Newspapers / The News-Record (Marshall, N.C.) / July 31, 1914, edition 1 / Page 7
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) I V- I THE NEWS-RECORD, MARSHALL, I NORTH CAROLINA. PANDAIX PARRI5H K-S3 iTTTTCTnTm t.rv TT A17TM t t t CHAPTER XXIII Continued. I stood before him, stunned and be wildered by his obstinacy. "Am I to understand, Genera St Clair, that you question the accuracy of my report?" -No, sir!" His cheeks - flushed. "Only, my young friend, there Is noth- Ing to It. Thle expedition Is not in iftrcmtari tn what Hamilton Is doing on the Maumee. He doesn't dare attack ns with his mongrel savages. If he did we'd give htm a belly full, and a fine story to send back to England. Come, , gentlemen, let's get to more serious affairs. You may go, sir." , I' passed out, dazed, unseeing. So ' this was the man in whose hands rest ed the fate of the northwest. This was the end of my toll and suffering; this the reward for Brady's death. He had sneered at me, turned me away with a laugh. For a moment I stood shaking from Bead to toot; then hot '' anger seized me, and brought me back to life. By heaven! he would learn yet which of us was the fool. CHAPTER XXIV. i The Battle on the Wabash. He had not even assigned me to service: simply turned me adrift to go where I pleaeed. This Implied insult cut me to the quick, yet, now that I had taken the measure of the man, 1 cared little enough for his good opin ion. Very well. I would choose my own service then I would go back to Oldham and his Kentucky militia. He was of fighting blood, if his face spoke truth, and hie command was stationed where they would feel the first s&ock ' ' of attack whenever It came. ' ; Oldham received me gladly, and about the fire that night Ij told of my reception by St Clair. "Well. I warned yer. Hay ward," the colonel commented. ' chuckling. "I know the bullet-headed old fooL I reckon he'll know more about Injuns . a pr . . v. 1 .J Wl- in a Gay or iwo. iuiu yer ue ubu uis scouts out did heT Why, man, there len't one of 'em been ten miles from the column since we began this march Isn't that so, captain t The old cock doesn't know tonight what's goln' on two hundred yards ahead of his out posts." He got up, and Btretched out his arms. "And so, gentlemen, we march' for the Miami towns In the 'morning. Old Cock-a-doodle-doo says so. I'll wager a year's pay we never get there. Whatl no ' takers T ' '. well I'm going to bed." I ; 1 Why should I attempt to describe that drear battle on the east fork of the Wabash? Many another has done It already, yet few tell the story as I remember if - We were up at-dawn, but for no purpose, so far as I could see, unless It was to Idle through a leisurely The Cursed Hound; So You Were a Prlsoneri", breakfast I had finished mine, and waa smoking, cuddled close to the Are. when the storm broke. Our outposts could not have been a hundred, yards m advance, or else they ran without firing a shot tor the red devils burst on n without slightest warning." I heard a hoarse shout of alarm, then whoops and yells, such as would strike terror to the bravest I was on my ft. grinning my gun In an instant I saw Oldham leap forward, roaring nt an order then they came, pouring vat of the woods into the open, a mass of shrieking demona, half obscured in smoke, their rifles spitting fire.' The man beside me went down in a heap: Oldham flung up his arms and toppled ' over; I saw men stare, then turn and ran. naering back over their shoulders with eyes- full of horror. I threw up my rifle and fired; sprang back, racing tar a tree. loading as I ran.. Men wra eveiy where, a frightened, scream In mob. I saw officers strike them with their swords, cursing them ae miHl But nothing could stop the panic; they fought to get away, they truck with-cltncned lists, tney oat. tered a oath for themselves with -Jubed muskets: they became fiends from terror, every semblance of men Wit. Cod! may I never see suck a 1LJLUJ 1 luvl LI OT J- Ci. l COPYttGTtr A.C.WCUPQ &.CO.tJtt sight again! write of It Mv hand trembles as I Into that terror-stricken, fleeing mob the naked warriors came, hacking with tomahawks, slashing with knives, oav tering with clubbed guns, me snow was red with blood, covered with dead bodies. It was massacre. I know not how I got out of.it but I fought back from tree to tree, firing as I halted, loading as I ran. There were others with me, cool-headed fellows, ana we held the painted demons back until hundred of us. or more. 