunlight appeared, as we first marked it play in golden waves over thelong grass; or the relief we felt at being able to gaze ahead once moreand see something of the country that we were traversing. 'Twas like asudden release from prison. Our jaded horses felt with us theexhilaration of the change, and moved with greater sprightliness thanthey had shown for days. As the sun began its circle downward, vastrolling hills of white and yellow sand arose upon the right of our lineof march, --huge mounds, many of them, glistening in the sunshine, somejagged at the summit, others rounded as if by art, so unusual in formand presence that I ventured to address our leader regarding them, ashe rode with his head bent low and a far-off look in his eyes. 

"The sand?" he questioned, glancing up as if startled at the sound ofmy voice. "Why, it has been cast there by the stormy waves of theGreat Lake, my lad, and beaten into those strange and fantastic shapesby the action of the wind. Doubtless 'tis the work of centuries ofstorms. "

"Are we, then, so close to the lake?" I asked eagerly, --for I had neveryet seen so large a body of water, and his description fired myimagination. 

"'T is but just beyond those dunes yonder, and will be still nearerwhen we come to camp. Possibly you might reach the shore before darkif you exercise care, --for there is danger of becoming lost in thatsand desert. Those hills seem all alike when once you are among them. "

"What is it that so greatly disturbs your Miamis?" I ventured to ask, for I had been noticing for some time that they were restless andtravelling poorly. "They have been counselling now for two hours. "

He glanced aside at me in apparent surprise. 

"Why, boy, I thought you were bred to the border; and can you ask mesuch a question? Do you observe nothing, like that fine gentlemanyonder? What have we been following since first we entered thisvalley?"

"An old Indian trail. "

"True, " he exclaimed, "and one that has been traversed by a largewar-party, bound west, within twelve hours. "

"How know you this?"

"By a hundred signs far plainer than print will ever be to my eyes. Infaith, I thought those fellows out yonder would have summoned me tocouncil long ere this, instead of threshing it out among themselves. They are bolder warriors than I deemed, though they will doubtlessrevolt in earnest when we camp. We shall have to guard them wellto-night. "

As he paused, his eyes fixed anxiously upon our Indian allies, De Croixbegan to hum a popular tune of the day, riding meanwhile, hat in hand, with one foot out of the stirrup to beat the time. Then Jordan caughtup the refrain, and sang a verse. I saw one or two of the olderIndians glance around at him in grave displeasure. 

"The young fools!" muttered Wells, uneasily. "I shall enjoy seeing ifthat French popinjay keeps all of his fine airs when the hour for sternwork comes. "

He lifted his voice. 

"Jordan!"

The young soldier instantly ceased his song, and turned in his saddleto glance back. 

"The time has come when I must insist on less noise, and more decorumupon the march, " Wells said sternly. "This is not Fort Wayne, nor isour road devoid of danger. Captain de Croix, I shall have to requestyou also to cease your singing for the present. "

There was that in his voice and manner which forbade remark, and werode on silently. I asked:

"But you have not explained to me how you learned all this of which youspoke?"

"By the use of my eyes, of course. It is all simple; there are marksbeside the beaten trail, as well as in its track, which prove clearlythe party ahead of us to be moving westward, that it travelled rapidly, and was certainly not less than a hundred strong, with ponies andlodge-poles. Not more than a league back we passed the evidences of acamp that had not been deserted longer than twelve hours; and when wecrossed the river, a feather from a war-bonnet was lying in the grass. These are small details, yet they tell the story. That feather, forinstance, was dropped from a Pottawattomie head-dress, and no doubtthere are warriors among those Indians yonder who could name the chiefwho wore it. It simply means, my lad, that the savages are gatheringin toward Dearborn, and we may reach there all too late. "

"Is the way yet long?" and my eyes sought the horizon, where the sunhung like a red ball of fire. 

"We should be there by the morrow, " he answered, "for we are nowrounding the head of the Great Lake. I wish to God I might see whatfate awaits us there. "

Young and thoughtless as I was in those days, I could not fail torealize the depth of feeling which swayed this stern, experienced man;and I rode on beside him, questioning no more. 

CHAPTER VI

FROM THE JAWS OF DEATH

I think it must be in the blood of all of New England birth to love thesea. They may never have seen it, nor even heard its wild, sternmusic; yet the fascination of great waters is part of their heritage. The thought of that vast inland ocean, of the magnitude and sublimityof which I had only the vaguest conception, haunted me all thatafternoon; and I scarcely removed my eyes from those oddly constructedmounds of drifted sand, striving vainly to gain, through somedepression between them, a fleeting glimpse of the restless waters thathad helped to shape them into such fantastic forms. 

As the sun sank, angry red in our faces, presaging a storm, the courseof the little stream we had been following drew in closer toward thesegrotesque piles, and the trail we followed became narrower, with thesluggish current pressing upon one side and that odd bank of gleamingsand upon the other. In a little open space, where quite a carpet ofcoarse yellowish grass had found lodgment, beneath the protectingshadow of a knot of cottonwoods, we finally made camp, and proceeded toprepare our evening meal. Determined to strike north through thoseguarding sand-dunes, and reach the shore of the lake if possible beforefinal darkness fell, I hastily crowded my pockets with food, and lookedeagerly around for some congenial companion. Captain Wells, whom Ishould have preferred to be with me, was deep in conference with one ofthe Miami chiefs, and not to be disturbed; Jordan had seemingly beendetailed to the command of the night-guard; so, as a last resort, Iturned aside and sought De Croix. I found him seated cross-legged on ablanket beneath one of the cottonwoods, a silver-backed mirror proppedagainst a tree-butt in his front, while the obsequious darkey wasdeliberately combing out his long hair and fashioning it anew. TheFrenchman glanced up at me with a welcoming smile of rare good-humor. 

"Ah, sober-face! and have you at last mustered courage to break awayfrom the commander of this most notable company?" he cried mockingly. "'T is passing strange he does not chain you to his saddle! By SaintGuise! 'twould indeed be the only way in which so dull a cavalier wouldever hold me loyal to his whims. Friend Wayland, I scarce thought youwould ever thus honor me again; and yet, 't is true, I have had anambition within my heart ever since we first met. 'T is to cause youto fling aside those rough habiliments of the wilderness, and attireyourself in garments more becoming civilized man. Would that I mightinduce you, even now, to permit Sam to rearrange those heavy blondlocks _à la Pompadour_. Bless me! but it would make a new man of you. "

"Such is not at all my desire, Monsieur, " I answered, civilly. "I camenow merely to learn if you would walk with me through these dunes ofsand before the daylight fades. "

He looked out, idly enough, across that dreary expanse of desolation, and shrugged his shoulders. 

"Use the other powder, Sam, the lighter colored, " he murmuredlanguidly, as if the sight had wearied him; "and mind you drop not somuch as a pinch upon the waistcoat. "

Then he lifted his eyes inquiringly to mine. 

"For what?" he asked. 

"To look forth upon the Great Lake. Captain Wells tells me 't is but abrief and safe walk from here to the shore-line. "

"The lake?--water?" and the expression upon his face made me smile. "_Mon Dieu_, man! have you become crazed by the hard march? What haveI ever said in our brief intercourse that could cause you to conceive Icare greatly for that? If it were only wine, now!"

"You have no desire to go with me, then?"

"Lay out the red tie, Sam; no, the one with the white spots in it, andthe small curling-iron. No, Monsieur; what you ask is impossible. Itravel to the west for higher purpose than to gaze upon a heaving wasteof water. _Sacre_! did I not have a full hundred days of such pleasurewhen first I left France? My poor stomach has not fairly settled yetfrom its fierce churning. Know ye not, Master Wayland, that we hope tobe at this Fort Dearborn upon the morrow, and 't is there I meet againthe fair Toinette? Saints! but I must look my best at such a time, notworn and haggard from tramping through the sand. She was ever a mostcritical maid in such matters, and has not likely changed. 'T iscurled too high upon the right brow, you black imp! and, as I live, there is one hair you have missed entirely. "

Realizing the uselessness of waiting longer, I turned my back upon hisvanity, and strode off alone. It is not my nature to swerve from apurpose merely because others differ in desires; and I was nowdetermined to carry out my plan. I took one of the narrow depressionsbetween two mounds of sand and plunged resolutely forward, endeavoringto shape my course as directly northward as the peculiarities of thepath would admit. To my mind, there was little to fear from thehostile Indians, as every sign proved them to be hastening westward inadvance of us; while I was too long accustomed to adventure to beeasily confused, even in the midst of that lonely desolation. 

I soon found the walking difficult; for I sank to the ankles with eachstep, while the soft sliding sand rolled beneath me so as to yield nosolid foothold. The irregularity of the mounds continually blocked mypassage, and caused me to deviate in direction, so that I grew somewhatbewildered, the entire surface bearing such uniformity of outline as toafford little guide. Yet I held to my original course fairly well, forI could pilot somewhat by the dim north star; and it was not longbefore my alert ears caught the pounding of surf along the shore-line. Much encouraged, I pressed forward with greater rapidity, ignoring thelanes between the dunes, and clambering over the mounds themselves inmy eagerness to reach the lake before the complete closing down ofnight. 

At last I topped a particularly high ridge that felt solid to the feet;and as I did so the wind came, hard and biting, against my face. There, just below me, not fifty feet away, were rolling the greatwaves, white-capped and roaring, pounding like vast sledges upon theanvil of the sand. My entire being thrilled at the majestic sight, andfor the moment I forgot everything as I gazed away across thoserestless, heaving waters, seemingly without limit, stretching forthinto the dim northward as far as the eye could reach, until water andsky imperceptibly met and blended. Each advancing wave, racing towardthe beach, was a white-lipped messenger of mystery; and the vasttumultuous sea, rolling in toward me out of that dark unknown, with itsdeep voice of thunder and high-bursting spray, breathed the sublimestlessons of the Infinite to my soul. It awed, impressed, silenced withthe sense of its solemn power. No dream of ocean grandeur had everapproached the reality now outspread before me, as this vast inland seatossed and quivered to the lashing of the storm-wind that swept itssurface into fury. 

To the left and right of where I stood motionless, curved theshore-line, a seemingly endless succession of white shining sand-hills, with the sloping shingle up which the huge breakers tossed and rolledin continuous thunder and foam, rising, breaking, receding, chasingeach other in gigantic play. How savagely strong it all looked! whatuncontrollable majesty lived in every line of the scene! The verysuggestion of tremendous power in it was, to my imagination, immeasurably increased by its unutterable loneliness, its seeminglytotal absence of life; for not a fin rose above the surface, not a wingbrushed the air overhead. The sun, sinking slowly behind the rim ofsand, shot one golden-red ray far out into that tumbling waste, forminga slender bridge of ever-changing light that seemed to rest suspendedupon the breaking crests of the waves it spanned. Then, gradually, stealthily, silently, the denser curtain of the twilight drew closerand closer, and my vista narrowed, as the shadows swept toward me likeblack-robed ghosts. 

I turned about reluctantly, to retrace my steps while the dim light yetlingered. Some unseen angel of mercy it must have been that bade mepause, and led me gently down the steep bank to the waters edge, wherethe sharp spray lashed my cheeks. If this be not the cause, then Iknow not why I went; or why, once being there, I should have turned tothe right, and rounded the edge of the little bay. Yet all of this Idid; and God knows that many a time since I have thanked Him for itupon my knees. 

I saw first the thing bobbing up and down behind a bare wave-washedrock that lifted a hoary crown close beside the water's edge. A branchfrom off some tree, I thought, until I had taken a half-dozen curioussteps nearer, and felt my heart bound as I knew it to be a boat. Myfirst thought, of course, was of hostile Indians; and I swept thesand-hills anxiously for any other sign of human presence. The worldabout me was soundless except for the ceaseless roaring of the waves, and there was not even a leaf within my sight to flutter. I creptforward cautiously, seeing no footprints on the smooth sand, until mysearching eyes rested upon a white hand, dangling, as if lifeless, overthe boat's gunwale. Forgetting everything else in the excitement ofthis discovery, I sprang hastily forward and peered within the boat. 

It was an awkward and rudely-formed water-craft, with neither mast noroars, yet of fair size, broad-beamed and seaworthy. In the forwardpart lay the body of a woman; curled up and resting upon the boat'sbottom, the head buried upon the broad seat so that no face wasvisible, with one hand hidden beneath, the other outstretched above therail. So huddled was her posture that I could distinguish few detailsin the fading light; yet I noted that she wore a white upper garment, and that her thick hair flowed in a dense black mass about hershoulders. 

For a moment I stood there helpless, believing I gazed upon death. Sheeither moved slightly, or the waves rocked the boat so as to somewhatdisturb her posture. That semblance of life sent my blood leaping oncemore within my veins, and I leaned over and touched her cautiously. 

"Oh, go away! Please go away!" she cried, not loudly, but with astress of utterance that caused me to start back half in terror. "I amnot afraid of you, but either take my soul or go away and leave me. "

"For whom do you mistake me?" I asked, my hand closing now over hers. 

"For another devil come out of the black night to torture me afresh!"she answered, never once moving even to my touch. "Ah, what legionsthere must be to send forth so many after the soul of one poor girl!'T is not that I shrink from the end. Death! why, have I not died ahundred deaths already? Yet do I trust the Christ and Mother Mary. But why does the angel of their mercy hold back from me so long?"

Was she crazed, driven mad by some extremity of suffering at which Icould only guess? That oarless boat, beached amid the desolation ofsand and the waste of water, alone told a story to make the heart sick. I hesitated, not knowing what I had best say. She lifted her headslowly, and gazed at me. I caught one glimpse of a pale young faceframed in masses of black dishevelled hair, and saw large dark eyesthat seemed to glow with a strange fire. 

"You, --you cannot be a devil also, " she said, stammeringly. "You donot look like those others, --are you a man?"

I bowed in silence, astounded by her words and appearance. 

"Yet you are not of the garrison, --not of Dearborn. I have never seenyour face before. Yet you are surely a man, and white. Holy Mother!can it indeed be that you have come to save me?"

"I am here to serve you by every means in my power, " I answeredsoberly, for the wildness of her speech almost frightened me. "God, Itruly think, must have led me to you. "

Her wonderful eyes, questioning, anxious, doubtful, never once left myface. 

"Who are you? How came you here?"

"I am named John Wayland, " I replied, striving to speak as simply asmight be, so that she would comprehend, "and form one of a small partytravelling overland from the east toward the Fort. We are encampedyonder at the edge of the sand. I left the camp an hour ago, andwandered hither that I might look out upon the waters of the GreatLake; and here, through the strange providence of God, I have foundyou. "

She glanced apprehensively backward over her shoulder across thedarkened waters, and her slight form shook. 

"Oh, please, take me away from it!" she cried, a note of undisguisedterror in her voice, and her hands held out toward me in a pitifulgesture of appeal. "Oh, that horrible, cruel water! I have loved itin the past, but now I hate it; how horribly it has tortured me! Takeme away, I beg, --anywhere, so that I can neither see nor hear it anymore. It has neither heart nor soul. " And she hid her face behind thestreaming hair. 

"You will trust me, then?" I asked, for I had little knowledge ofwomen. "You will go with me?"

She flung the clinging locks back from her eyes, with an odd, imperiousgesture which I thought most becoming, holding them in place with onehand, while extending the other frankly toward me. 

"Go with you? Yes, " she replied, unhesitatingly. "I have known manymen such as you are, men of the border, and have always felt free totrust them; they are far more true to helpless womanhood than many aperfumed cavalier. You have a face that speaks of honor and manliness. Yes, I will go with you gladly. "

I was deeply impressed by her sudden calmness, her rapid repression ofthat strange wildness of demeanor that had at first so marked her wordsand manner. As I partially lifted her from the boat to the sand, shestaggered heavily, and would have fallen had I not instantly caught herto me. For a single moment her dark eyes looked up confidingly intomine, as she rested panting against my shoulder, and I could feel herslender form tremble within my arms. 

"You are ill--faint?" I questioned anxiously. 

She drew back from me with all gentleness, and did not venture again toattempt standing entirely without support. 

"I am ashamed so to exhibit my weakness, " she murmured. "I fear I amgreatly in need of food. What day is this?"

"The twelfth of August. "

"And it was the night of the tenth when I drifted out of the mouth ofthe river. Ever since then I have been drifting, the sport of thewinds and waves. "

"Sit you down here, then, " I commanded, now fully awakened to herimmediate need. "The sand is yet warm from the sun, and I have foodwith me in my pockets. "

CHAPTER VII

A CIRCLE IN THE SAND

I have since thought it almost providential that my food supply was solimited; for, after first asking me if I had eaten all I required, shefell upon it like a famished thing, and did not desist until all wasgone. A threatening bank of dark cloud was creeping slowly up thenorthern sky as we were resting, but directly overhead the stars wereshining brilliantly, yielding me sufficient light for the study of herface. She was certainly less than my own age by two or three years, agirl barely rounding into the slender beauty of her earliest womanhood, with hints of both in face and form. She was simply dressed, as, indeed, might naturally be expected in a wilderness far removed frommarts of trade; but her clothing was of excellent texture, and becameher well in spite of its recent exposure, while a bit of ratherexpensive lace at the throat and a flutter of gay ribbons about thewrists told plainly that she did not disdain the usual adornments ofher sex. And this was quickly shown in another way. She had not yetcompleted her frugal meal when her mind reverted to her personalappearance, and she paused, with heightened color, to draw back herloosened hair and fasten it in place with a knot of scarlet cord. Itwas surely a winsome face that smiled up at me then. 

"I feel almost guilty of robbery, " she said, "in taking all this food, which was no doubt intended for your own supper. "

"Merely what chanced to be left of it, " I answered heartily. "Had I somuch as dreamed this stretch of sand was to yield me suchcompanionship, I should have stinted myself more. "

An expression of bewildered surprise crept into her eyes as I spoke. 

"Surely you are not a mere _coureur de bois_, as I supposed from yourdress, " she exclaimed. "Your expression is that of an educatedgentleman. "

I smiled; for I was young enough to feel the force of her unconsciousflattery. 

"I believe I can prove descent from an old and honorable race, " I said;"but it has been my fortune to be reared in the backwoods, and whatevereducation has come to me I owe to the love and skill of my mother. "

My frankness pleased her, and she made no attempt to disguise herinterest. 

"I am so glad you told me, " she said simply. "My mother died when Iwas only ten, yet her memory has always been an inspiration. Are you aProtestant?"

This unexpected question took me by surprise; yet I answeredunhesitatingly, "Yes. "

"I was educated at the Ursuline Convent in Montreal. It was mymother's dearest wish that I should take the vows of that order, but Ifear I am far too frivolous for so serious a life. I love happy thingstoo well, and the beautiful outside world of men and women. I ran awayfrom the Sisters, and then my father and I voyaged to this country, where we might lead a freer life together. "

"Here?" and I glanced questioningly about me into those darkeningshadows which were momentarily hemming us in more closely. 

"To Fort Dearborn, " she explained. "We came by boat through thestraits at the north; and 'twas a trip to remember. My father broughtout goods from Canada, and traded with the Indians. I have been intheir villages. Once I was a week alone with a tribe of Sacs nearGreen Bay, and they called me the White Queen. I have met many famouswarriors of the Wyandots and Pottawattomies, and have seen them danceat their council. Once I journeyed as far west as the Great River, across leagues and leagues of prairie, " and her face lighted up at theremembrance. "Father said he thought I must be the first white womanwho had ever travelled so far inland. We have been at Dearborn fornearly a year. "

She rose to her feet, and swept her eyes, with some anxiety, aroundupon dim mounds of sand that appeared more fantastic than ever in thedarkness. 

"Had we not better be going?" she asked. "There is surely a stormgathering yonder. "

"Yes, " I answered, for I had not been indifferent to the cloudssteadily banking up in the north. "Yet you have not told me your name, and I should be most glad to know it. "

The girl courtesied mockingly, as though half inclined to laugh at myinsistence. 

"What is a name?" she exclaimed. "'Tis not that for which we greatlycare. Now I--I am simply Mademoiselle Antoinette, --at least, so mostof those I care for call me; and from now on, the very good friend ofMaster John Wayland. "

I was deeply conscious that I blushed at her words and manner; but withit there arose an instant query in my mind: could this be the fairToinette whom De Croix sought so ardently? I greatly feared it; yet Iresolved I would not mention his name to her. 

"It has a decided French sound, " I stammered. 

She laughed at my tone, with a quick shrug of her shoulders. 

"And pray, why not, Monsieur? Have you such a prejudice against thatgreat people that you need speak of them with so glum a voice? Ah, butif I must, then I shall endeavor to teach you a higher regard for us. "

"That may not prove so hard a task, " I hastened to assure her; "thoughI was surprised, --you speak English with so pure an accent that I hadnot dreamed you other than of my own race. "

"My father was of English blood, " she answered more gravely; "but Ifear you will find me quite of my mother's people, if ever we come toknow each other well. But hark! that was surely thunder! We haveloitered too long; the storm is about to break. "

It was indeed upon us almost before she ceased speaking. A sudden rushof wind sent my hat flying into the darkness, and whipped her longblack hair loose from its restraining knot. I had barely time to wrapmy hunting-jacket closely around her shoulders, when the rain camedashing against our faces. 

I drew her unresistingly around the edge of the nearest sand-pile; butthis supplied poor protection against the storm, the wind lashing thefine grit into our faces, stinging us like bits of fire. I tried toexcavate some sort of cave that might afford us at least a partialshelter; but the sand slid down almost as rapidly as I could dig it outwith my hands. 

"Oh, let us press on!" she urged, laying her hand upon my arm, inentreaty. "We shall become no wetter moving, and your camp, you said, was only a short distance away. "

"But are you strong enough to walk?" And as I leaned forward towardher, a quick flash of vivid lightning, directly overhead, lit both ourfaces. I marked she did not shrink, and no look of fear came into hereyes. 

"I am quite myself once more, " she answered confidently. "It wasdespair and loneliness that so disheartened me. I have never beentimid physically, and your presence has brought back the courage Ineeded. "

There was a natural frankness, a peculiar confidence, about this girl, that robbed me of my usual diffidence; and as we struggled forwardthrough the dampening sand, her dress clinging about her and retardingprogress, I dared to slip one arm about her waist to help in bearingher along. She accepted this timely aid in the spirit with which itwas offered, without so much as a word of protest; and the wind, battering at our backs, pushed us forward. 

"Oh, that troublesome hair!" she exclaimed, as the long tresses whippedin front of our faces, blinding us both. "I have never before felt somuch like sacrificing it. "

"I beg that you will not consider such an act now, " I protested, aidingher to reclaim the truants, "for as I saw it before the darkness fell, your hair was surely worthy of preservation. "

"You laugh at me; I know I must have been a far from pretty sight. "

"Do you wish me to say with frankness what I thought of your appearanceunder such disadvantages?"

She glanced at me almost archly, in the flash of lightning that rentthe sky. 

"I am really afraid to answer yes, --yet perhaps I am brave enough toventure it. "

"I have never been at court, Mademoiselle, and so you may not considermy judgment in such matters of much moment; but I thought you rarelybeautiful. "

For a moment she did not attempt to speak, but I could distinctly feelthe heaving of her bosom as I held her hard against the assault of thewind, and bent low hoping to catch an answer. 

"You are sincere and honest, " she said at last, slowly, and I felt thatthe faint trace of mockery had utterly vanished from her soft voice. "'T is manifest in your face and words. You speak not lightly, norwith mere empty compliment, as would some gilded courtiers I haveknown; and for that reason I do value your opinion. "

"You are not angry at my presumption?"

"Angry?--I?" and she stopped and faced me, holding back her hair as shedid so. "I am a woman, Monsieur; and all women, even those of ushidden here in the wilderness, like best those who admire them. I donot know that I am as beautiful as you say, yet other men have oftensaid the same without being pressed for their opinion. No, I am notangry, --I am even glad to know you think so. "

"And you surely do know?" I insisted, with a courage strange to me. 

"Yes, " she answered, but her eyes fell before my eagerness; "you arenot one who has yet learned to lie, even to women. 'T is a relief toknow there are such men still in the world. "

We had come to a full halt by this time. 

"Do you have any idea where we may be?" she asked, peering anxiouslyabout, and perhaps glad to change the tone of our conversation. "Icannot note a landmark of any kind. These sand-hills seem all alike. "

"I believe we have kept to the southward, for we have merely driftedwith the storm; but I confess my sole guidance has been the directionof the wind, as these sand-lanes are most confusing. If there were theslightest shelter at hand, I should insist upon your waiting until therain was over. "

"No, it is better to go on. I am now wet to the skin, and shall bewarmer moving than resting on this damp sand. "

We must have been moving for an hour, scarcely speaking a word, for thesevere exertion required all our breath. The rain had ceased, andstars began to glimmer amid the cloud-rifts overhead; but I knew nowthat we were lost. She stopped suddenly, and sank down upon the sand. 

"I am exhausted, " she admitted, "and believe we are merely moving aboutin a circle. "

"Yes, " I said, reluctantly; "we are wasting our strength to no purpose. 'T will be better to wait for daylight here. "

It was a gloomy place, and the silence of those vast expanses ofdesolate sand was overwhelming. It oppressed me strangely. 

"Let me feel the touch of your hand, " she said once. "It is sodesperately lonely. I have been on the wide prairie, at night andalone; yet there is always some sound there upon which the mind mayrest. Here the stillness is like a weight. "

Possibly I felt this depressing influence the more because of my longforest training, where at least the moaning of limbs, fluttering ofleaves, or flitting of birds brings relief to the expectant senses;while here all was absolute solitude, so profound that our breathingitself was startling. The air above appeared empty and void; the earthbeneath, lifeless and dead. Although neither of us was cowardly ofheart, yet we instinctively drew closer together, and our eyes strainedanxiously over the black sand-ridges, now barely discernible throughthe dense gloom. We tried to talk, but even that soon grew to be astruggle, so heavily did the suspense rest upon our spirits, sooppressed were we by imaginings of evil. I remember telling her mysimple story, gaining in return brief glimpses of her experiences inCanada and the farther West. She even informed me that orders had beenreceived, the day before she became lost upon the lake, to abandon FortDearborn; that an Indian runner--whom she named Winnemeg--had arrivedfrom General Hull at Detroit, bringing also news that Mackinac hadfallen. 

"Doubtless your absence has greatly worried them also, " I said. 

"Oh, no; none of them knew my plight. Possibly some may miss me, butthey will naturally suppose I have been at Mr. Kinzie's house all thistime. I have been there often for weeks together, and they havefrequently urged me to take shelter with them. You see it is far saferthere than at the Fort, for even the most hostile Indians remain onfriendly terms with Mr. Kinzie and his family. He has been there somany years, and is so just a man in his dealings with them. 'T isreally strange to see how he leaves his house unguarded, while thegarrison at the Fort is almost in a state of siege. It makes it hardto realize how imminent is the danger. Yet they are terribly alarmedat the Fort, and I fear with cause. Even Mr. Kinzie feels thesituation to be critical. There were fully three hundred Pottawattomiewarriors encamped without the Fort two days ago; and they were becomingbold and impudent, --one chief even firing his gun in Captain Heald'soffice, thinking to frighten him into furnishing them with liquor. "

"But the Fort is strong?" I asked. "It is capable of resisting anattack?"

"I should suppose so, " she answered, hesitatingly; "but that is not amatter upon which a girl may judge. I fear, however, all is notharmony among its defenders. I know that Captain Heald and EnsignRonan do not agree, and I have heard bitter words spoken by otherofficers of the garrison. "

I thought she did not care to speak more about this matter, and wedrifted off upon other topics, until I felt her head sink slowly downupon my shoulder, and knew she slept. I sat there still, pillowing hertenderly upon my arm, when the gray light of the dawn stole slowlytoward us across the ridges of sand and revealed the upturned face. 

CHAPTER VIII

TWO MEN AND A MAID

The emotion I felt was new and strange to me; for though I had knownlittle of young women, yet as I looked upon her in that dim light ofdawn I found myself wondering if I already loved this strange girl. Fair as her face certainly was, its beauty rendered even more strikingby the pallor of her late exposure and the blackness of her dishevelledhair, it was her frankness and confidence which most appealed to me. She had held all my thoughts through the long hours of watchfulness asI sat there quietly, feeling the rise and fall of her regularbreathing, and thrilled by the unconscious caress of stray tresses asthey were blown against my cheek. How she trusted me, stranger thoughI was! Yet it was through no lack of knowledge of the great world ofmen, for this young girl had known court gallants and rough soldiery, soft-spoken courtiers and boastful men-at-arms. So the night through Idreamed of what might be; and when the light finally came slowlyreddening the eastern sky, I feasted my eyes unchecked upon that sweetupturned face, and made a rash vow that I would win her heart. 

I was still mirroring her image in my memory, forgetful of allelse, --the broad white brow, the long dark lashes resting in suchdelicate tracery against the smooth velvet of the cheek now slightlyflushed, the witching pink of the ear, the softly parted lips betweenwhich gleamed the small and regular teeth of ivory, the round whitethroat swelling ever so slightly to her breathing, --when a sudden shoutof surprised recognition aroused me from my reverie, and I looked up tosee Jordan topping the sand-bank in our front, and waving his hand tosome one beneath him and out of sight. 

"See here, De Croix!" he cried, excitedly, "the prodigal has had goodcause to lag behind. He has found the lost fairy of this wilderness. "

Before I could relieve myself of my burden, --for the mockery of hiswords angered me, --the Frenchman appeared at his side, and glanced downwhere his companion's finger pointed. For a moment he gazed; then hemurmured a sharp French oath, and strode heavily down the sand-bank. There was a look in his face that caused me to lay the girl's head backupon the sand and rise hastily. The sudden movement awoke her, and herdark eyes looked up in startled confusion. By this time I had taken aquick step forward, and faced De Croix. 

"This lady is under my protection, " I said, a bit hotly, not relishingthe manner of his approach, "and any disrespect from either of you willbe unwarranted. "

He paused, evidently surprised at my bold front, and his lip curledcontemptuously. 

"Ah, my young game-cock!" he ejaculated, surveying me curiously. "Soyou have spurs, and think you can use them? Well, I have no quarrelwith you, but perchance I may have more reason to be the protector ofthis young lady than you suppose. Stand aside, Monsieur. "

She had risen from the sand, and now stood erect beside me. I sawJordan grinning in great enjoyment of the scene, and that De Croix'seyes were full of anger; but I would not stir. In my heart I felt adull pain at his words, a fear that they might prove too true; but Iremained where I was, determined to take no step aside until sheherself should judge between us. 

"Will you stand back, Monsieur?" he said, haughtily, dropping his handupon the hilt of his rapier, "or shall I show you how a gentleman ofFrance deals with such impertinence?"

If he thought to affright me with his bravado, he reckoned ill of mynature, for I have ever driven badly; my blood seems slow to heat, though it was warm enough now. 

"If the lady wishes it, you may pass, " I answered shortly, my eyesnever leaving his face. "Otherwise, if you take so much as anotherstep I will crush every bone in your body. "

He saw I meant it, but there was no cowardice in him; and the steel hadalready flashed in the sunlight to make good his threat, when shetouched me gently upon the shoulder. 

"I beg you do not fight, " she urged. "I am not worthy, and 't is allunneeded. Captain de Croix, " and she swept him a curtsey which had thegrace of a drawing-room in it, "'t is indeed most strange that weshould meet again in such a spot as this. No contrast could be greaterthan the memory of our last parting. Yet is there any cause forquarrel because this young gentleman has preserved my life?"

De Croix hesitated, standing half-poised for attack, even his glibtongue and ready wit failing as she thus calmly questioned him. Indeed, as I later learned, there was that of witchery about this younggirl which held him at bay more effectually than if she had been aprincess of the royal blood, --a something that laughed his studied artto scorn. She noted now his hesitancy, and smiled slightly at theevidence of her power. 

"Well, Monsieur, 'tis not often that your lips fail of words, " shecontinued, archly. "Why is it I am made the subject of your quarrel?"

The slight sarcastic sting in her voice aroused him. 

"By all the saints, Toinette!" he exclaimed, striving to appear at hisease, "this seems a poor greeting for one who has followed you throughleagues of forest and across oceans of sand, hopeful at the least togain a smile of welcome from your lips. Know you not I am here, at thevery end of the world, for you?"

"I think it not altogether unlikely, " she replied with calmness. "Youhave ever been of a nature to do strange things, yet it has always beenof your own sweet will. Surely, Monsieur, I did never bid you come, orpromise you a greeting. "

"No, " he admitted regretfully, "'t is, alas, true, "; and his eyesseemed to regain something of their old audacity. "But there was thatabout our parting, --you recall it, Toinette, in the shadow of thecastle wall?--which did afford me hope. No one so fair as you can bewithout heart. "

She laughed softly, as though his words recalled memories of otherdays, pressing back her hair within its ribbon. 

"Such art of compliment seems more in place at Montreal than here. This is a land of deeds, not words, Monsieur. Yet, even though Iconfess your conclusion partially true, what cause does it yield whyyou should seek a quarrel with my good friend, John Wayland?"

"You know him, then?" he asked, in quick astonishment. 

"Know him! Do you think I should be here otherwise? Fie, Captain deCroix, that you, the very flower of the French court, should express sopoor a thought of one you profess to respect so highly!"

He looked from one to the other of us, scarce knowing whether she werelaughing at him or not. 

"_Sacre_!" he exclaimed at last. "I believe it not, Mademoiselle. Theboy would have boasted of such an acquaintance long before this. Youknow him, you say, --for how long?"

"Since yester even, if you must know. But he has a face, Monsieur, aface frank and honest, not like that of a man long trained at courts todeceive. 'T is for that I trust him, and have called him friend. "

"You may rue the day. "

"No, Captain de Croix, " she exclaimed, proudly. "I know thefrontiersmen of my father's blood. They are brave men, and true ofheart. This John Wayland is of that race. " And she rested one handlightly upon my arm. 

The motion, simple as it was, angered him. 

"You ask why I sought quarrel, " he said sternly. "'T was because Isuspected this uncouth hunter had wronged you. Now I understand 't wasof your own choice. I wish you joy, Mademoiselle, of your newconquest. "

I felt the girl's slight form straighten, and saw his bold eyes sinkbeneath the flame of her look. 

"Captain de Croix, " and every sentence stung like the lash of a whip, "those are cowardly words, unworthy a French gentleman and soldier. Did you leave all your courtesy behind in Montreal, or dream that inthis wilderness I should cringe to any words you might speak? You wishthe truth; you shall have it. Three days ago, through an accident, Idrifted, in an oarless boat, out from the river-mouth at Fort Dearbornto the open lake. None knew of my predicament. A storm blew mehelpless to the southward, and after hours of exposure to danger, andgreat mental anguish, I was driven ashore amid the desolation of thissand. This comrade of yours found me scarce alive, ministered to mysore need, protected me through the hours of the night, stood but nowbetween me and your ribaldry, counting his life but little beside thereputation of a woman. He may not wear the latest Paris fashions, Monsieur, but he has proved himself a man. "

"I meant not all I said, Toinette, " he hastened to explain. "You willforgive, I know, for I was sorely hurt to find that some one else haddone the duty that was plainly mine. Surely no rude backwoodsman is tocome between us now?"

She glanced from the one to the other, with true French coquetry. 

"Faith, I cannot tell, Monsieur, " she said, gayly; "stranger thingshave happened, and 't is not altogether fine clothes that win thehearts of maidens on this far frontier. We learn soon to lovestrength, and the manly traits of the border. On my word, Monsieur, this John Wayland seems to have rare powers of body; I imagine he mighteven have crushed you, as he said. "

"Think you so?" he asked, eying me curiously. "Yet 't is not always asit looks, Mademoiselle. "

It came so quickly as to startle me. I was wondering at the smile thatcurled his lips, when he sprang upon me, casting his arms around mywaist, and twining one leg about mine. The shock of this sudden andunexpected onset took me completely by surprise, and I gave backsharply, scarce realizing his purpose, till he had the under-hold, andsought to lift me for a throw. 'T was my weight alone that saved me, together with the rare good fortune that I had been leaning upon my gun. 

As the breath came back to me, we locked grimly in a fierce strugglefor the mastery. I had felt the straining grip of strong arms before, but De Croix surprised me, --he was like steel, quick of motion as awildcat, with many a cunning French wrestling trick that tried mesorely. I heard a quick exclamation of surprise from the girl, a shoutof delighted approval from Jordan, and then there was no sound but theharsh trampling of our feet and the heavy breathing. De Croix's effortwas to lift me to his hip for a throw; mine, to press him backward bybodily strength. Both of us were sadly hindered by the sliding sand onwhich we strove. Twice I thought I had him, when my footing failed;and once he held me fairly uplifted from the ground, yet could not makethe toss. 'T was a wild grapple, for when we had exhausted all thetricks we knew, it came to be a sheer test of physical endurance. Then, for the first time, I felt myself the master, --though he was aman, that gay French dandy, and never did my ribs crack under thepressure of a stronger hand. But I slowly pressed him back, inch byinch, struggling like a demon to the last, until I forced his shouldersto the sand. 

For a moment he lay there, panting heavily; then the old frank and easysmile came upon his lips. 

"Your hand, monsieur, " he said; "that is, if it yet retains sufficientstrength to lift me. "

Upon his feet he brushed the sand from out his long hair, and bowedgallantly. 

"I have done my very best, Mademoiselle. 'Tis defeat, but notdisgrace, for I have made your giant puff to win. May I not hope ithas won me restoration to your good graces?"

CHAPTER IX

IN SIGHT OF THE FLAG

It would have been impossible not to respond to his humor andgood-nature, even had the girl been desirous of doing otherwise. Fromthe first I felt that she liked this reckless courtier, whose easywords and actions made me realize more deeply than ever my ownheaviness of thought and wit. 

As he stood there now, bowing low before her, his clothing awry and hislong hair in disorder from our fierce contest, she smiled upon himgraciously, and extended a hand that he was prompt enough to accept andhold. 

"Surely, " she said mockingly, "no maid, even in the glorious days ofchivalry, had ever more heroic figures to do battle for her honor. Iaccept the _amende_, Monsieur, and henceforth enroll you as knight atmy court. Upon my word, " and she looked about at the desolatesand-heaps surrounding us, "'tis not much to boast of here; nor, intruth, is Dearborn greatly better. "

She paused, drawing her hand gently from his grasp, and holding it outtoward me. 

"Yet, Captain, " she continued, glancing at him archly over hershoulder, "I have likewise another knight, this wood ranger, who hathalso won my deep regard and gratitude. "

De Croix scowled, and twisted his short mustache nervously. 

"You put a thorn beside every rose, " he muttered. "'T was your way inMontreal. "

"A few hundred miles of travel do not greatly change one's nature. Either at Dearborn or Montreal, I am still Toinette. But, Messieurs, Ihave been told of a camp quite close at hand, --and yet you leave mehere in the sand to famish while you quarrel. "

The tone of her voice, while still full of coquetry, was urgent, and Ithink we both noted for the first time how white of face she was, andhow wearily her eyes shone. The Frenchman, ever ready in suchcourtesies, was the first to respond by word and act. 

"You are faint, Toinette, " he cried, instantly forgetful of everythingelse, and springing forward to give her the aid of his arm. "I beg youlean upon me. I have been blind not to note your weakness before. 'Tis indeed not a long walk to our camp from here, --yet, on my life, Iknow nothing of where it lies. Jordan, " he added, speaking as if hewere in command, "lead back along the path we came. _Sacre_! the oldbear was gruff enough over the delay of our search; he will be savagenow. "

I know not how Jordan ever found his way back, for the sliding sand hadalready obliterated all evidences of former travel; but I walkedsullenly beside him, leaving De Croix to minister to the needs of thegirl as best he might. I felt so dull beside his ready tongue that, inspite of my real liking for the fellow, his presence angered me. 'T isstrange we should ever envy in others what we do not ourselves possess, ignoring those traits of character we have which they no less desire. So to me then it seemed altogether useless to contend for the heart ofa woman, --such a woman, at least, as this laughing Toinette, --againstthe practised wiles of so gay and debonair a cavalier. I steeled myears to the light badinage they continued to indulge in, and ploughedon through the heavy sand at Jordan's heels, in no mood for conversewith any one. 

We came upon the camp suddenly, and discovered Captain Wells pacingback and forth, his stern face dark with annoyance. At sight of me, his passion burst all restraint. 

"By God, sir!" he ejaculated, "if you were a soldier of mine, I wouldteach you what it meant to put us to such a wait as this! Know younot, Master Wayland, that the lives of helpless women and children maydepend upon our haste? And you hold us here in idleness while youwander along the lake-shore like a moonstruck boy!"

Before I could answer these harsh words, the girl stepped lightly to myside, and standing there, her hand upon my arm, smiled back into hisangry eyes. I do not think he had even perceived her presence untilthat moment; for he stopped perplexed. 

"And am I not worth the saving, Monsieur le Capitaine, " she questioned, pouting her lips, "that you should blame him so harshly for havingstopped to rescue me?"

His harsh glance of angry resentment softened as he gazed upon her. 

"Ah! was that it, then?" he asked, in gentler tones. "But who are you?Surely you are not unattended in this wilderness?"

"I am from Fort Dearborn, " she answered, "and though only a girl, Monsieur, I have penetrated to the great West even farther than hasCaptain Wells. "

"How know you my name?"

"Mrs. Heald told me she believed you would surely come when you learnedof our plight at the Fort, --it was for that she despatched the manBurns with the message, --and she described you so perfectly that I knewat once who you must be. There are not so many white men travellingtoward Dearborn now as to make mistake easy. "

"And the Fort?" he asked, anxiously. "Is it still garrisoned, or havewe come too late?"

"It was safely held two days ago, " she answered, "although hundreds ofsavages in war-paint were then encamped without, and holding powwowbefore the gate. No attack had then been made, yet the officers talkedamong themselves of evacuating. "

For a moment the stern soldier seemed to have forgotten her, his eyesfastened upon the western horizon. 

"The fools!" he muttered to himself, seemingly unconscious that hespoke aloud; "yet if I can but reach there in time, my knowledge ofIndian nature may accomplish much. "

He turned quickly, with a sharp glance over his military force. 

"We delay no longer. Jordan, do you give this lady your horse forto-day's journey, and go you forward on foot with the Miamis. Watchthem closely, and mark well everything in your front as you move. "

"But, Captain Wells, " she insisted, as he turned away, "I amexceedingly hungry, and doubt not this youth would also be much thebetter for a bit of food. "

"It will have to be eaten as you travel, then, " he answered, notunkindly, but with all his thought now fixed on other things, "for ourduty is to reach Dearborn at the first moment, and save those prisonedthere from death, and worse. "

I shall always remember each detail of that day's march, though I sawbut little of Toinette save in stolen glances backward, Wells keepingme close at his side, while De Croix, as debonair as ever, was herconstant shadow, ministering assiduously to her wants and cheering herjourney with agreeable discourse. I heard much of their chatter, earnestly as I sought to remain deaf to it. To this end Wells aided mebut little, for he rode forward in stern silence, completely absorbedin his own thoughts. 

During the first few hours we passed through a dull desolation ofdesert sand, the queerly shaped hills on either side scarcely breakingthe dead monotony, although they often hid from our sight our advancescouts, and made us feel isolated and alone. Once or twice I imaginedI heard the deepening roar of waves bursting upon the shore-line to ourright, but could gain no glimpse of blue water through those obscuringdunes. We were following a well-worn Indian trail, beaten hard by manya moccasined foot; and at last it ran from out the coarser sand andskirted along the western beach, almost at the edge of the waves. 'Twas a most delightful change from the cramped and narrowed vision thathad been ours so long. Our faces were now set almost directlynorthward; but I could not withdraw my eyes from the noble expanse ofwater heaving and tumbling in the dazzling sunlight. Indeed, there waslittle else about our course to attract attention; the shore in frontlay clear and unbroken, bearing a sameness of outline that wearied thevision; each breaking wave was but the type of others that had gonebefore, and each jutting point of land was the picture of the next tofollow. To our left, there extended, parallel to our course of march, a narrow ridge of white and firmly beaten sand, as regular inappearance as the ramparts of a fort. Here and there a break occurredwhere in some spring flood a sudden, rush of water had burst through. Glancing curiously down these narrow aisles, as we rode steadilyonward, I caught fleeting glimpses of level prairie land, green withwaving grasses, apparently stretching to the western horizon bare oftree or shrub. At first, I took this to be water also; until Irealized that I looked out upon the great plains of the Illinois. 

The Captain was always chary of speech; now he rode onward with sostern a face, that presently I spoke in inquiry. 

"You are silent, Captain Wells, " I said. "One would expect somerejoicing, as we draw so close to the end of our long journey. "

He glanced aside at me. 

