Page 176 (1/1)

"Where sits the council?" I asked soberly

"At the Dead-Water"

It was an all-night journey by the Fish House-trails, for we dared not strike the road, with Sir John's white de from the confluence to Frenchman's creek

I looked at my horse Little Otter had strapped a room for a rider I turned to Lyn Montour; she laid her hands onher up astride the saddle

"Now," I said briefly; and we filed away into the north, the Oneida leading at a slow trot

I shall never forget the gloom, the bitter misery of that dark trail where specters ever stared at hosts arose in every trail--pale wraiths of her I loved, calling ain And "Lost, lost, lost!" wept the little brooks we crossed, all sobbing, whispering her na life's work unfinished, life's desire unsatisfied--all that I loved unprotected and alone on earth What an end to it all--and I had done nothing for the cause, nothing except the furtive, obscure hich others shrank fro to certain death, was denied me even the poor solace of an honored ht penetrate to gild my last hour with a hero's halo; contempt must be hter of Iroquois woade white allows than they pay a convicted spy Why, I nified justice that the Oneida awaited--an iron justice that respected the victim it destroyed; for he came openly as a sache to justify his nation and his clan But I was to act if not to speak a lie; I was to presentonly a nobility of the great Wolf clan And if any man accused me as a spy, and if suspicion becaradation would be inconceivable Yet, plying once ainst hope, and strive to play the , too, what ht be--a low-voiced "Thank you" in secret, a grasp of the hands behind locked doors--a sum of money pressed on me slyly--that hurt most of all--to put it aith a smile, and keep my temper Good God! Does a Renault serve his country for money! Why, why, can they not understand, and spare es of the wretched trade!