'gained the opening by the river, where tne regu- lara and artillery were. But tne sav age hordes, infuriated oy victory, drunk with slaughter, were at our very heela. Thav lined he edge of the wood and Doured in deadly volleys There was no sound now. no yelling only the Incessant rattle of firearms, as they crept , from logfto log, ana trnn tn trop niawlv drawing closer. Thev filed off . to -either aide and hemmed us In, the river alone protect ing our rear. Through the clouds of i. ' Biimmoi nf their BiUUH wg HUgUk flitting figures, distorted, horrible, of faces strined black and red. of waving feathers, and brandishing arms. Never before or since have I seen inaians light aa they did that day rushing to the charge, leaping straight at us throneh the smoke, and. firing with deadly aim into our very faces. They shot us down with no rest no cessa tlon. no time in which to breatne Twice they took the guns, swarming forward with a fierce rush that flung us back, and crushed the gunners un der foot But they were in the open now, and we could see; with bayonets and clubbed rifles we charged nome, driving them back to the woods. There they held us, while from every hollow anfl grass patch, every tree ana ranen log. their rifles scat fire. The bands of jny gun flew off, and I picked up . . - j i I, anotner; I was out oi powuer uuu uw and took them from a dead body. The dead lav everywhere, alone, in heaps; cries of the wounded rose above the din. We charged over the bodies, crunching them under foot, seeking to reach our ' invisible foes. They would not 'stand, would not meet us. Helpless, bleeding, dying, confused by tnanv orders, we fell back, yet etill retained line, and fronted that bias ing wood. Frightened, panic-stricnen men were' everywhere, running and shrieking In terror, seeking vainly for some means of escape from tne savage cordon. Indians crept forward under the smoke to scalp and mutilate the ;Horses from the ar- dead and dying. tillery. and staff, breaking " loose, charged wildly about trampling living and dead alike under their feet. Wom en. -cam d followers, were wedged in the mob, their shrill ecreams piercing the mad uproar. Only, tne regulars stood intact a thin blue line, with here and there among them a few mi Utlamen who kept their heads. About the guns, not a dozen powder-grimed artillerymen remained. Not an officer of the battery was left; not one of the regulars unwounded. I heard St Clair storming up and down behind us. swearing and shout Ing orders in his high, cracked voice, yet took no time to glance toward him. The smoke settled down upon us in a cloud; we fought blindly, In the dark. hardlv certain but we stood alone. 1 was beside Butler when he was struck, and helped drag him aside out of the rout. Then I saw St Clair, and. as I stopped a second, staging into his face to be sure of bis identity, an officer rushed un through the smoke cloud. knocking me, aside, everything forgot ten but his urgent message General St. Clair," he cried, "we must get out of here, sir. My men cannot stand five minutes longer. If that line breaks it will cost every Hie For Cod's sake, let us go." "Yes yes, Colonel Darke,1 but how la it to be accomplished, sir? See those fool cowards." Darke swept his hand out to the south In sudden gesture. '"There is only one way, sir there bv the road. I can hold the regulars steady: they'll cover the rear, and give the others a chance. One fierce charge forward with the bayonet will drive those devils back, and open the way. May I try it sir?" Ay. try It Hold! ' I'll lead them myself. Here. Simmons. Cauley. lash those skulkers Into the. road ' there, while we clear a Dath. 1 sprang forward wltn the otners in response' to swift orders. We made the wood and plunged into their shadows.' There was ' a fierce, mad struggle face to face, bayonets and clubbed 'muskets knives and toma hawks. St. Clair, on an artillery