"Wayland, " he said slowly, "I have been upon the frontier all my life, and have, as you know, lived in Indian camps and shared in many asavage campaign. I am too old a man, too tried a soldier, ever tohesitate to acknowledge fear; but I tell you now, I believe we areriding northward to our deaths. "

I had known, since first leaving the Maumee, that danger haunted theexpedition; yet these solemn words came as a surprise. 

"Why think you thus?" I asked, with newly aroused anxiety, my thoughtsmore with the girl behind than with myself. "Mademoiselle Toinettetells me the Fort is strong and capable of defence, and surely we arealready nearly there. "

"The young girl yonder with De Croix? It may be so, if it also be wellprovisioned for a long siege, as it is scarce likely any rescue partywill be despatched so far westward. If I mistake not, Hull will haveno men to spare. Yet I like not the action of the savages about us. 'T is not in Indian nature to hold off, as these are doing, and permitreinforcements to go by, when they might be halted so easily. 'T wouldease my mind not a little were we attacked. "

"Attacked? by whom?"

He faced me with undisguised surprise, a sarcastic smile curling hisgrim mouth. His hand swept along the western sky-line. 

"By those red spies hiding behind that ridge of sand, " he answeredshortly. "Boy, where are your eyes not to have seen that every step wehave taken this day has been but by sufferance of the Pottawattomies?Not for an hour since leaving camp have we marched out of shot fromtheir guns; it means treachery, yet I can scarce tell where or how. Ifthey have spared us this long, there is some good Indian reason for it. "

I glanced along that apparently desolate sandbank, barely a hundredfeet away, feeling a thrill of uneasiness sweep over me at therevelation of his words. My eyes saw nothing strange nor suspicious;but I could not doubt his well-trained instinct. 

"It makes my flesh creep, " I admitted; "yet surely the others do notknow. Hear how the Frenchman chatters in our rear!"

"The young fool!" he muttered, as the sound of a light laugh reachedus; "it will prove no jest, ere we are out of this again. Yet, Wayland, " and his voice grew stronger, "the red devils must indeed meanto pass us free, --for there is Fort Dearborn, and, unless my sightdeceive me, the flag is up. "

I lifted my eyes eagerly, and gazed northward where his finger pointed. 

CHAPTER X

A LANE OF PERIL

We passed a group of young cottonwoods, the only trees I had notedalong the shore; and a few hundred feet ahead of us, the ridge of sand, which had obscured our westward view so long, gradually fell away, permitting the eye to sweep across the wide expanse of level plainuntil halted by a distant row of stunted trees that seemed to line astream of some importance. As Captain Wells spoke, my glance, whichhad been fixed upon these natural objects, was instantly attracted by astrange scene of human activity that unfolded to the north and west. 

The land before us lay flat and low, with the golden sun of the earlyafternoon resting hot upon it, revealing each detail in an animatedpanorama wherein barbarism and civilization each bore a conspicuouspart. The Fort was fully a mile and a half distant, and I coulddistinguish little of its outward appearance, save that it seemed lowand solidly built, like a stockade of logs set upon end in the ground. It appeared gloomy, grim, inhospitable, with its gates tightly closed, and no sign of life anywhere along its dull walls; yet my heart wasthrilled at catching the bright colors of the garrison flag as thewestern breeze rippled its folds against the blue background of the sky. 

But it was outside those log barriers that our eyes encountered scenesof the greatest interest, --a mingling of tawdry decoration and wildsavagery, where fierce denizens of forest and plain made their barbaricshow. 

No finer stage for such a spectacle could well be conceived. Upon oneside stretched the great waste of waters; on the other, level plains, composed of yellow sand quickly merging into the green and brown of theprairie, while, scattered over its surface, from the near lake-shore tothe distant river, were figures constantly moving, decked in gayfeathers and daubed with war-paint. Westward from the Fort, toward thepoint where a branch of the main river appeared to emerge from thesouthward, stood a large village of tepees, the sun shining yellow andwhite on their deerskin coverings and making an odd glow in the smokethat curled above the lodge-poles. From where we rode it looked to bea big encampment, alive with figures of Indians. My companion and Iboth noted, and spoke together of the fact, that they all seemedbraves; squaws there may have been, but of children there were nonevisible. 

Populous as this camp appeared, the plain stretching between it and uswas literally swarming with savages. A few were mounted upon horses, riding here and there with upraised spears, their hair flying wildlybehind them, their war-bonnets gorgeous in the sunshine. By far thegreater number, however, were idling about on foot, stalwart, swarthyfellows, with long black locks, and half-naked painted forms. Onegroup was listening to the words of a chief; others were playing at lacrosse; but most of them were merely moving restlessly here and there, not unlike caged wild animals, eager to be free. 

I heard Captain Wells draw in his breath sharply. 

"As I live!" he ejaculated, "there can be scarce less than a thousandwarriors in that band, --and no trading-party either, if I know aught ofIndian signs. "

Before I could answer him, even had I any word to say, a chief brokeaway from the gathering mass in our immediate front, and rode headlongdown upon us, bringing his horse to its haunches barely a yard away. 

He was a large, sinewy man, his face rendered hideous by streaks ofyellow and red, wearing a high crown of eagle feathers, with a scalp oflong light-colored hair, still bloody, dangling at his belt. For amoment he and Captain Wells looked sternly into each other's eyeswithout speaking. Then the savage broke silence. 

"Wau-mee-nuk great brave, " he said, sullenly, in broken English, usingWells's Indian name, "but him big fool come here now. Why not staywith Big Turtle? He tell him Pottawattomie not want him here. "

"Big Turtle did tell me, " was the quiet answer, "that thePottawattomies had made bad medicine and were dancing the war-dance intheir villages; but I have met Pottawattomies before, and am notafraid. They have been my friends, and I have done them no wrong. "

He looked intently at the disguised face before him, seeking to tracethe features. "You are Topenebe, " he said at last. 

"True, " returned the chief, with proud gravity. "You serve me wellonce; for that I come now, and tell you go back, --there is troublehere. "

Wells's face darkened. 

"Have I ever been a coward, " he asked indignantly, "that I should turnand run for a threat? Think you, Topenebe, that I fear to sing thedeath-song? I have lived in the woods, and gone forth with yourwar-parties; am I less a warrior, now that I fight with the people ofmy own race? Go take your warning to some squaw; we ride straight onto Dearborn, even though we have to fight our way. "

The Indian glanced, as Wells pointed, toward the Fort, and sneered. 

"All old women in there, " he exclaimed derisively. "Say this to-day, and that to-morrow. They shut the gates now to keep Indian on outside. No trade, no rum, no powder, --just lies. But they no keep back ouryoung men much longer. " His face grew dark, and his eyes angry. 

"Why you bring them?" he asked hotly, designating our escort of Miamis, already shrinking from the taunts of the gathering braves. "They dogIndians, bad medicine; they run fast when Pottawattomie come. "

"Don't be so certain about that, Topenebe, " retorted Wells, shortly. "But we cannot stop longer here; make way, that we may pass along, Jordan, push on with your advance through that rabble there. "

The Indian chief drew his horse back beside the trail, and we movedslowly forward, our Indian guides slightly in advance, and exhibitingin every action the disinclination they felt to proceed, and theirconstantly increasing fear of the wild horde that now resorted to everymeans in their power, short of actual violence, to retard theirprogress. As they closed in more closely around us, taunting theMiamis unmercifully, even shaking tomahawks in their faces, with fierceeyes full of hatred and murder, I drew back my horse until I ranged upbeside Mademoiselle Antoinette, and thus we rode steadily onwardthrough that frenzied, howling mass, the girl between De Croix and me, who thus protected her on either side. 

It was truly a weary ride, full of insult, and perchance of grave perilhad we faced that naked mob less resolutely. Doubtless the chiefsrestrained their young men somewhat, but more than once we came withina hair's-breadth of serious conflict. They hemmed us in so tightlythat we could only walk our horses; and twice they pressed upon Jordanso hard as to halt him altogether, bunching his cowardly Miamis, andeven striking them contemptuously with their blackened sticks. Thesecond time this occurred, Captain Wells rode forward to force a path, driving the spurs into his horse so quickly that the startled animalfairly cut a lane through the crowded savages before they could drawback. Naught restrained them from open violence but their knowledge ofthat stern-faced swarthy soldier who fronted them with such dauntlesscourage. Hundreds in that swarm had seen him before, when, as theadopted son of a great war-chief of the Miamis he had been at theirside in many a wild foray along the border. 

"Wau-mee-nuk, the white chief, " passed from lip to lip; and sullenly, slowly, reluctantly, the frenzied red circle fell back, as he pressedhis rearing horse full against them. 

How hideous their painted faces looked, as we slowly pushed past them, their lips shrieking insult, their sinewy hands gripping at ourstirrups, their brandished weapons shaken in our faces. With firm-setlips and watchful eyes I rode, bent well forward, so as best to protectthe girl, my rifle held across my saddle pommel. Twice some vengefularm struck me a savage blow, and once a young devil with long mattedhair hanging over his fierce eyes thrust a sharpened stake viciously atthe girl's face. I struck with quick-clinched hand, and he reeled backinto the mass with a sharp cry of pain. My eyes caught the suddendazzle, as De Croix whipped out his rapier. 

"Not that, Monsieur!" I cried hastily, across her horse's neck. "Usethe hilt, not the blade, unless you wish to die. "

He heard me above the clamor, and with a quick turn of the weaponstruck fiercely at a scowling brave who grasped at his horse's rein. He smiled pleasantly across at me, his fingers twisting his smallmustache. 

"'T is doubtless good advice, friend Wayland, " he said, carelessly, "but these copper-colored devils are indeed most annoying upon thisside, and I may lose my temper ere we reach the gate. "

"For the sake of her who rides between us, I beg that you hold in hard, Monsieur, " I answered. "'T would be overmuch to pay, I imagine, for ahot brain. "

I glanced at her as I spoke, scarcely conscious even then that I hadremoved my eyes from the threatening mob that pressed me, though I knowI must have done so, for I retain the picture of her yet. She rodefacing me, although her saddle was of the old army type with merely afolded blanket to soften its sharp contours, and her foot could barelyfind firm support within the narrow strap above the wooden stirrup. She sat erect and easily, swaying gently to the slow step of the horse. Her face was pale, but there was no evidence of timidity in her darkeyes, and she smiled at me as our glances met. 

"You are surely a brave girl, Mademoiselle!" I exclaimed, unable torestrain my admiration. "'T is a scene to try any nerves. "

"Yet almost worth the danger, " she returned softly, "to realize whatmen can be in such stress of need. You are the real--Beware of thathalf-breed, Monsieur!"

Her last words were a quick warning, yet my eyes were already upon thefellow, and as he dodged down, knife in hand, to aim a vicious lunge atthe forward leg of her horse, I brought the stock of my rifle crunchingagainst his shoulder. The next instant we had passed over his nakedbody as he lay gasping in the trail. 

"See!" she cried, with eagerness. "The gates are opened!"

We were possibly a hundred yards from the southern front of thestockade, when I glanced forward and saw the level ground between aseething mass of savage forms, so densely wedged together as to blockfurther progress. I could see hundreds of brown sinewy arms upliftedfrom a sea of faces to brandish weapons of every description, andmarked how the Miamis cowered like whipped curs behind the protectionof Wells's horse, while close beside him stood Jordan, erect and silentas it on parade, a rifle grasped in his hands, his head bare, a greatwelt showing redly across his white forehead. 

A little party, hardly more than twenty infantry-men, marched steadilyout from the open gateway of the Fort. The first file bore bayonetsfixed upon their guns, and the naked savages fell slowly back beforethe polished steel. It was smartly done, and it thrilled my blood tonote with what silent determination that small band of disciplined menpressed their way onward, passing through the threatening mass ofredskins as indifferently as if they had been forest trees. A young, smooth-faced fellow, wearing a new officer's uniform, led them, swordin hand, a smile of light contempt upon his lips. 

"Clear the space wider, Campbell!" he said sternly, to the big corporalat his side. "Swing your files to left and right, and push the rabbleout of the way. "

They did it with the butts of their guns, laughing at the brandishedknives and tomahawks and the fierce painted faces that scowled at them, paying no apparent heed to the taunts and insults showered from everyside. There were some stones thrown, a few blows were struck, but norifle-shot broke the brief struggle. The young officer strode forwarddown the open space, and fronted our advance. 

"I presume this is Captain Wells, from Fort Wayne?" he said, liftinghis cap as he spoke. 

"It is, " was the reply, "and I am very glad to find that you still holdFort Dearborn. "

The other's frank and boyish face darkened slightly, as if at anunpleasant memory. 

"'T is no fault of some, " he muttered hastily; then he checked himself. "We are glad to greet you, Captain Wells, " he added, in a more formaltone, glancing about upon us, "and your party. I am Ensign Ronan, ofthe garrison; and if you will kindly pass between my guard lines, youwill find Captain Heald awaiting you within. "

Thus we rode freely forward, with the guarding soldiery on either sideof us, their faces to the howling savages; we passed in at the greatsouthern gate, and halted amid the buildings of old Fort Dearborn. 

CHAPTER XI

OLD FORT DEARBORN

It makes my old head dizzy to recall the events of that hour across theyears that have intervened. Possibly I, as I write these words, am theonly person living who has looked upon that old stockade and taken partin its tragic history. What a marvellous change has less than a centurywitnessed! Once the outermost guard of our western frontier, it is nowthe site of one of the great cities of two continents. To me, who haveseen these events and changes, it possesses more than the wonderment of adream. 

That day, as I rode forward, I saw but little of the Fort's formation, for my eyes and thoughts were so filled with those frenzied savages thathemmed us about, and the cool deployment of the few troops that guardedour passage-way, that everything else made but a dim impression. Yet theglimpse I obtained, even at that exciting moment, together with thesubsequent experiences that came to me, have indelibly impressed eachdetail of the rude Fort upon my memory. 

It stands before me now, clear-cut and prominent, its outlines distinctagainst the background of blue water or green plains. In that early daythe Fort was a fairly typical outpost of the border, like scores ofothers scattered at wide and irregular intervals from the Carolinamountains upon the south to the joining of the great lakes at the north, forming one link in the thin chain of frontier fortifications againstIndian treachery and outbreak. It bore the distinction, among theothers, of being the most advanced and exposed of all, and its smallgarrison was utterly isolated and alone, a forlorn hope in the heart ofthe great wilderness. 

The Fort had been erected nine years before our arrival, upon thesouthern bank of a dull and sluggish stream, emptying into the Great Lakefrom the west, and known to the earlier French explorers as the riverChicagou. The spot selected was nearly that where an old-time Frenchtrading-post had stood, although the latter had been deserted for so longthat no remnant of it yet lingered when the Americans first tookpossession, and its site remained only as a vague tradition of thoseIndian tribes whose representatives often visited these waters. 

The earliest force despatched by the government to this frontier posterected here a simple stockade of logs. These were placed standing onend, firmly planted in the ground and extending upward some fifteen feet, their tops sharpened as an additional protection against savageassailants. This log stockade was built quite solid, save for one mainentrance, facing to the south and secured by a heavy, iron-studded gate, with a subterranean or sunken passage leading out beneath the north wallto the river, protected by a door which could be raised only from within. The enclosure thus formed was sufficiently large to contain a somewhatrestricted parade-ground, about which were grouped the necessarybuildings of the garrison, the quarters for the officers, the soldiers'barracks, the commandant's office, the guardhouse, and the magazine. These rude structures were built in frontier style, of cleaved logs, andwith one exception were but a single story in height, so that their roofsof rived shingles were well below the protection of the palisade of logs. Besides these interior buildings, two block-houses were built, eachconstructed so that the second story overhung the first, one of them, standing at the southeast and one at the northwest corner of thepalisaded walls. A narrow wooden support, or walk, accessible only fromone or the other of these block-houses, enabled its defenders to standwithin the enclosure and look out over the row of sharpened logs. 

At the time of our arrival the protective armament of this primitiveFort, besides the small-arms of the garrison, consisted of three piecesof light artillery, brass six-pounders of antique pattern, relics of theRevolution. Outside the Fort enclosure, only a few yards to the westalong the river bank, stood the agency building, or, as it was oftentermed, "goods factory, " built for purposes of trading with the Indians, so that it would not be necessary to open the Fort to them. This agencybuilding was a rather large two-story log house, not erected for anypurposes of defence. Along the southern side of the stream, in bothdirections, the soldiers had excavated numerous root-houses, or cellars, in which to store the products of their summer gardens, --theseexcavations fairly honeycombing the bank. 

Such was Fort Dearborn in August of the fatal year 1812. It stood ugly, rude, isolated, afar from any help in time of need. Its nearest militaryneighbor lay directly across the waters of the Great Lake, where a smalldetachment of troops, scarcely less isolated than itself, garrisoned asimilar stockade near the mouth of the river Saint Joseph. To thewestward, the vast plains, as yet scarce pressed by the adventurous feetof white explorers, faded away into a mysterious unknown country, roamedover by countless tribes of savages; to the northward lay an unbrokenwilderness for hundreds of leagues, save for a few scattered traders atGreen Bay, until the military outpost at Mackinac was reached; to theeastward rolled the waters of the Great Lake, storm-swept and unvexed bykeel of ship, an almost unsurpassable barrier, along whose shoreadventurous voyagers crept in log and bark canoes; while to the southwardalternating prairie and timber-land stretched away for unnumbered leaguesthe Indian hunting-grounds, --broken only by a few scattered settlementsof French half-breeds. 

From the walls of the Fort the eye ranged over a dull and monotonouslandscape, nowhere broken by signs of advancing civilization or even ofhuman presence. A few hundred yards to the east the waves of LakeMichigan broke upon the wide, sandy beach, whence the tossing watersstretched away in tumultuous loneliness to their blending with thedistant sky. Southward, along the shore of the lake, the nearly levelplain, brown and sun-parched, soon merged into rounded heaps ofwind-drifted sand, barely diversified by a few straggling groups ofcottonwoods. To the westward extended the boundless prairie, flat andbare as a floor, except where the southern fork of the little river cutits way through the soft loam, and gave rise to a scrubby growth ofcottonwood and willow; while northward, across the main body of theriver, the land appeared more rugged and broken, and somewhat heavilywooded with oak and other forest trees, but equally devoid of evidencesof habitation. 

In all this wide survey from the little knoll on which the Fort stood, five houses only were visible. These were built roughly of logs in themost primitive style of the frontier, and, with a single exception, werenow deserted by their occupants, who had retreated for safety to thestockade of the Fort. The single exception was the larger and moreambitious dwelling standing on the north bank of the river, occupied byJohn Kinzie and his family, himself an old-time Indian trader, whosehonesty and long dealing with the savages had made him confident of theirfriendship and fidelity. At one time, however, so threatening had becomethe strange bands that flocked in toward Dearborn, as crows to a feast, he also deserted his home, and, with those dependent upon him, soughtrefuge within the Fort walls; but, influenced by the pledge of thePottawattomies, and believing that safety lay in trusting to theirfriendship, they had returned to their own house. The other cabins werescattered to the westward of the stockade, close to the river bank. These dwellings had been occupied by the families of Ouilmette, Burns, and Lee, respectively; while the last named owned a second cabin, builtsome distance up the south branch of the river, and occupied by a tenantnamed Liberty White. 

The prospect was in truth depressing to one accustomed to other and morecivilized surroundings. A spirit of loneliness, of fearful isolation, seemed to hover over the restless waters upon the one hand, and thosevast silent plains on the other; sea and sky, sky and sand, met thewearied eye wherever it wandered. The scene was unspeakably solemn inits immensity and loneliness; while irresistibly the thought would wanderover those fateful leagues of prairie and forest that stretchedunbrokenly between this far frontier and the few scattered and remotesettlements that were its nearest neighbors. 

It was not until some time later that these sombre reflections pressedupon me with all their force. After the excitement of our firstboisterous greeting was over, and I found opportunity to lean across thetop of the guarded stockade and gaze alone over the desolate spectacle Ihave endeavored to describe, I could feel more acutely the hopelessnessof our situation and the danger threatening us from every side. But atthe moment of our entrance, all my interest and attention had beencentred upon the scenes and persons immediately about me. It was myfirst experience within the stockaded walls of an armed government post. The scene was new to my young senses, and, in spite of the excitementthat still heated my blood, I looked upon it with such absorbing interestas to be forgetful for the moment even of the fair girl who rode in at myside. 

The dull clang of the heavy iron-bound gate behind us was a welcome soundafter the fierce buffetings of our perilous passage; yet it onlypartially shut off the savage howlings, while above the hideous uproarcame the sharp reports of several guns. But the instant bustle andconfusion within scarcely allowed opportunity to notice this disorder;moreover, there had come to us a sense of safety and security, --we wereat last within the barriers we had struggled so long to gain. Howeverthe savage hordes might rage without, we were now beyond their reach, andmight take breath again. 

Our little party, closely bunched together, with Wells and the timorousMiamis at its head, surged quickly through between the bars, and came toa halt in an open space, evidently the parade-ground of the garrison, thebare earth worn smooth and hard by the trampling of many feet. A tallflag-pole rose near the centre, and the wavering shadow of the banner atits top extended to the eastern edge of the enclosure. Out from thelog-houses which bordered this enclosure there came a group of people towelcome us, --officers and soldiers, women neatly dressed and with brightintelligent faces, women of rougher mould attired in calico or deerskin, hardy-looking men in rude hunter's garb, picturesque French voyageurswiry of limb and dark of skin, an Indian or two, silent, grave, emotionless, a single negro, and trailing behind them a number of dirty, delighted children, and dogs of every breed and degree. It was a motleygathering, and appeared almost like a multitude as it hurried forth intothe open parade-ground, and surged joyfully about us, all eager towelcome us to Dearborn, and hopeful that we brought them encouragementand relief. We were of their own race, a link between them and thefar-distant East; and our coming told them they were not forgotten. 

The odd commingling of tongues, the constant crowding and scraps ofconversation, the volley of questioning from every side, was confusingand unintelligible. I could gain only glimpses here and there of whatwas going on; nor was I able to judge with any accuracy of the number ofthose present. I looked down upon their appealing, anxious faces, with asad heart. In some way the sight of them brought back thoughts of thesavage, howling mob without, clamoring for blood, through which we hadwon our passage by sheer good-fortune; of those leagues of untrackedforest amid whose glooms we had ploughed our way. I thought of thesethings as I gazed upon the helpless women and children thronging aboutme, and my heart sank as I realized how great indeed was the burdenresting upon us all, how frail the hope of safety. Death, savage, relentless, inhuman death in its most frightful guise with torture andagony unspeakable, lurked along every mile of our possible retreat; norcould I conceive how its grim coming might long be delayed by thatpalisade of logs. We were hopeless of rescue. We were alone, deserted, the merest handful amid the unnumbered hordes of the vast West. Swiftand terrible as this conception was when it swept upon me, it grew deeperas I learned more fully the details of our situation. 

Just in front of where I lingered in my saddle, the crush slightlyparted, and I noticed a tall man step forward, --a fair man, having alight beard slightly tinged with gray, and wearing the undress uniform ofa captain of infantry. A lady, several years his junior, stood at hisside, her eyes bright with expectancy. At sight of them, Captain Wellsinstantly sprang from his horse and hastened forward, his dark facelighted by one of his rare smiles. 

"Captain, " he exclaimed, clasping the officers hand warmly, and extendinghis other hand in greeting to the lady, "I am glad indeed to have reachedyou in time to be of service; and you, my own dear niece, --may we yet bepermitted to bring you safely back to God's country. "

I was unable to catch the reply of either; but I noted that the ladyflung her arms about the speaker's neck and kissed his swarthy cheek. 

Then Captain Wells spoke more loudly, so that his words reached my ears. 

"But, Heald, " he said, "what means all this litter of garrison equipmentlying scattered about? Surely you have no present intention to leave theFort, in face Of that savage mob out yonder?"

"'T is the orders of General Hull, " was the low; and somewhat hesitatingresponse, "and the Pottawattomie chiefs have pledged us escort around thehead of the lake. But this is no place to discuss the matter. As soonas possible I would speak with you more fully in my office. "

The look of undisguised amazement upon Wells's face startled me; and as Iglanced about me, wondering whom I might take counsel with, I wasastonished to note the horse that Toinette had ridden standing with emptysaddle. De Croix, negligently curling his mustache between his slenderfingers, gazed at me with a blank stare. 

"Where is Mademoiselle?" I questioned anxiously, as he remained silent. "Surely she was with us as we came in!"

"Pish! of course, " he returned carelessly; "if she chooses to dismountand rejoin her friends, what has that to do with John Wayland? Cannotthe girl so much as move without your permission, Monsieur?"

The words were insolent, not less than the manner that accompanied them. Instantly there flashed upon me the thought that this Frenchman sought aquarrel with me; but I could conceive no reason therefor, and was notgreatly disposed to accommodate him. 

"'T was no more than curiosity that urged my question, " I answered, assuming not to notice his bravado. "I was so deeply interested in otherthings as to have forgotten her presence. "

"Something no lady is ever likely to forgive, " he interjected. "But whatthink you they propose doing with us here?"

As if in direct answer to his question, the young officer who had met uswithout now elbowed his way through the throng, until he stood at ourhorses' heads. 

"Gentlemen, " he said, with a quick glance into our faces, "dismount andcome within. There is but little to offer you here at Dearborn, we havebeen cut off from civilization so long; but such as we possess will beshared with you most gladly. "

De Croix chatted with him in his easy, familiar manner, as we slowlycrossed the parade; while I followed them in silence, my thoughts uponthe disappearance of Toinette and the Frenchman's sudden show ofanimosity. My glance fell upon the groups of children scattered alongour path, and I wondered which among them might prove to be RogerMatherson's little one. At the entrance of one of the log housesfronting the parade, --a rather ambitious building of two stories, if Iremember rightly, with a narrow porch along its front, --an officer wasstanding upon the step, talking with a sweet-faced woman who appearedscarce older than seventeen. 

"Lieutenant Helm, " said Ronan, politely, "this is Captain de Croix, ofthe French army. "

He presented De Croix to Mrs. Helm, and then turned inquiringly toward me. 

"I believe I have failed to learn your name?"

"I am simply John Wayland, " I answered, and, with a glance at my face, Lieutenant Helm cordially extended his hand. 

"We are greatly pleased to welcome you both, " he said earnestly, but witha grave side-glance at his young wife, "though I fear we have little tooffer you except privation and danger. "

"How many have you in the garrison?" I questioned, my eyes upon themoving figures about us. "It looks a crowd, in that narrow space. "

"They are all there who are able to crawl, " he said, with a grave smile. "But in this case our numbers are a weakness. In the garrison proper wehave four commissioned officers, with fifty-four non-commissionedofficers and privates. To these may be added twelve settlers acting asmilitiamen, making a total defensive force of seventy men. But fullytwenty-five of these are upon the sick-list, and totally unfit for activeduty; while we are further burdened by having under our protection twelvewomen and twenty children. It almost crazes one to think of what theirfate may be. "

"Your defences look strong enough to keep off savages, " broke in DeCroix, "and I am told there is a sufficiency of provisions. Saint Guise!I have seen places where I had rather reside in my old age; yet withplenty of wine, some good fellows, and as lovely women as have alreadygreeted me here, 'twill not prove so bad for a few weeks. "

Helm glanced at him curiously; then his gaze, always gravely thoughtful, wandered back to me. 

"We are to evacuate the Fort, " he said quietly. 

"Evacuate?" echoed the Frenchman, as if the word were displeasing. "'Tis a strange military act, in my judgment, and one filled with graveperil. Does such decision come from a council?"

"There has been no council, " broke in Ronan, hastily. "The commander hasnot honored his officers by calling one. Such were the orders aspublished on parade this morning. "

He would have added more, but Helm warned him, by a sudden look ofdisapproval. 

"I understand, " he explained quietly, "that the instructions receivedfrom General Hull at Detroit were imperative, and that Captain Heald wasleft no discretion in the matter. "

"I have not yet discovered the man who has seen the orders, " exclaimedthe Ensign hotly, "and we all know it means death. "

Helm faced him sternly. 

"A soldier's first duty is obedience, " he said shortly, "and we aresoldiers. Gentlemen, will you not come in?"

CHAPTER XII

THE HEART OF A WOMAN

As I sat in the officers' quarters, listening to the conversationregarding existing conditions at the Fort and the unrest among theIndians of the border, my thoughts kept veering from sudden andungracious disappearance of Mademoiselle to the early seeking afterthat hapless orphan child for whose sake I had already travelled so farand entered into such danger. Evidently, if I was to aid her my questmust be no longer interrupted. 

With characteristic gallantry, De Croix had at once been attractedtoward Lieutenant Helm's young and pretty bride, and they two hadalready forgotten all sense of existing peril in a most animateddiscussion of the latest fashionable modes in Montreal. I was not alittle amused by the interest manifest in her soft blue eyes as shespoke with all the art of a woman versed in such mysteries, and at thelanguid air of elegance with which he bore himself. Meanwhile, Ianswered as best I might the flood of questions addressed to me by thetwo officers, who, having been shut out from the world so long, werenaturally eager for military news from Fort Wayne and from the seat ofgovernment. As these partially ceased, I asked: "Has a date been setfor the abandonment of the Fort?"

"We march out upon the fifteenth, " was Helm's reply, "the day afterto-morrow, unless something occurs meanwhile to change Captain Heald'splans. I confess I dread its coming, much as I imagine a condemned manmight dread the date of his execution, " and his grave eyes wanderedtoward his young wife, as if fearful his words might be overheard byher. "There are other lives than mine endangered, and their perilmakes duty doubly hard. "

"Lieutenant, " I said, recalled to my own mission by these words, "Imyself am seeking to be of service to one here, --the young daughter ofone Roger Matherson, an old soldier who died at this post last month. He was long my father's faithful comrade in arms, and with his dyingbreath begged our care for his orphan child. It has come to us as asacred trust, and I was despatched upon this errand. Can you tell mewhere this girl is to be found?"

Before he could frame a reply, for he was somewhat slow of speech, hiswife, who had turned from De Croix, and was listening with interest tomy story, spoke impulsively. 

"Why, we have been wondering, Mr. Wayland, where she could have gone. Not that we have worried, for she is a girl well able to care forherself, and of a most independent spirit. She disappeared verysuddenly from the Fort several days ago; we supposed she must have gonewith my mother when Mr. Kinzie took his family back to their home. "

"With Mr. Kinzie?" I questioned, for at that moment I could not recallhearing the name. "May I ask where that home is?"

"He is the very good step-father of my wife, and one she loves as trulyas if he were her own father, " answered Helm, warmly; "a man among athousand. Mr. Kinzie is an Indian trader, and has been here forseveral years, if indeed he be not the first white settler, for oldPointe Au Sable was a West Indian mulatto. His relations with thesesavages who dwell near the Great Lake, and especially those of thePottawattomie and Wyandot tribes, are so friendly that he has felt safeto remain with his family unguarded in his own home. They have alwayscalled him Shaw-nee-aw-kee, the Silver-man, and trust him as much as hetrusts them. He is, besides, a great friend of Sau-ga-nash, thehalf-breed Wyandot; and that friendship is a great protection. Hishouse is across the river, a little to the east of the Fort; it caneasily be seen from the summit of the stockade. But we have had nodirect communication for several days; the orders have been very strictsince the gates were closed. It is not safe for our soldiers toventure outside except in force, and neither Kinzie nor any of hisfamily have lately visited us. Doubtless they feel that to do so mightarouse the suspicion of their Indian friends. "

"But are you sure they are there, and safe? And do you believe the oneI seek will be found with them?"

"Smoke rises from the chimney, as usual, and there was a light burningthere last evening. We do not know certainly that your friend isthere, but think such is the case, as she was extremely friendly with ayoung French girl in their employ named Josette La Framboise. "

I sat in silence for some time, thinking, and neglectful of theconversation being carried on around me by the others, until we werecalled to supper by the soldier who officiated as steward for theofficers' mess. I remember many details of the situation, as they werefrankly discussed in my presence while we lingered at the table; yet myown reflections were elsewhere, as I was endeavoring to determine myduty regarding the safety of her whom I had come so far to aid. Surely, my first object now must be to ascertain where she was, inorder to be at her service when the hour for departure came. Nor had Iany time to spare, if we were to march out on the fifteenth. I cannotdescribe, at this late day, how strangely my allegiance wavered, inthat hour, between the unknown, unseen girl, and the fair, vivaciousToinette. My heart drew me toward the one, my clear duty to the other;and I could see no way out of the dilemma except to find Elsa Mathersonwithout delay, in order that the two should be close together where, asneed arose, I could stand between them and whatever of evil impended. 

I fear I was an indifferent guest, for I was never nimble of tongue, and that night I was more silent than usual. However, De Croix mosteffectually hid my retirement by his rare good-humor and the sparklingbadinage with which he concentrated all attention upon himself, and wasconsequently soon in the happiest of moods. I know not how the fellowsucceeded in working the miracle, but he sat at the board, upon Mrs. Helm's left hand, powdered and curled as if he were gracing a banquetat the Tuileries. His ruffled shirt, glittering buckles, and brightblue waistcoat, were startling amid such homely surroundings; while hisneatly folded handkerchief of lace exhaled a delicate perfume. Deeplyas I was immersed in my own thoughts and plans, I could not helpadmiring his easy grace, and more than once forgot myself in listeningto his marvellous tales and witty anecdotes. 

He was detailing a recent scandal of the French court, passingdelicately over its more objectionable features, when I grasped theopportunity to slip unobserved from the room into the open of theparade-ground. It proved a dark night without, but the numerous lightsin the surrounding buildings, whose doors and windows were open, sufficiently illumined the place, so that I found my way about withlittle difficulty. A group of soldiers lounged at the open door of theguard-house, and I paused a moment to speak with one, a curly-headedlad, who sat smoking, his back resting easily against the logs. 

"Are the outer gates ever opened at night?" I asked. 

He glanced up at me in surprise, shading his eyes to be assured of myidentity before speaking. 

"Scarcely either day or night now, sir, " he replied, respectfully, "butbetween sunset and sunrise they are specially barred, and a doubleguard is set. No one can pass except on the order of Captain Heald. "

"In which direction is the Kinzie house?"

He pointed toward the northeast corner of the stockade. 

"It is just over there, sir, across the river. You might see the lightfrom the platform; beyond the shed yonder is the ladder that leads upinto the blockhouse. "

Thanking him, I moved forward as directed, found the ladder, and pushedmy way up through the narrow opening in the floor of the second story. The small square room, feebly lighted by a single sputtering candlestuck in the shank of a bayonet, contained half a dozen men, most ofthem idling, although two were standing where they could readily peerout through the narrow slits between the logs. All of them wereheavily armed, and equipped for service. They looked at me curiouslyas I first appeared, but the one who asked my business wore theinsignia of a corporal, and was evidently in command. 

"I wish to look out over the stockade, if there is no objection. Icame in with Captain Wells's party this afternoon, " I said, not knowingwhat their orders might be, or if I would be recognized. 

"I remember you, sir, " was the prompt response, "and you are at libertyto go out there if you desire. That is the door leading to theplatform. "

"The Indians appear to be very quiet to-night. "

"The more reason to believe them plotting some fresh deviltry, " heanswered, rising to his feet, and facing me. "We never have much todisturb us upon this side, as it overhangs the river and is not easy ofapproach; but the guard on the south wall is kept pretty busy theselast few nights, and has to patrol the stockade. The Indians have beenholding some sort of a powwow out at their camp ever since dark, andthat 's apt to mean trouble sooner or later. "

"Then you keep no sentry posted on the platform?" I asked, a thoughtsuddenly occurring to me. 

"Not regularly, sir; only when something suspicious happens along theriver. There 's nobody out there now excepting the French girl, --sheseems to be fond of being out there all alone. "

The French girl? Could it be possible that he meant Toinette? I wasconscious of a strange fluttering of the heart, as I stepped forth uponthe narrow footway and peered along it, searching for her. I coulddistinguish nothing, however; and as I slowly felt my way forward, testing the squared log beneath me with careful foot and keeping holdwith one hand upon the sharpened palisades, I began to believe thecorporal had been mistaken. The door, closing behind, shut off thelast gleam of light, and I was left alone in utter darkness andsilence, save for the low rumble of voices within the Fort enclosure, and the soft plashing below where the river current kissed the bank atthe foot of the stockade. 

I had gone almost the full length of that side, before I came where shewas leaning against the logs, her chin resting upon one hand, her gazeturned northward. Indeed, so silent was she, so intent upon her ownthought, I might have touched her unnoticed in the gloom, had not thestars broken through a rift in the cloud above us, and sent a suddengleam of silver across her face. 

"Mademoiselle, " I said, striving to address her with something of theease I thought De Croix would exercise at such a moment, "I meant notto intrude upon your privacy, yet I am most glad to meet with you oncemore. "

She started slightly, as though aroused from reverie, and glancedinquiringly toward me. 

"I supposed my visitor to be one of the guard, " she said pleasantly;"and even now I am unable to distinguish your face, yet the sound ofthe voice reminds me of John Wayland. "

"I am proud to know that it has not already been forgotten. Youdeserted me so suddenly this afternoon, I almost doubted my beingwelcome now. "

She laughed lightly, tapping the ends of the logs with her finger-tips. 

"Have you, then, never learned that a woman is full of whims, Monsieur?" she questioned. "Why, this afternoon your eyes were so bigwith wonder that they had forgotten to look at me. Truly, I spoke toyou twice to aid me from the saddle; but you heard nothing, and in mydesperation I was obliged to turn to the courtesy of Captain de Croix. Ah, there is a soldier, my friend, who is never so preoccupied as toneglect his duty to a lady. "

"It was indeed most ungallant of me, " I stammered, scarce knowingwhether she laughed at me or not. "Yet my surroundings were all new, and I have the training of De Croix in such matters. "

"Pah! 't is just as well. I am inclined to like you as you are, myfriend, and we shall not quarrel; yet, with all his love for lesserthings, your comrade has always shown himself a truly gallantgentleman. "

I made no answer to these flattering words, for I felt them to be true;yet no less this open praise of him, falling from her lips, racked mesorely, and I lacked the art to make light of it. 

"The soldiers in the block-house tell me you come here often, " Iventured at last, for the dead silence weighed upon me. "You havenever seemed to me like one who would seek such loneliness. "

"I am one whom very few wholly comprehend, I fear, and surely not uponfirst acquaintance, " she answered thoughtfully, "for I am full ofstrange moods, and perhaps dream more than other girls. This may havebeen born of my early convent training, and the mystic tales of thenuns; nor has it been lessened by the loneliness of the frontier. So, if I differ from other young women, you may know 't is my training, aswell as my nature, that may account for it. I have led a strange life, Monsieur, and one that has known much of sadness. There are times whenI seek my own thoughts, and find liking for no other company. Then Icome here, and in some way the loneliness of water and plain soothe meas human speech cannot. I used to love to stand yonder by the easternwall and gaze out over the Great Lake, watching the green surges chaseeach other until they burst in spray along the beach. But since I wentadrift in the little boat, and felt the cruelty of the water, I haveshrunk from looking out upon it. Monsieur, have you never known howrestful it sometimes is to be alone?"

"My life has mostly been a solitary one, " I answered, respondingunconsciously to her mood, and, in doing so, forgetting myembarrassment. "It is the birthright of all children of the frontier. Indeed, I have seen so little of the great world and so much of thewoods, that I scarcely realize what companionship means, especiallythat of my own age. I have made many a solitary camp leagues from thenearest settlement, and have tracked the forest alone for daystogether, so content with my own thought that possibly I understandyour meaning better than if my life had been passed among crowds. "

"Ah! but I like the crowds, " she exclaimed hastily, "and the glow andexcitement of that brighter, fuller life, where people really live. Itis so dull here, --the same commonplace faces, the tiresome routine ofdrill, the same blue sky, gray water, and green plains, to look uponday after day. Oh, but it is all so wearisome, and you cannot conceivehow I have longed again for Montreal and the many little gaieties thatbrighten a woman's world. There are those here who have never knownthese happier things; their whole horizon of experience has beenbounded by garrison palisades; but 't is not so with me, --I tasted ofthe sweet wine once, when I was a girl, and the memory never leaves me. "

"Yet you are often happy?"

"'T is my nature, Monsieur, a legacy of my mother's people; but I amnot always gay of heart when my lips smile. "

"And the coming of the French gallant has doubtless freshened yourremembrance of the past?" I said, a trifle bitterly. 

"It has indeed, " was her frank admission. "He represents a life weknow so little about here on the far frontier. To you, with your codeof border manliness, he may appear all affectation, mere shallowinsincerity; but to me, Captain de Croix represents his class, standsfor the refinements of social order to which women can never beindifferent. Those were the happiest days of my life, Monsieur; and atMontreal he was only one among many. "

She was gazing out into the black void as she spoke, and the slowlyclearing skies permitted the starlight to gleam in her dark eyes andreveal the soft contour of her cheek. 

"You do not understand that?" she questioned finally, as I failed tobreak the silence. 

"I have no such pleasant memory to look back upon, " I answered; "yet Ican feel, though possibly in a different way, your longing after betterthings. "

"You realize this sense of loneliness?--this absence of all that makeslife beautiful and worth the living?"

"Perhaps not that, --for life, even here, is well worth living, and tomy eyes the great sea yonder, and the dark forests, are of moreinterest than city streets. But in one sense I may enter into yourmeaning; my thought also is away from here, --it is with a home, scarcely less humble than are our present surroundings, yet it containsthe one blessing worth striving after--love. "

"Love!" she echoed the unexpected word almost scornfully. "'T is aphrase so lightly spoken that I scarce know what it may signify to you. You love some one then, Monsieur?" and she looked up at me curiously. 

"My mother, Mademoiselle. "

I saw the expression upon her face change instantly. "Your pardon, "she exclaimed, hastily. "'T was not the meaning I had thought. I knowsomething of such love as that, and honor you for thus expressing it. "

"I have often wondered, since first we met, at your being here, seemingly alone, at this outermost post of the frontier. It seems astrange home for one of your refinement and evident delight in sociallife. "

"'T is not from choice, Monsieur. My mother died when I was but achild, as I have already told you. I scarce have memory of her, yet Ibear her name, and, I am told, inherit many of her peculiarities. Shewas the daughter of a great merchant at Montreal, and the blood of anoble family of France flowed in her veins. She gave up all else tobecome my father's wife; nor did she ever live to regret it. "

Her voice was so low and plaintive that I hesitated to speak; yetfinally, as she ceased, and silence fell between us, I asked anotherquestion:

"And 't was then you voyaged into this wilderness with your father?"

"I have never since left him while he lived, " she answered softly, herhead resting upon her hand. "But he also has gone now, and I merelywait opportunity to journey eastward. "

"He was a trader, you told me once?"

"A soldier first, Monsieur; a true and gallant soldier, but later hetraded with the Indians for furs. "

I felt that she was weeping softly, although I could see but little, and I leaned in silence against the rough logs, gazing out into theblack night, hesitating to break in upon her grief. Then a voice spokerapidly at the farther end of the stockade, and a sudden glow of lightshot like an arrow along the platform. I turned quickly, and there inthe open doorway, clearly outlined against the candle flame, stood DeCroix. 

CHAPTER XIII

A WAGER OF FOOLS

"It looks a narrow walk, my friend, " he said rather doubtfully, peeringforward with shaded eyes, "and 'tis dark as Erebus; yet gladly will Imake the venture for hope of the reward. "

The door closed behind him, shutting off the last vestige of light; andwe, with our eyes accustomed to the gloom, could mark his dim outlineas he advanced toward us. His actions belied his words, for he movedwith all his accustomed jauntiness along the uncertain foot-way, barelytouching the top of the palisades with one hand to guide his progress. He was almost upon the girl before he perceived either of us; and thenhis earliest words surprised me into silence. 

"Ah, Toinette!" he cried eagerly, "I fear I must have kept you waitingoverlong; yet I was with Mrs. Helm, --a most fair and charmingbride, --and scarce noted the rapid passage of time. "

"I naturally supposed it was a woman, " she answered, with what Iinterpreted as a strained assumption of indifference, "as that has everbeen your sufficient reason for breaking faith with me. "

"Do not interpret it so, I beg, " he hastened to implore. "Surely, mybeing a few moments in arrears is not a matter sufficiently serious tobe called a breakage of faith. I do assure you, Toinette, you werenever once absent from my thought. "

"Indeed?" she exclaimed incredulously, and with an echo of suppressedlaughter in her voice. "Then truly you are far more to be commiseratedon this occasion than I, for in truth, Monsieur de Croix, I have notmissed you over-much. I have enjoyed most excellent company. "

"The mysterious spirits of the starry night?" he questioned, lookingout into the darkness, "or the dim figures of your own imagination?"

"Very far from either, " she retorted, with a laugh; "a most substantialreality, as you are bound to confess. Master Wayland, is it not timefor you fitly to greet Captain de Croix? He may deem you lax incordiality. "

I can perceive now how dearly the laughing witch loved to play us oneagainst the other, hiding whatever depth of feeling she may have hadbeneath the surface of careless innocence, and keeping us both in anuncertainty as aggravating as it was sweet. I could not read theexpression upon De Croix's face in the gloom, yet I saw him startvisibly at her almost mocking words, and there was a trace ofill-suppressed irritation in his voice. 

"Saint Guise! 'T was for that, then, he left us so mysteriously, " heexclaimed, unconsciously uttering his first thought aloud. "But howknew he you were to be here?"

Before she could answer, I spoke, anxious to relieve her ofembarrassment; for 't was ever my nature to yield much withoutcomplaint. 

"As it chances, Captain de Croix, she did not know, " I said, standingback from the palisades where he could see me more clearly. "I leftthe table below with no thought of meeting Mademoiselle, and came outon this platform for a different purpose. As you know, I am visitingDearborn upon a special mission. "

"Ah, true, " and I could feel the trace of relief in his voice as heinstantly recalled my story. "You also sought a girl in thiswilderness, --may I ask, have you yet found trace of her?"

I heard Mademoiselle move quickly. 

"A girl?" she asked in surprise. "Here, at Dearborn?"

"She was at Dearborn until very lately, but they tell me now I mustseek for her at the Kinzie house. It was for the purpose of markingits position from the Fort that I came up here. "

For a moment no one of our voices broke the strained silence. I wastroubled by this knowledge of a pre-arranged meeting between these two, yet felt it was nothing with which I had a right to interfere. Thiscareless French girl, whom I had known for scarcely two days, was notone to be easily guided, even had I either reason or excuse forattempting it. 

"'T is strange, " she said, musingly, "that she has never so much asspoken to me about it; yet she was always shy of speech in suchmatters. "

"Of whom do you speak, Toinette?" questioned De Croix. 

"Of Master Wayland's young friend with the Kinzies, " she answered, theold sprightliness again in her voice. "I know her very well, Monsieur, --a dear, sweet girl, --and shall be only too glad to speed youon to her. Yet 't is not so easy of accomplishment, hemmed in as weare here now. Yonder is the light, Master Wayland; but much of perilmay lurk between. 'Tis not far, were the way clear; indeed, in the olddays of peace a rope ferry connected Fort and house, but now to reachthere safely will require a wide detour and no little woodcraft. Therewere patrols of savages along the river bank at dusk, and it isdoubtful if all have been withdrawn. "

I looked as she pointed, and easily distinguished the one glitteringspark that pierced the darkness to the north and east. I wondered ather earlier words; yet they might all be true enough, for I knewnothing of this Elsa Matherson. Before I could question further, DeCroix had interfered, --eager, no doubt, to be rid of me. 

"Upon my soul!" he exclaimed recklessly, "if I could voyage here fromMontreal to win but a smile, it should prove a small venture for ourbackwoods friend to cover yonder small distance. _Sacre_! I would dothe deed myself for one kiss from rosy lips. "

I have wondered since what there was about those words to anger me. Itmust have been their boastful tone, the sarcasm that underlay thevelvet utterance, which stung like salt in a fresh wound. I felt thatfrom the summit of his own success he durst laugh at me; and my bloodboiled instantly. 

"You are wondrous bold, Monsieur, " I retorted, "when the matter iswholly one of words. I regret I cannot pledge you such reward, so thatI might learn how you would bear yourself in the attempt. "

He stared at me haughtily across the shoulder of the girl, as itdoubting he heard aright. 

"You question my courage to venture it?"

"It has been my experience that the cock that crows the loudest fightsthe least. "

"Oh, hush, Messieurs!" broke in Mademoiselle, her voice showingsuppressed amusement. "This platform is far too narrow to quarrelupon; and, besides, the condition of the wager is most easilymet, --that is, if my lips be deemed of sufficiently rosy hue. "

I know I stood with opened mouth, so astounded by these mocking wordsas to be stricken dumb; but not so De Croix. The audacity of hisnature made eager response to the bold challenge. 

"Do you mean what you say, Toinette?" he asked, striving to gain a viewof her face in the darkness. 

"Do I? And pray, why not?" she questioned lightly. "One kiss is notso very much to give, and I shall never miss it. 'T is duller herethan at Montreal, and no doubt 't will greatly interest me to witnessthe race. Surely it will prove a better way to end your foolishquarrel than to shoot each other. But come, Messieurs, why do youhesitate so long? is not the prize enough?"

He bowed gallantly, and took her hand. 

"'T would be the ransom of a king, " he answered; "though first I wishto know the terms of this contest more clearly. "

She looked out into that silent and lonely night, her eyes upon thedistant gleam, and instinctively our glances followed hers. It was adull desolation, with no sound, no movement, in all the black void. The stars gleamed dull on the water of the river beneath us, and wecould dimly see the denser shadow of the opposite shore; beyond this, nothing was apparent save that distant candle flame. What laybetween, --what strange obstruction of land, what ambushedfoes, --neither of us had means of knowing. We could simply plunge intothe mystery of it blindfolded by the fates. Yet to draw back now wouldbrand either of us forever with the contempt of her who had challengedus so lightly. 

"'T is all simple enough, " she said at last, her eyes glowing withquick excitement. "The goal is yonder where that light glows soclearly, though I warn you the longest way round may prove the surestin the end. To the one of you who reaches there first and returnshere, I am to give one kiss as a measure of reward. I care not how itmay be accomplished, --such minor matters rest with your own wits. "

"But the young girl we seek, " he insisted; "must she also be broughthere upon the return?"

"Pish! what care I what may be done with the girl? Besides, she is farsafer from the savages there than she would be here. "

I saw De Croix lean far out over the sharpened palisades and peerdownward. The movement gave me instantly a thought of his purpose, and, unnoticed, I loosened the pistol-belt about my waist and silentlydropped it upon the platform. Whatever desperate chance he mightchoose to take, I was determined now to equal. 

"Doth the water of the river come to the very foot of these logs?" heasked, unable to determine in the darkness. 

"No, Monsieur, the earth slopes downward for some feet, yet the currentis at this bank, and gives much depth of water at the shore. "

"But of what width is the strip of earth between?"

"Perhaps the length of a tall man. "

"Saint Guise! 'tis well I thought to ask!" he explained jauntily. "Andnow, Mademoiselle, if you will but kindly hold this coat and sword, Ishall strive to show you how highly I value the prize offered, and whata French gentleman can do for love. "

I fully grasped his purpose now, and even as he turned toward her, holding out the valuables he hesitated to lose, I scaled the lowbarrier in my front, planted my feet firmly between the pointed stakes, and sprang boldly into the darkness. 

CHAPTER XIV

DARKNESS AND SURPRISE

It was a greater distance to the water than I had supposed, but Istruck at last fairly enough, and went down until I thought I shouldnever come up again. As I rose to the surface and shook the moisturefrom my face and ears, a light laugh rang out high above me, andMademoiselle's clear voice cried mockingly:

"The backwoodsman has taken the first trick, Monsieur. "

I saw De Croix's body dart, like a black arrow, far out into the air, and come sweeping down. He struck to my left, and a trifle behind me;but I waited not to learn just how. With lusty strokes I struck outfor the north shore. It was a hard swim, for my deerskins held thewater like so many bags, and the current, though not rapid, wassufficiently strong to make me fight valiantly for every foot of way. I came out, panting heavily, upon a low bank of soft mud, and creptcautiously up under the black shadow of some low bushes growing there. I took time, as I rested, to glance back, hoping thus to learn more ofthe direction I should follow; for the Kinzie light was no longervisible, and my struggle with the current had somewhat bewildered me. I neither saw nor heard anything of De Croix; but the flame of thecandle gleaming through the narrow slits of the block-house told meclearly where it stood, while a wild yelling farther to the southwardconvinced me that our Indian besiegers were yet astir and concoctingsome fresh deviltry at their camp. With a half-uttered prayer thatthey might all be there, I hastily pressed the water from my soggyclothes and plunged forward into the unknown darkness. A bigcottonwood, as from its shape I judged it to be, rose against the starsin my front, --a dim outline swaying slightly in the westerly wind, andI took it as my first guide-mark, moving over the rough unknown groundas rapidly and silently as possible. 

The soft moccasins I wore aided me greatly, nor were there many treesalong the way to drop twigs in the path to crackle under foot; yet Ifound the ground uneven and deceptive, rifted with small gullies, andmore or less bestrewn with stones, against which I stumbled in thedarkness. I was too thoroughly trained in the stern and careful schoolof the frontier not to be cautious at such a time, for I knew thatsilence and seeming desolation were no proof of savage desertion; nordid I believe that Indian strategy would leave the north of the Fortwholly unguarded. Any rock, any black ravine, any clump of trees orbushes, might well be the lurking-place of hostiles, who would only toogladly wreak their vengeance upon any hapless straggler falling intotheir hands. I was unarmed, save for the long hunting-knife I carriedin the bosom of my shirt; but my thought was not of fighting, --it wasto get through without discovery. 

To De Croix I gave small consideration, save that the memory of thewager was a spur to urge me forward at greater speed. The place wasstrangely, painfully still; even the savage yelling of the distantIndians seemed to die away as I advanced, and nothing broke theoppressive silence but an occasional flutter of leaves, or my own deepbreathing. I had gone, I take it, half or three-quarters of a mile, not directly north, but circling ever to the eastward, seeking thus toreach the house from the rear, when I came to a sharp break in thesurface of the land, somewhat deeper and more abrupt than those beforeencountered. It seemed like a cut or ravine made by some rush of waterlakeward; and, as I hesitated upon the edge of it, peering across andwondering if I had better risk the plunge, my eyes caught the blaze ofthe Kinzie light scarce a hundred yards from the opposite bank of theravine. 

Assured that I was headed right, I stepped off with a new confidencethat, for the moment, conquered my usual prudence, --for the steep bankgave way instantly beneath my weight. I grasped vainly at the edge, fell heavily sidewise, and rolled like a great log, bruised andhalf-stunned, into the black gorge below. I remember gripping at aslender bush that yielded to my touch; but all the rest was no morethan a breathless tumble, until I struck something soft at thebottom, --something that squirmed and gripped my long hair savagely, andpushed my head back with a grasp on the throat that nearly throttled me. 

It was all so sudden, so unexpected, that for the moment I was helplessas a child, struggling merely from the natural instinct of preservationto break free. I could perceive nothing, the darkness was so intense;yet as I gradually succeeded in getting my hands loose, I wound them inlong coarse hair, pressed them against bare flesh, heard deep laboredbreathing close to my face, and believed I was struggling with a savage. 

It was a question of mere brute strength, and neither of us had had theadvantage of surprise. I could feel the sharp prick of my own knife ashe hugged me to him, but I dare not reach for it, and I held his armsso tightly that he lay panting and struggling as if in a vise. It wasan odd fight, as we turned and tossed, writhed and twisted among thosesharp pointed rocks like two infuriated wild-cats in the dark, neitherventuring to break hold for a blow, nor having breath enough in ourbodies for so much as a curse. My adversary struck me once with hishead under the chin, so hard a blow that everything turned red beforeme; and then I got my knee up into the pit of his stomach and causedhim to quiver from the agony of it; yet the fellow clung to me like abull-terrier, and never so much as whined. 

It was never my nature to yield easily, and I felt now this strugglewas to cost his life or mine; so I clinched my teeth, and sought mybest to push back the other's head until the neck should crack. But ifI was a powerful man, this other was no less so, and he fought with afierce and silent desperation that foiled me. We dug and tore, gougedand struck, digging our heels into the soft earth in a vain endeavor togain some advantage of position. My cheek, I knew, was bleeding fromcontact with a jagged stone, and I was fast growing faint from theawful tension, when I felt his arms slip. 

"My God!" he panted. "The devil has me!"

So startled was I by these English words, that I loosed my grip, staring breathlessly through the darkness. 

"Are you white?" I gasped, so weakened I could scarce articulate. 

For a moment he did not answer, but I could hear his breath coming ingasps and sobs. Then he spoke slowly, his voice hoarse from exertion. 

"By the memory of Moses! I was once, --but that squeeze must haveturned me black, I 'm thinkin'. An' ye're no Injun?"

"Not so much as a feather of one, " I retorted. "But that is what Itook you to be. "

We were both sitting up by this time, he with his back against thebank, both of us panting as if we could never regain our breath, andeagerly seeking to see each other's features in the gloom. Any attemptat conversation was painful, but I managed at last to stammer:

"You must be a whalebone man, or I 'd have broken every rib in yourbody. "

"An' I 'm not a bit sure ye did n't, " was the response, uttered betweenpuffs. "'T was the worst grip ever Ol' Tom Burns had squeeze him, --an'I 've felt o' bars mor' nor oncet. Who may ye be, anyhow, stranger?an' for what cause did ye jump down yere on me?"

There was a trace of growing anger in his tone, as remembrance of theoutrage returned to his mind, which caused me to smile, now that Icould breathe less painfully. It seemed such a ludicrous affair, --thatdark struggle, each mistaking the purpose and color of the other. 

"My name is Wayland, " I made haste to explain, "and I left the Fort butnow, hoping by this round-about route to reach the Kinzie place andreturn under cover of darkness. I slipped on the edge of the bank upyonder, and the next thing I knew we were at it. I can assure you, friend, I supposed myself in the arms of a savage. You say your nameis Burns?"

"Ol' Tom Burns. "

"What? It is not possible you are the same who brought a message toMajor Wayland on the Maumee?"

"I reckon I am, " he said, deliberately. "An' be you the boy I met?"

"Yes, " I said, still doubtful. "But how came you here?"

"Wal, here's whar I belong. I've bin a sorter huntin' an' trappin'yer'bouts fer goin' on nine year or so, an' I built a shanty to live inup yonder by the forks. I hed n't much more nor got home frum downeast, when the Injuns burnt thet down; an' sence then I ain't bin mucho' nowhar, but I reckon'd I 'd go inter ther Fort to-morrow and gitsome grub. "

He spoke with a slow, deliberate drawl, as if not much accustomed toconverse; and I pictured him to myself as one of those silentplainsmen, so habituated to solitude as almost to shun companionship, though he had already let drop a word or two that made me deem him onenot devoid of humor. Suddenly I thought of De Croix. 

"Has any one passed here lately?" I asked, rising to my feet, the oldemulation throbbing in my veins. "A white man, I mean, going north. "

"Wal, " he answered slowly, and as he also stood up I could make out, what I had not noted in our previous meeting, that he was as tall as I, but spare of build; "I ain't seen nuthin', but some sort o' critterwent ploughin' down inter the gulch up yonder, maybe ten minutes 'foreye lit down yere on me. Dern if I know whether it were a human er abar!"

"Will you show me the nearest way to the Kinzie house?"

"I reckon I 'll show ye all right, but ye bet ye don't git me nigherner a hundred foot o' the door, " he returned seriously. "John Kinzie's a mighty good man, stranger, but he an' Ol' Tom Burns ain't neverhitched worth a cent. "

We climbed silently, and came out together upon the top. A slight beamof light crept along through the open door of the log house just infront of us, and for the first time I caught a fair view of mycompanion. He was a tall, gaunt, wiry fellow, typical in dress andmanner of his class, --the backwoodsmen of the Southwest, --but with apeculiarly solemn face, seamed with wrinkles, and much of it concealedbeneath a bushy, iron-gray beard. We eyed each other curiously. 

"Dern if ever I expected ter meet up with ye agin in no sich way asthis, " he said shortly. "But thet 's the house. Be ye goin' ter staythar long?"

"No, " I answered, feeling anxious to have his guidance back to theFort, "not over five minutes. Will you wait?"

"Reckon I may as well, " and he seated himself on a stump. 

No one greeted me at the house, not even a dog; though I could seefigures moving within. Either the occupants felt that an assumption ofconfidence was their best security, or experienced no fear of Indiantreachery, for I rapped twice before there was any response. A younggirl, with a face of rare beauty and a pair of roguish black eyes, peered out curiously. At sight of a stranger she drew back slightly, yet paused to ask:

"Did you wish to see some one here?"

"I am seeking for a young girl, " I answered, wondering if this couldpossibly be she, "and they told me at the Fort I should probably findher here. May I ask if you are Elsa Matherson?"

For a moment she looked out at me, as if I might be an escaped lunatic. Then she turned her face over her shoulder toward those within. 

"Mr. Kinzie, " said she, "here 's another man looking for ElsaMatherson. "

CHAPTER XV

AN ADVENTURE UNDERGROUND

A heavily-built man in shirt-sleeves, with a strong, good-humored face, and a shock of gray hair, appeared beside the girl in the doorway. 

"'T is not the same scamp that kissed you, Josette, " he exclaimed, after examining me intently in the dim light, "but I doubt not he mayprove of similar breed, and it behooves you to be careful where youstand. "

"Has De Croix been here?" I questioned, scarcely deeming it possible hecould have outstripped me in our race through the night. 

"I know not the rascal's name, " was the reply, in the man's deep voice, "but certain I am there was one here scarce ten minutes agone askingafter this same Matherson girl. Saint James! but she must have madesome sweet acquaintances, judging from the looks of her callers!Josette has been rubbing the fellow's kiss off her lips ever since hecaught her unawares. "

"He was a dandified young fellow?" I urged, impatient to be off, yeteager to be sure. 

The girl laughed lightly, her roguish eyes ablaze with merriment. 

"He might be sometime, Monsieur, " she cried, evidently glad to talk, "but to-night he reminded me of those scare-crows the farmers nearQuebec keep in their fields; a little chap, with a bit of turned-upmustache, and a bright eye, but rags, --gracious, such rags as he wore!"

'T was De Croix, there could be no doubt of it, --De Croix, torn anddishevelled by his mad rush through the darkness, but with no shred ofhis reckless audacity gone. There was naught left me now but to raceback upon his trail, hopeful for some chance that might yet allow me tocome in first on the return journey. In my throat I swore onething, --the graceless villain should never collect his reward at bothends of his journey. He had already stolen the sweets from Josette'sred lips, but he should never claim those of Mademoiselle. I lingeredfor but a single question more. 

"But this Elsa Matherson, --she is not here, then?"

"No, " returned Mr. Kinzie, somewhat gruffly, "and has not been sincethe closing of the gates of the Fort. I think you are a parcel of madfools, to be chasing around on such an errand; yet humanity leads me tobid you come in. There is not a safe foot of ground to-night for anystrange white man within three hundred miles of Dearborn. "

I glanced about me into the black shadows, startled at his solemn wordsof warning. Away to the southward a faint glimmer told of the locationof the Fort; farther to the west, a sudden blaze swept up into the sky, reflected in ruddy radiance on the clouds, and the thought came to methat the savages had put torch to the deserted cabin on the southbranch of the river. 

"No doubt 'tis true, " I answered hastily; "yet, whatever the danger maybe, I must regain the stockade before dawn. "

I saw him step forward, as if he would halt me in my purpose; but, wishing to be detained no longer, my thoughts being all with De Croixand Mademoiselle, I turned away quickly and plunged back into thedarkness. 

"You young fool!" he called after me, "come back, or your life will bethe forfeit!"

Without so much as answering, I ran silently in my moccasins to thespot where I had left Ol' Tom Burns. He sat upon his stump, motionless, apparently without the slightest interest in anything goingon about him. 

"Ol' Kinzie was gol-dern polite ter ye, sonny, " he commented. "Reckonif an Injun was a scalpin' me right on his front doorstep he 'd neverhev asked me ter walk inside like that! He an' me sorter drew on eachother 'bout a year ago, down at Lee's shebang; an' he don't 'pear terfergit 'bout it. "

"Show me the nearest safe passage to the Fort, " I said, interruptinghim, almost rudely. 

He got up slowly, and cast his eyes with deliberation southward. 

"Oh, thar ain't no sich special hurry, I reckon, " he answered with anexasperating drawl. "We 'll be thar long afore daylight, --pervidingallers we don't hit no Injuns meantime, --an' the slower we travel theless chance thar is o' thet. "

"But, friend Burns, " I urged, "it is a racing matter. I must reachthere in advance of another man, who has already been here ahead of me. "

"So I sorter reckoned from what I heerd; but ye need n't rip the shirtoff ye on thet account. The feller can't git in thar till afterdaylight, nohow. Them sojers is too blame skeered ter open the gatesin the dark, an' all the critter 'll git if he tries it will be avolley o' lead; so ye might just as well take it easylike. "

The old man's philosophy seemed sound. De Croix would certainly notgain admittance until he could make himself known to the guard, and, carefully as the stockade was now patrolled, it was hardly probable hewould be permitted to approach close enough for identification duringthe night. De Croix was no frontiersman, and was reckless to a degree;yet his long training as a soldier would certainly teach him a measureof caution in approaching a guarded fort at such a time. 

"'Tis doubtless true, " I admitted, "yet I shall feel safer if we pushon at once. "

"Ye called the feller De Croix, didn't ye?" he asked. "Is it theFrench dandy as was at Hawkins's?"

"Yes, " I answered, "and I guess you don't care much to help him. "

Burns wasted no breath in reply, but moved forward with noiseless step. Glancing back, I could clearly perceive Kinzie framed in the light ofhis open door. The vivacious French lass stood beside him, peeringcuriously out across his broad shoulders. Then we sank into theblackness of the ravine, and everything was blotted from our sight. 

Burns evidently knew the intricacies of the path leading to the Fortgate, for I soon felt my feet upon a beaten track, and stumbled no moreover the various obstacles that rendered my former progress souncertain. My guide moved with excessive caution, as it seemed to me, frequently pausing to peer forward into the almost impenetrabledarkness, and sniffing the night air suspiciously as if hoping thus tolocate any lurking foes when his keen eyes failed in the attempt. Sodark was it that I had almost to tread upon his heels in order tofollow him, as not the slightest sound came from his stealthy advance. As he surmounted the steeper inclines of land, I was able to perceivehim dimly, usually leaning well forward and moving with the utmostcaution, his long rifle held ready for instant use. As we drew nearerthe river, --or where I supposed the river must be, for I coulddistinguish but little of our position, --he swerved from the footpathwe were following, and the way instantly grew rougher to our feet. 

"Reckon we 'd better hit the crick a bit below the Fort, " he muttered, over his shoulder; "less likely ter find Injuns waitin' fer us thar. "

"You think there are savages on this shore?"

He turned partially, and peered at me through the darkness. 

"I never heerd tell as Injuns was fools, " he answered briefly. "Incourse thar 's some yere, an' we 're almighty likely ter find 'em. "

On the bank of the river, which I could see dimly by the faint light ofa star or two that had broken through the cloud-rifts, he pausedsuddenly, sniffing the air like a pointer dog. 

"The gol-dern fools!" he muttered, striking his rifle-butt on theground with an expression of disgust. "They 've gone and done it now!"

"Done what?" I questioned, almost guessing his meaning as a pungentodor assailed my nostrils. "That smells like rum!"

"'T is rum. Dern if ever I see whar the A'mighty finds so many blameidjits ter make sojers of! Them ar' fellers in the Fort wer n't intight 'nough pickle, with a thousand savages howlin' 'bout 'em, so they've went an' poured all their liquor inter the river! If I know Injunnature, it jist means the craziest lot o' redskins, whin they find itout, ever was on these yere plains. I bet they make thet fool garrisonpay mighty big fer this job!"

"You mean the destruction of the liquor will anger them?"

"Anger? It'll drive 'em plum crazy, --they'll be ravin' maniacs! It'sthe hope o' spoils thet's held 'em back so long. They 've wanted theFort to be 'vacuated, so as they could plunder it, --thet's been thesong o' the chiefs to hold their young men from raisin' ha'r. Butcome, sonny, thar 's nothin' gained a-stayin' here, an' dern me if Iwant ter meet any Injun with thet thar smell in the air. I don't swimno river smellin' like thet one does. We 'll hev ter go further up, Ireckon, an' cross over by the ol' agency buildin'. "

We crept up the edge of the stream, keeping well in under the northbank, and moving with the utmost caution, for the chances were strongthat this portion of the river would be closely watched by theredskins. We met with no obstacle, however, nor were we apparentlyeven observed from the stockade, as we slowly passed its overhangingshadow. I could distinguish clearly its dark outlines, even making outa head or two moving above the palisades; but no hail of any kind rangout across the intervening water, and we were soon beyond the upperblock-house, where a faint light yet shone. We could see the dim shapeof the two-story factory building, looking gloomy and deserted on thesouth shore. Burns lay flat at the water's edge, studying the buildingintently; and his extreme caution made me a bit nervous, although Icould scarcely determine why, for I had thus far marked not theslightest sign of danger. 

"I reckon we 'll hev ter risk it, " he said at length, as he bound hispowder-horn upon his head with a dark cloth. "Come right 'long arterme, and don't make no splashin'. "

He slipped off so silently that I scarcely knew he was gone, until Imissed the dark outline of his figure at my side. With all possiblecaution, I followed him. The current was not strong, but I partiallyfaced it, and struck out with a long, steady stroke, so that myprogress, as nearly as I could judge, was almost directly across thestream. Burns had been completely lost to my sight, although as Ilooked along the slightly glistening water I could see for somedistance ahead. I remember a black log bearing silently down upon me, and how I shrank from contact with it, fearful lest it might concealsome human thing. Soon after it had swirled by, my feet touched theshelving bank, and I crept cautiously up into the overhanging shadow. Burns was there, and had already reconnoitred our position; for myfirst knowledge of his presence came when he slowly lowered himselfdown the bank until he lay close beside me. 

"They're thar, " he said, soberly. "Thought most likely they wud be. "

"Indians?" I asked, doubtfully, --for I had an impression the factorymight be garrisoned by some of our own people. 

"Sure; I heerd as how the sojers hed been drawed in, an' naturallyreckoned the Injuns would n't be over-long findin' it out. 'Notherfool thing fer the sojers ter dew. "

He paused, listening intently. In the silence, above the slight soundof the running water, I felt sure I could distinguish voices speakingnot far distant. 

"It 's no place yere ter stay, " he whispered, his lips close at my ear. "Reckon best thing we kin dew now is to find one o' the sojers'root-caves somewhar along the bank, an' crawl in thar till daylight. The Injuns ain't so likely to bother us when the guards kin see 'emfrom the Fort. They don't want no out-'n'-out fuss, to my notion, tillthey kin git inter the stockade for good. Creep 'long yere with me, sonny, an' 't won't be far till I find a hole somewhar thet 'll hide usfer awhile anyhow. "

We crawled slowly along, snake-fashion, at the edge of the river, forperhaps thirty feet, our movements hidden by the high and slightlyoverhanging bank at our left. The night was so dark that Burns reliedmore upon feeling than sight to guide him. At last he stopped suddenly. 

"Here's one o' 'em, " he said. "Crawl along in, sonny; thar's lots o'room after ye go a foot er two. "

It was the merest hole dug into the bank, roughly lined with irregularbits of rock, which opened out into quite a cellar about a yard fromthe surface. The air within felt somewhat chill and damp, as I put myhead cautiously down the narrow opening; but there seemed no cause forfear, and I crept nimbly forward, feeling my way as I advanced alongthe rude mud walls. I could hear Burns behind me on his hands andknees, puffing slightly as he squeezed through the small aperture thatled into the larger chamber. 

I had advanced perhaps two yards without reaching the end of this oddunderground apartment, when suddenly, and directly in my front, theresounded a deep, hollow, unearthly groan. The sound was so terrifyingthat I stopped with chilled blood and beating heart, gripping myknife-hilt and peering forward into the dark as frightened as ever Iwas in my life. I heard Burns gasp and half turn; then, before I couldmove, even had I dared venture such a thing, an instantaneous flash litup the black interior. I caught one confused glimpse of a huge object, topped with a head of tumbled hair, of two flapping wings stretchingout upon either side, and then the impenetrable curtain of the dark hideverything once more. Sweat bathed me in cold drops; nor could I havemoved a limb to save my life. Behind me Burns was muttering what mighthave been a prayer; when the thing groaned again, a hollow, awful moan, thrilling with agony, that sent me grovelling upon my face as nearlydead as one could well be and yet breathe and know. 

CHAPTER XVI

"FRANCE WINS, MONSIEUR!"

For the moment, every muscle of my body seemed paralyzed. I distinctlyheard the creature moving in my direction, and I backed away violently, actuated only by the thought of instant escape into the open air. ButBurns blocked the solitary passage. 

"Back out of here, for God's sake!" I managed to exclaim throughparched lips. "That devil-thing is coming this way!"

He struggled desperately in the darkness, tugging madly at someobstacle, an oath smothered on his lips. I waited and listened, everynerve on edge. 

"Dern it all, but I can't!" he groaned at last. "My blame of gun hesgot wedged, and won't give an inch. "

Then a half-smothered laugh rippled out of the gloom just in front ofme. 

"Heaven protect me, but it's Wayland!" came a voice, and the laughterbroke into a roar of merriment. 

"Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu! This will be the death of me!"

The voice, choked and muffled as it was, sounded strangely hollow inthat dark cave; yet it had a familiar tone. So surprising was thesituation, that I could only stare into the black void, speechless. Itwas Burns who realized the need of action. 

"Whoever the dern fool is, " he growled, his voice hoarse with anger, "choke the wind out of him, or his blame howling will bring every Injunon the river yere!"

"De Croix!" I exclaimed quickly, aroused to recollection by theseriousness of the situation, "stop that infernal racket, or the two ofus will throttle you!"

He puffed and gurgled, striving his best to smother the sense ofludicrousness that mastered him. To me there was small cause formerriment; the supreme terror of those moments merged into hot anger atthe deception, and I crept forward eager to plant my hand upon therascal's throat. 

"What French mockery is this?" I exclaimed, my hand hard upon his arm. "Think you, Captain de Croix, that you can play such tricks in thiswilderness, and not be made to pay for them?"

I felt him tremble under my fierce grasp; yet it was not from fear, formy words only served to loosen his laughter once more. Burns now brokein, shoving the barrel of his long rifle forward over my shoulder tillhe struck the Frenchman a blow that effectually silenced him. 

"You chattering ape!" he said, growling like an angry bear, "anotheryawp like that, and I 'll blow a hole clean through you! Now, youFrench ninny, tell us what this means, an' be quick about it if ye wantter save yer hide!"

De Croix did not answer, but he ceased to laugh, and panted as if thebreath had been knocked out of him. Another impatient movement byBurns led me to speak up hastily in his defence. 

"Wait, " I said, laying my grasp upon his gun, "he has no breath leftwith which to make reply. 'T is the French gallant who raced with me, the same whom you met at Hawkins's Ford; and no doubt he felt goodreason to play the ghost here in this dark pit. "

"Ay, " panted De Croix painfully, "I truly thought the savages were uponme, and sought to frighten them by the only means I could devise. _Sacre_! but you hit me a sore blow in the ribs! If I have frightenedyou, 't was no worse than the terror that took me at your entrancehere. "

For a time none spoke, and no sound, save De Croix's labored breathing, broke the silence. Burns had turned slightly, and I knew was listeningintently for any sound without. Apparently satisfied that the noisemade by us had not been overheard, he asked in his old deliberate drawl:

"How in thunder, Mister Parly-voo, did ye git up thet thar combination, anyhow?"

I heard the Frenchman chuckle, and pinched him as a warning to becareful. He answered, in his reckless, easy way:

"'T was all simple enough behind the scenes, Messieurs. I but tooksome old sacking discovered here, and used it as a robe, standing myhair well on end; and a flash of powder made the scene most realistic. The thing indeed worked well. I would I had a picture of MasterWayland's face to show Toinette!"

This chance mention of her name recalled me to myself. The undecidedwager was yet to be won, and the night was now nearly spent. Therecame to me a sudden determination to risk a rush through the darknessto the Fort gates, rather than chance any further defeat at the handsof this rash gallant. Yet prudence bade me question somewhat furtherbefore I ventured upon so mad a deed. 

"No doubt 't was most happy from your point of view, Monsieur. Fromours, it was less so; and instead of laughing, you might better bethanking your lucky stars that you did not pay more dearly for suchfolly. But what brought you here? Why have you failed to reach thestockade?"

"_Sacre_!" he muttered carelessly, "but I had a fierce enough run forit as it was. Why did I not reach the stockade? Because, my friend, Iam no real ghost to be invisible in the night, nor am I a bird to fly. 'T was in the shadow of that big building yonder that I ran into a nestof those copper-colored fiends, and 't was nip and tuck which of uswon, had I not, by pure good luck, chanced to stumble into this hole, and so escape them. Perchance they also thought me a ghost, who knows?But, be that as it may, they were beating the river bank for me in theflesh, when you came creeping here. "

We lay flat on the floor, the three of us, our eyes fastened upon thefaint light that began to stream in through the entrance. I could hearBurns muttering to himself, as is often the way with men who lead livesof solitude; and every now and then De Croix would shake silently atthe recollection of what had just occurred. I minded neither of them, but chiefly planned how best I might outwit De Croix and win the prizeoffered by Mademoiselle. The promise of dawning day was in the outerair, too dim as yet to render our faces visible. Suddenly the slightdraft of air veered, and swept a tiny breath of smoke into my nostrils. It came so quickly that I scarcely realized its significance untilBurns scrambled to his knees with a growl. 

"God! the devils have run us to cover!" he cried, sullenly. "They havestarted a fire to smoke us out!"

It hardly needed a moment to prove this true; the thin smoke grew moreand more dense, filling the narrow entrance until we lay gasping forbreath. De Croix, ever the most impulsive, was the first to act. 

"_Parbleu_!" he gasped, pulling himself forward with his hands. "Better Indians than this foul air! If I die, it shall at least be inthe open. "

To remain longer cooped in that foul hole was indeed madness; and assoon as I could I followed him, rolling out of the entrance to thewater's edge, fairly sick with the pressure upon my lungs, and caringso little what the end might be, provided I might first attain onebreath of pure air, that before I gained strength to resist I wasprisoner to as ill-looking a crew of savages as ever my eyesencountered. The villains triced us firmly with thongs of skin, andsat us up against the bank like so many puppets, dancing about beforeus, snapping their dirty fingers in our faces, and treating us to allmanner of taunts and insults. 'T was done so quickly as to seem adream, had I not smarted so sorely from the blows dealt me, and mylimbs chafed where the tight cords were drawn. 

I recall glancing aside at Burns; but his seamed and puckered faceremained emotionless, as the red devils rolled him over till he staredstraight up at the sky, now gray with coming dawn. The sight of DeCroix almost set me laughing, which won for me a kick from the brutewho had me in special charge. The Frenchman was surely no court dandynow; his fancy clothing clung to him in rags, while the powder-flashwithin the cellar had blackened his face and made sad havoc with hisgay mustache. He endeavored to smile at me as our eyes met, but theeffort produced only what seemed like a demoniac grin. 

"'T is a hard life, Monsieur, " I could not forbear remarking, "and willhardly remind you of Versailles. "

His form stiffened in its bonds, as if the words spurred his memory ofother days. 

"A French soldier smiles at fate, wherever it overtakes him, " heanswered, a touch of pride in his voice. "Besides, the game is notplayed out, --I may yet prove the first one in. But see! if I mistakenot, here comes the chief of all these devils. "

The new-comer strode down the high bank alone, and was greeted noisilyby our captors. It was the same Indian that had halted Captain Wellsthe day previous; and he looked us over with a contemptuous sneer thatcurled his lips and transformed the whole expression of his hideouslypainted face. I noted that he paid but small heed to either De Croixor myself, contenting his vengeance with sharp kicks at our prostratebodies; but as he came to Burns, he paused, bending down till he couldpeer into the old borderer's upturned face. 

"Bah! I know you, " he said, brokenly. "You Ol' Burns. Stake down invillage for you. "

The old man neither moved his head nor gave the slightest sign that hehad heard. 

"Squaw eat heart, " went on the Indian, prodding him with his stick;"feed bones to dog. All white men go that way now, --Ol' Burns first. "

"Topenebe, " was the quiet reply, as the victim rolled over until hehalf-sat against the bank, "I had the pleasure o' kickin' ye once downon the Kankakee, an' should be mighty glad ter do it agin. I reckon ashow ye don't feel over friendly ter me, but ye 're simply wastin' yerbreath tauntin' me. Any time yer derned old fire is hot, I 'm ready todance. "

These calm words angered the warrior, and he spat at him; then heturned and grunted an order in his own language. With blows of theirsticks the Indians got us on our feet; but when they sought to drive usup the steep bank to the prairie, Ol' Burns balked and absolutelyrefused to move. 

"Not one dern step, Topenebe, " he swore grimly, "with these yere thingson my legs. I 'm no pony ter be hobbled, an' blame if I 'll jump 'longfer any red-skin. Ye kin carry me, if ye ain't too lazy; but, bythunder! thar 'll be no walkin' till ye cut them bonds. "

Blows, curses, and threats failed alike to budge the old man. Hesimply sat down and smiled grimly at them; and we followed his example, dimly perceiving there must be a purpose in it. Sheer obstinacy winsmany a battle, and when we went up the bank our lower limbs were free, although to my mind we were as hopelessly bound as ever. Not so withBurns. I chanced to press close to him, as we came out upon theprairie, and he muttered a quick word into my ear. 

"See how they herd us in the shade of the Agency! They are not yetready to let the sojers know whut they're re'lly up to. Not an Injunwill go beyond thet line long enough to be seen. Be ready to run ferit as soon as I say 'Go, ' an' tell the Frenchman. "

I succeeded in making De Croix understand, by means of the mongrelFrench at my command, which seemed not to be intelligible to thesavages; and we moved forward at as slow a gait as our vigilant guardspermitted, with every muscle tense for the coming strain. We werebunched together, with no pretence of order on the part of our captors;indeed, they seemed to be of various minds over what was to be donewith us, though Topenebe exercised sufficient control over his mongrelfollowers to compel at least partial obedience to his orders. Wetramped along to the west of the factory, the walls of which shut offall view of the Fort, a half-dozen of the savages about us, while thechief stalked on a few feet in advance. 

We had almost reached the southwestern corner of the big Agencybuilding, and Topenebe had already taken a step to the right, carefullykeeping the log walls as a protection between our movements and theeyes of the garrison, when Burns, shaking off the Indians nearest him, bounded suddenly forward and struck Topenebe with his head, hurling thefellow by his side over backward as he passed. 

"Run for the gate!" he yelled. 

Like an arrow from the bow, I shot around the Agency corner, and racedfor the stockade, De Croix, running like a deer, barely a foot behindme. I never dreamed, in that moment of intense action, that Burns wasnot also coming, --that he had deliberately sacrificed himself in orderto hold back the savages and give us the better chance for life. Behind arose the sound of struggle, but there was no indication ofpursuit, and as I rounded the end of the stockade the lower gate swungopen just before me and I glanced back, half pausing as I realized theold borderer had not followed us; then some one tripped me, and I fellheadlong. With a sudden rush, De Croix swept by. 

"France wins, Monsieur!" he cried back in mocking triumph, as Istaggered to my knees. 

CHAPTER XVII

A CONTEST OF WITS

Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as wellthat I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and thesentry clanged the gate behind me. The Frenchman's scurvy trick wouldhave heated cooler blood than mine; nor was my spirit soothed by theharsh fall I suffered. But De Croix had not waited; nowhere along thebare sunlit parade was he visible. I saw nothing but a squad ofgrinning soldiers lounging beside the barracks, until Captain Wells, issuing from the guard-house door, caught sight of me and came forward. 

"Back, are you, Master Wayland?" he said gruffly, and 't was easy tosee he did not approve of my escapade. "I scarcely thought to see youhere again with so full a head of hair, after I learned of your madwager. Providence must indeed take special care of fools. Have theredskins captured our French friend?"

"He entered a step in my advance. "

A gleam of amusement played over his swarthy face. 

"Ah, and so you let him win!" he exclaimed; "he, a mere voyager fromthe courts, unused to forest play! Such remissness deserves theguard-house, at the very least. Come, how happened it that this gaysprig outfooted you?"

"'T was but a trick, " I retorted, aroused by these contemptuous words, "and one I shall make him pay well for. But I pray you cut these bandsand set me free. "

I think he had not noticed them before; but now, as he quickly drew hisknife across the deerskin thongs, his whole expression changed. 

"'Tis Indian tying, " he said earnestly; "you have been in the hands ofthe savages?"

"Ay!" and the memory of it instantly brought back the recollection ofthe sacrifice that had won us our freedom. "There were three of ustaken at daylight on the river bank, beyond the factory building. DeCroix and I escaped through the efforts of one who is still a prisoner, and marked for torture. "

Many were gathering about us by this time, anxious to learn whatevernews I brought from without; but it was Captain Heald himself who nowpushed his way through the throng until he fronted me. 

"Who was it?" he asked, sharply. "We have lost no men!"

"His name is Burns, sir. I ran across him just back of the Kinziehouse. "

"Burns? Ol' Tom Burns?"

"Yes, sir. "

Heald laughed, a look of evident relief on his haggard features. 

"We shall not have to worry much as to his fate, " he said, turningtoward Wells. "You remember the fellow, William? He was one of MadAnthony's scouts, and came west with you in 1803 when you first heldcouncil here. "

The other nodded, a twinkle of pleasant recollection in his eyes. "Remember him?" he repeated. "I am not likely ever to forget him. Heit was who brought me your message at Fort Wayne a month ago. Mysympathies in this case are entirely with the Indians. There arelikely to be things happening when Ol' Tom is around, unless he haslost his versatility and nerve in recent years. Come, my lad, give usthe details of the story, for it must be worth the hearing if Ol' Burnsplayed a leading part. He is as full of tricks as a dog of fleas. "

I repeated the story briefly, for I was now eager to be away before DeCroix could dress and claim his wager. I knew well the conceitedcoxcomb would never seek the presence of Mademoiselle until he had shedthe rags he wore on entering the Fort. I remember yet that throng offaces, anxious yet amused, peering over each other's shoulders to get abetter view of me as I talked, and constantly augmented as the wordpassed quickly about the garrison that we had safely returned from ourmidnight adventures. 

"You will send aid to him?" I questioned, as I concluded, my eyes fixedappealingly upon Captain Heald. 

"Not I, " was the prompt and decisive rejoinder. "No soldier of thiscommand shall leave the stockade until the hour for our finaldeparture. The fellow had a chance to come in here with the othersbefore the gates were closed, but was obstinate as a mule, and must nowtake the consequences. But you need not worry about Ol' Tom, my boy;he 'll circumvent those red devils in some way, you may rest assured, nor would he even thank us for interference. I have no force withwhich to control the horde of savages that surround us here. A clashof arms would be their excuse for immediate attack, and might meandeath and torture to the whole garrison. Our only hope lies in beingpermitted to pass out without armed collision; and to do this requiresthat we ignore such hidden deeds. 'Twas a mad prank of yours lastnight, and might have involved us all in common ruin. Go this timefree, except for these words of censure; for you are not directly undermy orders. Another such attempt, subversive of all discipline, and thegates of Dearborn will be closed against you. "

These harsh expressions stung me, but I felt them in a measure merited, and made no reply. 

"'T was but the act of a boy, Heald, " interposed Wells kindly, restinghis hand upon my shoulder, "and you will find the lad well worth havingwhen time of trial comes. "

I slipped away through an opening in the curious throng, and hastenedacross the open parade toward the messroom. I felt dust-covered andbruised from my rough experiences, and hoped to discover opportunitiesfor a bath. The building called the mess-room was long, running nearlyhalf the length of the stockade, built like the others of logs, twostories in height, and containing a number of rooms. The single flightof stairs, opening just within the porch, was exceedingly rude, andbuilt without any protecting rail. I hesitated a moment when fairlywithin the entrance, scarce knowing which way to turn in search of whatI sought; but as I waited there, a light step sounded upon the barefloor above, and glancing up, with quickened beat of the heart, my eyescaught the soft drapery of a woman as she stepped on the upper stair. 

I could scarcely have retreated had I wished to do so, though Irealized instantly who it was, and drew back against the wall, so thatshe came down, singing lightly to herself, without noticing my presenceuntil we were face to face. It was a picture to touch the heart of anyman, and abide forever in the memory. I saw the sunlight as itstreamed through an upper window along the rough log wall and fleckedher white dress with ever-changing spots of quivering gold, and, as shedrew nearer to my standing-place, played softly amid the masses of herdark-brown hair, giving it a tinge of glory. How daintily fair shewas! how archly sweet looked the clear girlish face under thecoquettish sweep of the broad hat! and with what unconscious grace shemoved down the rude stairway, one white hand steadying her against thebrown logs, the other gathering her draperies so close that I could notbe blind to the daintily slippered foot that shyly peeped below thepetticoat of ruffled silk. I may not have loved her then as I learnedto do in later days, but my heart throbbed riotously at her presence, and I stood forgetful of all else. 

As she turned aside at the foot of the stairs, she saw me, and thecolor deserted her face, only to return instantly in deeper volume, while her tell-tale eyes hid themselves behind long lashes. 