horse. led the way. We swept the front of lea U1B wa. o iirnin un trout ui the broad road cleat, the Impetuosity . .m . of our reckless charge forcing the startled savages into full retreat Then we dropped to our knees, loading and firing to hold the advantage. Be hind un. into the Ooen road, surged the mob of panic-stricken men. fighting and crowding, beginning their' long race back to the Ohio. It'was a sick- ace pat; w ui vuw. m nijrht the white, ghastly faces, .Jl j.j m i.. i .t. v lue lUUUUOtl wunug ,rus, who ui H- tal acts of fear, and over all the cease- less criee and profanity. I caught .Mmnua of women among the aaeth- f ...... ij .i ...j.. t la tna mad terror. The stirht of them brought back to me the remem- brance of Rene. Was she also crushed in that mob, fleeing for life, or was aha still in the cook tent trembling as ehe stared out helplessly on the stricken field? I turned and ran, need less of all else, plunging through the stream of fugitives, plowing a passage with my bulk. I had done my duty now I must cave berl - - CHAPTER XXV. The Retreat t had no faith I should find her there, but I fought my way .through to the tent It had be.en knocked half over, the camp stove overturned, the long bench smashed Into kindling wood. With sinking heart I flung back the sagging canvas, and cast one glance within. As heaven witnesses, she stood there, the blanket sun wrapped about her, her bands grasp ing a rifle,, her face turned towara me. Unconsciously her Hps gave ut terance to a cry of relief, and her ex- pression cnangea. i sprang iurwam, eager, glad. ' 'Rene, vou are here! I cried out. "Why did vou stay?" 'It was the word of monsieur, sne answered simply. "Monsieur said stay till he com." Yes. ves. I know: but I never thought of this: never dreamed of such a defeat But there is no time to Waste In talk. There Is nothing to do hut run for It now. Come, lass!" Before she realized what I wae go ing to do,, I had flung away my rifle and seized her In my arms. She was I Staggered and Reeled From Weari ness. a light, slender thing, and I held her tight in the folds of the blanket, scarcely feeling her weight She made no effort to resist yet her eyes be wildered, half-frightened looked lnio m f. i gave them no heed, my whole purpose concentrated on the one effort to save her, to fight, a passage through that mob of frightened men. The spirit of panic had gripped me also not for myself, but tor neri Here was mv duty now: not back yon der where those regulars stood grimly In line, and died with their shoulders touching; not where I had fought all day In the powder-cloud facing those forest demons but In tne moo oi fu gitives, battling and cursing for their lives. The road was littered wltn guns thrown away, with discarded blankets and powder horns. I dared not look back, straining every muscle, stagger ing forward over the ruts. The roar of guns behind grew faint in the die tance; the spit of rifles from tno thickets ceased. Exhausted, breath- Iprr reeling from fatigue. I. put her down, and, with arni about her, stood an instant looking back. ; v They were coming, a dark mass bearing down upon us, but ahead of them, wild , with terror, Ms narnees flapping at his heels, his head flung from side to side,' charged an artillery horse full tilt In his mad terror he saw and knew nothing. , He came straight at us. running as if crazed. I flung the girl Into the side of the road and leaped : recklessly , for his head. My hand gripped the mane, then the leather rein: I was flung from my feet. Jerked into the air, but hung; my moccasins touched ground again." I was dragged forward, ren dered half unconscious by a blow, but weight told. : I got fingers on nis nos trils, and he stood still, panting and trembling.. Clinging to him, warned by shouts to hurry, I stripped the har ness and hoisted her onto -the bare hack. Even as this was accomplished the head of that shrieking mob was on us; one brute grabbed her by the arm seeking to Dull her down, and I struck him with all the force I had.