"And are you indeed returned, Master Wayland?" she asked quickly, conquering her first emotion with a proud uplifting of her head. "Yousurprised me greatly. I think I first mistook you for a ghost comeback to haunt me for having despatched you on so perilous a quest. Youcannot know how I have been scolded for doing such a thing; yet surelyyou would have gone, even if I had failed to encourage it. "

"Perhaps so, Mademoiselle, " I answered, hoping I might lead her tospeak with greater seriousness; "but it was the hope of the reward thatspurred me forward. "

"Ah, of course, " she said deliberately ignoring her own offer, and witha reckless toss of her head, "you sought a fair girl for whose sake youhave travelled far. Pray tell me, Monsieur, --I am so curious toknow, --do you truly think Josette fairer than I?"

She spoke so lightly, smiling softly into my eyes, that I hardlydetected the faint tinge of regretful sarcasm in her low voice. 

"Josette, you ask me? Why, Josette is indeed a most charming girl, Mademoiselle; but to my mind there can be no comparison between her andyou, for you are the fairest woman I have ever known. "

Her dark eyes were full upon me, and I saw her parted lips move as ifshe would speak. But no words came, and we stood there silent exceptfor the nervous tapping of her foot against the floor. Her look ofseriousness changed into a smile. 

"By my faith, but you pay compliments with so grave a countenance, Monsieur, that I hardly know how to receive them. Most men whispersuch things with a light laugh, or a twinkle of the eye, and I knowtheir words to be empty as bubbles of air. But you, --why, you almostmake me feel you are in earnest. "

"And I am, " I interrupted, longing to seize her hand as I knew De Croixwould have done, and pour forth the words that burnt upon my lips. "Ihave not been privileged to see much of the great outside world, Mademoiselle, --the world of courts and cities, --nor do I know howlovely its women may be; but no ideal formed in dreams satisfies me asyou do. I know naught of idle compliments, nor the graces of acourtier; but my words are from the heart. "

"I do truly believe and trust you, John Wayland, " and she gave me herhand. "But let us talk of this no longer. My vanity is already morethan satisfied by your frank and honest speech. And so you foundJosette?"

"Yes, " I answered, scarce noting what it was I said, so puzzled was Iby her quick retreat. 

"And that meeting, perchance, was so pleasant that it has taken yourthought from all else? It must indeed be so, or why is it that MasterWayland doth not claim of me the stake of the wager?"

"Because, " I stammered, greatly embarrassed by her roguish questioningeyes, "I fear it has not been fairly won. "

"Not fairly won?" she echoed, puzzled by my tone and manner. "Surelyyou have made the trip, and the terms were plain. Really, Monsieur, you do not think I would withhold so small a reward from the winner?"

"But there was another, --the prize was destined for him who came backfirst. "

"And has Captain de Croix returned also?"

"We arrived together, Mademoiselle, but it was his good fortune to beearliest through the gate. "

'Twas good to see how her face lit up with the amusement this replyafforded her. 

"Pish! but you are in truth the most marvellous man I ever knew. 'T isgood to meet with such open honesty; and when did maid ever have beforeso unselfish a cavalier to do her honor? Monsieur, I greatly doubt ifCaptain de Croix will prove so thoughtful when his hour comes. "

"You are right, Toinette, " broke in a voice at my back. "I know notwhat Master Wayland may be yielding up so easily, but, like the Shylockof your William Shakespeare, I am here to claim my pound of flesh. "

I wheeled and faced him, standing firmly between his approach and thegirl, my blood instantly boiling at the familiar sound of that drawlingvoice. 

"I have refused to accept from Mademoiselle what I had not fairlyearned, " I said, with quiet emphasis, "and so, no doubt, will you. "

There was that about my words and action that astonished him, and forthe moment his old audacity was gone as he swept a puzzled glance overour faces. I have often reflected upon the contrast we must havepresented to her sight as we stood there, --for De Croix had donned hisbest attire, and was once again resplendent in frills and ribbons, withheavily powdered hair. 

"Oh, most certainly, what I have not earned, " he said at length, "butthe kiss promised is surely mine by every right, as I was the first in. "

"'T was done by a most scurvy trick. "

"Poof! what of that? 'Tis the same whether the goal be won by wit andstrategy, or mere fleetness of foot. Toinette will make no such finedistinction, I warrant you. "

"Mademoiselle, " and I turned toward the smiling girl, who seeminglyenjoyed our interchange of compliments, "what may have been yourunderstanding of this wager?"

"Why, " she answered slowly, endeavoring to recall the details to mind, "Captain de Croix declared he would willingly make the trip for a touchof rosy lips, and in a spirit of venture I promised that whichever ofyou two first completed the journey and returned here should obtainsuch reward. "

"There, 't is plain enough, " he cried, stroking his mustachecomplacently, "and I have won. "

"Most surely you have, " I retorted, "and the reward has already beengiven you. "

"Been given?" she questioned, "and by whom?"

"The girl Josette. "

She looked from the one to the other of us, puzzled for a brief momentat the odd situation. Then, as her eyes settled upon De Croix'sflushed and angry face, she laughed gaily, even as she daintily drewaside her skirts to pass us by. 

"Pish, Monsieur!" she cried, shaking her finger at him, "I doubt itnot. No, you need not deny it, for 't is but one of your old-timetricks, as I knew them well at Montreal. 'T would be no more thanright were I even now to reward Master Wayland, for he hath truly wonit, --yet for that I will delay awhile. "

And with a flash of her dark eyes that held us speechless, she was gone. 

CHAPTER XVIII

GLIMPSES OF DANGER

If any trace of anger held place in my heart, it utterly vanished as Inoted the bewildered surprise with which De Croix gazed afterMademoiselle's departing figure. 

"_Sacre_!" he exclaimed presently, turning toward me, his face flushed, and forgetful of all his well-practised graces. "'T was an unworthytrick, Master Wayland, and one I am not likely to forget. "

"'T was a moment ago, " I answered, in great good-humor at hisdiscomfiture, "that you claimed wit was as important a factor asfleetness of foot in the winning of a race. I did no more thanillustrate your theory, Monsieur. "

The humor of it failed to touch him, and there was a direct menace inhis manner which caused me to fall back a step in the narrow passageand front him warily. 

"No boor of the woods shall laugh at me!" He exclaimed, his eyesaflame with passion, "be the cause love or war. What mean all thesesly tricks of speech and action?--this hurried message to the ear ofMademoiselle? By my faith, you did not even pause to wash the dustfrom off your face before you sought her company. 'T is strange suchintimacy could spring up between you in so short a time! But mark youthis, Master Wayland, once and for all; I have not voyaged here fromMontreal to be balked in my plans by the interference of an uncouthadventurer. I give you now fair warning that if you ever step againbetween Toinette and me, naught but the decision of steel shall end ourquarrel. "

That he was indeed in deadly earnest, and indulged in no vain threat, Iwell knew; his passion was too strongly painted on his face. My owntemper rose in turn. 

"I hear your words, Monsieur, " I returned coldly, "and care no more forthem than for a child's idle boasting. There is naught betweenMademoiselle and me that the whole world might not know. We are goodfriends enough, but if by any chance love should be born from thatfriendship, no French gallant, though he sport a dozen swords, shallcome between us. Win her if you can by reckless audacity andlavishness of perfume, but dream not to frighten me away from herpresence by the mutterings of bravado. I am the son of a soldier, Monsieur, and have myself borne arms in battle. "

"You will fight, then?"

"With pleasure, whenever the occasion arises, " I replied slowly, struggling hard to keep back more bitter words. "But I see none atpresent, and, if I mistake not, all our skill at arms will soon beneeded to save this girl, as well as ourselves, from savage hands. "

I know not how we would have parted, for 't was evidently his wish togoad me on to fight; and there are times when passion overwhelms usall. But at that moment I heard the soft rustle of a dress, andwheeled to face the fair young wife of Lieutenant Helm. It was plainshe had been weeping; but De Croix, ever quicker than I in suchmatters, was first to accost her in words of courtesy. A pretty faceto him was instant inspiration. 

"We bow to you, Madame, " he exclaimed with excessive gallantry, doffinghis hat till it swept the stairs; "your coming makes the very sunshinea brighter gold. "

"I trust it may bring peace as well, " she answered, striving to smileback at him, although trouble yet shadowed her sweet face; "surely myears caught the sound of harsh words. "

"A slight misunderstanding, which will hardly grow to any serious end, "he protested. 

"I trust not, gentlemen, for the time is come when we women at Dearbornsurely need you all to protect us. Our case already appears desperate. "

"Has something new occurred, " I questioned anxiously, "that makes youmore alarmed?"

Her eyes, grown strangely serious once more, swept our faces. 

"You may neither of you comprehend this in its full meaning as clearlyas I do, " she returned gravely, "for I am frontier-bred, and have knownthe Indian character from childhood. We have long been acquainted, inmy father's family, with many of the chiefs and warriors now encampedaround us. We have traded in their villages, lived with them in theirsmoke-stained tepees on the great plains, and trusted them as theyshowed faith in us. You, I learn, " and she looked at me more intently, "were at my father's house no later than last night. In spite ofrumors of war and tightly guarded Fort-gates, you found his door wideopen to whosoever might approach, with never a dog to bark at anintruder, be he white or red. This is because the Silver-man hasalways dealt fairly with the Indian, and won his respect and gratitudein return. Now, in time of peril this trader dares to believe in theirgood faith toward him and his. 'T is because of this I know so wellall that is going on without, and have been able to inform CaptainHeald of much his scouts were unable to discover. From the first therehave been two factions among the savages gathered yonder; and whetherwe live or die may depend upon which counsel prevails among them--thatof peace or that of war. Until within an hour I have hoped it might bepeace, --that the older chiefs would hold their young men in control, and the red wampum be not seen at Dearborn. Twenty minutes ago one ofthe noblest advocates of peace, --a Pottawattomie warrior named BlackPartridge, --sought interview with Captain Heald, and his words haveshown me how desperate indeed has our situation become. "

"He threatened?" broke in De Croix, his hand upon his sword-hilt. 

"Nay, Monsieur, 't is not the way of an Indian, nor is Black Partridgeone to indulge in vain words. I have known him long; in childhood Isat upon his knee, and believe him so friendly to the whites thatnaught but a sense of duty could move him otherwise. Yet, as I say, hecame just now to the commandant of this garrison, and returned a medalonce given him by the government. It was done sadly, and with deepregret, --for I overheard his speech. He said: 'Father, I come todeliver up to you the medal I wear. It was given me by the Americans, and I have long worn it in token of our mutual friendship. Our youngmen are resolved to imbue their hands in the blood of the whites. Icannot restrain them, and I will not wear a token of peace while I amcompelled to act as an enemy. '"

She stopped, her agitated face buried in her hands, and neither of usspoke. The solemnity of her words and manner were most impressive. 

"You feel, then, that the die is cast?" asked De Croix, all lightnessvanished from his voice. 

"I believe we march forth from these walls to our death to-morrow. "

"But why, " I protested, "should you, at least, take part in suchhazard? Your father's family, you tell us, will be safe from attack. Surely, that home might also prove your refuge?"

The little woman, with the face of a girl, looked up at me indignantlythrough her tears. 

"Lieutenant Helm marches with the troops, " she answered quietly, "and Iam his wife. "

I retain no memory, at this late day, of what conversation followed. Iknow that De Croix in his easy carelessness about the future, sought tolaugh at her fears and restore a feeling of hopefulness; but all mythoughts were elsewhere, --upon the grave dilemma in which we foundourselves, and my duty to these helpless ones upon every side. 

I must have left the two standing there and conversing, though just howI moved, and why, is dim to me. I recall crossing the bare parade, andnoting the company that formed the little garrison drawn up in theshadow of the south stockade. At any other time I should have pausedin interest, for military evolutions always attracted my attention; butthen I had no sense other than that of mental and physical exhaustionfrom the hours of toil and lack of rest. Owing to my absence the nightbefore, no quarters had been assigned me; but finding the barracks ofthe troops unoccupied, and yielding to imperative need, I flung myself, without undressing, upon a vacant bunk, and lay there tossing with theburden of intense fatigue. 

And then how the thoughts I sought to banish thronged upon me! Noeffort of my will could shut them out. I went over again and again thequarrel with De Croix, the incidents of the night, the solemn words ofMrs. Helm. Little by little, each detail clear and absolute, thereunrolled before my mind's view the picture of our situation. I saw itas a frontiersman must, in all its grim probabilities. The littleisolated Fort was cut off from all communication, held by a weakenedgarrison. Hope of rescue there was none. Without were alreadygathered hundreds of warriors attracted by rumors of war and promise ofpillage; and these were growing in number and increasing in ferocityeach day. I had ridden through them once, when their mood was only toannoy, and realized with a shudder of horror what it would mean to facethem in our retreat, with all restraint of their chiefs removed. Ithought of those long leagues of tangled forest-land stretching betweenus and the nearest border settlements, of ambuscades, of constant andharassing attack on the ever-thinning column as we fought for each footof the way. Once my mind dwelt for an instant upon the quiet home Ihad left on the banks of the Maumee; as my eyes filled at the memory Idrove it from me, for the present necessity was all too stern to permitindulgence in such weakness. 

'T was of the women and children I thought most, and their probablefate if we failed to win a passage. The half-framed thought of such apossibility made my heart throb with dread apprehension, as I set mylips together in firm resolve. What had become of Roger Matherson'sorphan child? 'T was indeed strange that I could gain no trace of thelittle girl. At the Fort they said she was with the Kinzies, atKinzies' they told me she was at the Fort. It was, as Seth hadprophesied, like seeking after a will-o'-the-wisp; yet surely she mustbe in the flesh somewhere. My plain duty was to find her at once; andI resolved to take up the task anew that day, and question every one Imet till some trace yielded to my persistency. However, I needed firstto sleep; but as I resolutely closed my eyes, there came gliding intomy memory another face, --an arch, happy face, with softly roundedcheeks and dark laughing eyes, a face that mirrored a hundred moods, and back of them all a sweet womanly tenderness to make every mood anew and rare delight. Toinette!--never before was woman's name sopleasant to my lips. Ignorant as I was in mysteries of the heart, Iknew not clearly whether I loved her, though this I knew beyondcavil, --no savage hand should ever touch her while I lived; and if Ihad to fight each step of the path from that accursed spot to Wayne, Iswore within my heart she should come safe through. Her gentle memorywas with me when all the rest yielded to the drowsy god, and in sheerexhaustion I slept--to dream. 

CHAPTER XIX

A CONFERENCE AND A RESOLVE

"To my mind, the risk would be extreme; and I greatly doubt the wisdomof the step. "

"But, William, what other alternative offers us any hope?"

"I confess I know not, for your last mistake has greatly aggravated thesituation. "

I sat up hastily, for seemingly these words were spoken at the veryside of the bunk on which I lay. As I glanced about me I saw the roomwas vacant; so I knew the conference thus accidentally overheard mustbe taking place in an adjoining apartment. I was thoroughly awake whenCaptain Heald's voice spoke again. 

"You say a mistake, --what mistake?" he questioned, as though aggrieved. "I have done no more than simply obey the orders of my superiorofficer. "

"That may be true, " broke in the gentler tones of Lieutenant Helm, "butof that we are unable to judge, for not one of your officers has beenprivileged to see those orders. "

"You shall see them now. If I have been remiss in taking you into myconfidence in these grave matters, it has been because of certainmalcontents in the garrison with whom I hesitated to confer. "

There was a rustle of paper, and Heald read slowly. I failed todistinguish the opening words, but as he reached the more importantportion of the document his utterance grew deeper, and I hearddistinctly this sentence:

"Evacuate the post if practicable, and in that event distribute theproperty belonging to the United States in the Fort, and in the factoryor agency, to the Indians in the neighborhood. "

There was a pause as he concluded. Captain Wells spoke first. 

"To my mind, these orders are not positive, and leave much to yourdiscretion. Who brought the message, and when?"

"A Wyandot named Winnemeg. He reached here on the ninth. "

"I have heard the name, and believe him worthy of confidence. Did youadvise with him?"

"Ay! Though he had no oral message from General Hull, he counselledimmediate evacuation. I also felt such action to be wise; but thingswere in such condition within the Fort, --so large a number of helplesswomen and children to be provided for, and so heavy a proportion of thegarrison on the sick-list, --that I found it impossible to act promptly. The Indians gathered so rapidly without, and assumed so hostile amanner, that I thought it suicidal to attempt a march through thewilderness, encumbered as we should be, without some positiveunderstanding with their chiefs. "

"I can easily comprehend all this, and that you have sought to act forthe best, " was Wells's comment; "but I fail to realize how you hoped toappease those same Indians by the wanton destruction last night of theliquor thrown into the river. It was done in direct opposition to theorders you have just read, and is bound to increase the hatred of thesavages. You may be sure they are not ignorant of the contents of yourdespatch, and must resent the destruction of property they considertheir own. "

"'Twas done upon the advice of two of their leading chiefs. "

"Indeed! Which two?"

"Topenebe and Little Sauk. "

"The two biggest devils in that whole Pottawattomie camp, and the headand front of their war-party! Their purpose is clear enough to mymind, and seamed with treachery. Well, Heald, from my knowledge ofIndian nature I must say that whoever goes forth now to confer withyonder redskins has a desperate mission; but if you are stilldetermined upon such a conference, I will take my chances with you. 'Tis given unto man but once to die. "

"No, William, " replied Captain Heald, with more firmness. "It is yourpart to remain here in protection of your niece, my wife; and if my ownofficers refuse to volunteer in this service, I shall go forth alone tomeet the chiefs. It is my duty as commandant. "

"Two of your officers are here, " said Wells, "and they can probablyanswer for themselves. Ensign Ronan is not present. "

"He is acting as officer of the day, " returned Heald, somewhat stiffly, "and is therefore not eligible for such service. Perhaps one of theofficers here present possesses courage enough for the venture?"

Apparently neither cared to express himself, after such an insinuation. At last one, whose voice I recognized as that of Surgeon Van Voorhis, gave utterance to his refusal. 

"As the only medical officer of the garrison, I feel justified indeclining to go upon so desperate an expedition, " he said gravely. "Itwould expose not only my own life to unnecessary peril, but the livesof many others as well. "

"And what say you, Lieutenant Helm? Have you also personal scruples?"

I could detect a tremor in the younger officer's voice, as he answeredpromptly. 

"Captain Heald has before this seen me in time of danger, " he saidquietly, "and can have no reason for ascribing cowardice to me. But Iwill frankly say this, sir, and with all respect to my commandingofficer, I believe such conference as now proposed with the hostileIndians yonder, at this late day, to be perfectly useless, and thatevery hour's delay since the receipt of orders to evacuate the post hasonly tended to increase our danger and lessen our hope of escape. Ifeel now that our only chance of safety lies in defending this stockadeagainst attack until a rescue party from the East can reach us. I havea young wife among the women of this garrison; to her I owe allegiance, as well as to the flag I serve. Feeling as I do, Captain Heald, as asoldier I will obey any command you give, and will go forth upon thismission if ordered to do so, either in your company or alone; but Icannot volunteer for such service. I believe it to be foolhardy, andthat whoever undertakes it goes forth to almost certain death. "

"Then I shall go alone, " said Heald, sternly; "nor do I look forward toany such disastrous ending to so open a mission of peace. "

"Wait, " broke in Wells, impulsively. "I have a final suggestion tomake, if you are resolved to go. There rode in my party hither arattle-brained gallant, bearing a French commission, who ought to provesufficiently reckless to lend you his companionship. Faith! but Ithink it may well suit the fellow. Besides, if he wore his Frenchuniform it might have weight with the reds. "

"Who is he?" asked Heald, doubtfully. "I seem not to have memory ofhim. "

"He calls himself Captain Villiers de Croix, and holds commission inthe Emperor's Guard. "

Scarcely were the words spoken when I was on my feet, all vestige ofsleep gone from my eyes. De Croix was hardly a friend of mine, sincelate developments, but he had been my comrade for many a league of hardforest travel, and I was unwilling to have him carelessly sacrificed ina venture regarding the danger of which he knew nothing. Besides, Icounted on his sword to aid in the defence of Mademoiselle. Iunderstood thoroughly the desperate chances of Indian treachery thatlay before such a commission as was now proposed. It was rash in theextreme; and only the terrors of our position could sanction such anexperiment. The savages that hemmed us in were already in an uglymood, and fully conscious of their power. To go forth to them, unarmedand uninvited, as Captain Heald coolly proposed doing, was to walkopen-eyed into a trap which treachery might snap shut at any time. Itwas not my purpose to halt De Croix, nor to stand between him and anyadventure he might choose to undertake; but I could at least warn him, in a friendly spirit, of the imminent danger such a thing involved. 

With this thought in mind, I ran hastily across the open parade intothe officers' mess-hall, hoping I might find him loitering there. Tomy hasty glance, the place appeared deserted; and I drew back, wondering where to turn next in search. As I hesitated on thethreshold, the low voice of Mademoiselle fell upon my ear; and at thatmoment she emerged from behind the curtain which divided the officers'quarters. 

"May I hope you are seeking me?" she asked, graciously; "for it hasbeen most lonely here all day, --even Captain de Croix seems to haveforgotten my existence. "

"It was De Croix I sought, " I answered, somewhat nettled by her promptreference to him; "and doubtless you are well able to give me trace ofhim. "

She studied me keenly, marking an angry note in my voice that I soughtvainly to disguise. 

"Forever a quarrel?" she said, regretfully. "Do you know, MasterWayland, I had thought better of you. Surely it is not your nature tobe a brawler, and always seeking opportunity to show the strong hand!What has Captain de Croix done now to make you seek him so vengefully?"

"'T is not in quarrel, " I explained, --I fear with ill grace, for herwords in his defence were little inclined to mollify me. "You mayindeed have so poor conception of me as to misinterpret my coming; yetin truth I seek De Croix in friendship, hoping that I may by a chanceword serve him. "

"Indeed! what danger threatens, that he needs to be warned against?"

I hesitated; for, now that my blood had somewhat cooled, my missionseemed a bit foolish. 

"I insist upon knowing, " she continued haughtily, her eyes full uponmine, "or I shall believe you sought him for hostile purpose, and woulddeceive me by fair words. "

"Mademoiselle, " I answered gravely, "you do me wrong. Only a fewmoments ago I chanced to overhear a discussion, by the officers of thisFort, regarding a commission to go forth and hold council with theIndians. Captain Heald is determined upon such a course; but none willvolunteer to accompany him, because of the grave danger of savagetreachery. The Frenchman's name was mentioned as one reckless enoughto join with such a party; and I sought to warn him ere he acceptedblindly. He is hardly a friend of mine, --yet it seems no more thanfair that he should know the full measure of his peril before saying'yes. '"

She came impulsively forward, with quickly extended hand, her faceaglow. 

"You are indeed a true heart, John Wayland, and have shamed me rightly. I know well the deceit and treachery of Indian nature, and canunderstand the peril such a party would run. Promise me that you willprevent Captain de Croix from becoming one of them. "

"I?" I exclaimed in perplexed surprise; "I can do no more than warnhim. "

"But you must do more!" she cried imperatively. "He will surely go ifasked. A warning such as you propose would only stir his blood. I begyou to use your wits a little, so that he may know nothing of it. "

I looked at her, deeply hurt by the interest so openly displayed. 

"You are wondrously aroused for the Frenchman's safety, Mademoiselle!"

"Yes, though not as you may fancy. Captain de Croix came here for mysake, even though no word of mine gave him reason for doing so. Forthis reason I could never forgive myself if harm befell him on such ajourney. 'T would be as if I had lured him to his death. So 'tis formy sake, not his, that I ask the favor. "

I leaned against the log wall and thought quickly, her anxious eyesnever leaving my face. There came into my mind a conviction that thegirl really loved him; and this made the struggle harder for me toserve him. Nor did I see clearly how it could well be done, savethrough a sacrifice of myself, such as I had never intended. 

"Surely, " she urged, "your wits will conceive some way in which it maybe done?"

"Yes, " I answered, eager now to hide my own feeling from her; "'tis nothopeless. You desire that he be kept within the Fort, ignorant of thiscommission?"

"I do; 't is the only way. "

"Very well, it shall be done, Mademoiselle. No, I need no thanks fromyou. Only do this simple thing, which, I am sure, you will find nohardship, --keep Captain de Croix from any possible contact with othersfor an hour. Your eyes will prove sufficient, no doubt, to enchain himthat long; if not, use other measures. "

"But what will you do?"

"That does not count. 'T is the result, not the means, that mustcontent you. I have my plan, and it will work; but I cannot stay herelonger to discuss it. Only do your part well, and I pledge you thesafety of De Croix. "

I left her standing there, the light of questioning still in her eyes;but I wished mainly to be safely away, where I might hide my own suddenheart-ache in the energy of action. 

CHAPTER XX

IN THE INDIAN CAMP

It cut me deeply to think that this girl would willingly sacrifice meto save the French gallant from injury, and an anxiety to escape herpresence before I should speak words I might always regret caused me toleave with scant ceremony. Yet I was none too soon; for scarce had Istepped without the door when I met Lieutenant Helm ascending the steps. 

"Ah, Wayland!" he said, catching sight of me, "do you happen to knowwhere I am most likely to find Captain de Croix?"

"He is scarcely to be disturbed at present, unless the matter be trulyurgent, " I replied, my plan hastily sketched in mind. "Have youarranged a banquet in honor of the Frenchman?"

"No such good fortune, " was the grave response. "Captain Heald desireshis company upon an immediate mission to the Pottawattomie camp. "

"Oh, is that all? Well, Captain de Croix will hardly be foundsufficiently recovered from his late adventure to enter upon anotherone so early. 'T is in my thought he either sleeps or is prinkinghimself for more pleasant conquests. But why worry him? In myjudgment, no poorer choice could be made for so serious a task as youpropose. He is a mere French courtier, --brave enough, and rash, Igrant, yet without knowledge of Indian ways and treachery. Might not Ianswer better as his substitute?"

"You?"

"Ay! and why not? I am frontier-bred, long trained in woodcraft andsavage ways, and surely far better fitted for such a task than is thispetted darling of the courts. Were it a flirtation, now, the postmight be truly his. "

"'T is true, you would be my choice; but do you realize the perilinvolved?"

"Fully, my friend, yet scarce think it so desperate as you imagine. Itis my judgment the savages yonder are seeking bigger game than so smalla party would afford, and will therefore allow us to go free. However, if it should prove otherwise, " and I spoke the words with a sore heartas I recalled what had just occurred, "I am a lone man in the world, and to such an one death is not so terrible, even at Indian hands. Come, I will go with you to confer with Captain Heald, and offer him myservices. He can do no more than refuse. "

Helm offered no further objection, doubtless feeling it useless in myventuresome mood; and we crossed the parade together without speaking. 

Captain Wells was the first to see me as we entered, and some instincttold him instantly of my purpose. 

"Ah, Wayland, my boy! I have been troubled lest you might chance tohear of our plight, and jump in. Come now, lad! 't was not you we sentafter, nor can we use you in so grave a matter. "

"And pray, why not?" I questioned, a little touched by this evidence ofkindness, yet firmly determined to keep my pledge to Mademoiselle. "Iam a better man for such deeds than the Frenchman, and am eager to go. "

"So this is not your Captain de Croix?" said Captain Heald, eying mecuriously. "Saint George! but he is a big fellow, --the same who madethe race last night, or I mistake greatly. And what is this man'sname?"

"It is John Wayland, " I answered, anxious to impress him favorably; "afrontiersman of the Maumee country, and fairly skilled in Indian ways. I have come to volunteer my services to go with you. "

"You are anxious to die? have the spirit of a Jesuit, perchance, andare ambitious of martyrdom?"

"Not unusually so, sir, but I think the danger overrated by thesegentlemen. At least, I am ready and willing to go. "

"And so you shall, lad!" cried the old soldier, striking a hand uponhis knee. "You are of the race of the long rifles; I know your kindwell. Not another word, William! here is a man worth any twenty ofyour French beaux strutting with a sword. Now we start at once, andshall have this matter settled speedily. "

The earliest haze of the fast-descending twilight was hovering over thelevel plain as we two went forth. In the west, the red tinge of thesun, which had just disappeared below the horizon, lingered well up inthe sky. Against it we could see, clearly outlined in inky blackness, the distant Indian wigwams; while to the eastward the crimson light wasreflected in fantastic glow upon the heaving surface of the lake. Fora moment we paused, standing upon the slope of the mound on which theFort was built, and gazed about us. There was little movement toarrest the eye. The dull, dreary level of shore and prairie wasdeserted; what the more distant mounds of sand or the overhanging riverbanks might hide of savage watchers, we could only conjecture. Seemingly the mass of Indian life, which only the day before hadoverflowed that vacant space, had vanished as if by some sorcerer'smagic. To me, this unexpected silence and dreary barrenness wereastounding; I gazed about me fairly bewildered, almost dreaming for themoment that our foes had lifted the long siege and departed while Islept. Heald no doubt read the thought in my eyes, for he laid akindly hand upon my sleeve and pointed westward. 

"They are all yonder, lad, at the camp, --in council, like enough. Markyou, Wayland, how much farther to the south the limit of their campextends than when the sun sank last night? Saint George! they musthave added all of fifty wigwams to their village! They gather likecrows about a dead body. It has an ugly look. "

"Yet 't is strange they leave the Fort unguarded, so that the garrisonmay come and go unhindered. 'T is not the usual practice of Indianwarfare. "

"Unguarded? Faith! the hundreds of miles of wilderness between us andour nearest neighbor are sufficient guard. But dream not, my lad, thatwe are unobserved; doubtless fifty pair of skulking eyes are even nowupon us, marking every move. I venture we travel no more than ahundred yards from the gate before our way is barred. Note howpeaceful the stockade appears! But for the closed gates, one wouldnever dream it the centre of hostile attack. Upon my word, evenlove-making has not deserted its log-walls!"

I lifted my eyes where he pointed, and even at that distance, andthrough the gathering gloom, I knew it was De Croix and Mademoisellewho overhung those eastern palisades in proximity so close. The sightwas as fire to my blood, and with teeth clinched to keep back the madutterance of a curse, I strode beside Captain Heald silently down thedeclivity to the deserted plain below. 

It is my nature to be somewhat chary of speech, and to feel deeply andlong; but if I doubted it before, I knew now, in, this moment of keenand bitter disappointment, that my heart was with that careless girl upyonder, who had sent me forth into grave peril apparently withoutthought, and who cared so little even now that she never lifted hereyes from the sparkling water to trace our onward progress. Anger, disappointment, disgust at her duplicity, her cruel abuse of power, swept over and mastered me at the moment when I realized more deeplythan ever my own love for her, and my utter helplessness to oppose herslightest whim. No Indian thongs could bind me half so tightly as thefalse smiles of Toinette. 

Plunged into this whirlpool of thought, I moved steadily forward atCaptain Heald's shoulder, unconscious of what might be taking placeabout us, and for the moment indifferent to the result of our venture. But this feeling was not for long. Scarcely had our progress taken usacross the front of the deserted agency building, and beyond the ken ofthe sentinels in the Fort, when a single warrior rose before us as fromthe ground, and blocked the path. He was a short, sturdy savage, bareto the waist save for a chain of teeth which dangled with sinistergleam about his brawny throat, and, from the wide sweep of hisshoulders, evidently possessed of prodigious strength. He held a gunextended in front of him, and made a gesture of warning impossible tomisapprehend. 

"What seeks the White Chief?" he questioned bluntly. "Does he come forpeace or war?"

The query came with such grave abruptness that Heald hesitated in reply. 

"Never since I have been at Dearborn have I sought war, " he replied atlast. "Little Sauk knows this well. We travel now that we may havecouncil of peace with the chiefs of the Pottawattomies. See!" and heheld up both empty hands before the Indian's eyes, "we are bothunarmed, because of our trust in the good faith of your people. "

Little Sauk uttered a low grunt of disapproval, and made no motion tolower his threatening rifle. 

"Ugh! You talk strong! Did any Pottawattomie send to White Chief tocome to council?"

"No, " admitted Heald. "We come because it is the wish of the GreatFather of the white men down by the sea that we talk together of thewrongs of the red men, and make proposals of peace between us. Thereis no cause for these rumors of war, and the Great Father has heardthat the Pottawattomies are dissatisfied, and it has made him sad. "

The Indian looked from one to the other of us in the growing darkness, and made a gesture of contempt. 

"The real Great White Father wears a red coat, and is friend to thePottawattomie, " he said with dignity. "He no lie, no shut Indian outof Fort, no steal furs, no throw rum in river. Who this man, WhiteChief? He no soldier, --he long-knife. "

"Yes, he is a frontiersman, and came to the Fort yesterday withWau-me-nuk, bringing word of greeting from the Great Father to thePottawattomies. He goes now with me to council. May we pass on toyour camp?"

For a moment Little Sauk did not answer, stepping closer in order thathe might better scan my features. Apparently satisfied by the keenscrutiny, he turned his broad back upon us and strode off withcontemptuous dignity. 

"Come, " he said shortly; and without further word we followed acrossthat dim plain and through the thickening darkness. 

The Indian's step was noiseless, and his figure cast the merest shadow;but as we moved onward others constantly joined us, stalking out of theblack night like so many phantoms, gliding silently in their noiselessmoccasins across the soft grass, until fully a dozen spectral formshedged our pathway and kept step to every movement. It was a weirdprocession, through the shifting night-shadows; and although I couldcatch but fleeting glimpses of those savage faces and half-naked forms, the knowledge of their presence, and our own helplessness if theyproved treacherous, caused my heart to throb till I could hear it inthe painful silence like the beat of a drum. Now and then a gutturalvoice challenged from the darkness, to be instantly answered by thosein advance, and another savage glided within our narrowed vision, scanned us with cruel and curious eyes, and fell in with the samesilent, tiger-like tread of his fellows. 

It was not long that we were compelled to march thus, the gatheringwarriors pressing us closer at each step; and it was well it proved sosoon ended, for the grim mockery set my nerves on edge. Yet the changewas hardly for the better. Just before reaching the spot where theriver forked sharply to the southward, we came to the upper edge of thewigwams, and into a bit of light from their scattered fires. Thererushed out upon us a wild horde of excited savages, warriors andsquaws, who pushed us about in sheer delirium, and even struckviciously at us across the shoulders of our indifferent guard, so thatit was only by setting my teeth that I held back from grappling withthe demons. But Heald, older in years and of cooler blood, laidrestraining hands upon my arm. 

"'T is but the riff-raff, " he muttered warningly. "The chiefs willhold them back from doing us serious harm. "

As he spoke, Little Sauk uttered a gruff order, and the grim warriorson our flank drove back the jeering, scowling crowd, with fierce Indiancursing and blows of their guns, until the way had been cleared for ouradvance. We moved on for two hundred yards or more, the maddened andvengeful mob menacing us just beyond reach of the strong arms, andhowling in their anger until I doubted not their voices reached thedistant Fort. 

We came to a great wigwam of deer-skin, much larger than any I had everseen, with many grotesque figures of animals sketched in red and yellowpaint upon the outside, and clearly revealed by the blazing firewithout. A medicine-man of the tribe, hideous with pigment and highupstanding hair, sat beating a wooden drum before the entrance, andchanting wildly to a ferocious-looking horde of naked savages, manybleeding from self-inflicted wounds, who danced around the blaze, theleaping figures in the red glare making the scene truly demoniacal. Little Sauk strode through the midst of them, unheeding the uproar, andflung aside the flap of the tent. 

"White Chief and Long Knife wait here, " he said Sternly. "Come backpretty soon. "

There was nothing to be seen within, excepting some skins flungcarelessly upon the short trodden grass. We sat down silently uponthese, gazing out through the narrow opening at the blazing fire andthe numerous moving figures constantly crowding closer about theentrance, both of us too deeply immersed in thought to care for speech. 

The black shadows upon the tepee cover told me that guards had beenposted to keep back the rabble from intrusion, and once I saw signs ofa brief struggle in front when the swarm had grown too inquisitive andwere forced back with scant ceremony. The weird dance and incantationcontinued; and although I knew but little of the customs of thePottawattomies, there was a cruel savagery and ferocity about it whichI felt held but little promise of peace. 

"'T is the war-dance, " whispered Heald in my ear, "and bodes ill forour purpose. See! the red wampum is in the fellow's hand. "

As I bent forward to catch the gleam of it in the flames, a new figuresuddenly flitted past our narrow vista, between us and the wild circleof dancers. It was a woman, attired in fanciful Indian dress; butsurely no Pottawattomie squaw ever possessed so graceful a carriage, orbore so clear a face. 

"Captain!" I ejaculated eagerly. "Did you see that white woman there, with the long skirt and red hair?"

"Ay!" he answered as though he scarce had faith in his own eyes. "Imarked not the color of her hair, but I saw the lass, and, by SaintGeorge! she looked to me like old Roger Matherson's daughter. "

CHAPTER XXI

A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS

I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting myduty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now wasplainly a prisoner in Indian hands. At the entrance of the tepee, ascowling warrior pushed me roughly back, pretending not to understandmy eager words of expostulation, and, by significant gesture, threatening to brain me with his gun-stock if I persisted. A slightreturn of reason alone kept me from striking the fellow down andstriding over his prostrate body. While I stood struggling with thistemptation, Captain Heald grasped me firmly. 

"Are you mad, Wayland?" he muttered, dragging me back into the darkinterior of the tepee. "For God's sake, don't anger these fellows!Think of all the helpless lives depending on the success of our errandhere! What is the girl to you?"

"I will wait, " I answered, calmed by his earnestness, and ashamed of myboyish impetuosity; "but I am here at Dearborn seeking this youngwoman, whom I had supposed rather to be a young child. Her father wasmy father's dearest friend, and wrote us from his death-bed asking ourprotection for her. "

"You are Major Wayland's son, --I remember the circumstances now, andthat I endorsed such a letter. 'T is most strange. This girldisappeared from Dearborn some days ago. Mrs. Heald heard the matterdiscussed among the ladies of the garrison, and then all supposed herto be at John Kinzie's in company with Josette La Framboise; yet Iwould almost have sworn I saw her again, and not two hours ago, withinthe Fort. By Saint George! the glimpse I got just now makes me doubtmy own eyesight. She was ever an odd creature, --but what can bring herhere, walking so freely about in this camp of vengeful savages?"

I could not answer him; the mystery was beyond my clearing. Only, ifthis was the Elsa Matherson for whom I had sought so long, surely Godhad in some way led me on to find her; nor should any peril turn myquest aside. 

I had hardly time for this resolve, ere the flap of the tepee was heldback by a dark hand, and in grimly impressive silence warrior afterwarrior, plumed, painted, and gaudily bedecked with savage ornaments, stalked solemnly within, circled about us without sign of greeting, andseated themselves cross-legged upon the bare ground. The uplifteddoor-skin permitted the red flames from without to play freely overtheir stern, impassive faces, and shone back upon us from theirglittering eyes. It was an impressive scene, their stoical demeanorbreathing the deep solemnity of the vast woods and plains amid whichtheir savage lives were passed; nor could one fail to feel the deepgravity with which they gathered in this council of life or death. Tothem it was evident that the meeting was of most serious portent. 

I saw only two faces that I recognized in that red ring, --Topenebe andLittle Sauk. I knew, however, it was probable there were some greatchiefs among that company; and I marked especially two, one with longwhite hair, and a tall, slender, rather young fellow, having two widestreaks of yellow down either cheek. 

The Indians sat motionless, gazing intently at us; and I swept theentire dark circle of scowling faces, vainly endeavoring to find onehopeful glance, one friendly eye. Open hatred, undisguised distrust, implacable enmity, were stamped on every feature. Whatever our pleamight be, I felt convinced that the chiefs were here only to carry outtheir own purposes and make mock of every offering of peace. 

After several moments of this painful silence, the chief with the longwhite hair deliberately lighted a large pipe drawn from his belt. Itwas curiously and grotesquely fashioned, the huge bowl carved toresemble the head of a bear. He drew from the stem a single thickvolume of smoke, breathed it out into the air, and solemnly passed thepipe to the warrior seated upon his right. With slow deliberation, thesymbol moved around the impassive and emotionless circle, passing fromone red hand to another, until it finally came back to him who hadfirst lighted it. Without so much as a word being uttered, he gravelyoffered it to Captain Heald. I heard, and understood, the quick sighof relief with which my companion grasped it; he drew a breath of thetobacco, and I followed his example, handing back the smoking pipe tothe white-haired chief without rising, amid the same impressive silence. 

The Indian leader spoke for the first time, his voice deep and guttural. 

"The Pottawattomies have met in council with the White Chief and theLong Knife, " he said soberly, "and have smoked together the peace-pipe. For what have the white men come to disturb Gomo and his warriors?"

I gazed at him with new interest. No name of savage chief was widerknown along the border in those days, none more justly feared by thesettlers. He was a tall, spare, austere man, his long coarse hairwhitened by years, but with no stoop in his figure. His eyes, smalland keen, blazed with a strange ferocity, as I have seen those ofwildcats in the dark; while his flesh was drawn so closely against hisprominent cheek-bones as to leave an impression of ghastliness, as of acorpse suddenly returned by some miracle to life. With dabs of paintacross the forehead, and thin lips drawn in a narrow line of cruelty, his face formed a picture to be long remembered with a shudder. 

It was easy enough to see that Captain Heald felt uncertain how far toventure in his proposals, though he spoke up boldly, and with no tremorin his voice. His long frontier experience had taught him the dangerthat lay in exhibiting timidity in the face of Indian scorn. 

"Gomo, " he said firmly, "and you other Chiefs of the Pottawattomies, there has never been war between us. We have traded together for manyseasons; you have eaten at my table, and I have rested by your fires. We have been as brothers, and more than once have I judged between youand those who would wrong you. I have remembered all this, and havenow come into your camp through the night, without fear and unarmed, that I might talk with you as friends. Am I not right to do this? Inall the time I have been the White Chief at Dearborn, have I ever donewrong to a Pottawattomie?"

He paused; but no warrior made reply. A low guttural murmur ran aroundthe line of listeners, but the bead-like eyes never left his face. Hewent on:

"Why should I fear to meet the Pottawattomies, even though word hadcome to me that their young men talk war, and seek alliance with ourenemy the red-coats? The Chiefs have seen war, and are not crazed forthe blood of their friends. They will restrain such wild mutterings. They know that the White Father to the east is strong, and will drivethe red-coats back into the sea as he did when they fought before. They will ally themselves with the strong one, and make their foolishyoung man take up arms for their friends. "

Still no one spoke, no impassive bronze face exhibited the faintestinterest. It was as if he appealed to stone. 

"Is this not so?"

"The White Chief has spoken, " was the cold reply. "His words are fullof eloquence, but Gomo hears nothing that calls for answer. The WhiteChief says not why he has come and demanded council of thePottawattomies. "

A low murmur, expressive of approval, swept down the observant line;but no man among them stirred a muscle. 

"I came for this, Gomo, " said Heald, speaking now rapidly, and with anevident determination to trust all in a sentence and have it over with, for it was clear the savages were in no mood for diplomatic evasion:"to ask your guidance and protection on our march eastward on themorrow. I come to the Pottawattomies as friends; for I fear we maymeet with trouble on the way, from roving bands of Wyandots and Miamis, and we are greatly burdened by our women and children. It is to askthis that I and the Long Knife are here. "

"You say the White Father is strong, and will drive the red-coats intothe sea: did he at Mackinac?"

"There was treachery there. "

"Ugh! Why, if White Father so strong, you leave Fort and go way off?"

"Because just now I can serve him better elsewhere; but we shall comeagain. "

"My young men have rumor that Detroit go like Mackinac. "

"It is untrue; your young men bring false news. "

Gomo turned and looked about him upon the expectant warriors; and, asif the glance was an invitation to free speech, one sitting half-wayacross the circle asked gruffly:

"Why you pour out rum, if you love Pottawattomie?"

"Because I am only the White Chief at Dearborn, " returned Heald, facingthe questioner, "and, like Peesotum who asks, have higher chiefselsewhere whom I must obey. What they tell me I have to do. "

"White Chief lies!" was the short, stern answer. "Winnemeg brought nosuch word. "

So furious were the many dark, glowering faces, that I braced myself, thinking the next moment would be one of struggle for life or death;but Gomo held them motionless with a wave of his hand. He rose slowlyto his feet, and faced us with grave dignity. 

"It is true, as Peesotum says, " he said impressively. "The White Chiefhas used a double tongue to the Red man; yet we will deal fairly withhim, for he has come to us in peace. White Chief, there is to be warbetween us; 't is the will of our young men, and the red wampum haspassed among our lodges and the lodges of our brothers the Wyandots. Yet when you unlock the gates we will go forth with you and yourpeople, around the sweep of the water. Such is the will of the GreatSpirit, and the decision of the Pottawattomie in council of chiefs. "

Heald looked about upon the scowling circle with disbelief so clearlyexpressed in his eyes, that Gomo, reading it, turned to his warriorsand called upon them one by one to say if he spoke the truth. I heardhim speak thus to Little Sauk, Black Bird, Topenebe, Mankia, Pipe Bird, Peesotum, and Ignance; and each answered with the low grunt of assent. He fixed his eyes upon the younger Indian who had already attracted myattention by the manliness of his face as well as the yellow stripesthat disfigured him. 

"And you, Black Partridge?"

"I have already spoken to the White Chief in his own wigwam, and givenback the medal of the Americans, " was the grave response. "I have nomore to say. "

I confess these words chilled me, as I recalled their meaning; andHeald half rose to his feet as though he would protest, but not astolid face among the warriors changed in expression. Gomo drew hisrobes more closely about his gaunt figure in simple but impressivedignity. 

"Doth Shaw-nee-aw-kee go east also with the white men?" he asked. 

"I have not of late conferred with the Silver-man. He has been at hisown lodge, and doubtless you may know his purpose better than I. "

"We wish him to stay. He good man; Pottawattomie's friend. "

The Indian stood motionless, his eyes watching keenly the expression ofeach face. He added slowly:

"The White Chief hears the promise of the Pottawattomies. It isenough. He can go forth in peace upon the morrow, with all hiswarriors, squaws, and pappooses, and the people of my nation will walkwith them as guards. It is our pledge; we will counsel no longer. "

At a simple commanding gesture of his long arms, the circle melted awaythrough the narrow opening as silently as it had gathered, the darkfigure of each warrior silhouetted for an instant against the red glareof the fire, before it suddenly disappeared in the darkness beyond. Atlast Little Sauk alone stood between us and the blaze. 

"Come, " he commanded gruffly, "White Chief go back to his people. "

Enclosed by that same phantom guard of savages, we passed out throughthe limits of the camp; but now the rabble paid not the slightest heedto our presence. Our mission known, and no longer a mystery, theytreated us with the stolid indifference of Indian contempt. I walkedwith eyes alert upon either side of our path for another glimpse ofthat girlish figure that I had seen before so dimly; but we traversednearly the full length of the tepee rows before I saw any one that atall resembled her. Even then, I was far from certain, until the suddenleaping up of a dying fire reflected on her crown of auburn hair, andset my heart to throbbing. 

"Little Sauk!" I cried, in my excitement clutching his naked arm, "whois that white girl yonder, and how comes she here?"

The startled Indian sprang aside, flinging me from him with a violencethat showed his giant strength. 

"No white girl, " he protested, vehemently. "Pottawattomie. "

"No Pottawattomie has hair like the sunset, " I retorted. "Come, Iwould speak with the girl. "

For an instant I saw the bead-like eyes of the savage glittering in thedarkness and wandering where I pointed. He faced me doggedly. 

"Long Knife leave Indian maid alone, " he said grimly. "Long Knife goFort; no talk. "

I was in a mood to resist the fellow's dictation, and reckless enoughof consequences at that moment to take the chance; but Heald interfered. 

"You can serve her far better, lad, in that way, " he muttered hastily. "We shall not always be two to twelve. "

With teeth gritted to keep back the fierce anger that shook me, Istrolled sullenly on, not even venturing to glance back lest I shouldgive way. It was thus we reached the Fort gate, and entered, leavingour dusky escort to slink back into the night. An anxious crowd metus. It was Wells who questioned first. 

"So those devils have let you go unharmed? What answer made thesavages?"

"They pledge us safe convoy around the head Of the lake. "

"They do? Who spoke the words of the pledge?"

"Old Gomo himself, and it was ratified by each of the chiefs in turn. "

"They are lying dogs, --all but one of them. What answered BlackPartridge?"

Heald made no response; and Wells wheeled impetuously to me. 

"Come, lad, the truth, --what reply did Black Partridge make to thisIndian mummery?"

"He said, 'I have already spoken to the White Chief in his own wigwam, and given back the medal of the Americans, and have nothing more tosay. '"

For a moment the old Indian soldier stared at me, his stern face fairlyblack with the cloud in his eyes. He brought his clinched hand downhard against the log wall. 

"By God! it is treachery!" he exclaimed fiercely, and turned and walkedaway. 

CHAPTER XXII

THE LAST NIGHT AT DEARBORN

It was evident that preparations were even then well under way forretreat the following morning. Trunks and boxes, together with variousmilitary stores and arms, strewed the sides of the parade-ground;farther back, a number of wagons, partially filled, stood waiting theremainder of their loads. Men and women were hastening back and forth, and children were darting through the shadows, their little arms piledhigh with bundles, and making play, as children ever will, of what wasto prove an awful tragedy. A large fire, burning brightly before thedeserted guard-house, cast its ruddy glow over the animated scene, checkering the rude walls with every passing shadow. 

I noticed, as I slowly pushed my way along, that the soldiers workedseriously, with few jests on their lips, as if they realized the perilthat menaced them; while many among the women, especially those of thehumbler sort, were rejoicing over the early release from garrisonmonotony, and careless of what the morrow might bring of danger andsuffering. 

A few steps from the gate, I paused for a moment that I might watchtheir flitting figures, the incessant bustle being a positive reliefafter the dull and ghostly silence without. My mind, --though I stroveto cast the thought aside, --was still occupied with the mystery of ElsaMatherson; but the more I dwelt upon it, the less I was able topenetrate the secret of her strange presence in the Indian camp, ordevise any scheme for reaching her. The ache in my heart made me dreadto meet again with Mademoiselle Toinette, lest I should utter words ofreproach which she did not deserve; for, sad as such a confession was, I had to acknowledge that she had a perfect right to protect the manshe loved, even at my cost. 

Nor did I greatly desire to run upon De Croix. I knew his temperfairly well, and doubtless by this time he had learned the story of myinterference, and would be in fit mood for a quarrel. Still, as seemsoften to be the case at such a time, before I had taken a dozen stepsaway from the gate, I met him face to face. It was a jaunty picture hemade in the glare of the fire, the fine gentleman sauntering lazilyabout, with hat of bleached straw pushed rakishly upon his powderedhair, and a light cane dangling at his wrist, as fashionably attired asif he were loitering upon the boulevards of an August evening, hisnegro man a yard behind, bearing a silken fan which flashed golden inthe radiance. At sight of him, I stopped instantly, ready enough toresent attack if that had been his purpose, though anxious to avoidviolence for the sake of Mademoiselle. But he merely laughed as hesurveyed me critically, swinging his bamboo stick as if it were awhip-lash. 

"_Parbleu_, Master Wayland!" he said, seeming in rare good-humor, "Ithis moment learned of your safe return. 'T would have been anexcellent joke had the savage found excuse to retain you out yonder, toform a part of one of their delightful entertainments! Fit revenge, indeed, for the foul deceit you played upon me!"

"Think you so, Monsieur?" for his easy words relieved me greatly. "Itwould have been one less arm for our defence. "

"With safe convoy guaranteed by the Indian chiefs, that loss would makesmall odds, " he replied carelessly. "But, truly, that was a mostscurvy trick you played to gain the wager which was offered me. Butfor the happy ending, I should be sorely tempted to break this caneacross your shoulders in payment therefor. "

"Indeed!" I said; "the act might not be as easily accomplished as youimagine. But what mean you by happy ending? Had the savages roastedme over a slow fire, I should hardly be here for the pleasure of yourchastisement. "

He laughed lightly, his eyes wandering carelessly over the throng offigures in front of us. 

"Saint Guise! I thought not about your predicament, but rather of thehappiness which came to me in the society of Mademoiselle. In faith, she was most gracious with her favor. 'T is thus you did me a greatkindness, friend, and have won my gratitude. "

The words were as stinging as he meant them to be, for I marked hisquick glance into my face. So I held my resentment well in check, andsmiled back at him, apparently unconcerned. 

"Then we are again even, Monsieur, " I returned quietly, "and can startanew upon our score. But why should I remain here to discuss mattersof such small import, with all this work unfinished which fronts strongmen to-night? I will break my long fast, and turn to beside theseothers. "

He seemed to have further words to say; but I minded him not, andpushed past, leaving him to saunter where he willed, accompanied by hisblack satellite. If I could not win Mademoiselle, as I now feltassured from his boastful speech I could not, I might at least work forher greater safety and comfort; and there was much I could do to helpin burying my own disappointment. 

For all that, it was a night to live long in the memory, --that lastnight we spent at Dearborn. It remains a rare jumble in my mind, --itsvaried incidents crowding so fast upon each other as to leave smallroom for thought regarding any one of them. Without, the dim blackplain stretched away in unbroken solemnity and silence; nor did thesentinels posted along the walls catch glimpse of so much as a skulkingIndian form amid the grass and sand. A half-moon was in the sky, withpatches of cloud now and then shadowing it, and in the intervalscasting its faint silver over the lonely expanse and tipping the crestof the waves as they crept in upon the beach. The great Indian villageto the westward was fairly ablaze with fires; while the unendingprocession of black dots that flitted past them, together with the echoof constant uproar, showed that the savages were likewise astir ineager preparation for the morrow. We could hear the pounding of woodendrums, mingled with shrill yells that split the night-air like so manywar-missiles. Only those above, upon the platform, could mind thesethings; for the bustle within the enclosure below continued unabateduntil long after midnight. 

The report of our mission spread rapidly, and the pledge of protectiongiven by the chiefs greatly heartened the men, so that they worked nowwith many a peal of laughter and careless jest. The women andchildren, ever quick to feel the influence of the soldiers, respondedat once to this new feeling of confidence, which was encouraged by theofficers, however they may have secretly doubted the good-faith of thesavages. So the children tumbled about in the red glare of the flames, the soldiers swung their traps into the waiting wagons withgood-natured badinage, their brawny breasts bare and glistening withsweat in the hot night; while, as the hour grew late and disciplinesensibly relaxed, the women danced in the open and sang songs of home. 

It was hard enough to realize what it all meant, --what hardship andsuffering and death lay just before these rejoicing people; what depthsof cruel treachery and murder lurked for them so few hours away. Wedid not suspect it then; not even those among us who had long learnedthe deceit of Indian nature could unroll the shadowing veil of thatmorrow and reveal the forthcoming tragedy of those silent plains. Iremember that, doubtful as I felt about the future, I could look onwith interest at the busy scene, and that more than once a smile layupon my lips. What an odd variety of figures that congested placedisclosed! what strange life-histories were having their culminationthere! I saw Ensign Ronan, young, slender, smooth of face, appearingscarce more than a boy, his short fatigue-jacket buttoned to the throatin spite of the heat, hurrying here and there in his enthusiasm, everupon his lips some happy phrase to take the sting from his word ofcommand. Lieutenant Helm, calm but observant of every detail, moved inand out among the busy throng, every now and then stealing aside tospeak a word of encouragement to his young wife, who stood watching bythe mess-room door. There was quite a bevy gathered there, officers'wives for the most part, gazing in mingled interest and apprehensionupon the scene. I marked among them Josette, who had come in thatevening with the Kinzies; and as I drew yet nearer the group, a suddenblazing up of the fire yielded me a glimpse of Mademoiselle, and Iturned hastily away, unwilling still to greet or be greeted by her. 

Gaunt frontiersmen stalked about, having little to save and nothing todo, with the inevitable long rifle held in the hollow of the arm;Captain Wells's Miamis skulked uneasily in dark corners, or hung overthe embers to cook some ration yet unused, their dark skins and longcoarse hair a reminder to us of the hostiles who watched without. Captain Heald, in company with Captain Wells and John Kinzie, thelatter conspicuous by his white beard, stood long in deep converse nearthe barracks, leaning against the black logs. I felt the two latterwere urging some change of plan; but in the end Wells left in vexation, almost in anger, striding across the parade-ground to the northernblock-house. 

In the shadow of the south stockade, some one was softly playing upon aviolin, the sweet notes stealing up through the wild hubbub in strainsof silvery sound. Close upon one side of the fire, forgetful of theheat in their deep interest, two young soldiers were engrossed in agame of cards, while a group of comrades commented freely on thefortunes of the play. Scarcely a yard distant, a grizzled oldsergeant, --a veteran of the great war, no doubt, --bent above a bookheld open upon his knee, the shape of which bespoke a Bible; while onthe other side a bevy of children were romping with their dogs orplaying with sharp knives in the hard ground. A woman over by the gatelifted a sweet contralto voice in an old-time love-song, and had hardlylilted the opening line before others joined her, making the nightresound to the tender melody. I saw the soldiers pause in their workto beat time, and marked the dark forms of the sentries above on thepalisades as they leaned over to listen, every heart set throbbing withthe memory of days gone by. 

"Man is indeed a strange animal, " said a voice beside me, and I turnedto greet Ensign Ronan. "He can sing, laugh, and jest, in death's veryteeth. "

"'T is better, surely, than to cry, " I commented. "But these do not somuch as dream of death; the pledge of the Pottawattomies has broughtrenewed hope. "

"Yes, I know; though I confess I have little faith in it. And therewill be plenty of danger about us before we see Fort Wayne, even ifthey pass us in safety around the lake. There will be leagues oftravel through hostile territory. That, " he added, "is, to my mind, the only sensible way of preparation, for the morrow. "

He pointed to the old sergeant seated beside the fire with his Bible;and I glanced into his boyish face with no little surprise. 

"Some remark Surgeon Van Voorhis made caused me to deem you indifferentin such matters. "

"No doubt, " he said, dryly. "If one does not subscribe to the creeds, he is written down a heretic. I have laughed at folly, and so have wonthe reputation of being an unbeliever. Yet, Wayland, if we ride forthto a savage death to-morrow, no one will meet it with more faith inChrist than I. The years indeed have not left me spotless, but I havenever wavered from the great truths my mother taught me. I know notthe future, lad, but I believe there is ever mercy for the penitent. "

In an instant my own thought spanned the leagues of forest to mydistant home; and I choked back a sob within my throat. 

"It is our mothers' love that makes us all better men, " I said gravely. "And whatever may befall us upon the morrow, that God of whom theytaught us will be true. "

"The words are spoken in the right spirit, " he returned, soberly, "andhave the soldier ring I like best to hear. If it chance that we bothcome forth from this venture in life, I should be most glad to know youbetter. "

I was deeply touched by his open, manly spirit, and especiallyimpressed with his frank adherence to the Christian faith, --somethingtoo uncommon in that day along the border. 

"'T is rather my wish to begin friendship before that time of trial, " Isaid eagerly, and with extended hand. "We shall fight the better forit when the hour for fighting comes; and if it be God's will to guideus safely through the wilderness, a friendship thus cemented in perilwill have the strength of comradeship. "

The young man's strong and thoughtful face lighted up; but his eyeswere resting upon the form of the sentry above us, and he did not speak. 

"Ronan, " I questioned, somewhat doubtfully, "I have long wished to askyou the cause of the friction that apparently exists between CaptainHeald and the officers of this garrison; but have felt it none of mybusiness. I cannot but realize you are not in his good graces, although he appears to me to be a brave and capable man. "

"He is both, " was the instant and manly reply; "for all that, he hasconstantly turned for counsel in military matters to others than hisown officers, --why, I know not, unless he considered us unworthy of hisconfidence. Instead of confiding his orders to us, and asking judgmentupon his plans, he has been swayed from the beginning by Indian advice;and it is only natural for us to resent such unjust and discourteoustreatment. Moreover, each move thus far made has proved to be amistake, and we must suffer from them in silence and without remedy. "

"He does indeed seem strangely headstrong, " I admitted reluctantly, recalling to mind the words uttered in the room beyond my bed; "butsurely his conference with the chiefs has resulted well, and is proofof his good judgment. "

The young officer turned quickly and faced me, his eyes full ofemotion. "That remains to be decided, " he exclaimed. "Such oldfrontiersmen as Captain Wells and John Kinzie say that pledge onlyhides black treachery. They urged him most earnestly, for an hourto-night, to reconsider his decision, and give up the immediateevacuation of the post. But he fully believes he can put faith inthose lying, murderous hounds out yonder. So certain is Kinzie oftrouble, that he has sworn to march forth with us, sending his familyaway by boat, in hope that his influence may hold back the savages fromopen attack; while Wells declares that he will ride forth withblackened face, as becomes a Miami who goes to certain death in battle. These men are no fools, no strangers to savage warfare and Indiandeceit, --yet in spite of their warning, Captain Heald persists indriving us forth into the very fangs of the wolves. Brave! ay, he isindeed brave to the point of rashness; but this bids fair to be a fatalbravery to all of us who must obey his orders. "

The intense bitterness of these words shocked me and held me dumb, --themore so, as I could not be insensible to their truth. As I lifted myeyes, I beheld, crossing the parade through the mass of equipmentscattered here and there, De Croix and Mademoiselle. With ahalf-muttered excuse, I drew hastily back into the protecting shadow ofthe stockade; and as they slowly passed, I heard him jesting lightly, and saw her laughing, with a side-glance up at his face. 

With these words of warning from Ronan's lips yet ringing in my ears, such reckless thoughtlessness of the danger encircling us astounded me;and I drew farther back, less willing than ever to make one of them. Deep in my heart, I knew this was no time for careless laughter orhappy jest. 

CHAPTER XXIII

THE DEATH-SHADOW OF THE MIAMIS

It was after midnight when I finally ceased my labors, feeling I hadperformed my fair share of the hard work of preparation. By this timeeverything was comparatively quiet within the stockade enclosure; thewagons were piled with all that could be loaded before morning, andmany of the wearied soldiers had flung themselves upon the ground tosnatch what rest they might before the early call to march. The womenand children had disappeared, to seek such comfort as was possible amidthe ruins of their former quarters; and only the sentries remainedalert, pacing their solemn rounds on the narrow walk overlooking thepalisades and the silent plain without. 

Physically wearied as I was, my mind remained intensely active, and Ifelt no desire for sleep. I do not recall that I gave much thought tothe perils of our situation. One grows careless and indifferent todanger, --and in truth I looked forward to no serious trouble with theIndians upon the morrow's march through the sand-dunes; not that Igreatly trusted to those reluctant pledges wrung from the chiefs, butbecause I felt that if properly handled in that open country our forcewas of sufficient fighting strength to repel any ordinary attack fromill-armed savages, my long border experience rendering me a bitdisdainful of Indian courage and resourcefulness. So it was that myrestless mind dwelt rather upon other matters more directly personal. I could not put away the thought of the half-seen girl flitting aboutamid the dusk of the Pottawattomie camp, especially as Captain Healdhad declared her to be Elsa Matherson. I was surprised to discoverthat she I sought, instead of being a mere child, was a woman grown;for in this we were all deceived by the words of her father. What didshe there, passing with such apparent freedom from restraint amongthose fierce warriors? and how was I ever to reach her with any hope ofrescue, even if she desired it? There was evidently a mystery herewhich I could never solve through idle musing; and yet I could but askmyself where lay my graver duty, --beside this single woman, whoseemingly needed no defender, or with the many helpless ones who mustmarch forth on the morrow on that long and dangerous passage throughthe wilderness? Indeed, what hope could I cherish of aiding the younggirl, if I now deserted these others, and endeavored alone to penetratethat Indian camp in search of her?

Then came another thought. It was of Mademoiselle. 

It was this that effectually halted me. To whomsoever else she mighthave given her heart, she was still the one for whom I was most gladeither to live or die; and in spite of De Croix, I would ride at herside on the morrow, within striking distance of any prowling hostile. Let the Matherson girl wait; my arm belonged first of all to thedefence of Mademoiselle. 

Busied with these thoughts, and endeavoring to adjust this decisionwith my conscience, I passed out upon the platform, that I might lookforth once more upon the moonlit waters of the lake. There were a fewdim figures to be seen, leaning over the logs; but I supposed them tobe members of the night-guard, and, feeling no desire forcompanionship, I halted in a lonely spot at the northeastern corner ofthe stockade. How desolate, how solemnly impressive, was the scene!To the north all was black in the dense night, the shadows of thescattering trees obscuring the faint glow of the moon and yieldinglittle of detail to the searching eye. Even the single ray of lightwhich the evening previous had blazed forth as a friendly beacon fromthe Kinzie home, was now absent. I could vaguely distinguish the dimoutlines of the deserted house in the distance, and noticed a largeboat moored close to the bank beneath the Fort stockade, --doubtless theone in which the fugitives expected to venture out upon the lake on themorrow. 

It was the wide stretch of water, gleaming like silver, that fascinatedme, as it always did in its numberless changing moods. Whatunutterable loneliness spoke to the soul in those unknown leagues oftossing sea! how far the eye wandered unchecked, searching vainly foraught to rest upon other than glistening surge or darkling hollow! Themystery of the ages lay unexpressed in those tossing billows, sweepingin out of the black east, making low moan to the unsympathetic andunheeding sky. Deeper and deeper the spirit of unrest, of doubt, ofbrooding discontent, weighed down upon me as I gazed; life seemed asaimless as that constant turmoil yonder, a mere silver-tinted heaving, destined to burst in useless power on a shore of rock, and then rollback again into the mighty deep. 

I leaned over the palisades, sunk deep in revery of home, recalling oneby one the strange incidents of the last month that had so curiouslyconspired to cause a total upheaval of my life; and for the moment Igrew oblivious of my surroundings. A mere lad, knowing little ofhimself and less of life, had ridden westward from the Maumee; a man, in thought and character, leaned now over that beleaguered stockade ofDearborn. 

I was recalled to actualities by a light touch on the sleeve of myshirt, and a half-laughing, half-petulant voice at my elbow. 

"Well, Master Laggard! do I not show you great honor in thus seekingyou out, after your avoidance of me all these hours?"

I glanced aside into the fair face and questioning eyes, noting at thesame time that De Croix stood only a step beyond her in the shadows. 

"I have been very busy, Mademoiselle, " I tried to explain; "it has beena time when every strong hand was needed. "

"Fudge!" was the indignant rejoinder. "Did I not perceive youloitering more than once to-night, --though each time I drew near, hopeful of a word of greeting, it was to behold you disappear as if bymagic? Do I flatter you by thus showing my interest? Yet 't was onlythat I might have explanation, that I sought you thus. Come, confessthat you feared my just resentment for going forth on so perilous atrip without telling me of your plans. "

"'T was not altogether that, " I answered, for dissembling was never aneasy task for me, "as I only did what I believed would most please you. Nor have I anything to regret in my action, now that we have thusgained the pledge of the Pottawattomies for protection upon the march. "

She watched me closely as I spoke, and I wondered if she realized everso dimly the impulse of loving service that had inspired my deed. Whether 't was so or not, her whole mood quickly changed. 

"I must admit you are a constant puzzle to me, John Wayland, --yetrather an interesting one withal. For instance, here is Josette, whodid assure me but an hour ago that your very name was unknown to her, although, if memory serves, you asserted only yesterday that you wereseeking her from the Maumee country. Perhaps, sir, you can explain thecontradiction?"

"It was not altogether as you have stated it, Mademoiselle, " Istammered, confused by the directness of her attack. "I said nothingof knowing this Josette, and you have deceived yourself in the matter. I came here seeking a young girl, 't is true, but found no trace of heruntil a few hours ago, most curiously, in the heart of that Indian campyonder. "

"You found her there? How strange!"

"Most strange indeed, Mademoiselle, especially as she appeared to enjoyperfect liberty among the savages. "

"You spoke with her?"

"Not a word; it was only a glimpse I caught of her in the firelight, and when I sought to go to her the warriors interfered and forced meback. But Captain Heald, who saw her at the same time, assured me 'twas the one I sought. "

"'T is small wonder, then, you could stand here at my very side solong, and yet see me not, or remain indifferent to my presence, " shesaid, drawing slightly back. "Come, Captain de Croix, let us walk tothe other corner of the stockade, and leave Master Wayland to dream ofhis mysterious beauty undisturbed. "

"You misapprehend me, " I cried, awakened by her words, but more by DeCroix's smile. "She has no such hold upon my memory as that, for untiltonight I had supposed her a mere child. I knew not you were upon theplatform, believing the forms I saw in the gloom to be those of thenight-guard. What dark figure is that, even now leaning over the logsyonder?"

It was De Croix's deeper voice that made answer. 

"'Tis Captain Wells; and we found him in no mood for conversation. Seemingly he hath small faith in the pledges of the chiefs. "

"My own hope rests far more upon our skill at arms, Monsieur, " Ianswered directly; "for I have known Indian treachery all my life. They may keep faith with us to-morrow, for John Kinzie has greatinfluence with them for good; nevertheless, I shall oil my guncarefully before riding forth. "

It was in his eyes to make reply, but before it could come the girlbetween us uttered a cry so piercing that it set us gazing where herfinger pointed out across the lake. 

"Look there, Messieurs! Did ever mortal behold so grewsome a sightbefore? What means the portent?"

It is before me now, in each grim, uncanny detail, --though I know wellthat my pen will fail to give it fit description, or convey even feeblya sense of the overwhelming dread of what we saw. Nature has power topaint what human hand may never hope to copy; and though, as I now knowwell, it was no more than a strange commingling of cloud and moon inatmospheric illusion, still the effect was awe-inspiring to a degreedifficult of realization within the environments of peace and safety. To us, it appeared as a dreadful warning, --a mysterious manifestationof supernatural power, chilling our blood with terror and strikingagony into our souls. Up from the far east had rolled an immense blackcloud, rifted here and there by bars of vivid yellow as electric boltstore it asunder. Moonlight tipped its heavy edges with a pale spectralgleam; and as it swiftly rose higher and higher into the sky, blottingout the stars, it seemed to dominate the entire expanse, hovering overus menacingly, and assuming the shape of some gigantic monster, withleering face and cruel mouth, bending forward as if to smite us withhuge uplifted hand. Perchance our tensioned nerves may haveexaggerated the resemblance, but nothing more horribly real have myeyes ever beheld. 

For a moment I cowered, like a nerveless craven, behind the logs, gazing up at that awful apparition, that mocking devil's-face, as a manfronts death in some terrible and unexpected form. It seemed as if thebreath of the creature must be pestilence, and that it would smite usgasping to earth, or draw us helplessly struggling within its mercilessclutch. A prayer trembled on my lips, but remained unuttered, for Icould only stare upward at the mighty, crawling thing now overshadowingus, my arms uplifted in impotent effort to avert the crushing blow. 

I could hear the girl sob where she had sunk upon the platform, andcaught one glimpse of De Croix, his face yellow in the weird glare ashe stared in speechless terror out over the water, his hands clutchingthe palisades. It was Captain Wells, who had been standing near us, who first found voice. 

"'Tis the Death-Shadow of the Miamis!" he cried, in choked accents, striding toward us along the narrow plank, and pointing eastward. "Iknew it must come, for our doom is sealed. "

What centuries of Indian superstition rested behind the fatefulutterance, I know not; but facing that horrible spectre as we did, hiswords held me in speechless awe. In the blood of us all such terrorslinger to unman the bravest; and for the moment such fright and panicswept me as I have never known before or since. I, who have laughed atdeath even in the hour of torture, sank in deadly agony before thatmystery of light and shadow, as if it indeed foreshadowed the wrath ofthe Great Spirit. 

The sobs of Mademoiselle recalled me somewhat to myself, and led me toforget my own terror that I might help to relieve hers. 

"I beg you, fear not, " I urged, though my voice trembled and my lipswere dry. "Come, Mademoiselle, " and I found her hand and clasped it, feeling the touch a positive relief to my unstrung nerves, "look up andsee! the cloud is even now breaking asunder, and has already lost muchof its form of terror. Mind not the words of Captain Wells; he hasbeen raised among the Indians, and drunk in their superstitions. DeCroix, arouse yourself, and help me to bring courage to this girl. "

He drew back from his grip on the palisades, as if, by sheer power ofwill, he forced his fascinated eyes from the cloud-bank, shivering likea man with an ague fit. 

"_Sacre_! did ever human eyes behold so foul a thing!" he cried, hisvoice shaking, his hand shading his face. "'T will haunt me till thehour I die. "

"Bah! 'T will all be forgotten with return of daylight, " I was quickto reply; for had found relief in action, and could perceive alreadythat the clouds were becoming shapeless and drifting rapidly southwardin a great billowy mass. "Do not stand there moping like a day-blindowl, but aid me to make Mademoiselle see the foolishness of her fears. "

The sting of these words moved him more than a blow would have done;but as he knelt beside her, I noted there was little of the oldreckless ring in his voice. 

"'T is indeed true, Toinette, --'t was but a cloud, and has alreadygreatly changed in aspect. 'T will be no more than cause for laughterwhen the sun gilds the plain, and will form a rare tale to tell to thegallants at Montreal. Yet, Saint Guise! 't was grewsome enough, and myknees quake still from the terror of the thing. "

Mademoiselle was as brave and cool-headed a girl as ever I knew; but sothoroughly had she been unnerved by this dreadful happening, that itwas only after the most persistent urging on our part that sheconsented to be led below. There, at the foot of the ladder, I steppedaside to permit De Croix to walk with her across the parade; but shewould not go without a word of parting. 

"Do not think me weak and silly, " she implored, her face, still whitefrom the terror, upturned to me in the moonlight. "It was so spectraland ghastly that I gave way to sudden fear. "

"You need no excuse, " I hastened to assure her. "When the thingfrightened De Croix and me, and even set so old a soldier as CaptainWells to raving, it was no wonder it unnerved a girl, however brave shemight prove in the presence of real danger. But you can sleep now, convinced it was naught but a floating cloud. "

She smiled at me over her shoulder, and I watched the pair with jealouseyes until they disappeared. I noticed Captain Wells standing besideme. 

"You thought I raved up yonder, " he said gravely; "to-morrow will provethat my interpretation of the vision was correct. "

"You believe it a prophecy of evil?"

"It was the warning of the Great Spirit--the Death-Shadow of theMiamis. Never has it appeared to men of our tribe except on the eve ofgreat disaster, the forerunner of grave tragedy. We ride forth fromthese gates to death. "

It was plain that no amount of reasoning could change his Indiansuperstition; and with a word more of expostulation I left him standingthere, and sought a place where I might lie down. Already the numbingsensation of supernatural fear had left me, for in the breaking up ofthat odd-formed cloud I realized its cause; and now the physicalfatigue I felt overmastered all else. I found a quiet corner, and, with a saddle for a pillow, was soon fast asleep. 

CHAPTER XXIV

THE DAY OF DOOM

_Fifteenth August, 1812_. --My hand trembles and my pen halts as I writethe words; for the memory of those tragic hours, far distant as theyare now, over-masters me, and I see once again the faces of the dead, the mutilated forms, the disfigured features of the hapless victims ofsavage treachery. Were I writing romance merely, I might hide much ofdetail behind the veil of silence; but I am penning history, and, blackas the record is, I can only give it with strict adherence to truth. Idread the effort to recall once more the sad incidents of that scene ofcarnage, lest I fail to picture it aright; but I can tell, and thatpoorly, only of what I saw within the narrowed vista of my personalexperience, where the fate of the day found me. Out of the vortex ofso fierce and sudden a struggle, the individual, battling madly for hisown life, catches but hasty and confused glimpses of what others may doabout him or in other portions of the field; and there has been muchrecorded in what men call the history of that day's battle, about whichI know nothing. Nor shall I attempt to tell much more than the simplestory of what befell me and those who faced the danger close at my side. 

In spite of the early bustle around me, incident to the preparationsfor departure, I slept late, stupefied by intense fatigue. The sun wasalready high, painting with gold the interior of the western wall ofthe stockade, when some unusual disturbance aroused me, so that I satup and looked about, scarce realizing for the moment where I was. Theparade was alive with moving figures; and I instantly marked the cheerylook on the faces of those nearest me, as if the entire garrisonrejoiced that the hour for departure had at last arrived. The northernhalf of the little open space was filled with loaded wagons of everydescription, to which horses, mules, and even oxen, were being rapidlyhitched; while women and children were clambering in over the wheels, perching themselves upon the heaps of camp accoutrements, and rollingup the canvas coverings in order that they might the better see out andfeel the soft refreshment of the morning air. 

The officers of the post were moving here and there among the throng ofworkers, grave of face, yet making no effort to curb the unusual gaietyof the enlisted men. For the time, all reins of discipline seemedrelaxed. The few settlers and plainsmen who had gathered within theFort for protection looked on stolidly, either lying in the shade ofthe log wall or lounging beside their horses already equipped for thetrail; while the Miamis were gathered restlessly about their breakfastfires, their faces unexpressive of emotion, as usual, although manyamong them had blackened their cheeks in expectation of disaster. 

Evidently the hour fixed upon for our final desertion of Fort Dearbornwas close at hand; and I hastened to seek opportunity for a bath andbreakfast. I do not recall now, looking back after all these yearsupon the events of that day, any dreading of the future, or seriousthought of the coming ordeal. The bustle of excitement about me, thehigh spirits of the men, were like a tonic; and I remembered only thatwe were east-bound once more, and my chief concern was to be ready toride out promptly with the column. 

It could not have been far from nine o'clock when every preparation wascompleted, and the echoing bugle called the laggards from theirquarters into the open parade. The officers, already mounted, rodeabout quietly, assigning each driver and wagon to position in themarching column, and carefully mustering the troops. The many sick ofthe garrison were brought forth from the barracks in their blankets, and gently lifted to places beside the women and children in the loadedwagons; while the men fit for active duty fell in promptly along thesouthern wall, the right of their slender column resting opposite thebarred entrance. I was assigned to ride with the rear-guard beside thewagons, in company with the few settlers and fifteen of the Miamisunder command of Sergeant Jordan. Captains Heald and Wells, the latterwith face blackened so that at first glance I scarcely recognized him, took position at the head of the waiting column in front of the closedgates, and they sat there on their horses, facing us, and watchinganxiously our rather slow formation. 

John Kinzie joined them, his features grave and careworn, a long riflein his hands; while the ladies of the garrison, plainly dressed for thelong and hard journey, came forth from their several quarters and wereassisted to mount the horses reserved for them. De Croix accompaniedMademoiselle, attired as for a gay pleasure-ride in the park, and gaveher his gloved hand to step from into the saddle, with all thegallantry he might have shown a queen. I knew this was no boy's playbefore us now; and, crushing back my natural diffidence, I spurred myhorse boldly forward until we ranged up beside her, even venturing touncover in polite salute. 

Never did I see her look fairer than beneath the wide-brimmed hat shehad donned to keep the hot sun from her clear cheeks; nor was there theslightest vestige of last night's terror lurking in the laughing eyesthat flashed me greeting. 

"I surely know of one sad heart amid this gay company, " she exclaimed, "for while we rejoice at being once more bound for civilization, MasterWayland looks most truly mournful; doubtless his thought is with herwho has turned Indian for a time. "

Her careless bantering tone nettled me; but I was quick enough toanswer, having no wish to awaken her fears as to the safety of ourjourney. 

"'T is true, Mademoiselle. I dislike greatly to leave in peril one Ihave journeyed so far to seek; nor can I banish from my mind thethought that perhaps I am failing in my duty toward her. Yet surelyyou have small cause for complaint, as I have, instead, deliberatelychosen to ride here at your side, in order that I may be near to defendyou should occasion arise, --provided always that my presence shall meetyour wishes and approval. "

She bowed as best she could in her high-peaked saddle, shooting amischievous glance from me to the unconcerned and self-satisfied faceof the Frenchman. 

"I am indeed most gratified and happy, Monsieur, thus to feel myselfthe object of such devotion; but I greatly fear you will prove but apoor companion on the journey if you wear so glum a look. Captain deCroix is full of wit and good-humor this morning, and has alreadycheered me greatly with reminiscences of happier days. "

"Indeed?" I said, looking at the fellow curiously. "He has quicklyforgotten the baleful portent of last night. I thought the daylightwould yield him new heart. "

"And why not? 'Twas but a cloud, as all of us know now, --though Iconfess it terrified me greatly at the time. You yourself seem noteven yet to have wholly shaken off its terror. "

"'T is not the supernatural that so troubles me, " I rejoined. "As youmay perceive yonder, Captain Wells rides forth with blackened face towhat he deems to be certain death. I acknowledge, Mademoiselle, that Ilook forward to a serious clash of arms before we are rid of theredskins, in spite of their pledges; and shall therefore keep closebeside you, hopeful that my arm may show you better service than mytongue before nightfall. "

Her eyes had grown grave as she listened; for I spoke with soberness, and there crept into them a look that thrilled me. Before either couldspeak again, Ensign Ronan rode up beside me. 

"Wayland, " he questioned anxiously, "what is this I hear about astrange portent in the eastern sky last night? Saw you anythingterrifying there?"

"'T was no more serious than a cloud which chanced to assume the formof a monster, and its aspect was most terrifying until we understoodthe nature of its formation. Then it became merely an odd memory toweave a tale about. Mademoiselle here saw it, and remains in mostexcellent spirits nevertheless. "

He lifted his hat to her, and stared hard at De Croix, who barelynodded to his greeting. 

"By Heavens!" he exclaimed, as if much relieved, "it seemed to me as ifNature had conspired with those red demons yonder to sap our courage, when first I heard the rumor. I am so convinced that there is troubleafoot, that my nerves are all a-tingle at such mystery. "

"Are the savages gathering without?"

"Ay! they are in mass of hundreds, awaiting us at the foot of themound, and have been since daybreak. See! the sentries are beingcalled down, and the men are at the gate levers. I must be back at mypost. "

He held out his hand, and I clasped it warmly, feeling my heart go outinstantly to the brave, impetuous lad. 

"You ride this day with the rear-guard, " he said, lingering as if loathto go, "and my duty lies with the van. We may not chance to meetagain, but the God we spoke about together last night will strengthenour hearts to meet their duty. It matters not where men die, but how. Good-bye, Mademoiselle! Captain de Croix, I wish you a most pleasantjourney. "

With doffed hat, he struck spurs into his nettlesome horse, and wasgone; while the ringing notes of the bugle called the waiting column toattention. 

I watched with deepening interest all that was taking place before me. The heavy log-gates were unbarred, swung slowly inward, and leftunguarded. Captain Heald uttered a single stern word of command, andCaptain Wells, with a squad of his Miamis pressing hard at his horse'sheels, rode slowly through the opening out into the flood of sunshine. Captain Heald and Mr. Kinzie, side by side, with Mrs. Heald mountedupon a spirited bay horse a yard in their rear, followed close; andthen to Lieutenant Helm's grave order the sturdy column of infantrymen, heavily equipped and marching in column of fours, swept in solemn curveabout the post of the gate, and filed out through the narrow entrance. The regular tramp-tramp, the evident discipline, and the confident lookof the men, impressed me. While I was watching them, the smallgarrison band began suddenly to play, and the smiling soldier facesclouded as they glanced around in questioning surprise. 

"Saint Guise!" ejaculated De Croix, uneasily; "it is the Dead March!"

I marked the sudden look of terrified astonishment in Mademoiselle'seyes, and dropped my hand upon hers where it rested against thesaddle-pommel. Ensign Ronan spurred swiftly back down the column, withan angry face, and hushed the ill sound by a sharp order. 

"Another tune, you fool, or none at all!" he said, peremptorily. "Thefoul fiend himself must have assumed charge of our march to-day. "

As the column marched away, the groaning wagons one by one fell intoline behind it, until at last our own turn came, and De Croix and I, each with a hand upon the bridle-rein of Mademoiselle's spirited horse, rode between the gate-posts out to where we had full view of thatstirring scene below. 

It was a fair, bright morning, with hardly so much as a fleecy whitecloud in all the expanse of sky; glorious sunlight was flashing itsprismatic colors over a lake surface barely ruffled by the faintestbreeze. Never did Nature smile more brightly back into my eyes thanthen, as I gazed out over the broad plain where the glow of the summerreflected back in shimmering waves from the tawny prairie andglittering sand. With all its desolation, it was a picture to betreasured long; nor has a single detail of it ever left my memory. 

How vast the distances appeared through that clear, sun-illuminedatmosphere, and how pronounced and distinctive were the varied colorsspread to the full vista of the eye, contrasts of shine and shadow nohuman brush, however daring, would venture to depict on canvas. Aprimitive land this, idealized by distance, vast in its wide, sweepingplains, its boundless sea, its leagues of glistening sand, and, bendingover all, the deepest, darkest arch of blue that ever mirrored so faira picture of the wilderness. 

Scattered groups of cottonwood trees, the irregular mounds and ridgesof sand, the silvery ribbon of river, merely emphasized the whole, andgave new meaning to what might else have been but sheer desert waste. I knew little then of what other years had seen within these solitudesand within the circle of my view; yet scraps of border legend camefloating back into memory, until I recalled the name of many anold-time adventurer, --La Salle, Joliet, Marquette the Jesuit, --who musthave camped beside that very stream out yonder. 

The column had halted as our last laggards cleared the gate; and for amoment we rested in silence upon the side of the slope, while the longline was being re-arranged for travel. The Indians, in seeminglydisorganized masses, were already enveloping the head of the columnwith noisy clamor, and Wells was having difficulty in holding his Miamiscouts to their proper position. A few scattered and skulkingsavages, --chiefly squaws, I thought at the time, --were stealthilyedging their way up the slope of the slight rise, eager to begin thespoliation of the Fort as soon as we had deserted it. 

Wild and turbulent as was the scene, I perceived no alarming symptomsof hostility, and turned toward Mademoiselle with lighter heart. Herdark eyes were full of suppressed merriment as they encountered mine. 

"I thought you would sit there and dream all day, " she said pleasantly;"and I hardly have the heart to blame you. 'T is indeed a fair scene, and one I almost regret leaving, now that the time to do so has come. Never before has its rare beauty so strongly appealed to me. "

"'T is the great distance outspread yonder which renders all so soft tothe eye, " I answered, glad to reflect her mood; "yet Captain de Croixand I know well 't is far less pleasant travelling over than to look athere. We think of the swamps, the forests, the leagues of sand and theswift rivers which will hinder our progress. "

"I hardly imagine, " she murmured softly, "that Captain de Croix isguilty of wasting precious time in reflection upon aught so trivialthis morning. He has been conversing with me upon the proper cut ofhis waistcoat, and I am sure he is too deeply engrossed in that subjectto give heed to other things. "

I glanced at him and smiled as my heart glowed to her gentle sarcasm, for surely never did a more incongruous figure take saddle on a westerntrail. By what code of fashion he may have dressed, I know not; butfrom his slender-pointed bronze shoes to his beribboned hat he wasstill the dandy of the boulevards, his dark mustaches curled upwardtill their tips nearly touched his ears, and a delicately carvedriding-whip swinging idly at his wrist. He seemed to have alreadyexhausted his powers of conversation, for he remained oblivious of ourpresence, fumbling with one yellow-gloved hand in the recesses of asaddle-bag. 

"By Saint Denis, Sam!" he exclaimed, angrily, to his black satellite, "I can find nothing of the powder-puff, or the bag of essence!_Parbleu_! if they have been left behind you will go back after them, though every Indian in this Illinois country stand between. Come, youimp of darkness, know you aught of these?"

"Dey am wid de pack-hoss, Massa de Croix, " was the oily answer. "Idone s'posed you would n't need 'em till we got thar. "

"Need them! Little you know the requirements of a gentleman! SaintGuise! Why, I shall want them both this very day! Ride you forwardthere, and see if they cannot be picked out from among the otherthings. "

"See, Monsieur!" cried Mademoiselle suddenly, one hand pressing my arm, while she pointed eagerly with the other, "there goes the boat withMistress Kinzie and her children! That must be Josette in the bow, with the gay streamer about her hat. She did wish so to ride with us, but Mr. Kinzie would not permit it. "

The boat had but just cleared the river mouth, and was workingoff-shore, with half a dozen Indians laboring at the oars. 

"Yet Josette has by far the easiest passage, as we shall learn beforenight, " said I, watching their progress curiously. "I imagine you willsoon be wishing you were with them. "

"Never, Master Wayland!" she cried, with a little shudder, and quickuplifting of hands to her face as if to shut out the sight. "Memory ofthe hours when I was last on the lake is still too vivid. I have grownto dread the water as if it were an evil spirit. See! the columnresumes its march, and the savages are moving beside us as might aguard of honor. "

It was as she had said. The long, hard journey had begun; and slowly, like some great snake torpid with a winter's sleep, the crawling columndrew forward. We at the rear rode down the incline and out upon thelevel plain, every step an unconscious advance toward battle and death. 

CHAPTER XXV

IM THE JAWS OF THE TIGER

We chatted carelessly about many things, as we rode slowly onward, ourunguided horses following those in advance along the well-marked trailclose beside the water along the sandy beach. Mademoiselle was full oflife and bubbling over with good-humor; while De Croix, having foundthe essentials of his toilet safe, grew witty and light of speech, eveninteresting me now and then in the idle words that floated to myears, --for he managed to monopolize the attention of the young girl sothoroughly that after a little time I sat silent in my saddle, scarceadding a word to their gay tilt, my eyes and thought upon the changingscene ahead. 