- Then I ran forward, clasping the horse by the bit crunching our way, heedless of who nnnoaed or blocked our passage. And they made way for us; even in their blind terror, they swept aside to escape being trampled under the animal's hoofs, and left before us. a clear path. . - . I looked eagerly for some place in i -. - which to turn -aside, saw the faint I nt iii Tnrllnn trail., seemingly trace of an Indian trail, seemingly leading down the bank of the stream, and, with instant decision, turned into it I walked the horse now, and Rene sat up straight and fastened her dis arranged hair. The narrow trail led through, dense thickets and about a slight hill;. te five; minutes we were 1 out of sight of the road, alone in the wiMnrneaa. To the right through I - . .. . trees was the glimmer of the river. The horse panted heavily, and the way waa rough. There was blood I noticed now on his flank, and be limned slight ly as be walked. I staggered and reeled trom weariness, feeling reao- tion from excitement, yet kept grimly on until, we must have covered two miles, wandering in and out among the 'low bills. No sounds reached us, and ae we came into a narrow ravine, promising concealment, I released my grasp on the bit and staggered bacK against the bank. Mademoiselle slipped from her seat and hastened to me.,- i ' , i ' ' "You are worn ' out, monsieur. wounded?" . "Worn out. vet hut nothing has touched me save a blow or two. ; I I think we can Test now." , Then it occurred to me, a thought that had swept into my mind once before we had ho provisions, no chance to get away and we dare not shoot nor build a fire.' "What le it, monsieur?" "Why, we have nothing to eat, Rene," I admitted reluctantly.- "It is a long journey to the Ohio, and how are we to keep from starving? Faith! but I am near that now." She atood before me. slender, erect the blanket draped about her, her eyes lowered. It was mine 40 remember, mon sieur." she said simply, as if it waa all the most ordinary thing in the world "I knew1 not what would hap nen. and there was food there. When the women ran away, and I would not go, because you told me not I Knew It would be best that I take some. You do not blame ma. moneieur?" 'Blame! you are a Jewel; but I see nothing of it! Where" 'TIs here, monsieur; I am glad if I please you." She flung asido the blanket, drop- ning it to the i round, revealing a black ammunition bag strapped across her shoulder. I rtmembered now teei lmr it when I he'jd her In my arms vaguely wonderln.T what It was. She unclasped and oprned it "Monsieur must eat." she said grave ly, "and sleep. TIten he will be strong again." I tried to do at she said, munching a few mouthfuls Her actions, ner words, her mannar toward me, both bewildered and angered. She had as sumed the part of a servant chosen it. as if she wouM thus teach mo my own place. In evury possible way she showed me she iras not there from choice, but necesiity. I lay back, toy Ing with the food, my appetite gone The wounded horse bad been down to the river and drauk: now he was paw ing the snow in an effort to discover feed. Over in the east, but some dis tance off, a rifle cracked ominously in the silence. My b ead fell back against the hank, and I wis sound asleep. It was two days later when we tolled up a long hill, an I came out upon the summit. I no loiger needed to lead the horse, and iras plodding along wearily behind. Much of the snow had melted, leaving the soli soft, and the trees appeared bare, phantom-Uke, against the sky. Rene rode silently, wrapped In her Ulanket for the air was chill and da up, her head bent, her eyes straight ahead. I have no remembrance thai we had spoken for an hour. Beyon A the hill summit there was an esci foment of rock, giv ing an open view ahead. As I gazed off, over the tres below, my heart gave a great boi.id there, scarce a mile awav. flowinit between leagues ol forest, was the baad Ohio, its waters silvery in the sua I turned to her and pointed. ' "At last, Rene," cried, forgetting. "We are safe no ; nee! There is the river." She lifted her eye and looked. "Yes, moneieur." i "Why do you ever speak to me in that tone? You ansver me always aa If you were my servunt." , "Your servant!" She was looking at me now. "Am I uot, monsieur?" "Of course you afi not. You are free; whatever put that In your head? I haven't