I know not why, as I reflect calmly upon the incidents of that morning, I should have grown so confident that the savages meant us fair; yetthis feeling steadily took possession of me, and I even began to regretthat I had not stayed behind in quest of her for whom I had come sofar. Surely it was hopeless for me to dangle longer besideMademoiselle, for De Croix knew so well the little ins and cuts ofsocial intercourse that I was like a child for his play. Moreover, itwas clear enough that the girl liked him, or he would never presume soto monopolize her attention. That she saw through much of his vainpretence, was indeed probable; her words had conveyed this to me. Nevertheless, it was plain she found him entertaining; he was like aglittering jewel in that rough wilderness, and I was too dull of brainand narrow of experience to hope for success against him in a strugglefor the favor of a girl so fair and gay as this Toinette. 

I thought the matter all out as I rode on through the sunlight, my eyesupon the painted savages who trooped along upon our right in suchstolid silence and seeming indifference, my ears open to the lightbadinage and idle compliments of my two companions. Yes, it would bebetter so. When the Indians left the column at the head of the lake, Iwould invent some excuse that might allow me to accompany them on theirreturn, and I would remain in the neighborhood of the Fort until ElsaMatherson had been found. 

Just in front of us, a large army wain struggled along through theyielding sand, drawn by a yoke of lumbering oxen. The heavy canvascover had been pushed high up in front, and I could see a number ofwomen and children seated upon the bedding piled within, and lookingwith curious interest at the stream of Indians plodding moodily besidethe wheels. Some of the little tots' faces captivated me with theirexpression of wide-eyed wonder, and I rode forward to speak with them;for love of children is always in my heart. 

As I turned my horse to draw back beside Mademoiselle, my eyes restedupon the stockade of the old Fort, now some little distance in ourrear; and to my surprise it already swarmed with savages. Not lessthan five hundred Indians, --warriors, all of them, and wellarmed, --tramped as guards beside our long and scattered column, yethundreds of others were even now overrunning the mound and pouring inat the Fort gates, eager for plunder. I could hear their shouting, their fierce yells of exultation, while the grim and silent fellows whoaccompanied us never so much as glanced around, although I caught hereand there the glint of a cruel, crafty eye. The sight made me wonder;and I swung my long rifle out from the straps at my back down acrossthe pommel of my saddle, more ready to my hand. 

The trail we had been following now swerved nearer the lake, deflectedsomewhat by a long high ridge of beaten sand, separating the shore fromthe prairie. Here the two advancing lines of white and red diverged, the Indians moving around to the western side of the sand-ridge, whileCaptain Wells and his Miami scouts continued their march along thebeach. There was nothing about this movement to awaken suspicion oftreachery, for the beach at this point had narrowed too much for sogreat a number moving abreast, and it was therefore only natural thatour allies should seek a wider space for their marching, knowing theycould easily reunite with us a mile or so below, where the beachbroadened again. Their passing thus from our sight was a positiverelief; and so quiet did everything become, except for groaning wheelsand the heavy tread of horses, that Mademoiselle glanced up in surprise. 

"Why, what has become of the Indians?" she questioned. "Have theyalready left us?"

I pointed to the intervening sand-ridge. 

"They move parallel with us, but prefer to walk upon the prairie grassrather than these beach pebbles. For my part, I would willinglydispense with their guard altogether; for in my judgment we are ofsufficient strength to defend ourselves. "

"Ay, strong enough against savages, " interposed De Croix, his eyes uponthe straggling line ahead; "yet if by any chance treachery wasintended, surely I never saw military formation less adapted forrepelling sudden attack. Mark how those fellows march out yonder!--allin a bunch, and with not so much as a corporal's guard to protect thewagons!"

I was no soldier then, and knew little of military formation; but hiscriticism seemed just, and I ventured not upon answering it. Indeed, at that very moment some confusion far in front, where Captain Wellsled his scouts, attracted my attention. We must have been a mile and ahalf from the Fort by this time, and I recalled to memory the littlegroup of trees standing beside the trail where we had halted on ourjourney westward to enjoy our earliest glimpse of Dearborn. At first Icould make out little of what was taking place ahead; then suddenly Isaw the squad of Miamis break hastily, like a cloud swept by a whirlingwind, and the next instant could clearly distinguish Captain Wellsriding swiftly back toward the column of infantry, his head bare, andone arm gesticulating wildly. In a moment the whole line came to astartled and wondering pause. 

"What is it?" questioned Mademoiselle anxiously, shading her eyes. "Have the Indians attacked us?"

"God knows!" I exclaimed, clinching my rifle firmly. "But it mustbe, --look there!"

Wheeling rapidly into line, as if at command, although we could hear nosound of the order, the soldiers poured one quick volley into thesand-ridge on their right, and then, with a cheer which floated faintlyback to us, made a wild rush for the summit. This was all I saw of thestruggle in front, --for, with a cry of dismay, the Miamis composing therearguard broke from their posts beside the wagons and came runningback past us in a panic of wild terror. I saw Sergeant Jordan throwhimself across their line of flight, striking fiercely with his gun, and cursing them for a pack of cowardly hounds; but he was thrownhelplessly aside in their blind rush for safety. 

"Wayland! De Croix!" he shouted, staggering to his knees, "help mestop these curs, if you would save our lives!"

It was a fool thing, yet in the excitement I did it, and De Croix wasbeside me. Two or three of the settlers on foot rallied with us, andtogether we struck so hard against those cowering renegades that forthe moment we held them, though their fear gave them desperationdifficult to withstand. I recall noticing De Croix, as he pressed hisrearing horse into the huddled mass, lashing at the faces of thefellows mercilessly with his riding-whip, as if thinking Mademoisellewould admire his reckless gallantry. 

A wild yell, with the mad thrill of the war-whoop in it, suddenlyassailed our ears; the Miamis broke to the left like a flock offrightened birds, and my startled glance revealed a horde of nakedIndians, howling like maniacs, and with madly brandished weapons, pouring over the sand-ridge not thirty feet away from us. With a shoutof warning, which was half a curse at my own mad folly, I drove thespurs deep into my horse's side in a vain endeavor to fling myselfbetween them and the girl. Hardly had the startled animal made onequick plunge, when we were locked in that human avalanche as if grippedby a vise of steel. A dozen dark hands grasped my bridle or clutchedat me, their swarthy faces fierce with blood-lust, the eyes thatfronted me cruel with passion and inflamed by hate. I heard shots notfar away; but we were all too closely jammed to do more than fight in adesperate hand-to-hand struggle with club and knife. 

The saddle is a poor place from which to swing a rifle, yet I stoodhigh in my wooden stirrups and struck madly at every Indian head I saw, battering their faces till from the very horror of it they gave slowlyback. I won a yard--two yards--three, --my horse biting viciously attheir naked flesh, and lashing out with both fore-feet like a fiend, while I swept my gun-stock in a widening circle of death. For themoment, I dreamed we might drive them back; but then those devilsblocked me, clinging to my horse's legs in their death agony, andlaughing back into my face as I struck them down. 

Once I heard De Croix swearing in French beside me, and glanced aroundthrough the mad turmoil to see him cutting and hacking with brokenblade, pushing into the midst of the mêlée as if he had real joy in theencounter. While I thus had him in view, a knife whistled through theair, there was a quick dazzle in the sunlight, and he reeled backwardoff his horse and disappeared in the ruck below. 

Never in a life of fighting have I battled as I did then, feeling thatI alone might hope to reach her side and beat back these foul fiendstill help should come to us. The stock of my rifle shattered likeglass; but I swung the iron barrel with what seemed to me the strengthof twenty men, striking, thrusting, stabbing, my teeth set, my eyesblurring with a mist of blood, caring for nothing except to hit andkill. I know not now whether I advanced at all in that last effort, though my horse trod on dead bodies. Only once in those awful secondsdid I gain a glimpse of Mademoiselle through the mist of struggle, themaze of uplifted arms and striking steel. She had reined her horseback against a wheel of the halted wagon, and with white face andburning eyes was lashing desperately with the loaded butt of herriding-whip at the red hands which sought to drag her from the saddle. 

The sight maddened me, and again my spurs were driven into my horse'sflanks. As he plunged forward, some one from behind struck me acrushing blow across the back of the head, and I reeled from my saddle, a red mist over my eyes, and went hurling face downward upon the massof reeling, tangled bodies. 

CHAPTER XXVI

THE FIELD OF THE DEAD

The fierce plunging of my horse in his death agony, and his finalpitching forward across my prostrate body, were doubtless all that savedmy life. Yielding to their mad desire for plunder, the savages scatteredwhen I fell, and left me lying there for dead. I do not think I quitelost consciousness in those first moments, although everything becameblurred to my sight, and I was imprisoned by the weight above me so thatthe slightest effort to move proved painful; indeed, I breathed only withthe greatest difficulty. 

But I both heard and saw, and my mind was intensely occupied with therush of thought, the horror of all that was going on about me. How Iwish I might blot it out, --forget forever the hellish deeds of thosedancing devils who made mock of human agony and laughed at tears andprayers! It was plain, as the wild cries of rejoicing rose on everyside, that the Indians had swept the field. The distant sound of firingceased, and I could hear the pitiful cries of women, the frightenedshrieks of children, the shrill note of intense agony wrung from torturedlips. Close beside me lay a dead warrior, his hideously painted face, with its wide, glaring, dead eyes, so fronting me that I had left only anarrow space through which to peer. Within that small opening I sawmurder done until I closed my eyes in shuddering horror, crazed by my ownsense of helplessness, and feeling the awful fate that must already havebefallen her I loved. God knows I had then no faintest wish to live; nordid I dream that I should see the sun go down that day. Death was uponevery side of me, in its most dreadful forms; and every cry that reachedmy ears, every sight that met my eyes, only added to the frightfulreality of my own helplessness. The inert weight of the horse stifled meso that I drew my short breath almost in sobs; nor did I dare ventureupon the slightest attempt at release, hemmed about as I was by mercilessfiends now hideously drunk with slaughter. Once I heard a man plead formercy, shrieking the words forth as if his intensity of agony had robbedhim of all manliness; I saw a young woman fall headlong, the haft of atomahawk cleaving open her head, as a brawny red arm gripped her by thethroat; a child, with long yellow hair, and face distorted by terror, ranpast my narrow outlook, a naked savage grasping after her scarcely a footbehind. I heard her wild scream of despair and his shout of triumph ashe struck her down. Then I lost consciousness, overwhelmed by themultiplying horrors of that field of blood. 

It is hard to tell how long I lay there, or by what miracle of God'sgreat mercy I had escaped death and mutilation. It was still day, thesun was high in the heaven, and the heat almost intolerable, beating downupon the dry and glittering sand. I could distinguish no sound near athand, not even a moan of any kind. The human forms about me werestiffening in death; nor did any skulking Indian figures appear in sight. 

From away to the northward I could hear the echo of distant yelling; andas I lay there, every faculty alert, I became more and more convincedthat the savages who had attacked us had withdrawn, and that I alone ofall that fated company was preserved, through some strange dispensationof Providence, for what might prove a more terrible fate than any on thatstricken field. With this thought there was suddenly born within me afresh desire for life, a mad thirsting after revenge on those red demonswhose merciless work I had been compelled to see. Yet if I hoped topreserve my life, I must have water and air; a single hour longer in mypresent situation could only result in death. Fortunately, such relief, now that I felt free to exert myself and seek it, was not so difficult asit had seemed. The heavy horse rested upon other bodies as well as myown, so that, little by little, I succeeded in dragging myself out frombeneath his weight, until I was finally able to lift my head and glancecautiously about me. 

I pause now as I sit writing, my face buried in my hands, at the memoryof that dreadful field of death. I cannot picture it, nor have I wish totry. I took one swift glimpse at the riven skulls, the mangled limbs, the mutilated bodies, the upturned pleading faces white and ghastly inthe sunlight, the women and children huddled in heaps of slain, theseemingly endless line of disfigured, half-stripped bodies stretching fardown the white beach; then I fell upon my face in the sand, sobbing likea baby. O God, how could such deeds be done? How could creatures shapedlike men prove themselves such fiends, such hideous devils of malignity?It sickened me with horror, and I shrank from those dead bodies as ifeach had been a grim and threatening ghost. 

Necessity presently overcame the dread possessing me; and slowly, seekingto see no more than I must of the awful scenes about me, I struggled tomy knees, and peered around cautiously for signs of skulking Indians. Not a living creature was near enough to observe me. To the northwardthe savages were swarming about the Fort, and it was evident that theyhad left everything to search for plunder. My uncovered head throbbedunder the hot sun, and my hair was thick with clotted blood; scarce ahundred feet away was the blue lake, and on my hands and knees I crawledacross the beach to it, forgetful of everything else in my desire to rollin the cool sweet water. 

I realized that it would be far safer for me to remain there untildarkness shrouded my movements; but I felt so revived by the touch of thewater that the old desire for action overcame considerations of personalsafety. Before night came I must somehow gain possession of a rifle, with powder and ball; and I must discover, if possible, the fate ofMademoiselle. I cannot describe how, like a frightened child, I shrankfrom going again amid those mutilated corpses. I started twice, only tocrawl back into the water, nerveless and shaking like the leaf of acottonwood. I knew it must be done, and that the sooner I attempted itthe safer would be the trial; so at last, with set teeth and almostsuperhuman effort, I crept up the beach among the silent, disfigured deadonce more. 

With little trouble I found the wagon against which I had seenMademoiselle draw back her horse in that last desperate defence. It wasoverturned, scorched with flame, its contents widely scattered; whileabout it lay the bodies of men, women, and children. A single hastyglance at most of these was sufficient; but a few were so huddled andhidden that I was compelled to move them before I thoroughly convincedmyself that Mademoiselle was not there. I finally found her horse, several rods away, lying against the sand-ridge; but she whose body Isought with such fond persistency was not among those mangled forms. 

Faint and sick from the awful scene, with head throbbing painfully, Isank down upon a slope of sand where I was able to command a clear viewin either direction, and thought rapidly. I was alone with the dead. Ofall those lying silent before me, none would stir again. Not a savageroamed the stricken field, --though doubtless they would again swarm downupon it as soon as the sacking of the Fort had been completed. I mustplan, and plan quickly, if I would preserve my own life and be of serviceto others. And life was worth preserving now, for there was apossibility, --faint, to be sure, yet a possibility, --that Toinette stilllived. How the mere hope thrilled and animated me! how like atrumpet-sound it called to action! She had told me once of friendshipsbetween her and these blood-stained warriors; of weeks passed in Indiancamps on the great plains, both with her father and alone; of beingcalled the White Queen in the lodges of Sacs, Wyandots, andPottawattomies. Perchance some such friendship may have intervened tosave her, even in that fierce mêlée, that carnival of lust and murder. Some chief, with sufficient power to dare the deed, may have snatched herfrom out the jaws of death, actuated by motives of mercy, --or, morelikely still, have saved her from the stroke of the tomahawk for a farmore terrible fate. 

This was the thought that brought me again to my feet with burning faceand tightly clinched teeth. If she lived, a helpless prisoner in thoseblack lodges yonder, there was work to be done, --stern, desperate work, that would require all my courage and resourcefulness. Firm in manlyresolve, and rendered reckless now of contact with the dead, I crept backamong the bodies in eager search for gun and ammunition. For a long timeI sought vainly; the field had been stripped by many a vandal hand. Atlast, however, I turned over a painted giant of a savage whose head hadbeen crushed with a blow, and beneath him discovered a long rifle withpowder-horn half filled. As I drew it forth, uttering a cry of delightat my precious find, my eyes fell upon a pair of bronze boots, with longnarrow toes, protruding from beneath a tangled mass of the slain. It wasno doubt the tomb of De Croix; and without so much as a thought that hecould be alive, I drew the bodies off him and dragged his form forth intothe sunlight. 

Merciful Heaven! his heart still beat, --so faintly, indeed, that I couldbarely note it with my ear at his chest. But life was surely there, andwith a hasty glance about to assure me that I was unobserved, I ran tothe lake shore. I returned with hat full of water, with which Ithoroughly drenched him, rubbing his numbed hands fiercely, and thumpinghis chest until at last the closed eyes partially opened, and he lookedup into my anxious face, gasping painfully for breath. His lips moved asI lifted his head in my arms; and I bent lower, not certain but he wasdying and had some last message he would whisper in my ear. 

"Wayland, " he faltered feebly, "is this you? Lord, how my head aches!Send Sam to me with the hand-mirror and the perfumed soap. "

"Hush!" I answered, almost angry at his flippant utterance. "Sam is nodoubt dead, and you and I alone are spared of all the company. Do yousuffer greatly? Think you it would be possible to walk?"

"I have much pain here in the side, " he said slowly, "and am yet weakfrom loss of blood. All dead, you say? Is Toinette dead?"

"I know not, but I have not found her body among the others, and believeher to be a prisoner to the savages. But, come, De Croix, " I urged, anxiously, "we run great risk loitering here; there is but one safe spotfor us until after dark, --yonder, crouched in the waters of the lake. The Indians may return at any moment to complete their foul work; and forus to be found alive means torture, --most likely the stake, --and willremove the last hope for Mademoiselle. Think you it can be made if youlean hard on me?"

"_Sacre_! 't will not be because I do not try, Master Wayland, " heanswered, his voice stronger now that he could breathe more freely, andwith much of his old audacity returned. "Help me to make the start, friend, for every joint in my body seems rusty. "

His face was white and drawn from agony, and he pressed one hand upon hisside, while perspiration stood in beads upon his forehead. But no moancame from his set lips; and when he rested a moment on his knees, lookingabout him upon the dead, a look of grim approval swept into his eyes. 

"Saint Guise, Wayland, " he said soberly, "'t was a master fight, and thesavages had it not all their own way!"

It made me sick to hear such boasting amidst the horror that yetoverwhelmed me, and I drew the fellow up to his feet with but littletenderness. 

"God knows 't is sad enough!" I answered, shortly. "Come, there areparties of Indians already straying this way from the Fort yonder, and itbehooves us to get in hiding. "

He made the distance between us and the water with far less difficultythan I had expected, and with a better use of his limbs at each step. Inspite of vigorous protest on his part, I forced him out from the shoreuntil the water entirely covered us, save only our faces; and there wewaited for the merciful coming of the night. 

CHAPTER XXVII

A GHOSTLY VISION

The touch of the water brought renewed life to De Croix. This wasshown by the brighter color stealing into his cheeks, as well as by themore careless tone that crept into his voice. The lake proved shallowfor some considerable distance off shore, and I compelled the Frenchmanto wade with me southward, and as far out as we dared venture, until wemust have reached the extreme limit of the field of massacre. Indeed, I fully believed we had passed beyond the point where the attack hadfirst burst upon Captain Wells's Miamis; for I could perceive no signof any bodies lying opposite us against the white background of sand. As the night drew on, squads of savages wandered over the scene ofslaughter, despoiling the stiffening corpses, and taking from thewagons whatever might suit their fancy. Yet we were now so far removedthat we could distinguish little of their deeds, although the sound oftheir voices echoed plainly enough across the water to our ears. 

As time passed, the numbness that had paralyzed my brain, either fromthe cruel blow that felled me or the terrible shock my nerves hadexperienced, gradually passed away, and our situation became more vividto my mind. I thought again of all who had gone forth that morningfilled with hope and life. I had, it is true, known none of them long, but there were many in that ill-fated company who had already growndear to me, and one was among them who I now knew beyond all questionwas to remain in my heart forever. 

I recalled the faces one by one, with some tender memory for each inturn. I thought of the brave Captain Wells, with his swarthy face, andIndian training, who had proved himself so truly my friend for myfather's sake; of Captain Heald, the typical bluff soldier of theborder, ready to sacrifice everything to what he deemed his duty; ofLieutenant Helm, grave of face and calm of speech, always so thoughtfulof his sweet girl bride; and of young Ronan, loyal of heart andimpetuous of deed, whose frank manliness had so drawn me to him. Andnow all these brave, true comrades were dead! Only five or six hoursago I had spoken with them, had ridden by their side; now they laymotionless yonder, stricken down by the basest treachery, their poorbodies hacked and mutilated almost beyond recognition. I couldscarcely realize the awful truth; it rested upon me like some horribledream, from which I knew I must soon awaken. 

But it was Mademoiselle, --Toinette, with the laughing eyes and roguishface, which yet could be so tender, --whose memory held me vibratingbetween constant dread and hope. Living or dead, I must know the truthconcerning her, before I felt the slightest consideration for my ownpreservation. If I lived, it should be for her sake, not mine. Planafter plan came to me as I stood there, my face barely raised above thewater level, praying for the westering sun to sink beneath the horizon. Yet all my plans were so vague, so visionary, so filled withdifficulties and uncertainties, that at last I had nothing practicaloutlined beyond a firm determination in some way to reach the Indiancamp and there learn what I could of its black secrets. I wonderedwhether this rash hare-brained Frenchman would aid or hinder such apurpose; and I glanced aside at him, curious to test the working of hismind in such a time of trial. 

"Saint Guise!" he exclaimed, marking my look, but misinterpreting it;"the sun has gone down at last, and there seems a chill in the airwhere it strikes my wet skin. It is in my thought to wade ashore, Master Wayland, and seek food for our journey, as I can perceive nosavages near at hand. "

"It will be safer if we wait here another half-hour, " I answered, almost inclined to smile at the queer figure he cut, with his long, wethair hanging down his shoulders. Then I added, "What journey do youcontemplate?"

He gazed at me, his face full of undisguised amazement. 

"What journey? Why, Mon Dieu! to the eastward, of course! Surely youhave no wish to linger in this pleasant spot?"

"And is that the way of a French soldier?" I asked, almost angrily. "Ithought you made the journey westward, Monsieur, for the sake of oneyou professed greatly to admire; and now you confess yourself willingto leave her here to the mercy of these red wolves. Is this the way ofit?"

I spoke the words coolly, and they cut him to the quick. His faceflushed and his eyes flashed with anger; yet I faced him quietly, though I doubt not I should have felt his hand upon me had we beenbetter circumstanced for struggle. 

"How know you she lives?" he asked sullenly, eying the rifle I stillheld across my shoulder. 

"I do not know, Monsieur, except that her body is not upon the fieldyonder; but I will know before I leave, or give my life in the search. And if you really loved her as you professed to do, you would dream ofnothing less. "

"Love her?" he echoed, his gaze upon the sand, now partially obscuredin the descending twilight. "_Sacre_! I truly thought I did, for thegirl certainly has beauty and wit, and wove a spell about me inMontreal. But she has become as a wild bird out here, and is a mostperplexing vixen, laughing at my protestations, so that indeed I hardlyknow whether it would be worth the risk to stay. "

Hateful and selfish as these words sounded, and much as I longed tostrike the lips that uttered them so coolly, yet their utterancebrought a comfort to my heart, and I stared at the fellow, biting mytongue to keep back the words of disgust I felt. 

"So this is the measure of your French gallantry, Monsieur! I amsincerely glad my race holds a different conception of the term. Thenyou will leave me here?"

"Leave you? _Sacre_! how could I ever hope to find my way alonethrough the wilderness? 'T would be impossible. Yet why should westay here? What can you and I hope to accomplish in so mad a searchamid all these savages? You speak harsh words, --words that under otherconditions I should make you answer for with the sword; but what is thegood of it all? You know I am no coward; I can fight if there be need;yet to my mind no help can reach Toinette through us, while to remainhere longer is no less than suicide. "

I saw he was in earnest, and I felt there was much truth in his words, however little they affected my own determination. 

"As you please, Monsieur, " I answered coldly, turning from him andslowly wading ashore. "With me 't is not matter for argument. I seekMademoiselle. You are at perfect liberty either to accompany me or tohunt for safety elsewhere, as you wish. "

I never so much as glanced behind, as I went up the beach, now shroudedin the swift-descending night; but I was aware that he kept but a stepbehind me. Once I heard him swear; but there was no more speakingbetween us, until, in the darkness, I stumbled and partially fell overa dead body outstretched upon the sand. 

"A Miami, judging from the fringe of his leggings, " I said briefly, from my knees. "One of the advance guard, no doubt, brought down inflight. 'T is good luck, though, De Croix, for the fellow has retainedhis rifle. Perchance if you be well armed also, it may yield you freshcourage. "

"_Parbleu_! 'tis not courage I lack, " he returned, with something ofhis old-time spirit, "but I hate greatly to yield up a chance for lifeon so mad an errand. More, Master Wayland, had this firearm been in myhands when you flouted me in the water yonder, your words should nothave been so easily passed over. "

The stars gave me a dim view of him, and there was a look in his facethat caused me to feel it would be best to have our trouble settledfully, and without delay. 

"Monsieur, " I said sternly, laying my hand upon his shoulder, andcompelling him to front me fairly, "I for one am going into dangerwhere I shall require every resource in order to preserve my life andbe of service to others. I have already told you that I care notwhether you accompany me or no. But this I say: we part here, or elseyou journey with me willingly, and with no more veiled threats or sidelooks of treachery. "

"I meant no harm. "

"Then act the part of a man, Monsieur, and cease your grumbling. Thevery life of Mademoiselle may hang upon our venture; and if you everinterfere or obstruct my purpose, I will kill you as I would a dog. You understand that, Monsieur de Croix; now, will you go or stay?"

He looked about him into the lonely, desolate shadows, and I could seehim shrug his shoulders. 

"I go with you, of course. _Sacre_! but I have small choice in thematter; 't would be certain death otherwise, for I know not east fromwest in this blind waste of sand. "

I turned abruptly from him, and strode forward across the sand-ridgeout into the short prairie grass beyond, shaping my course westward bythe stars. However revengeful the Frenchman might feel at my plainspeaking, I felt no hesitancy in trusting him to follow, as his lifedepended upon my guidance through the wilderness. 

My mind by this time was fairly settled upon our first movement. Theonly spot that gave promise of a safe survey of the Indian camp, wheredoubtless such prisoners as there were would be held, I felt sure wouldbe found amid the shadows of the west bank of that southerly streamalong which the lodges were set up. From that vantage point, if fromany, I should be able to judge how best to proceed on the perilousmission of rescue. 

While we were feeling our way forward through the darkness, a greatburst of flame soared high into the northern sky, the red lightradiating far abroad over the prairie, until even our creeping figurescast faint shadows on the level plain. 

"Saint Guise! They have set fire to the Fort!" exclaimed De Croix, halting and gazing anxiously northward. 

"Ay, either to that or to the agency building, " I answered. "It wasnot there I expected to find the prisoners, but rather hidden amongthose black lodges yonder whence all the shouting comes. 'T istorture, De Croix, which has so aroused those devils; and it will soonenough prove our turn to entertain them, if we linger long within thisglare. "

"You have a plan, then?"

"Only a partial one at present, --'t is to put the safeguard of theriver between us and those yelling fiends. Beyond that it will all bethe guidance of God. "

The stream proved to be a narrow one, and the current was not swift. We crossed it easily enough, without wetting our stock of powder, andfound the western bank somewhat darkened by the numerous groups ofsmall stunted trees that lined it. I moved with extreme caution now, for each step brought us in closer proximity to those infuriatedtribesmen who were holding mad carnival in the midst of their lodges. I felt sure that our pathway along the western shore was clear, for themost astute chief among them would hardly look for the approach ofenemies from that quarter; but I was enough of a frontiersman not toneglect any ordinary precautions, and so we crept like snakes along atthe water's edge, under the shadow of the bank, until much of the wildscene in the village opposite was revealed to our searching eyes. 

It was a mad saturnalia, half light, half shadow, amid which the fiercefigures of the painted warriors passed and repassed in drunken frenzy, making night hideous with savage clamor and frenzied gesticulations. Iwould have crept on farther, seeking a place for crossing unobserved, had not De Croix suddenly grasped me by the leg. As I turned, the playof the flames from across the water struck upon his white face, and Icould read thereon a terror that held him motionless. 

"For Christ's sake, let us go!" he urged, in an agonized whisper, "Seewhat those demons are about to do! I fear not battle, Wayland, as youknow; but the scene yonder unmans me. "

It is hard for me to describe now what then I saw. The entire centreof the great encampment was brightly lit by a huge blazing fire, aroundwhich hundreds of Indians were gathered, leaping and shouting in theirfrenzy, while above the noise of their discordant voices we coulddistinguish the flat notes of the wooden drum, the dull pounding ofwhich reminded me of the solemn tolling of a funeral bell. Whatatrocities had been going on, I know not; but as we gazed across atthem in shuddering horror, forth from the entrance of a lodge a dozenpainted warriors drove a white man, stripped to the waist, his handsbound behind him. As he stumbled forward, a bevy of squaws lashed himwith corded whips. I caught one glimpse of his face in the light ofthe flames; it was that of a young soldier I recalled having seen theevening before within the Fort, playing a violin. He was a brave lad, and although his face was pale and drawn by suffering, he fronted thecrazed mob that buffeted him with no sign of fear, his eyes rovingabout as if still seeking some possible avenue of escape. Once hesprang suddenly aside, tripping a giant brave who grasped him, anddisappeared amid the lodges, only to be dragged forth a moment laterand pushed forward, horribly beaten with clubs at every step. 

On a sudden, that shrieking, undulating crowd fell away, and we couldsee the young man standing alone, bound to a stake, his body leaningforward as if held to its erect posture merely by the bonds. The limpdrooping of his head made me think him already unconscious, possiblydead from some chance fatal blow; but as the flames burst out in a roarat his feet, and shot up, red and glaring, to his waist, he gaveutterance to one terrible cry of agony, and it seemed to me I gazedfairly into his tortured eyes and could read their pitiful appeal. Twice I raised my rifle, the sight upon his heart, --but durst not fire. No consideration of my own peril held back the pressure of thetrigger, --'twas the remembrance of Mademoiselle. It was beyond mystrength of will to withstand such strain long. 

"Come, " I groaned to De Croix, my hands pressed tightly over my eyes toshut out the sight, "it will craze us both to stay here longer, nordare we aid the poor fellow even by a shot. "

He lay face downward on the soft mud of the bank, and I had to shakehim before he so much as moved. We crept on together, until we cameout through the thick bushes into the open prairie, and faced eachother, our lips white and our bodies shaking with the horror of what wehad just seen. 

"Mon Dieu!" he faltered, "'twill forever haunt me. "

"It has greatly undone me, " I answered, striving to control my voice, for I felt the necessity of coolness if I hoped to command him; "but ifwe would save her from meeting a like fate, we must remain men. "

"Then, for God's sake, find some spot where I may rest for an hour, " heurged. "My brain seems reeling, and I fear it will give way it Iremain in sight or sound of such horrors. "

In spite of all I had seen, it was still my desire to creep in amongthe deserted lodges while darkness shrouded the outermost of them; butI felt that some safe hiding-place must first be found for mycompanion. To attempt to take him with me while in such a nervousstate would be only to invite disaster. 

"De Croix, " I asked, "know you if the Indians have destroyed the housethat stood by the fork of the north river, where the settler Ouilmettelived?"

"I marked it through Lieutenant Helm's field-glass yesterday. 'T ispartially burned, yet the walls still stand. "

"Then 't will serve us most excellently to hide in, for there will benaught left within likely to attract marauders. Think you that youcould find it through the night?"

He looked at me, and it was easy to see his nerves were on edge. 

"Alone?" he gasped brokenly. "My God, no!"

There was seemingly no way out of it, for it would have been littleshort of murder to leave him alone on that black prairie, nor wouldharsh words have greatly mended matters. We were fully an hour at it, creeping cautiously along behind the scattered bushes until we passedthe forks and swam the river's northerly branch. The action did himgood, and greatly helped to steady my own nerves, as the uproar of thesavages died steadily away behind us. 

At last we came out upon a slight knoll, and found ourselves closebeside the low charred walls of what remained of Ouilmette's log-cabin. 'T was a most gloomy and desolate spot, but quiet enough, with neverthe rustle of a leaf to awake the night, or startle us. 

"Have you got back your nerve, Monsieur?" I asked, as we paused beforethe dark outline, "or must I also help you to explore within?"

"'T is not shadows that terrify me, " he answered, no doubt thoroughlyashamed of his weakness, and eager to make amends; "nor is it likelythat anything to affright me greatly is behind these walls. "

I lay prone in the grass at the corner of the cabin, my eyes fixed uponthe distant Indian village, where I could yet plainly distinguishnumberless black figures dodging about between me and the flames; whilefurther to the east, the greater blaze of the Fort buildings lightedup, in a wide arc, the deserted prairie. I gave little considerationto De Croix's exploit, --indeed, I had almost forgotten it, whensuddenly the fellow sprang backward out of the open door, a cry of wildterror upon his lips, and his hands outstretched as it to ward off someunearthly vision. 

"Mon Dieu!" he sobbed hoarsely, falling upon his knees. "'T was theface of Marie!"

CHAPTER XXVIII

AN ANGEL IN THE WILDERNESS

He acted so like a crazed man, grovelling face downward in the grass, that I had to hold him, fearful lest his noise might attract attentionfrom our enemies. 

"Be quiet, De Croix!" I commanded sternly, my hand hard upon him, myeyes peering through the darkness to determine if possible the causefor his mysterious fright. "What is it that has so driven you out ofyour senses?"

He half rose, staring back at the black shadow of the dim doorway, hisface white as chalk in the starlight and faint glare of the distantfires. 

"'T was the face of a dead woman, " he gasped, pointing forward, "there, just within the door! I saw her buried three years ago, I swear; yet, God be merciful! she awaited me yonder in the gloom. "

"Pish!" I exclaimed, thoroughly disgusted at his weakness, and risingto my feet. "Your nerves are unstrung by what we have been through, and you dream of the dead. "

"It is not so!" he protested, his voice faltering pitifully; "I sawher, Monsieur, --nor was she once this day in my thought until thatmoment. "

"Well, I shall soon know if there is a ghost within, " I answeredshortly, determined to make quick end of it. "Remain here, while I gointo the house and see what I can find. "

For a moment he clung to me like a frightened child; but I shook offhis hands a bit roughly, and stepped boldly across the threshold. Thatwas an age when faith in ghostly visitations yet lingered to harass thesouls of men. I confess my heart beat more rapidly than usual, as Ipaused an instant to peer through the shadowy gloom within. It was asmall, low room, with a litter of broken furniture strewing the earthenfloor; but the log walls were quite bare. The flicker of the stillblazing Fort illuminated the interior sufficiently to enable me to makeout these simple details, and to see that the place was without livingoccupant. 

There was only one other apartment in the building, and I walked backuntil I came upon the door which separated the two, and flung it open. As I did so I thought I saw a shadow, the dim flitting of a woman'sform between me and the farther wall; but as I sprang hastily forward, grasping after the spectral vision, I touched nothing save the roughlogs. Twice I made the circuit of that restricted space, so confidentwas I of my own eye-witness; but I found nothing, and could only pauseperplexed, staring about in wonder. 

It occurred to me that my own overtaxed nerves were at fault, and thatif I was to accomplish anything before daylight I must say nothinglikely to alarm De Croix further. 

"Come, Monsieur!" I said, as I came out and shook him into attention, "there is naught within more dangerous than shadows, or perchance arat. Nor have I any time longer to dally over such boyishness. I hadsupposed you a soldier and a brave man, not a nerveless girl to befrightened in the dark. Come, there is ample hiding-space behind thewalls, and I purpose leaving you here to regain some measure of yourlost courage while I try a new venture of my own. "

"Where go you?"

"To learn if I may gain entrance to the Indian camp unobserved. Therecan be no better time than while they are occupied yonder. "

He looked uneasily about him into the dark corners, shuddering. 

"I would rather go with you, " he protested, weakly. "I have not theheart to remain here alone. "

"Nevertheless, here you stay, " I retorted shortly, thoroughlyexasperated by his continued childishness; "you are in no spirit tomeet the perils yonder. Conquer your foolishness, Monsieur, for I knowwell 't is not part of your nature so to exhibit fear. "

"'T is naught alive that I so shrink from; never have I been affrightedof living man. "

"True; nor have I ever found the dead able greatly to harm. But now Igo forth to a plain duty, and you must wait me here. "

I did not glance back at him, although I knew he had sunk dejected on abench beside the door; but with careful look at the priming of myrifle, I stepped forth into the open, and started down the slight slopeleading to the river. A fringe of low, straggling trees hid mymovements from observation by possible watchers along the southernbank; nor could I perceive with any definiteness what was going onthere. The fires had died down somewhat, and I thought the savageyelling and clamor were considerably lessened. 

I confess I went forward hesitatingly, and was doubtful enough aboutthe outcome; but I saw no other means by which I might hope to locateMademoiselle definitely, and I valued my own life now only as itconcerned hers. The selfish cowardice of De Croix--if cowardice ittruly was--served merely to stir me to greater recklessness and daring, and I felt ready to venture all if I might thereby only pluck her fromthe grasp of those red fiends. As I crept through the fringe of busheswhich lined the bank, my eyes were on the darkened upper extremity ofthe Indian camp, and all my thoughts were concentrated upon a plan ofentrance to it. I may have been somewhat careless, for I had noconception of any serious peril until after I had crossed the stream, and it certainly startled me to hear a voice at my very elbow, --astrange voice, beautifully soft and low. 

"You have the movement of an Indian; yet I think you are white. Whatseek you here?"

I turned quickly and faced the speaker, my rifle flung forward readyfor action. The light was poor enough there amid the shadows, yet thesingle glimpse I had told me instantly I faced the mysterious woman ofthe Indian camp. For a moment I made no response, held speechless bysurprise; and she questioned again, almost imperatively. 

"I asked, why are you here?"

"I am one, by the grace of God, spared from the massacre, " I answeredblindly. "But you?--I saw you within the Indian camp only last night. Surely you are not a savage?"

"That I know not. I sometimes fear the savage is part of all ournatures, and that I am far removed from the divine image of my Master. But I am not an Indian, if that is what you mean. If to be white is agrace in your sight, I am of that race, though there are times when Iwould have been prouder to wear the darker skin. The red men kill, butthey do not lie, nor deceive women. I remember you now, --you were withthe White Chief from Dearborn, and tried to approach me when LittleSauk interfered. Why did you do that?"

Her manner and words were puzzling, but I knew no better way than toanswer frankly. 

"I sought Elsa Matherson, --are you she?"

The girl--for she could certainly have been little more--startedperceptibly at the name, and bent eagerly forward, peering with newinterest into my face. 

"Elsa Matherson?" she questioned, dwelling upon the words as thoughthey awoke memories. "It is indeed long since I have heard the name. Where knew you her?"

"I have never known her; but her father was my father's friend, and Isought her because of that friendship. "

"Here?"

"At Fort Dearborn, where she was left an orphan. "

"How strange! how very strange indeed! 'T is a small world. ElsaMatherson!--and at Dearborn?"

Was it acting, for some purpose unknown to me, --or what might be thesecret of these strange expressions?

"Then you are not the one I seek?"

She hesitated, looking keenly toward me through the dim light. 

"I have not said who I may be, " she answered evasively. "Whatever nameI may once have borne was long ago forgotten, and to the simplechildren about me I am only Sister Celeste. 'T is enough to live by inthis wilderness, and the recording angel of God knows whether even thatis worthy. But I have been waiting to learn why you are here, creepingthrough the bushes like a savage! Nor do I believe you to bealtogether alone. Was there not one with you yonder at the house? Whydid he cry out so loudly, and fall?"

"He imagined he saw a ghost within. He claimed to have recognized theface of a dead woman he once knew. "

"A dead woman? What is the man's name? Who is he?"

"Captain de Croix, an officer of the French army. "

She sighed quickly, as if relieved, one hand pressed against herforehead, and sat thinking. 

"I know not the name, but it seems strange that the chance sight of myface should work such havoc with his nerves. Spoke he not even thename of the woman?"

"I think he cried some name as he fell, but I recall it not. "

"And you? You are only seeking a way of escape from the savages?"

For a moment I hesitated; but surely, I thought, this strange youngwoman was of white blood, and seemingly an enthusiast in the religion Ialso professed, and I might safely trust her with my purpose. 

"I am seeking entrance within the encampment, hoping thus to rescue amaiden whom I believe to be prisoner in the hands of the Indians. "

"A maiden, --Elsa Matherson?"

"Nay, another; one I have learned to love so well that I now willinglyrisk even torture for her sake. You are a woman, and have a woman'sheart; you exercise some strange power among these savages. I beg youto aid me. "

She sat with clasped hands, her eyes lowered upon the grass. 

"Whatsoever power I have comes from God, " she said solemnly; "and therebe times, such as now, when it seems as if He held me unworthy of Histrust. "

"But you will aid me in whatever way you can?"

"You are sure you love this maiden?"

"Would I be here, think you, otherwise?"

She did not answer immediately, but crept across the little spaceseparating us until she could look more closely into my face, scanningit earnestly with her dark eyes. 

"You have the appearance of a true man, " she said finally. "Does themaid love you?"

"I know not, " I stammered honestly, confused by so direct a question. "I fear not; yet I would save her even then. "

I felt her hand touch mine as if in sudden sympathy. 

"Monsieur, " she spoke gravely, "love has never been kind to me, and Ihave learned to put small trust in the word as it finds easy utteranceupon men's lips. A man swore once, even at the altar, that he lovedme; and when he had won my heart he left me for another. If I believedyou were such a man I would rather leave this girl to her fate amongthe savages yonder. "

"I am not of that school, " I protested earnestly. "I am of a race thatlove once and forever. But you, who are you? Why are you here in themidst of these savages? You bear a strange likeness to her I wouldsave, but for the lighter shade of your hair. "

She drew back slightly, removing her hand from mine, but withgentleness. 

"It would do you little good to know my story, " She said firmly. "I amno longer of the world, and my life is dedicated to a service you mightdeem sacrifice. Moreover, we waste time in such idle converse; and ifit be my privilege to aid you at all, I must learn more, so as to plansafely. "

"You have the freedom of the camp yonder?"

"I hardly know, " she responded sadly. "God has placed in my poorhands, Monsieur, a portion of His work amid those benighted, sin-stained creatures there. Times come, as now, when the wild wolfbreaks loose, and my life hardly is safe among them. I fled the campto-night, --not from fear, Christ knows, but because I am a woman, andtoo weak physically to bear the sight of suffering that I am helplessto relieve. It is indeed Christ's mercy that so few of your companywere spared to be thus tortured; but there was naught left for me butprayer. "

She stooped forward, her hands pressed over her eyes as though shewould shut out the horror. 

"Yet know you who among the whites have thus far preserved theirlives?" I urged, in an agony of suspense. "Were any of the womenbrought alive to the camp?"

"It was my fortune to see but one; nor was I permitted to approachher, --a sweet-faced girl, yet she could not be the one you seek, forshe wore a wedding-ring. She was saved through the friendship of BlackPartridge, and I heard that she is a daughter of the Silver-man. "

"Ay! Mrs. Helm! Thank God! But was she the only one?"

"Truly, I know not; for I was forced away from sight of much that wenton. Little Sauk has a white maiden hidden in his lodge, who wasbrought from the battle. I have not seen the girl, but know thisthrough others who were angry at his good-fortune. "

"Could we reach there, think you, unobserved?"

She rose, and gazed anxiously across the stream, her face showing clearand fair in the faint light of those distant fires, while I caught theglimmer of a pearl rosary about her white throat and marked a silvercrucifix resting against her breast. 

"It will be life itself you venture in such an attempt, " she saidsoftly, "even its loss through torture; yet 't is a deed that might bedone, for the Indians are fairly crazed with blood and liquor, and willpay small heed to aught save their heathen orgies. "

"Then let us venture it. "

She turned slightly and looked at me intently, her dark eyes filledwith serious thought. 

"Yes, we will go, " she responded at last, slowly. "If through God'sgrace we may thus preserve a life, it will be well worthy thesacrifice, and must be His desire. "

For another moment we waited there silently, standing side by side, gazing anxiously across the dark water, and listening intently to thevaried discordant sounds borne to us on the night air. I know not whatmay have been in her thought; but upon my lips there was a silentprayer that we might be safely guided in our desperate mission. Iwondered still who this strange young woman could be, so surrounded bymystery, a companion of savages, and still gentle and refined in wordand manner. I dare not ask again, nor urge her confidence; for therewas that of reserve about her which held me speechless. I glancedaside, marking again the clear pure contour of her face, and my lookseemed instantly to arouse her from her reverie. 

"I expect little trouble until we near the centre of the camp, " shesaid, thoughtfully. "'T is dark amid the northern lodges, and we shallmeet with no warriors there unless they be so far gone in intoxicationas to be no longer a source of danger. But come, friend, the longer wetarry the less bright grows the hope of success. "

A slender bark canoe rested close beneath the bank, and she motioned meinto it, grasping the paddle without a word, and sending the narrowcraft with swift, silent strokes across the stream. The other shorewas unprotected; so, hesitating only long enough to listen for amoment, much as some wild animal might, she crept forward cautiouslyinto the black lodge-shadows, while I instantly followed, imitating asbest I could her slightest movement. We met no obstacle to ouradvance, --not even the snarls and barkings of the innumerable curs, usually the sleepless guardians of such encampments of savages. I soonsaw that as we crept around lodge after lodge in our progress, thelight of the blazing fires in our front grew constantly brighter andthe savage turbulence more pronounced. 