known what to tnlnK, wnai to do since we tavti been together. Back on the Mau' ipe I I thought you loved me." "I do love you, no-.isieur." "You you love me," I stammered. "And yet bear yot fself as you do?" "Yes, moneieur how else could 1 do? You are whi; I am an Indian." "Is that all! Y- iu (hink that makes it different? Rei fl. I love you; out yonder is my horn ; V would take you there;' I would saj to those wno Know me here Is my Mlfe." "Your your wfe!" There waa doubt questioning in her eyes. "Yes, of coursw, how could you think otherwise?" "Oh, monsieur, lo-r could I knowl How could I believe? I was an Indian girl, a Wyandot it Is not so the white men come to our i lllages. I have sees them the red-coi(ts, the traders ol France. They tt.ke with the strong hand, and, then hwgh, and go away. Then you came and grasped me, and said get Into the Kjnoe. I tried to not go, but you said yes, I must You did not ask v me, t usieur you spoks stern, angry. ,1 win frightened, I dars not say no, so I d:l as you said I was your prisoner; yia bad taken me as the warriors of tno Wyandots take th maidens of the OJtbwaa." "Then It that Mas so, why did yon not leave me th.i t night the Indlani passed us in came?" Her cheeks flamed. . "j i cuold noW monsieur I loved you." y : I-,-;. -r.. ;' i "And now? nc v you will go wita me down there 'i prisoner no longer, but my own?" ,' "Always and foinver?" t "Always and I t rover," I answered gravely; There was somnthing new, wonder ful In the depths t the dark eyes thai looked into mine. I saw her handi clasp the white iroes at her throat then they were held out to me. "I am so glad, monsieur." she sa softly, "so glad!" THJ Ctfk Wm Jlm Miller n w-. -a - Up," ARK TRUITT is burgh steel barons. He is a Big Man, keenly aUve to all the possibilities of right-now America. He is before us in his whole career, in his loves and hates, from youth to later manhood. He labors in the mills. He fights for wealth. He struggles for place, bat tling against other men and his own soul's weakness. He marries. He suffers and sins, but never cringes. And he emerges , in the end chastened, strengthened and ennobled, but not unscarred. He realizes something of his great visions, and with the woman who has been a part of his dreams finds peace and happiness at last - '('-' ' ' the New Serial about to appear in this paper! . This is Be sure to get the issue HENRY RUSSELL MILLER Henry Russell Miller, the roans Pittsburgh lawyer-novelist who la known for his political stories which have appeared during the last few years, has distinguished himself again through the production of another atorv "The Ambition of Mark Trultt" a story of social and industrial Pitta burgh which critics say is far better than either "The Man Higher Up" or "His Rise to Power," his two earlier political stories. We 'have secured thia story as our next serial, and the first installment will appear In an early Issue. : '-' ? V ' Tot a number of years Mr. Miller has exhibited a great Interest In the teel Industry. He has made the ao- nnalntance of many of the big men as veil aa the laborers in the mill towns, and from them has learned a great deal about the game. "The Ambition ot Mark Trultf la a tnn that i la not only tremendously interesting, but one that will cause Madera to atop and think. ' ' By Henru Russell Author of "The Man Higher "His Rhe to Power, etc. one of the Great Pitts with the first mstalbnentt If you have struggled in privation v - If you have dwelt with plenty and known a woman's love in either Then you'll see yourself in The Novel of a Typical American Our Next Serial! Watch for It! 3 The Ambition ' of Mark Truitt It has meat and backbone to It Minneapolis Tribune. Forceful, sane,i and convincing. In the idyllic phases the reader is reminded of James Lane Allen. St Louis Post-dispatch. : ; Contrasts in the quality of women's loves give wonderful color to Mark's career and his final contentment in fulfilled am bition. A human interest novel convincingly evolved. Chica;3 Examiner. m
The News-Record (Marshall, N.C.)
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July 31, 1914, edition 1
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