At last the girl came to a sudden pause, peering cautiously forwardfrom beneath the shadow of the lodge that hid us; and as I glanced overher shoulder, the wild scene was revealed in each detail of savagery. 

"'T is as far as you will dare venture, " she whispered, her lips at myear. "I know not the exact limit of our progress, but the lodge ofLittle Sauk lies beyond the fire, and I must make the rest of thedistance alone. "

"But dare you?" I questioned uneasily. "Will they permit even you topass unharmed?"

She smiled almost sadly. 

"I have many friends among them, blood-stained as they are, and littleas I have accomplished for the salvation of their souls. I have beenwith them much, and my father long held their confidence ere he died. I have even been adopted into the tribe of the Pottawattomies. Noneare my enemies among that nation save the medicine-men, and they willscarce venture to molest me even in this hour of their power and crime. Too well they know me to be under protection of their chiefs; nor arethey insensible to the sanctity of my faith. Ay, and even theirsuperstition has proved my safeguard. "

The expression of curiosity in my eyes appealed to her, and as if inanswer she rested one hand upon her uncovered head, the hair of whichshone like dull red gold in the firelight. 

"You mean that?" I asked, dimly recalling something I had once heard. 

She shook the heavy coiled mass loose from its bondage, until itrippled in gleaming waves of color over her shoulders, and smiled backat me, yet not without traces of deep sadness in her eyes. 

"'T is an Indian thought, " she explained softly, "that such hair asmine is a special gift of the Great Spirit, and renders its wearersacred. What was often spoken most lightly about in other days has inthis dread wilderness proved my strongest defence. God uses strangemeans, Monsieur, to accomplish His purpose with the heathen. "

She paused, listening intently to a sudden noise behind us. 

"Creep in here, Monsieur, " she whispered, quickly lifting an edge ofthe skin-covering of the lodge. "A party is returning from the Fort, perchance with more prisoners. Lie quiet there until I return; it willnot be long. "

I crawled through the slight opening into that black interior, turningto hold open the flap sufficiently to peer forth once more. I knew notwhere she vanished, as she faded away like a shadow; but I had hardlysecured refuge, when a dozen painted warriors trooped by, shoutingtheir fierce greeting. In the midst of them, half-stripped, andbleeding as if from freshly inflicted wounds, staggered a white man;and as the firelight fell full upon his haggard face, I recognized DeCroix. 

CHAPTER XXIX

A SOLDIER OF FRANCE

What followed was so extraordinary and incredible that I hesitate torecord it, lest there be those who, judging in their own conceit, andknowing little of savage Indian nature, may question the truth of mynarration, Yet I am now too old a man to permit unjust criticism toswerve me from the task I have assumed. 

The extreme of misery that overwhelmed me at the moment when I beheldmy comrade driven forward like a trapped beast to a death by torture, found expression in a sudden moan, which, fortunately for me, wasunnoted amid the shouts of greeting that arose around the fire whenthose gathered there caught sight of the new-comers. Instantly all wasconfusion and uproar; a scene of savage debauchery, unrelieved by aredeeming feature or a sign of mercy. It was as if poor De Croix hadbeen hurled, bound and gagged, into a den of infuriated wolves, whosejaws already dripped with the blood of slaughter. Gleaming weapons, glaring and lustful eyes, writhing naked bodies, pressed upon him onevery side, hurling him back and forth in brute play, every tonguemocking him, in every up-lifted hand a weapon for a blow. 

The fierce animal nature within these red fiends was now uppermost, fanned into hot flame by hours of diabolical torture of previousvictims, in which they had exhausted every expedient of cruelty to addto the dying agony of their prey. To this, fiery liquor had yieldedits portion; while the weird incantations of their priests hadtransformed the most sober among them into demons of malignity. Ifever, earlier in the night, their chiefs had exercised any control overthem, that time was long since past; and now the inflamed warriors, bursting all restraint, answered only to the war-drum or made murderousresponse to the superstition of their medicine-men. 

The entire centre of the encampment was a scene of drunken orgy, aphantasmagoria of savage figures, satanic in their relentless crueltyand black barbarity. Painted hundreds, bedecked with tinkling beadsand waving feathers, howled and leaped in paroxysms of fury about thecentral fire, hacking at the helpless bodies of the dead victims ofearlier atrocities, tearing their own flesh, beating each other withwhips like wire, their madly brandished weapons flashing angrily in theflame-lit air. 

Squaws, dirty of person and foul of mouth, often more ferocious inappearance and cruel in action than their masters, were everywhere, dodging amid the writhing bodies, screaming shrilly from excitement, their long coarse hair whipping in the wind. Nor were they allPottawattomies: others had flocked into this carnival ofblood, ---Wyandots and Sacs, even Miamis, until now it had become acontest for supremacy in savagery. 'T was as if hell itself hadopened, to vomit forth upon the prairie that blood-stained crew ofdancing demons and shock the night with crime. 

A dead white man, --the poor lad whose early torture we hadwitnessed, --his half-burnt body still hanging suspended at the stake, was in the midst of them, a red glare of embers beneath him, thecurling smoke creeping upward into the black sky from about his headlike devil's incense. In front of this hideous spectacle, regardlessof the mutilated body, sat the ferocious old demon I had seen theevening previous, his head crowned with a bison's horns, his nakedbreast daubed with red and yellow figures to resemble crawling snakes, his face the hideous representation of a grinning skull. Above allother sounds rang out his yells, inciting his fellows to furtheratrocities, and accompanied by the dull booming of his wooden drum. 

It was into this pack of ravening beasts that poor De Croix staggeredfrom the surrounding shadows; and they surged about him, clamoring forplace, greeting their new-found victim with jeers and blows and hootsof bitter hatred, viciously slashing at him with their knives, so thatthe very sight of it turned me sick, and made me sink my head upon myarms in helplessness and horror. A sudden cessation in the infernaluproar led me to peer forth once more. They had dragged the charredand blackened trunk of the dead soldier down from the post where it hadhung suspended, and were fastening De Croix in its place, binding hishands behind the support, and kicking aside the still glowing embers ofthe former fire to give him space to stand. It was brutally, fiendishly done, with thongs wound about his body so tightly as to liftthe flesh in great welts, and those who labored at it striking cruelblows at his naked, quivering form, spitting viciously into his face, with taunting words, seeking through every form of ferocious ingenuityto wring from their helpless victim some sign of suffering, someshrieking plea for mercy. Once I marked a red devil stick a sharpenedsliver of wood into the Frenchman's bare shoulder, touched it withfire, and then stand back laughing as the bound victim sought vainly todislodge the torturing brand. 

Whatever of shrinking fear De Croix may have exhibited an hour before, however he may have trembled from ghostly haunting and been made cowardby contact with the dead, he was a man now, a soldier worthy of hisuniform and of his manhood. Merciful God! but it made my heart swellto see the lad, as he faced those dancing devils and looked coolly intothe eyes of death. His face was indeed ghastly white in the fire-glow, save where the red stains of blood disfigured it; but there was nowavering in the bold black eyes, no cowardly shrinking from his fate, no moan of weakness from between his tightly pressed lips. Scarcecould I think of him then as being the same gentle exquisite that rodeon the westward trail in powdered hair and gaudy waistcoat, worryinglest a pinch of dust might soil his faultless linen, --this begrimed, blood-stained, torn figure, naked to the waist, his small-clothesclinging in rags from his thighs, his head bare and with long blacklocks streaming to his shoulders. Yet it was now, not then, he won myrespect and honor. 

Once I saw him strain desperately at the cords in a mad endeavor tobreak free, his flashing eyes on the demons who were torturing himbeyond endurance. Well I knew how he longed to lay hand on any weapon, and thus die, battling to the end; had he succeeded, I doubt not Ishould have been at his side, forgetful of all else in the struggle. The deer-skin thongs, as unyielding as iron, held him fast. I groundmy teeth and dug my nails into the earth to hold me from leapingforward in hopeless attempt at rescue, as a huge brute struck himsavagely with clinched hand across the lips. 

Suddenly, as if in response to some low spoken order, the jostlinghorde fell aside from before him, leaving a narrow space unoccupied. Ihad no time to wonder at this movement before a tomahawk, whirlingrapidly and flashing like a ruby in the red glare, went hurlingforward, and buried its shining blade deep in the post an inch from theprisoner's head, the handle quivering with the force of impact. Againand again, amid yells of derision and encouragement, they threw, twicebringing token of blood from the grazed cheek and once cleaving the earnearest me as if by a knife-blow. In spite of all, De Croix sneered atthem, mocked their efforts, taunted them with their lack of skill, nodoubt seeking to infuriate them and cause the striking of a mercifuldeath-blow. 

I trembled as I gazed, held there by a fascination I could notovercome, shading my eyes when I saw an arm uplifted to make a cast, and opening them in dread unspeakable as I heard the dull impact of theblow. Never in my life have I seen such marvellous nerve as thisFrench gallant displayed in those awful moments; standing theremotionless, with never a tremor, no twitching of a muscle, his scornfuleyes following the deadly steel, his lips jeering at the throwers, ashe coolly played the game whose stake was death. At last some savagecast from farther back amid the mass of howling contestants; I failedto see the upraised hand that grasped the weapon, but caught its suddengleam as it sped onward, and De Croix was pinned helpless, the steelblade wedging his long hair deep into the wood. 

A dozen screaming squaws now hustled forward the materials for a fire;I saw branches, roots, and leaves, piled high about his knees, andmarked with a shudder the film of blue smoke as it soared upward erethe flame caught the green wood. Then suddenly some one kicked thepile over, hurling it into the faces of those who stooped beside it;and the fierce clamor ceased as if by magic. 

I staggered to my knees, wondering what it could mean, --this strangesilence after all the uproar. Then I saw. Out from the shadows, as ifshe herself were one, the strange girl who had been my companion glidedforward into the red radius of the flame, and faced them, her back toDe Croix. 

Never shall I fail to recall her as she then appeared, --a veritablegoddess of light fronting the fiends of darkness. With cheeks so whiteas to seem touched with death, her dark eyes glowed in consciousness ofpower, while her long, sweeping tresses rippled below her waist, gleaming in a wild red beauty almost supernatural. How womanly shewas, how fair to look upon, and how unconscious of aught save hermission! One hand she held before her in imperious gesture of command;with the other she uplifted the crucifix, until the silver Christsparkled in the light. "Back!" she said clearly. "Back! You shallnot torture this man! I know him. He is a soldier of France!"

CHAPTER XXX

THE RESCUE AT THE STAKE

The word uttered by the strange woman was one to conjure with even thenin the Illinois country. Many a year had passed since the French flagruled those prairies, yet not a warrior there but knew how the men ofthat race avenged an injury, --how swift their stroke, how keen theirsteel. 

I watched the startled throng press closely backward, as if awed by hermysterious presence, influenced insensibly by her terse sentence ofcommand, each dusky face a reflex of its owner's perplexity. Drunkenas most of them were, crazed with savage blood-lust and hours ofremorseless torture of their victims, for the moment that sweet visionof womanly purity held them motionless, as if indeed the figure of theChrist she uplifted before their faces had taught them abhorrence oftheir crimes. 

But it was not for long. To hundreds of those present she was merelyan unknown white woman; while even to those who knew her best, thePottawattomies, she appeared only as one who came to balk them of theirrevenge. They may have held her person inviolate amid their lodges, and even have countenanced her strange teaching; but now she hadventured too far in attempting thus to stand between them and theirvictim. They held back a single moment, halted by her fearlessness, rendered cowardly by vague superstitions regarding her religious power;but after the first breathless pause of dumb astonishment andirresolution, voice after voice arose in hoarse cries of rage andshouts of disapproval. There was a surging forward of the strainingred line, while in their front howled and gesticulated the hideous oldmedicine-man, his painted face distorted by passion, eager to graspthis auspicious moment to cast down forever one who had sought to endhis superstitious rule among the tribe. I marked how she drew back asthey advanced, retreating step by step, --not, indeed, as if she fearedthem, but rather as if some definite purpose led her movement. Hereyes never wavered, her hand still uplifted the gleaming cross, as sheretreated slowly, until she stood directly before De Croix, where hehung helplessly staring at her with an expression of fear in his facestrangely at variance with his late show of desperate courage. 

"Back!" she cried again, but now in a deeper and fuller voice thatsounded like a clear-toned bell above the uproar. "I tell you I willkill this man with my own hand before I permit you to put furthertorture upon him!"

An instant only did this threat halt the gathering rush. Some onevoiced an Indian insult, and there came a fierce surging forward, although no warrior among them seemed eager to lead in the attack. Isaw the woman lift her hand, and caught the glimmer of a steel blade;and even as I sprang erect, partially flinging aside the obstructingflap of the lodge, an Indian, stalking silently forth from the shadows, faced the mob, standing motionless within a foot of the desperate girl, and with his back toward her. One glance at that tall thin figure, thestern face, the long white hair, told me it was the great war-chief ofthe Pottawattomies, Gomo; and I sank back trembling from the reactionof that moment's strain. 

His words were calm, deliberate, commanding; but the angry roar withwhich they were greeted made me fear the horde he faced so resolutelywas now beyond control. He smiled, his thin lips curling in derisionas he gazed with contempt into the threatening faces pressing closerupon every side. 

"Fear not, " he murmured aside to the watchful woman, and resting onehand upon her arm. "Cut loose the prisoner!"

She turned instantly to her task, while he spoke briefly the names ofhis chiefs; and as each was called in turn, a warrior came from amongthe mass and silently stood beside him. A dozen came forth thus, stalwart, grim-faced braves, many with fresh scalps dangling at theirbelts. 

Gomo now spoke again, using the French tongue, that all present mightbetter grasp his meaning. 

"Brothers, " he said gravely, "this squaw is Pottawattomie. She wasadopted by our people and lives in our lodges. Pottawattomies arefriends to Frenchmen; there is no war between us. Why should Wyandotsand Sacs wish to burn a Frenchman?"

For a moment no one ventured to reply; the mob stood halted now, robbedof its leaders and its courage, even the noisy medicine-man silencedbefore this stern array of protecting chiefs. Loose as was Indiandiscipline and tribal authority, even in drunkenness those desperatewarriors dared not openly disregard such a display of power. 

"Have the Pottawattomies spoken well?" questioned the old chief, sternly, "or have our words wronged our brothers?"

A giant of a fellow, whose broad face and huge head seemeddisproportionate even to his big body, his long coarse hair profuselyornamented with shells and beads flashing gaudily in the firelight, pushed his way out from among the silent mass. 

"Gomo, the great war-chief of the Pottawattomies, has spoken well, " hesaid in a deep voice that rolled like distant thunder. "The Wyandotsdid not know; they war not with Frenchmen, nor harm the women of thePottawattomies. The Great Spirit hath made us brothers, and we havesmoked together the pipe of peace. "

Gomo moved forward with Indian dignity, and exchanged solemn greetingwith the new-comer. 

"It makes the hearts of the Pottawattomies light to hear the words ofSau-ga-nash, " he said gravely. Then he turned and waved his hand tohis clustered warriors. "Release the Frenchman, and place him forsafety in the council lodge. Pass the woman free. It is the will ofour chiefs. "

The council lodge! I glanced about me apprehensively; surely this mustbe the same tepee in which Captain Heald and I had met the chiefs!There were no signs of ordinary Indian occupancy, and now as I lookedabout me the firelight from without revealed clearly the shading ofthose grotesque figures I recalled as having been sketched upon theouter covering. So it was here that De Croix was to be confined! Icrept back hastily, dropping into place the loosened flap through whichI had been peering. A skin or two were lying on the grassy floor; andI grasped the larger of these, drawing it over me while I rolled asclosely as possible against the farther wall, hoping desperately thatno Indian guards would be posted within. 

The uproar outside continued, as if there were still opposition to thecommands of the chiefs; but presently, as I peeped through a hole inthe skin held over me, I perceived a sudden flash of light as the flapcovering the entrance was drawn aside. I saw a number of dark handsthrust within, a savage face or two peering for a moment about thedarkened interior; but to my inexpressible relief only one body wasthrust inside, with such violence, however, as to cause the man to fallface downward at full length. The next instant the lodge was againwrapped in utter darkness. By God's mercy I remained undiscovered, andwas alone with De Croix. 

For a short time, assured as I was of this fact, I did not venture tocreep from my place of concealment, or make my presence known to mycompanion. What ears might be listening, I knew not; nor dared I trusttoo much to the Frenchman's already over-taxed nerves. He did not movefrom the position where he fell; but I could hear him groan and sob, with now and then a broken ejaculation. Without, the yelling anduproar grew perceptibly less, although an occasional outburst gaveevidence that the carousal was not wholly ended. Finally I pushed backthe robe that covered me, now grown uncomfortably warm, and creptcautiously toward the place where I knew him to be lying. It wasintensely dark, and I was still fearful lest he might cry out if Istartled him. 

"De Croix, " I whispered, "make no alarm; I am Wayland. "

"Wayland!" I could mark the amazement in his tone, as he instantly satupright, peering through the gloom in the direction whence my voicecame. "_Mon Dieu_! You are here? You saw all of it?"

"Ay, " I answered, reaching out and groping in the darkness until Igrasped his hand. "You have had a hard time, my lad; but the worst isover, and hope remains for us both. "

He shuddered so violently I could feel the spasm shake his body. 

"'Twas not the dying, " he protested; "but did you see her, Wayland?Merciful God! was it really a living woman who stood there, or a ghostreturned from the other world to haunt me and make living worse thandeath?"

"You mean the sister who interposed to save you?" I asked. "She was astruly alive as either of us. Think you she is not a stranger?"

He groaned, as if the confession was wrung from him by the terror ofeternal torment. 

"_Mon Dieu_! She is my wife!"

"Your wife?"

"Ay, my wife, --Marie Faneuf, of Montreal. "

"But how comes she here, Monsieur, living in the Pottawattomie camp?And how comes it that you sought another in this wilderness, if youwere already long wedded?"

"Saint Guise! but I cannot tell you, " and his voice shook with theemotion that swept him. "'T is like a black dream, from which I mustyet awaken. She died, I swear she died; the sisters told me so at theconvent of the Ursulines, whither she fled to escape myunkindness, --for I did her wrong; and I stood by the grave as the bodythey called hers was lowered into the ground. For all these years haveI thought it true; yet the girl yonder was Marie. But you, Wayland, --know you aught of her?"

"Only that she guided me hither in search of Mademoiselle. On the waywe conversed, and she let me know that she had dedicated her life tothe service of these Indians, seeking to save their souls. "

"'T is like enough; she was ever half a nun, and most religious. Yetmade she no mention of me, and of my crying out at the house?--for Imust indeed have seen her there!"

"She asked me your name, Monsieur, and when I told her she said sherecalled it not. Knew she you by some other?"

He did not answer, though I could mark his heavy breathing, as if hestrove with himself for mastery. Nor did I speak again, eager as I nowwas to arrange some plan for the future; for this man was certainly inno condition to counsel with. 

I know not how long I may have rested there in silence, seeking vainlyin my own mind for some opening of escape, or means whereby I mightcommunicate with Mademoiselle. Would the strange woman forget me now, or would she venture upon a return with her message? If not, I mustgrope forward without her, hampered as I should be by this unnerved andhelpless Frenchman. Outside, the noise had almost wholly ceased, --atleast, close to where we were, --and I could perceive that a slighttinge of returning day was already in the air, faintly revealing theinterior of the lodge. 

As I sat thus, drifting through inaction into a more despairing mood, the rear covering of the tepee moved almost imperceptibly, and I turnedhastily to seek the cause, my heart in my throat lest it prove anenemy, perhaps some stealthy savage still seeking the life of De Croix. It was far from being light as yet, but there was sufficient to show methe faint outline of a woman's figure. The Frenchman had seeminglyheard nothing; and I rose quickly and faced her eagerly. 

"You have found her?" I questioned anxiously. "I beg you tell me thatshe yet lives!"

"Hush! you speak too loud, " was the low reply. "The one you seek is, Ithink, confined within the lodge of Little Sauk, and thus far remainsunharmed. I have not been able to reach her, but she has beendescribed to me as young, with dark hair and eyes, and as having beendragged from a horse near the rear of the column. Think you she is theone you seek?"

"I do indeed!" I cried, in a rapture of relief. "Where is this lodgein which they hold her?"

She hesitated to answer, as if she somewhat doubted my discretion. 

"It is the third from the fire, in the row west of this, " she said atlast. "But it is already daylight, and you must lie hidden amid theseskins until another night, when I will strive to aid you. You will besafe here, if you only keep hidden; and I have brought with me food foryou both. "

I had quite forgotten De Croix, in my eagerness to learn news ofMademoiselle; but now I realized he had risen to his knees, and wasgazing at our visitor through the dim shadows as if half fearful evenyet that she was but a spectre. In that gray dawn his face was ghastlyin its whiteness, --the dark lines under his eyes, his matted hair, andthe traces of blood upon his cheek, yielding a haggardness almostappalling. 

"Marie!" he sobbed, catching his breath between the words as if theychoked him, "Marie, in God's name, speak one word to me!"

I saw the girl start, looking around at him with eyes widely opened, yet with an expression in them I could not fathom; it was neitherhatred nor love, though it might easily have been sorrow. 

"Marie, " he urged, rendered despairing by her silence, "I have done youwrong, great wrong; but I thought you dead. They told me so, --theytold me it was your body they buried. Will you not speak a word ofmercy now?"

Dim as the light was, I saw her eyes were moist as she gazed down uponhim; but there was no faltering in her voice. 

"You were right, Monsieur le Marquis, " she said slowly, "Marie Faneufis dead. It is only Sister Celeste who has aided in the preservationof your life in the name of the Master. Make your acknowledgment tothe Mother of Christ, not to me, for such mercy. "

I knew not when she passed out, or how; but we were alone once more, and De Croix was lying with his face buried in the short grass. 

CHAPTER XXXI

A SEARCH, AND ITS REWARD

I slept at last, soundly, for several hours, lying well hidden behindthe skins at the back of the lodge. There seemed nothing else to do;for poor De Croix had no thought other than that of the woman who hadjust left us, and I was exhausted by hours of excitement and toil. Hewas asleep when I awoke, lying just as I had left him, his face stillburied in the short trodden grass that carpeted the floor. 

It was so quiet without that I listened in vain for a sound to indicatethe presence of Indians. Silence so profound was in strange contrastwith the hideous uproar of the preceding night, and curiosity led mefinally to project my head from beneath the lodge covering and gain acautious glimpse of the camp without. The yellow sunshine of the calmsummer afternoon rested hot and glaring on the draped skins of thetepees, and on the brown prairie-grass, trampled by hundreds of passingfeet. I could perceive a few squaws working lazily in the shade of thetrees near the bank of the river; but no other moving figures werevisible. Several recumbent forms were within my sight, their facestoward the sun, evidently sleeping off the heavy potations of thenight. Otherwise the great encampment appeared completely deserted;there were no spirals of smoke rising above the lodge-poles, nogossiping groups anywhere about. 

It was plain enough to me. Those of the warriors capable of furtheraction were elsewhere engaged upon some fresh foray, while themajority, overcome by drinking, were asleep within their darkenedlodges. Surely, daylight though it was, no safer moment could beexpected in which to establish communication with Toinette. With nightthe camp would be again astir; and even if I succeeded in reaching herat some later hour it would leave small margin of darkness for ourescape. Every moment of delay now added to our grave peril, and therewas much planning to be done after we met. Possibly I should havewaited, as I had been told to do; but it was ever in my blood to actrather than reason, and I am sure that in this case no cause remainsfor regret. 

I must confess that my heart beat somewhat faster, as I crept slowlyforth and peered cautiously around the bulging side of the big lodge Ihad just left, to assure myself no savages were stirring. It was notthat I greatly feared the venture, nor that a sense of danger excitedmy nerves; but rather the one thought in my mind was that now my waylay toward Mademoiselle. How would she greet me? Should I learn myfate from her tell-tale eyes, or by a sudden gleam of surprise in herlovely face? These were the reflections that inspired me, for a newhope had been born within me through the forced confession of De Croix. 

There was little danger of exposure while I advanced through theshelter of the lodges, for I was always under partial cover. But Iwaited and watched long before daring to pass across the wide openspace in the centre of which the fire had been kindled. Thetorture-post yet stood there, black and charred, while the groundbeneath was littered with dead ashes. The bodies of three white men, two of them naked and marked by fire, lay close at hand, just as theyhad been carelessly flung aside to make room for new victims; yet Idared not stop to learn who they might have been in life. The sight oftheir foul disfigurement only rendered me the more eager to reach theliving with a message of hope. 

I moved like a snake, dragging my body an inch at a time by firmlygrasping with extended hands the tough grass-roots, and writhingforward as noiselessly as if I were stalking some prey. There weretimes when I advanced so slowly it would have puzzled a watcher todetermine whether mine was not also the body of the dead. At length, even at that snail's rate of progress, I gained the protection of thetepees upon the other side of the camp, and skulked in among them. Thelodge just before me, blackened by paint and weather, must be the one Isought. I rested close within its shadow, striving to assure myselfthere was no possibility of mistake. As my eyes lifted, I could tracein dim outline the totem of the chief faintly sketched on the tautskin: it was the same I had noted on the brawny breast of Little Sauk. 

Never did I move with greater woodland skill, for I felt that alldepended upon my remaining undiscovered; a single false move now woulddefeat all hope. Who might be within, concealed by that blackcovering, was a mystery to be solved only by extremest caution. 

Inch by inch I worked the skin covering of the tepee entrance up fromthe ground, screwing my eye to the aperture in an effort to penetratethe shrouded interior. But the glare of the sun was so reflected intomy eyeballs, that it left me almost blind in the semi-gloom beneaththat dark roof, and I could distinguish no object with certainty. Surely, nothing moved within; and I drew myself slowly forward, untilhalf my body lay extended upon the beaten dirt-floor. It was then thatI caught a glimpse of a face peering at me from out the shadows, --theface of Toinette; and, alas for my eager hopes of surprising her heartand solving its secrets! the witch was actually laughing in silence atmy predicament. The sight made my face flush in sudden indignation;but before I could find speech, she had hastily accosted me. 

"Good faith, Master Wayland! but I greet you gladly!" she said, and hersoft hand was warm upon mine; "yet it truly caused me to smile toobserve the marvellous caution with which you came hither. "

"It must have been indeed amusing, " I answered, losing all my vainaspirations in a moment under her raillery; "though it is not everyprisoner in an Indian camp who could find like cause for merriment. "

Her eyes grew sober enough as they rested inquiringly on my face, forall that they still held an irritatingly roguish twinkle in theirdepths. 

"It was the expression upon your face which so amused me, " sheexplained. "I am not indifferent to all that your coming means, nor tothe horrors this camp has witnessed. More than that, you appear to melike one risen from the dead. I have truly mourned for you, JohnWayland. I lost all power, all desire tor resistance, when I saw youstricken from your horse, and often since my eyes have been moist inthoughts of you. No doubt 't was but the sudden reaction from seeingyou again alive that made me so forgetful of these dread surroundingsas to smile. I beg you to forgive me; it was not heartlessness, butmerely the way of a thoughtless girl, Monsieur. "

It had been impossible for me to resist her cajolery from thebeginning; and now I read in her eyes the truth of all she spoke. 

"There is naught for you to forgive, Mademoiselle, " I answered, drawingmyself wholly within the tepee and resting on my knees. "But are youquite alone here, and without guards?"

"For the present, yes. Little Sauk has been gone from the camp forsome hours. They watch me with some care at night, --yet of what usecan their guarding be? If I should get without the lodge, escape wouldbe hopeless for a girl like me. But now tell me about yourself. Areyou also prisoner to the Indians? Surely I saw you struck down in thatmad mêlée. 'Twas then I lost heart, and gave up every hope of rescue. "

"No, I am not a prisoner, Mademoiselle. I fell, stunned by a blowdealt me from behind, but was saved from capture by the falling of myhorse across my body. I am here now of my own will, and for no otherpurpose than to save you. "

"To save me! Oh, Monsieur! it would make me blush really to think Iranked so high in your esteem. Was it not rather that other girl youcame to seek, --the one you sought so far through the wilderness, onlyto find hidden in this encampment of savages? Tell me, Monsieur, wasshe by any chance of fate the heroine who last night plucked Captain deCroix from the flames of torture?"

"You know, then, of his danger and deliverance?" I said, not feelingeager to answer her query. "'T was a most brave and womanly act. "

"A strange exercise of power, indeed, Monsieur, " and she lookeddirectly into my eyes; "and the savages tell me she claimed to haveknowledge of him. "

Surely I had a right to relate the whole story of De Croix'sconfession; yet somehow I did not deem it the manly thing to do. Rather, I would let her learn the truth in God's own time, and fromother lips than mine. Perchance she would respect me more in the endfor keeping silence now. But in this decision I failed to considerthat hasty words of explanation might naturally lead her to believe theexisting friendship mine instead of his. 

"We met her across the river in the darkness last night, " I answered. "At my request, she acted as my guide into the Indian camp. "

The expression in her eyes puzzled me; nor could I interpret the suddenflush that lent color to her cheeks. 

"You are frank, Monsieur, " she said quietly, "and doubtless 'tis betterso. But the strange situation of this young woman has much of romanceabout it, and interests me greatly. How chances she to be here?Surely she cannot be of Indian blood?"

"She holds connection with some sisterhood of the Church, as Iunderstand, and has lived for some time amid the Pottawattomies, seeking to win the heathen to Christ. "

"A Catholic?" she asked, her eyes brightening with deeper interest. 

"Such is my understanding, though in truth she never said as much tome. Indeed, we spoke little, Mademoiselle, for our path was in themidst of peril, even before the capture of poor De Croix upset all ourplans. "

"Doubtless, " she answered with a slight trace of sarcasm in the softvoice. "But Captain de Croix, --he was not seriously injured, I trust?Where have the savages confined him? And know you what they intend asto his future?"

"He will forever bear some scars, I fear, " I answered, wondering dullyat the calmness of her inquiry. "I have just left him sleeping quietlyin the council tent. Know you anything of what fate has befallen otherof our friends of the garrison?"

Her eyes grew sad. "Only what little I have learned through thetaunting of my own captor, " she answered, her voice trembling. "Captain Wells is dead, together with Ensign Ronan and Surgeon VanVoorhees. Both Captain Heald and his wife were sorely wounded, andthey, with Lieutenant Helm, are prisoners somewhere in the camp; butthe Lieutenant's wife is safe with the Silver-man's family across theriver. The Indians hold these in hope of ransom, and wreak theirvengeance upon the common soldiers who were so unfortunate as to fallinto their hands alive. Yet few, I think, survived the massacre. "

"You have doubtless guessed aright. I noted with what fearful spiritof revenge the savages dealt with some of their captives, while sparingothers. Surely you, for instance, have met with but little hardshipthus far at the hands of Little Sauk?"

She glanced up at me, with a touch of the old coquettishness in herdark eyes and a quick toss of her head, while one white hand smoothedher soft hair. 

"Think you then, Monsieur, I do not look so ill?"

In spite of every effort at control, my heart swept into my eyes; shemust have read the swift message, for her own drooped instantly, with aquick flutter of long lashes against her cheeks. 

"I have already told you how greatly I admire you, " I faltered, "andyou make no less fair a picture now. "

"Then I shall not tempt you to add to your compliment, " she hastilyresponded, rising to her feet, "for I like loyalty in a man better thanmere gallantry of speech. You ask me about Little Sauk. He holds mefor ransom, --although Heaven knows 'twill prove but waste of time, forI am aware of no one in all the East who would invest so much as adollar to redeem me from Indian hands. Yet such is his purpose, astold to me this morning. "

"Perchance, then, " I urged, doubtfully, "you may prefer remainingquietly here rather than risk the peril of trying to escape?"

She looked at me keenly, as if in wonder at my words; and I could seethat her eyes were moistening with the sudden rush of feeling. 

"You are either dull of comprehension, John Wayland, " she said, a bitpertly, "or else you understand me less than any man I ever knew. If Iseem brave and light of heart amidst all this horror, 't is merely thatI may not utterly break down, and become an object of contempt. Ifeel, Monsieur, I am not devoid of heart nor of the finer qualities ofwomanhood. Prefer to remain here? Holy Mother of Christ! It would bemy choice to die out yonder on the prairie, rather than stay here inthese Indian lodges. There is no peril I would not face joyfully, inan effort to escape from this place of torture and barbarity. Iconfess that an hour ago I cared not greatly what my end might be; Ihad lost heart and hope. But now your coming, as of one risen from thedead, has brought back my courage. "

"You will go, then, whenever and wherever I say?"

She stepped forward with her old frank confidence, resting both handsin mine, her eyes upon my face. 

"Out yonder in the night, and amid the sand, John Wayland, " she saidearnestly, "I remember saying I would travel with you whithersoever youwished. I know you far better now than I did then, and I hesitate notat taking upon myself the same vow. "

What power then sealed my lips, I know not. Doubtless there is a fatein such matters, yet 't is strange the light of invitation in her eyesdid not draw me to lay bare my heart. In naught else had I a drop ofcoward blood within my veins; while here I hesitated, fearful lest herpleading face might change to sudden roguishness, and she laugh lightlyat the love that held my heart in thrall. Truly, the witch had puzzledme so sorely with her caprices, her quick change of mood, her oddmixture of girlish frankness and womanly reserve, that I knew not whichmight prove the real Toinette, --the one to trust, or the one to doubt. So I stood there, clasping her soft hands in mine, my heart throbbing, yet my tongue hesitating to perform its office. But at last thehalting words came in a sudden, irrepressible rush. 

"Toinette!" I cried, "Toinette! I could forget all else, --our dangerhere, the horrors of the night just passed, the many dead outyonder, --all else but you. "

She gave a sudden startled cry, her affrighted eyes gazing across myshoulder. I wheeled, with quick intuition of dangers and there, justwithin the entrance of the tepee, the flap of which he had let fallbehind him, in grave silence stood an Indian. 

CHAPTER XXXII

THE PLEDGE OF A WYANDOT

A single glance told me who our unwelcome visitor must be. That giantbody, surmounted by the huge broad face, could belong to none otherthan the Wyandot, Sau-ga-nash, --him who had spoken for the warriors ofthis tribe before the torture-stake. He stood erect and rigid, hisstern, questioning eyes upon us, his lips a thin line of repression. With a quick movement, I thrust the girl behind me, and faced him, motionless, but with every muscle strained for action. The Indianspoke slowly, and used perfect English. 

"Ugh!" he said. "Who are you? A prisoner? Surely you cannot be thatsame Frenchman we helped entertain last night?"

"I am not the Frenchman, " I answered deliberately, vainly hoping hiswatchful eyes might wander about the lodge long enough to yield mechance for a spring at his throat, "though I was one of his party. Ionly came here to bring comfort to this poor girl. "

"No doubt she needs it, " he replied drily, "and your way is surely agood one. Yet I doubt if Little Sauk would approve it, and as hisfriend, I must speak for him in the matter. Do you say you are also aprisoner? To what chief?"

"To none, " I answered shortly, resolved now to venture all in a trialof strength. He read this decision in my eyes, and stepped backwarily. At the same instant Toinette flung her arms restraininglyabout my neck. 

"Don't, John!" she urged, using my name thus for the first time; "thesavage has a gun hidden beneath his robe!"

I saw the weapon as she spoke, and saw too the angry glint in thefellow's eye as he thrust the muzzle menacingly forward. As we stoodthus, glaring at each other, a sudden remembrance made me pause. "Sau-ga-nash"?--surely it was neither more nor less than a Wyandotexpression signifying "Englishman. " That broad face was not whollyIndian; could this be the half-breed chief of whom I had so oftenheard? 'Twas worth the chance to learn. 

"You are Sau-ga-nash?" I asked, slowly, Toinette still clinging to me, her face over her shoulder to front the silent savage. "A chief of theWyandots?"

He moved his head slightly, with a mutter of acquiescence, his eyesexpressing wonder at the question. 

"The same whom the Americans name Billy Caldwell?"

"'T is the word used by the whites. "

I drew a quick breath of relief, which caused Mademoiselle to releaseher grasp a little, as her anxious eyes sought my face for explanation. 

"Recall you a day twelve years ago on the River Raisin?" I askedclearly, feeling confident now that my words were no longer idle. "AnIndian was captured in his canoe by a party of frontiersmen who wereout to revenge a bloody raid along the valley of the Maumee. ThatIndian was a Wyandot and a chief. He was bound to a tree beside theriver bank and condemned to torture; when the leader of the rangers, aman with a gray beard, stood before him rifle in hand, and swore tokill the first white man who put flint and steel to the wood. Recallyou this, Sau-ga-nash?"

The stolid face of the listening savage changed, the expression ofrevengeful hostility merging into one of undisguised amazement. 

"That which you picture has not left my memory, " he answered gravely. 

"Nor the pledge you gave to that white captain when he brought yousafely to Detroit?" I queried, eagerly. 

"Nor the pledge. But what has all this to do here?"

"Only, Sau-ga-nash, that I am Major David Wayland's son. "

The Indian sprang forward, his eyes burning fiercely; and thinking hismovement to be hostile, I thrust the girl aside that I might be free torepel his attack. But he did not touch me, merely peering eagerly intomy face with a keen questioning look that read my every feature. 

"You have the nose and forehead, " he reflected aloud; "yes, and theeyes. Before the Great Spirit, I will redeem my pledge; a chief of theWyandots cannot lie. "

He paused, and I could mark the varied emotions that swayed him, sodeeply was he moved by this strange discovery. Unconsciously my handclasped Mademoiselle's, for now I felt that our fate hung on hisdecision. 

"'T is a hard task, Master Wayland, " he admitted at length, almostwearily, "but for your father's sake it shall be done. I see only oneway for it, and that by water. Know you anything about the managementof boats?"

"Only as I have paddled upon the Maumee, " I answered, doubtfully, "although I handled a small sail when a mere boy in the far East. "

"'T will suffice if the fair weather hold, as is likely at this season. At least it may be risked. The land trails are crowded by Indians fromfar-off tribes, hastening hither in hope of fight and spoils. Morethan a hundred came in to-day, painted for war, and angry because toolate. You could not escape encountering such parties, were you to fleeby trail eastward; nor would they show mercy to any white. TheSilver-man has returned to his home north of the river; but 't is allthat we who are friendly to him can do to keep these warriors fromattacking even there. 'T is the Indians from far away that make thetrouble; and these grow more numerous and powerful each day. We keep aguard at the house to save the Silver-man and his family; and were morewhites to seek refuge there, we should lose all control. There isstill safety at the mouth of the Saint Joseph River, and 't is thereyou must go. The venture must be made to-night, and by water. Is itknown to any Indian that you are alive and within this camp?"

"To none. "

"That is well; we can work best alone. Now listen. At midnight, Master Wayland, a boat, prepared for the trip, will await you, hiddenunder the ruins of the Agency building. The river flows under theflooring deep enough for the purpose, and I will place the boat therewith my own hand. Beyond that, all must rest upon your own skill andgood fortune. You will wait here, " and he glanced about anxiously forsome means of concealment, "lying behind those robes yonder, until thehour. "

"Here?" I questioned, thinking instantly of my duty to De Croix. "ButI would first have speech with the Frenchman. He is my friend, Sau-ga-nash. Besides, I have left my rifle in the council lodge. "

The face of the savage darkened, and his eyes gleamed ominously as theyroamed questioningly from my face to Toinette's. 

"I said you were to stay hidden here, " he answered shortly, his toneshowing anger, and his hand pointing at the robes. "Many of thesleeping Pottawattomies are again astir without, and you could not hopeto gain the council lodge undiscovered. What care I for thisFrenchman, that I should risk my life to save him? I pledge myselfonly to Major Wayland's son; and even if I aid you, it is on conditionthat you go alone. "

"Alone, say you?" and I rested my hand on Mademoiselle's shoulder. "Iwould die here, Sau-ga-nash, and by torture, before I would consent togo one step without this girl. "

The half-breed scowled at me, drawing his robe about him in haughtyindifference. 

"Then be it so, " he said mockingly. "'T is your own choice, I haveoffered redemption of my pledge. "

I started to utter some harsh words in answer; but before I couldspeak, Toinette pressed her soft palm upon my lips in protest. 

"Refuse him not, " she murmured hastily. "'T is the only chance; for mysake, do not anger him. "

What plan her quick wit may have engendered, I did not know; but Iyielded to the entreaty in her pleading eyes, and sullenly muttered thefirst conscious lie of my life. 

"I accept your terms, Sau-ga-nash, harsh as they are. "

He looked from one to the other of us, his face dark with distrust anddoubt. 

"You are not mine to dispose of, " he said sternly to the tremblinggirl, who visibly shrank from his approach, and clung once more to me. "You are prisoner to Little Sauk; nor will I release one thus held bythe Pottawattomies. They and the Wyandots are brothers. But I trustyou, and not the word of this white man. Pledge me not to go with him, and I will believe you. "

She glanced first at me, then back into the swarthy, merciless face. Her cheeks were white and her lips trembled, yet her eyes remainedclear and calm. 

"I give you my word, Sau-ga-nash, " she said quietly. "While I am heldas prisoner by Little Sauk, I will not go away with John Wayland. "

Little as I believed these words to be true at the time, the sound ofthem so dulled me with apprehension that I could only stare at her inspeechless amazement. It seemed to me then as if the power of reasonhad deserted me, as if my brain had been so burdened as to refuse itsoffice. I recall that Toinette almost compelled me to lie down againstthe farther side of the lodge, placing a pile of skins in front of meand assuming a position herself where she could occasionally reachacross the barrier and touch me with her soft hand. No doubt sherealized the struggle in my mind, for she spoke little after thedeparture of the half-breed, as if anxious to permit me to figure outthe future for myself. Little by little I faced it, and came to anirrevocable decision. It was to be Toinette or nothing. While itmight be true that she was in no immediate danger, and possibly couldbe safely ransomed if I once escaped to civilization, yet the risk ofsuch venture and delay was too great; nor would my love abide so vast asacrifice on her part. I thought to say this to her; but there was alook of firm decision in her sweet face, as her dark eyes met mine, that somehow held me silent. I felt that in her own heart she mustalready know what action I would choose, and the final moment wouldprove sufficient test for her evident determination. Reassured here, my thoughts turned to De Croix; but that was useless. I could send nomessage to him; he was no longer in especial peril, and perhaps wouldnot willingly desert his newly found wife even to escape the savages. Nay, --it was to be Toinette and I, now and forever. 

I do not clearly remember at this day what it was we spoke about in thebrief whispering that passed between us while we waited there. Neitherof us felt like voicing our real thoughts, and so we but dissembled, making commonplaces fill the gaps between our silences. The nightfound us undisturbed, and it shut down so darkly within the narrowconfines of the lodge that I lost all trace of her presence, but for anoccasional movement or the sound of her low voice. Without, therapidly increasing noise indicated a return of many savages to thecamp, until at last a fire was kindled in the open space, its red flamesending some slight illumination where we were, but not enough toreveal the interior of the lodge. An Indian brought the girl somefood, entering and leaving without uttering a sound; and we two atetogether, striving to speak lightly in order to make the coarse mealmore palatable. 

Suddenly I became aware of a faint scratching upon the skin of thelodge, at my back. At first I supposed it to be some wild animal, orpossibly a stray dog; but the regularity of it showed a purpose of somekind. Could it be De Croix? Or was it the half-breed with some secretmessage he dared not deliver openly? I lifted the lodge coveringslightly, and placed my lips to the aperture. 

"Is some one there?" I whispered cautiously. "Who is it?"

"I am Sister Celeste, " came the immediate low reply. "Are you thewhite man I guided?"

"Ay, " I answered, rejoicing at this rare good fortune, "and I beg youto listen to what I say. There will be a boat awaiting us beneath theold Agency building at midnight. You must be there with De Croix. "

"De Croix?"

"Yes; I know not if that be his name to you, but I mean the Frenchmanwhose life you saved. Will you take him thither at midnight, togetherwith the rifle I left in the council lodge?"

For a moment she did not answer. Doubtless it was a bitter strugglefor her thus to agree even to meet the man again. At last she madereply, although I could plainly mark the faltering of her voice. 

"The man of whom you speak shall be there, " she said, "unless someaccident make it impossible. "

As I drew back my head, and sat upright. Mademoiselle spokequestioningly. 

"With whom were you conversing just now, Monsieur?"

"The young woman of whom we have spoken so often, " I answeredthoughtlessly. "She has pledged herself to bring De Croix to themeeting-place. "

"Indeed!" she exclaimed, with accent so peculiar I knew not how tointerpret it. "It almost makes me desire to form one of your party. "

CHAPTER XXXIII

AN INTERVENTION OF FATE

"Form one of our party?" I echoed, believing I must have misunderstoodher words. "Surely, Mademoiselle, you cannot mean that you take yourpromise to the half-breed so seriously as voluntarily to remain incaptivity?"

"Yes, but I do, Monsieur!" and the tone in which she said it was firmwith decision. "The Indian asked my pledge in all solemnity, and hasgone away trusting to it. My conscience could never again be clear didI prove false in such a matter. You also made a pledge, even beforemine was given; was it not your purpose to abide by it?"

"No, " I answered, a bit shortly. "I merely agreed to his propositionat your expressed desire that I should, and because I believed you hadframed some plan of escape. Have you such small respect for me, Mademoiselle, as to think I could consent to leave you here alone andat the mercy of these red fiends? Have I risked my life in coming herefor no other end than this?"

I felt her reach her arm across the pile of skins lying between us, andgrasp my hand within her own. 

"But, dear friend, you must!" she said, pleadingly, her softlymodulated voice dwelling upon the words as if they came hard. "Trulyyou must, John Wayland, and for my sake as well as your own. I amcomparatively safe here, --safe at least from actual physical harm, solong as the savages dream that the sparing of my life will yield themprofit. You have no right to remain in such peril as surrounds youhere, when by so doing you benefit no one. You have father and motherawaiting in prayer your safe return to them yonder on the Maumee; whileI, --I have no one even to ask how sad my fate may be. Think you thatbecause I am a girl I must therefore be all selfishness? or that Iwould ever permit you thus to sacrifice yourself unnecessarily for me?No, no, Monsieur! I will remain prisoner to Little Sauk, for my sacredword has been pledged; and you must go, because there are others towhom your life is of value. Nor need you go empty-handed, for the oneyou have sought so far and long seems now ready enough to traveleastward with you. "

Scarcely had her voice ceased, leaving me struggling to find fit wordsto change her mad decision, when a rough hand flung back the entranceflap, and the naked body of an Indian, framed for a single instantagainst the light, lurched heavily through the opening. Even thatbrief glimpse told me the man had been drinking to excess; while forthe moment, as I huddled down closer behind my robes, I was unable tomake out his identity. 

"Where white woman?" he ejaculated gruffly, as he paused, blinded bythe darkness. "Why she not come help me?"

His quick ear evidently caught the slight rustle of the girl's skirt asshe rose hastily to her feet, for with a muttered Indian oath thesavage lurched forward. I could scarcely make out the dimmest shadowof them in the dense gloom, yet I seemed to know that he had graspedher roughly, though not the slightest sound of fear or pain came fromher lips. 

"Ugh! better come!" he muttered, a veiled savage threat growling in histone. "You my squaw; cook in my lodge; get meal now. "

"But where? and how?" she asked, her voice trembling perceptibly, yetstriving to placate him by a seeming willingness to obey. "I havenothing here to cook, nor have I fire. "

"Indian squaw no talk back!" he retorted angrily. "This way I showwhite squaw to mind chief!"

I heard plainly the brutal blow he struck her, though even as shereeled back she managed to stifle the scream upon her lips, so that itwas barely audible. With one bound I was over the barrier of robes andclutching with tingling fingers for the brute. I touched his featheredhead-dress at last, and he must have supposed me his helpless victim, for with a grunt of satisfaction he struck once again, the blow meetingmy shoulder, where he judged in the dark her face would be. 

"White squaw mind now--"

I had him gripped by the throat before he ended, and we went downtogether for a death-struggle in the darkness, from which each realizedin an instant both could never rise again. My furious grip soberedhim, and he made desperate efforts to break free, struggling vainly toutter some cry for rescue. Once I felt him groping at his waist for aknife; but I got first clasp upon its hilt, though I twisted helplesslyfor some minutes before I could loosen his hold at my wrist so as tostrike him with the blade. His teeth closed upon my hand, biting deepinto the flesh like a wildcat, and the sharp sting of it yielded me thedesperate strength I needed to wrench my hand free, and with one quickblow the knife I clutched cut deep into his side, so that I could feelthe hot blood spurt forth over my hand. I held him in a death grip, for I knew a single cry meant ruin to all our plans, until the lastbreath sped, and I knew I lay prostrate above a corpse. It had been soswift and fierce a contest that I staggered half-dazed to my feet, peering about me as if expecting another attack. I was steadiedsomewhat by the sound of a low sob from the darkness. 

"'T is well over with, Toinette, " I murmured hastily, my voicetrembling from the strain that still shook me. 

"Oh, John! John Wayland! And you are truly unhurt of the struggle?"It was scarcely her voice speaking, so agitated was it. "Have youkilled him?"

"Yes, " I answered, finding my way cautiously toward her, and speakingin whispers. "I had no other choice. It was either his life or yoursand mine. Knew you the savage?"

"It was Little Sauk, " she replied, clinging to me, and growing somewhatcalmer from my presence. "Oh, what can we do now?"

"There remains but one thing, and that is to accept the chance thatProvidence has given us. There remains no longer a shadow of excusefor your staying here, even by your own reasoning. You are no longerprisoner to Little Sauk. Your pledge has been dissolved by Fate, andit must be God's will that you go forth with me. What say you, Mademoiselle?" And I crushed her hands in mine. 

I could feel her slight form tremble as I waited her reply, andbelieved she peered across my shoulder through the darkness, imaginingshe saw the dead Indian's form lying there. 

"Do you truly wish it?" she questioned at last, as though warring withherself. "Think you she would greatly care?"

'T is a strangely perverse thing, the human mind. As there dimlydawned upon me a conception of her meaning, --a knowledge that thisseemingly heart-free girl cared enough for me to exhibit such jealousyof another, --I would not undeceive her by a word of explanation. 

"I certainly do wish it, " was my grave answer, "nor does it greatlymatter what the desire of any other may be. This is not an invitationto a ball, Mademoiselle. I beg you answer me; will you go?"

She looked toward me, wondering at my words. 

"Yes, " she said simply. "Has the time come?"

"I have no certain means of knowing; but it cannot be far from thehour, and we shall be much safer without. "

I took the Indian's knife with me, wiping the long blade upon the pileof skins, and placing it convenient to my hand within the bosom of myhunting-shirt. It was dark enough back of the lodge away from theglare of the fires, and we rested there well within the shadow, forsome time, while I scanned the surroundings and planned as best I mightour future movements. 

"Was it from dread of venturing once more upon the water that you heldback so long?" I asked her, seeking rudely to delve into the secret ofher reserve. 

"Have you ever found me of cowardly heart, Monsieur?" she questioned inreturn, parrying with quick skill, "that you should think any bodilyterror could hold me back? If I had reasons other than those alreadygiven, they were worthy ones. "

"You are not afraid of the perils before us?"

"No, " she answered; "my heart beats fast, but 't is not from fear. "

Only a few scattered lodges had been raised to the eastward of where wewere, nor did these show any signs of life. We crept forward withpainful slowness, partially hiding our movements by following ashallow, curving gully, until we had gained the extreme limits of theencampment, where we crawled out into the gloom of the surroundingprairie. Not until then did either of us venture to stand erect, oradvance with any degree of freedom. 

Directly ahead of us there was nothing by which I could safely guideour course. The flat sameness of the plain offered no landmarks, whilethe night sky was so thickly overcast as to leave no stars visible. Nor was there light of any kind, save that of the fires in the camp wehad just left. I hesitated to risk the open prairie thus unaided, lestwe should wander astray and lose much valuable time; so, although itmeasurably increased our peril of encountering parties of savages, Iturned sharply northward, keeping the bright Indian fires upon ourleft, and groping forward through the gloom toward where I knew themain branch of the river must lie. It was neither the time nor placefor speech. I held her hand closely while we moved onward silently, carefully guarding each step lest by mischance it should bringbetrayal. Once, after we had reached the river and were movingeastward again, a party of Indians passed us, coming so silently out ofthe black void, in their soft moccasins, that I had barely time to holdher motionless before they were fairly upon us. I counted nine ofthem, moving rapidly in single file, like so many black ghosts. Wewaited with wildly throbbing hearts, listening for fear others mightfollow in their trail. 

We were almost beside the walls of the factory building before eitherof us was aware of its proximity. Even then, as I lay prone on theearth and studied its dim outlines, they possessed nothing offamiliarity, for the high-pitched roof had fallen in and carried withit the greater portion of the upper walls, leaving a mere shell, shapeless and empty. I rested there, gazing at it, and wondering howbest we might proceed to find our way beneath where the boat was to bemoored, when I felt Mademoiselle's fingers press my arm warningly. Scarcely a yard away, on a ridge of higher ground, two dim figures cameto a sudden pause. 

"I perceive naught of the presence of your friends as yet, Monsieur, "spoke a soft voice, "but I will remain until certain of the outcome. "

"Then your decision is unchanged?" asked the other, in deeper accent, full of earnest pleading. "All is to be over between us from thishour? And you deliberately choose to devote your life to theredemption of these savages?"

"We have discussed all this at length, Monsieur le Marquis, as we camealong, and, as you fully know, my choice is made beyond recall. I amhere to serve you to-night, because it seems to be a duty given unto meby some strange Providence; and I have relied upon your courtesy tomake it as little unpleasant as possible. I pray you, beseech me nomore. The girl I once was lives no longer; the woman I now am has beengiven a special mission by God, too sacred to be cast aside for aughtthat earth has to offer her of happiness. We part in kindness, Monsieur, --in friendship even; but that which was once between us maynever be again. "

There was no answer; even the reckless audacity of a courtier wassilenced by that calm final dismissal. It was Mademoiselle who spokein swift whisper, her lips at my ear. 

"Speak! who is she?"

"The woman of whom you have heard so often, --the missionary in theIndian camp. "

"Yes, I know, " impatiently; "but I mean her name?"

"She calls herself Sister Celeste; I have indeed heard mention ofanother, but it abides not in my memory. "

"You deceive me, Monsieur; yet I know, and will speak with her, " wasthe quick decision. "Mother of God! 'tis a voice too dear ever to beforgotten. "

She was beside them with a step, seeming no doubt a most fair vision tobe born so instantly of the night-shadows. 

"Marie Faneuf!" she exclaimed, eagerly. "I know not by what strangefortune I meet you here, but surely you will not refuse greeting to anold friend?"

The girl drew hastily back a step, as if her first thought was flight;but ere such end could be accomplished, Mademoiselle had clasped herarm impetuously. 

"Marie!" she pleaded, "can it be possible you would flee from me?"

"Nay, " returned the other, her voice trembling painfully, as shestruggled to restrain herself. "It is not that. Dear, dear friend! Iknew you were among the few saved from Dearborn. The American huntertold me, and ever since have I tried to avoid you in the camp. 'Twasnot for lack of the old love, yet I feared to meet you. Much hasoccurred of late to make the keeping of my vow most difficult. I havebeen weak, and grievously tempted; and I felt scarce strong enough, even though protected by prayers, to withstand also my deep love foryou. "

Their voices insensibly merged into French, each speaking so rapidlyand low that I could get little meaning of it. Then I noted De Croix, half lying upon the ground, his head hidden within his hands. Withsudden remembrance of the work before us, I touched his shoulder. 

"Come below, Monsieur, and help me search for the boat, " I said, kindly, for I was truly touched by his grief. "It will help clear yourmind to have some labor to accomplish. "

"I dare not, Wayland!" he answered hoarsely, and the face he upliftedtoward me was strangely white and drawn. "I must stay with her; I darenot leave her again alone, lest she escape me once more. She is mine, truly mine by every law of the Church, --my wife, I tell you, and Iwould die here in the wilderness rather than permit her longer to doomherself to such a fate as this. "

His words and manner were so wild they startled me. Surely, in hispresent frame of mind he would prove useless on such a mission as thatbefore us. 

"Then remain here, Monsieur!" I said, "and do your best to win herconsent to accompany us. No doubt Mademoiselle will aid you all thatis in her power. "

CHAPTER XXXIV

A STUMBLE IN THE DARK

Gloomy as the hole was, there was no help for it. I could perceivenothing below, not even my hand when held within a foot of my eyes; norhad I the slightest previous knowledge of the place to guide me, evenhad not the fire ruins above effectually blocked every passage-way withfallen debris. Listening however intently, my ears could distinguishonly the faint lapping of the river as it crept about the log piling onwhich the house had been built; but beyond this dim guidance, I had tofeel my way forward with extended hands and groping feet. Swinging tomy back the rifle that De Croix had brought, and casting an inquiringglance backward at the little group huddled upon the bank, almostinvisible even at that short distance, I grasped the piling nearest meand slid down into the unknown darkness. 

My feet found solid earth, although as I reached out toward the left mymoccasin came in contact with water, which told me at once that only anarrow path divided the steep bank of the excavation from theencroaching river. The floor above was originally low, so that I couldeasily touch the heavy supporting beams; and I had felt my way scarcelya yard before coming in contact with a serious obstruction, where theweakened floor had sagged so as almost to close the narrow passage. This caused me to wade farther out into the water, testing each stepcarefully as I followed the sharp curving of the shore-line. I had nofear of meeting any living enemy within that silent cave, my sole doubtbeing as to whether the half-breed chief had fulfilled his promise andbrought the boat, my gravest anxiety to discover it early and get myparty safely away before the Indian encampment learned the truth. 

I must have reached the apex of the little cove, moving so cautiouslythat not a ripple of the water revealed my progress, and feeling foreach inch of way like a blind man along city streets, when my kneesuddenly struck some obstacle, and seeking to learn what it might be, Imuttered a silent prayer of thanksgiving as I touched the unmistakablesides of a boat. It was a lumping, awkward craft, rudely fashioned, yet of a seeming length of keel and breadth of beam that set my heartbeating with new joy, as I wondered if it was not the same craft inwhich the Kinzie family put forth upon the lake the morning of themassacre. This seemed very likely, for there could hardly be two suchboats at hand, where the Indian water-craft were slender, fragilecanoes, poorly fitted for serious battle with lake waves. Doubtlessthis was the only vessel Sau-ga-nash could find suitable for theventure, or he would never have chosen it for the use of a single man, as it was of a size to require the services of several paddles. Yetthe thought meant much; for this very lack of water-craft was likely torender pursuit by the baffled savages impossible, if only once we gotfairly away from the shore. 

With these reflections driving swiftly through my brain, I ran one handhastily along the thwarts of the boat, seeking to discover if paddleshad been provided, or even a sail of any kind. I touched a coil ofrope, a rude oar-blade so broad as to seem unwieldy, a tightly rolledcloth, --and then my groping fingers rested on the oddest-feeling thingthat ever a startled man touched in the dark. It was God's mercy I didnot cry out from the sudden nervous fit that seized me. The thing Itouched had a round, smooth, creepy feeling of flesh about it, so thatI believed I fingered a corpse; until it began to turn slowly under myhand like a huge ball, the loose skin of it twitching yet revealing nohuman features to my touch. Saint Andrew! but it frightened me! Iknew not what species of strange animal it might prove to be, norwhence its grip or sting might come. Yet the odd feeling of it wasstrangely fascinating, --I could not let it go; the damp flesh-like skinseemed to cling to my fingers in a horrible sort of magnetism thatbound me prisoner, the cold perspiration of terror bursting from everypore, even as my other hand, trembling and unnerved, sought in my shirtfor the knife of Little Sauk. 

As I gripped the weapon, the thing began to straighten out, coming upin the quick odd jerks with which some snakes uncoil their joints afterthe torpidity of winter. My hand, finding naught to grasp, slippedfrom the smooth round ball, and as it fell touched what seemed an ear, and then a human nose. 

"Merciful God! 't is a man!" I gasped, in astonishment and yet relief, as I closed upon his throat, madly determined to shut off his windbefore he could give alarm. 

"Cuss the luck!" he gasped hoarsely, and I let go of him, scarcely ableto ejaculate in my intense surprise at that familiar voice. 

"Burns? For Heaven's sake, Burns! can this indeed be you?"

For an instant he did not speak, doubtless as greatly perplexed as I atthe strange situation. 

"If ye 're Injun, " he ventured at last gravely, "then I 'm a bloodyghost; but if by any chance ye 're the lad, Wayland, which yer voicesounds like, then it's Ol' Tom Burns as ye 're a-maulin' 'round, whichseems ter be yer specialty, --a-jumpin' on unoffensive settlers in thedark, an' a-chokin' the life outer them. "

The growling tone of his voice was growing querulous, and it wasevident that his temper, never quite childlike, had not been greatlyimproved by his late experiences as an Indian captive. 

"But Burns, old friend!" I persisted heartily, my courage returned oncemore, "it was surely enough to stir any man to violence to encountersuch a thing in the dark! What in Heaven's name has happened to leaveyou with such a poll? What has become of your hair and beard? Istheir loss a part of Indian torture?"

There was a low chuckle in the darkness, as if the old rascal werelaughing to himself. 

"Injun nuthin!" he returned with vehemence. "Thet 's jist my way ofsarcumventin' the bloody varmints. I shaved the hull blame thing soonas ever they let me loose, an' then played loony, till thar ain't noInjun 'long the shore as 'd tech me fer all the wampum in the Illinicountry. 'T ain't the fust time I saved my scalp by some sech derntrick. I tell ye, it 's easy 'nough ter beat Injuns if ye only knowhow. By snakes! I 'm sacred, I am, --specially teched by the GreatSpirit. I tell ye, ter be real loony is dern nigh as good in an Injuncamp as ter hev red hair like thet thar little Sister Celeste with thePottawattomies. She knows her business, you bet; an' so does Ol' Burnsknow hisn!"

His mention of her name instantly recalled me to the little groupwaiting above us, and doubtless already worried at my prolonged absence. 

"Burns, " I interrupted, "this is no time for reminiscences. I am hereseeking some means of escape out of this place of horror. What wereyou doing down here?"

"Sorter contemplatin' a sea v'yage, " he said, dryly. "'T wasrec'mended by my doctor fer the growth o' my har. So, snoopin' 'roundyere in the dark, an' not over fond o' Injun com'any, I found this yereboat. Jest got in ter see how 't was fixed, when ye jumped downyonder. Reckon I 'd kinder like ter wet 'er up an' see wot she 'slike. "

"Good! so would I. This boat was placed here for that very purpose. Now listen. The young woman you just mentioned, that Indian missionarywith the auburn hair, is above yonder, together with another youngwhite girl rescued from the massacre, and the Frenchman, De Croix. Wehave come here, on pledge of a half-breed chief that this boat would beready for our escape. And we have no time to waste, for we may befollowed at any moment. "

"They ain't seen ye stealin' outer the camp?"

"No, but in doing it I was compelled to kill Little Sauk, and theothers may find his body at any time. "

For a moment the sly old borderer made no response, and I knew he wasquietly turning over the complicated situation in his own mindpreparatory to intelligent action. I heard him step from the boat intothe shallow water. 

"All right, lad! I understand, " he said heartily, his formerindifference vanished. "Derned if I wouldn't jist as soon leave thatParley-Voo behind; but I 'm with ye, an' I reckon Ol' Burns 'll givethem thar redskins another dern good jolt. Take hold here, boy, an' we'll run this yere man-o-war outside, where we kin ship the rest o' hercrew. "

The back-water rippling among the old piling was shallow, but the boathad little aboard and floated free, so that we worked it forward withlittle difficulty until we succeeded in rounding the slight promontoryand held its bulging sides close against the mud wall. Leaving Burnsto keep it in place, I crept silently up the bank. 

"Come!" I whispered, making my way to the side of Mademoiselle more byinstinct than sight. "The boat we sought is here and ready! I haveeven found a boatman to aid us, in the form of Ol' Burns, who, youremember, aided De Croix and me at the time of our famous race. Let uswaste no more of the night here, but do the rest of your talking ingreater safety on the water. "

They came with me down to the edge of the stream without a word ofprotest. I had taken Mademoiselle in my arms and lifted her slightform into the boat, when she turned suddenly, as it by anunrestrainable impulse, and held out her hands toward the dim figure ofthe silent girl who yet remained motionless several feet away. 

"Marie!" she said, anxiously, "it may be wrong of me to urge it, but Ibeg you to think again in this grave matter. Surely such horriblemassacre as you have witnessed must absolve you from your vow, andyield you freedom to return eastward with those you love. "

The other did not respond to this passionate appeal, but stood facingus silent as a statue. 

"What mean you, Mademoiselle?" I asked. "Will not this Sister Celesteconsent to leave the Indians?"

"Nay, she has made a sacred vow of religion which binds her to thissacrifice. I implore you, John Wayland, urge her to go with us! 'T isbut waste of her life here. She is an old schoolmate of mine, and 'twill be hard to leave her alone in this wilderness. Captain de Croix, she was far from being a stranger to you in those other days atMontreal, --will you not add your entreaties to ours?"

I saw him step forward toward that quiet bowed figure, and shestraightened perceptibly, even in the darkness, as he drew near. Hiswords were in French, and spoken so low I missed their meaning; yet weall heard plainly her calm answer, while marking the faltering accentsof her lips. 

"Dear, dear friend!" and I felt her eyes, blinded by tears, wereseeking out Mademoiselle through the gloom, "it breaks my heart toanswer you nay in this hour of sore trial to us both. Yet my vow toGod is more sacred than any earthly friendship; nor could peace everagain abide in my heart were I to break the vow so lightly. My duty ishere, be it for life or death; and here I must abide until the Mastersets me free. "

Then, addressing De Croix, she continued sadly, "No, Monsieur, thesense of duty that presses upon me and yields me such strength isbeyond your comprehension. I bid you go back to that world of lightand gaiety you have always loved so fondly, and think no more of me. To you I am, even as you have supposed, a dead woman, yet happier farin this sad exile than I ever was in that gilded social cage where menlaugh while they break the hearts that trust them. My Indians areindeed cruel, but there is a deeper cruelty than that of bloodshed, andI prefer the open savagery of the woods and plains to things I haveknown in city life. So it must be good-bye, Monsieur!"

I was looking directly at her when she uttered these last words ofdismissal, yet as she ended she vanished into the black night beyond, Iknew not how. A moment before, two figures had been standing there, DeCroix's and hers; and although my eyes never once wavered, suddenlythere remained but one, that of De Croix, peering forward with bentbody as if he also knew not how or when the girl had vanished from hisside. I was staring yet, half believing it was but a trick of my eyes, when suddenly, like phantoms from the mist, a half-dozen naked figurestopped the high bank before me. It was the work almost of a second. Icaught Burns's low cry of warning from where he sat watching within theboat. 

"Run!" I shouted to De Croix. "To the boat, quick! The savages areupon us!"

He made no motion, and I grasped him. Rarely have I laid so heavy ahand on one in friendship; but I lifted him from off his feet and flunghim bodily into the boat's bottom, scarce waiting till he struck beforeI had my shoulder against the stern to send the craft free from shore. I know not what mischance caused it, whether I slipped upon a stone ortripped over a hidden root; but as I shoved the boat far out into thedark current of the river, instead of springing after it, as I hadmeant to do, I toppled and plunged headlong down at the edge of thestream. 

CHAPTER XXXV

THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE

What followed was long a famous story on the border, and I have evenread it written out most carefully in books purporting to tell thehistory of those troublous times. None of them have it as I recall thedetails of the incident, although it all occurred so rapidly that Imyself can hardly tell just how 't was done. 

I know that I scrambled again to my knees, resting half in the water, my purpose being to fling myself into the river in an effort to regainthe boat. But it was already out of sight in the dense gloom, whilenot the slightest sound reached me for guidance. Beyond this, I had notime for much save action. Above me, upon the high bank not threeyards away, I saw several Indian forms peering over; and then others, three or four, I am uncertain which, sprang lightly down within a yardof where I crouched in waiting. 

My father gave me a frontier maxim once, which ran, "If you must fight, strike first, and strike hard. " The words flashed in my memory, and Iput them to the test straightway. These prowling savages wereapparently unaware of my predicament; their sole thought was with theboat floating away lakeward down the stream. At all cost, they must beblocked in any purpose of pursuit. These were the thoughts that dartedthrough my brain like fire through stubble. How many opposed me, howdesperate would be the struggle, were matters of which I did not stopto think. I could at least busy them until the fugitives were safe;after that, it was God's affair, and theirs. My rifle was wet anduseless from my recent tumble; but before the group at the water's edgeeven saw me I was fairly upon them, striking fiercely with my gunstock, and two savages went down, shrieking from pain and surprise, before somuch as a return blow reached me. 

It was not a noisy battle; from the outset it was too fierce and rapidfor any waste of breath. Never did I need my strength of body more, nor did the long training of my father come in better play. I madethat long rifle-barrel both club and sword, knife and axe in one, striking, thrusting, clubbing, in the mad fury with which desperationbids a man battle for his life. I had no thought to live, but wasdetermined that if I went down to earth many a painted savage shouldlie there with me. The enshrouding darkness proved a friendly help;for as I backed in closer against the bank, I gained a fair view of myopponents, while keeping myself more hidden. Again and again theycharged upon me, joined now by the others from above; but the circlingiron I swung with tireless arms formed a dead-line no leaping Indianburst through alive. 

Once a hurtling tomahawk half buried itself in my shoulder; a longknife, thrown by a practised hand, pierced the muscles of my thigh, andstuck there quivering, till I struck it loose; and twice they fired atme, the second shot tearing the flesh of my side, searing it like fire. Yet I scarcely realized I was touched, so fiercely was the battle-bloodnow coursing through my veins, so intense the joy with which I crushedthem back. I grew delirious, feeling the rage to slay sweep over me asnever before, giving me the crazed strength of a dozen men, until Ilost all sense of defensive action, and sprang forth into their midstas might an avenging thunderbolt from the black sky. Never had I swungflail in peaceful border contest as I did that murderous iron bar inthe dark of the river-shore, driving them back foot by foot against thehigh bank which held them helpless victims of my wrath. I struck againand again, my teeth set together in bulldog tenacity, my breath comingin gasps, the streaming blood from a deep cut over my eyes halfblinding me, yet guided by fierce instinct to find and smite my foes. I trod on limp bodies, on writhing forms, and felt my weapon clashagainst iron rifle barrels and clang upon uplifted steel; but nothingstopped me, --no cry of terror, no plea for mercy, no clutching hand, nodeadly numbing blow. 

God knows the story of that fight, --how long it lasted, by what miracle't was won. To me it is--and was--little more than a dim haze ofstrange leaping figures, of fierce dark faces, of maddened cries ofhate, of uplifted hands, of dull-clashing weapons. I seemed to see itall through a red fog whence the blood dripped, and I lostconsciousness of everything save my unswerving duty to strike harduntil I fell. At last out from the maelstrom of that wild mêlée but asingle warrior seemed to face me; and some instinct of the fight causedme to draw back a pace and wipe the obscuring blood away, that I mightsee him better. It came to me that this was to be the end, --the finalduel which was to decide that midnight battle. He and I were therealone; and the stars bursting through the clouds gave me faint view ofhim, and of those dark, silent forms that lined the shore where theyhad fallen. 

A chief, a Pottawattomie, --this much I knew even in that hasty shroudedglance. Writers of history affirm my opponent was Peesotum, the samefierce warrior whose cruel hand slew the brave Captain Wells andwrenched his still beating heart from out the mutilated body. All Irealized then were his broad sinewy shoulders, his naked brawny body, his eyes ablaze with malignant hate. He was the first to close, hiswild cry for vengeance piercing the still night; and before I knew it, the maddened savage was within the guard of my rifle-barrel, and wewere locked in the stern grapple of death. 

It was knife to knife, our blades gleaming dull in the dim light of thestars, each man gripping the up-lifted wrist of the other, puttingforth each last reserve of strength, each cunning trick of fence, tobreak free and strike the ending blow. Back and forth we strove, straining like two wild animals, our moccasined feet slipping on thewet earth, our muscles strained, and sinews cracking with intensity ofeffort, our breath coming in labored gasps, our bodies tense asbow-strings. Such merciless strain could not endure forever, and, strong as I was in those young days, the savage was far stronger andless exhausted by the struggle, so that inch by inch he pressed mebackward, battling like a demon, until I could see the cruel gleam ofhis eyes as I gave slowly down. It was God who saved me, for as I fellI struck the sharp shelving of the bank, and the quick stoppage swungthe savage to one side and below me, so that, even as he gave vent toan exulting yell of triumph, wrenching his hand loose from my weakeningclasp to strike the death-blow, I whirled and forced him downward, hisface buried in the stream. 

Those who write history say the rescuing warriors discovered him alive. I know not; but this I swear, --I held him there until every struggleceased, until answering yells from the westward told me others werealready close at hand, and then, breathless and trembling from thestruggle, blinded by blood and faint from wounds, I sprang forward intothe night-shadows, dimly conscious that my sole hope for escape laylakeward. I ran but feebly at first, skirting the partially destroyedstockade of the old Fort, with its litter of debris, and stumblingconstantly in the darkness over the obstructions that lined the riverbank. As my breath returned, and I somewhat cleared my eyes of blood, I saw better; and at last ran from the darker soil on to the white sandof the beach. 

There were now many stars in the sky, with the moon struggling feeblyto break through the haze; but to my anxious glance nothing was visibleupon, the water. Surely the boat must have floated to the river-mouthby this time, --surely the force of the current would have accomplishedthat; nor was it likely that Ol' Burns would draw far away from shoreuntil assured of my fate. The wild shouting told me that savages fromthe camp had already found their dead. A moment more would place themon my trail, hot for revenge; and there was no course left me but totake the water, before their keen eyes found me out. I waded out, seeking thus to get far enough from shore to baffle their search, whensuddenly a quick spark of light winked from the blackness in front ofme. Surely it could be nothing less than a signal, the swift stroke offlint on steel, --no doubt in the faint hope it would prove a beacon tome in my need. 

Desperate as the chance was, it was still a chance, and to my mind theonly one. I glanced behind; a dim figure or two dotted the white sand, and my heart lifted a silent prayer to God for guidance. A secondlater I was beyond my depth, breasting the unknown waters, swimmingsteadily toward the place where that mysterious spark had glimmered. Once again it flashed, the barest glimpse of light through the intensegloom; and I pressed on with new vigor, certain now it was a realbeacon. But I was so weakened by wounds and spent from exertion, andsuch desperate work is swimming fully clad, that my progress provedslow; and twice I was compelled to pause, paddling slowly on my back, in the buffeting of the waves, in order to gain strength to renew thestruggle. I almost lost heart in the black loneliness, as the swirlingwater swept me back and confused me with its ever-tossing motion. OnceI went down from sheer weakness, choking in a cloud of spray that sweptmy face; and doubtless I should have let the struggle end in despaireven then, had not the spark leaped up once more through the deep haze;and this time so close was it that my ears caught the clashing of theflint and steel. 

With the new hope of life thus given me, I pushed grimly forward, usingthe silent Indian stroke that never tires, my eyes at the surface levelwhere the light of the moon glimmered feebly. At last I saw it, --theblack lumpy shadow of the boat. I must have splashed a little in myweakness and excitement, for I plainly perceived the figure of a manhastily leap to his feet, with an oar-blade uplifted threateninglyabove his head. 

"Don't strike, Burns!" I managed to cry aloud. "It's Wayland. "

The next moment, with scarce so much as a breath remaining in mybattered body, I laid hand upon the boat's side, and clung therepanting and well-nigh spent. I felt his hands pressed under my arms, and then, with the exercise of his great strength, he drew me steadilyup, inch by inch, until I topped the rail, and fell forward into thebottom of the boat. An instant I rested thus, with tightly closedeyes, my head reeling, my breath coming in sobs of pain, every muscleof my strained body throbbing in misery. Scarcely conscious of whatwas being done about me, I could still realize that arms touched myneck, that my head was gently lifted to a softer resting-place, andthat a hand, strangely tender, brushed back from my forehead the wettangled hair. The touch was thrilling; and I unclosed my wearied eyes, looking up into the sympathetic face of Mademoiselle. The faintmoonlight rested upon it gently, touching her crown of hair withsilver; and within the dark depths of her eyes I read clearly themessage I had waited for so long. 

"Toinette!" I murmured, half conscious. 

She bowed her head above me, and I felt a sudden plash of tears thatcould not be restrained. 

"Do not try to speak now, John!" she whispered softly, her finger at mylips. "I can only thank the good God who has brought you back to me. "

I made no effort to say more; I could only lie in silence and gaze upat her, pressing the hands resting so frankly within my own. Indeed, we needed no words in that hour; our hearts had spoken, andthenceforward we were one. 

Suddenly the heavy boat lurched beneath us, to some quick impetus thatsent a shudder through every inch of it; and I heard a heavy splashalongside, which instantly brought me upright, anxiously grasping therail. 

"May Heaven help him!" cried Burns excitedly, and pointing out at theblack waters. "The Frenchman has gone overboard!"

"Overboard?" I echoed, striving to regain my feet. "Did he fall?"

"Fall? No; it was a dive off the back seat here. Save me! but he wentinto it like a gull. "

We sought for him long and vainly, peering over those dark swirlingwaters, calling his name aloud, and striking flint on steel in hope toguide him by the spark. Nothing appeared along the rolling surface, noanswering cry came from the black void; De Croix had disappeared intothe depths, as desperate men go down to death. Suddenly, as I leanedover, sick at heart, peering into the dimness, Toinette drew near andtouched me softly. 

"Let us not mourn, " she said, in strange quietness. "No doubt 't isbetter so. "

"How?" I questioned, shocked at her seemingly heartless words. "Surelyyou cannot rejoice at such a loss?"

"'T is not a loss, " she answered firmly, and the soft moon-rays werewhite upon her face. "He has only gone back to her we left behind; itwas the beckoning hand of love that called him through the waters. Nowit is only ours to pray that he may find her. "

CHAPTER XXXVI

IN THE NEW GRAY DAWN

My anxious glance wandered from the face I so dearly loved, out wherethose dark restless waters merged into the brooding mystery of theblack night. How unspeakably dreary, lonely, hopeless it all was!Into what tragic unknown fate had this earliest comrade of my manhoodbeen remorselessly swept? Was all indeed well with him? or had theNemesis of a wrong once done dealt its fatal stroke at last? Thevoices of the night were silent; the chambers of the great tossing seahid their secret well. Had this gallant and reckless young soldier ofFrance, this petted courtier of the gayest court in Europe, whose veryname and rank I knew not, succeeded in his desperate deed? Had hereached yonder blood-stained shore, lined with infuriated savages, andfound safe passage through them to the side of the woman he had oncecalled wife, and then forgotten? Or had he found, instead, the solemnpeace of death, amid the swirling waters of this vast inland sea, somany leagues to the westward of that sunny land he loved? These werethe thoughts that shook me, as I leaned out above the rail, her dearhand always on my shoulder. Never have the circling years found voice, nor the redeemed wilderness made answer. 

"Possibly it might be done, " I admitted slowly. "'T is scarce fartherthan I swam just now, and he is neither weary nor wounded. "

We all realised it was a useless peril to remain there longer, and Isat at the helm and watched, while Burns, who developed considerableknowledge in such matters, fitted the heavy sail in place. With theNorth Star over the water for our guidance, I headed the blunt nose ofthe boat due eastward into the untracked waters. 

I confess that my memory was still lingering upon De Croix, and my eyesturned often enough along our foam-flecked wake in vague wonderment athis fate. It was Mademoiselle who laid hand softly on my knee at last, and aroused my attention to her. 

"Why did you tell Sister Celeste that you came to Dearborn seeking ElsaMatherson?" she questioned, her clear eyes intently reading my face. 

"I had even forgotten that I mentioned it, " I answered, surprised atthis query at such a time. "But it is strictly true. While upon hisdeath-bed Elsa Matherson's father wrote to mine, --they were oldcomrades in the great war, --and I was sent hither to bring the orphangirl eastward. I sought her as a brother might seek a sister he hadnever seen, Mademoiselle; yet have failed most miserably in my mission. "

"How failed?"

"In that I have found no trace of the girl, and beyond doubt sheperished in the massacre. I know not how, but I have been strangelybaffled and misled from the first in my search for her, and it was allto no purpose. "

For the first time since I had fallen dripping into the boat, a slightsmile was visible in the dark eyes fronting me. 

"Why hid you from me with such care the object of your search?"

"I hid nothing, Mademoiselle. We spoke together about it often. "

"Ay, indeed you told me you sought a young girl, and your words led meto think at first it must be Josette, and later still the Indianmissionary. But not once did you breathe the name of the girl in myears. The dwellers at Dearborn were neither so many nor so strange tome that I could not have aided you in your search. "

"You knew this Elsa Matherson?"

"I am not so sure of that, Master Wayland. " she returned gravely, hereyes wandering into the night. "Once I thought I did, but she haschanged so greatly in the last few days that I am hardly sure. A younggirl's life is often filled with mystery, and there are happenings thatturn girlhood to womanhood in a single hour. Love has power to changethe nature as by magic, and sorrow also has a like rare gift. Do youstill greatly wish to find this Elsa Matherson?"

"To find her?" and I gazed about me incredulously into those flittingshadows where the waves raced by. "Ay, for I have dreamed of her as ofa lost sister, and it will sadly grieve those at home to have me returnthus empty-handed. Yet the thought is foolishness, Mademoiselle, and Iunderstand not why you should mock me so. "

She drew closer, in the gentle caressing way she had, and found mydisengaged hand, her sweet face held upward so that I could mark everychanging expression. 

"Never in my useless life was I farther removed from any spirit ofmockery, " she insisted, soberly; "for never before have I seen thepresence of God so clearly manifest in His mysterious guidance of men. You, who sought after poor Elsa Matherson in this wilderness, lookingperchance for a helpless orphan child, have been led to pluck me insafety out from savage hands, and yet never once dreamed that in doingso you only fulfilled your earlier mission. "

I stared at her, grasping with difficulty the full significance of herspeech. 

"Your words puzzle me. "

"Nay, they need not, " and I caught the sudden glitter of tears on herlashes; "for I am Elsa Matherson. "

"You? you?" and I crushed her soft hand within my fingers, as I peeredforward at the quickly lowered face. "Why, you are French, Mademoiselle, and of a different name!"

She glanced up now into my puzzled face, a bit shyly, yet with some ofthe old roguishness visible in her eyes. 

"My mother was indeed French, but my father was an American soldier, "she said rapidly, as if eager to have the explanation ended. "Younever asked my name, save that one night when we first met amid thesand, and then I gave you only that by which I have been most widelyknown. None except my father ever called me Elsa; to all others I wasalways Toinette. But I am Roger Matherson's only child. "

It was clear enough now, and the deception had been entirely my own, rendered possible by strange chances of omission, by rare negligence ofspeech--aided by my earlier impression that she whom I sought was amere child. 

"And 't was Sister Celeste who told you whom I sought?" I asked, forlack of courage to say more. 

"Yes, to-night, while we waited for you beside the ruins of the oldfactory. Oh, how far away it all seems now!" and she pointed backwardacross the voters. "Poor, poor girl! Poor Captain de Croix! Oh, itis all so sad, so unutterably sad to me! I knew them both so well, Monsieur, " and she rested her bowed head upon one hand, staring outinto the night, and speaking almost as if to herself alone; "yet Inever dreamed that he was a nobleman of France, or that he had marriedMarie Faneuf. She was so sweet a girl then, --and now to be buriedalive in that wilderness! Think you that he truly loved her?"

"I almost have faith that he did, Mademoiselle, " I answered gravely. "He was greatly changed from his first sight of her face, though he wasa difficult man to gauge in such matters. There was a time when Ibelieved him in love with you. "

She tossed her head. 

"Nay, " she answered, "he merely thought he was, because he found mehard to understand and difficult of conquest; but 't was little morethan his own vanity that drew him hither. I trust it may be the deeperfeeling that has taken him back now in face of death to Marie. "

"You have indeed proved hard to understand by more than one, " Iventured, for in spite of her graciousness the old wound rankled. "Ithas puzzled me much to understand how you so gaily sent me forth to amission that might mean death, to save this Captain de Croix. "

It was a foolish speech, and she met it bravely, with heightened colorand a flash of dark eyes. 

"'T was no more than the sudden whim of a girl, " she answered quickly, "and regretted before you were out of sight. Nor did I dream you wouldmeet my conditions by such a sacrifice. "

"You showed small interest as you stood on the stockade when we wentforth!"

"You mean when Captain de Croix and I leaned above the easternpalisades?"

"Ay, not once did your eyes wander to mark our progress. "

Her eyes were smiling now, and her face archly uplifted. 

"Indeed, Master Wayland, little you know of the struggles of my heartduring that hour. Nor will I tell you; for the secrets of a girl mustbe her own. But I marked each step you took onward toward the Indiancamp, until the night hid you, --the night, or else the gathering tearsin my eyes. "

The sudden yawing of the boat before a gust of wind drew my thoughtelsewhere, and kept back the words ready upon my tongue. When oncemore I had my bearings and had turned back the plunging bow, she satsilent, deep in thought that I hesitated to disturb. Soon I noted herhead droop slightly to the increased movement of the boat. 

"You are worn out!" I said tenderly. "Lean here against me, and sleep. "

"Indeed, I feel most weary, " was her drowsy reply. "Yes, I will restfor a few moments. "

How clear remains the memory of those hours, while I sat watchful ofthe helm, her head resting peacefully on my lap, and all about us thoselonely tossing waters! What a mere chip was our boat in the midst ofthat desolate sea; how dark and dreary the changeless night shadows!Over and over again I pictured the details of each scene I have hereset forth so poorly, to dream at the end of a final homecoming whichshould not be alone. It was with heart thankful to God, that I watchedthe slow stealing upward of the gray dawn as the early rays of lightcrept toward us across the heaving of the waters. It was typical ofall I had hoped, --this, and the black shadows fleeing away into thewest. Brighter and brighter grew the crimsoning sky over the boat'sbow, where Burns lay sleeping, until my eyes could distinguish afar-off shore-line heavily crowned with trees. I thought to rouse herto the glorious sight; but even as I glanced downward into the fairyoung face, her dark eyes opened in instant smile of greeting. 

"'T is the morning, " she said gladly, "and that dark, dark night haspassed away. "

"For ever, Mademoiselle; and there is even a land of promise to be seenout yonder!"

She sat up quickly, shading her eyes with her hand as she gazed witheagerness toward where I pointed. 

"Think you we shall find shelter and friends there?"

"The half-breed chief said there were yet white settlers upon the SaintJoseph, Mademoiselle; and the mouth of that river should be easilyfound. "

She turned toward me, a slight frown darkening her face. 

"I wish you would not call me Mademoiselle, " she said slowly. "It isas if we were still mere strangers; and you said Elsa Matherson was tobe as your sister. "

I bent over her suddenly, all my repressed love glowing in my face. 

"Toinette!" I whispered passionately, "I would call you by a dearername than that, --by the dearest of all dear names if I might, for youhave won my heart in the wilderness. "

For a single instant she glanced shyly up into my face, her own crimsonat my sudden ardor. Her eyes drooped and hid themselves behind theirlong lashes. 

"Those who sent you forth seeking a sister might not thus wish towelcome Elsa Matherson, " she said softly. 

"'Tis a venture I most gladly make, " I insisted, "and would seal itwith a kiss. "

Her eyes flashed up at me, full of sudden merriment. 

"The unpaid wager leaves me helpless to resist, Monsieur. "

 * * * * * *

The soft haze of Indian summer rested over the valley of the Maumee. We rode slowly along the narrow winding trail that hugged the riverbank; for our journey had been a long one, and the horses were wearied. Burns was riding just in advance of Toinette and me, his cap pulled lowover his eyes, his new growth of hair standing out stiff and blackbeneath its covering. Once he twisted his seamed face about in time tocatch us smiling at his odd figure, and growled to himself as he kickedat his horse's flanks. 

It was thus we rounded the bend and saw before us the little clearingwith the cabin in the centre of its green heart. At sight of it myeyes grew moist and I rested my fingers gently upon the white hand thatlay against her saddle-pommel. 

"Fear not, dear heart!" I whispered tenderly. 

"It is home for both alike, and the welcome of love awaits you as wellas me. "

She glanced up at me, half shyly as in the old way, and there was amist of tears clinging to the long lashes. 

"Those who love you, John, I will love, " she said solemnly. 

It was Rover who saw us first, and came charging forth with savagegrowl and ruffled fur, until he scented me, and changed his fiercenessinto barks of frantic welcome. Then it was I saw them, even as when Ilast rode forth, my father seated in his great splint chair, my motherwith her arm along the carved back, one hand shading her eyes as shewatched our coming. 

This is not a memory to be written about for stranger eyes to read, butas I turned from them after that first greeting, their glances wereupon her who stood waiting beside me, so sweet and pure in her youngwomanhood. 

"And this, my son?" questioned my father kindly. "We would bid herwelcome also; yet surely she cannot be that little child for whose sakewe sent you forth?"

I took her by the hand as we faced them. 

"You sent me in search of one whom you would receive even as your ownchild, " I answered simply. "This is Roger Matherson's daughter, andthe dear wife of your son. "

What need have I to dwell upon the love that bade her welcome? And soit was that out of all the suffering and danger, --forth from the valleyof the shadow of death, --Toinette and I came home.