De Artigny stepped forward on the exposed root of a tree to where he could see his dusky followers, and La Forest climbed the bank, and joined him. A moment 381 the two men conferred, turning about to question Sequitah. As they separated I could distinguish De Artigny’s final words.
“Very well, then, if it is your wish I take command. Sequitah, a hundred warriors will follow you along the trail––you know it well. Have your best scouts in advance, and circle your braves so as to make attack impossible. Your scouts will not go beyond the great rock except on my order. M. la Forest will accompany them. This is clear?”
The Indian muttered response in his own tongue; then spoke more sharply, and the mass of warriors below changed formation, the greater number climbing the bank, and grouping themselves in the darker shadow of the woods.
“Who has charge of the others?” asked De Artigny.
“Bastian Courtray,” replied La Forest. “He is yonder.”
“Then Courtray, listen; you follow the stream, but do not venture from cover. Post your men below the stockade and wait to intercept fugitives. We will do the fighting above. Are the warriors with you armed?”
“All but ten have rifles, Monsieur, but I know not if they be of value.”
“You must make the best use of them you can. 382 Above all things be quiet, and do nothing to alarm the Iroquois. You may go.”
I leaned forward watching them as they waded down stream, and then climbed the bank, disappearing in the undergrowth. Sequitah had moved past me, and I heard his voice speaking in Indian dialect. Along the forest aisles his warriors glided by where I stood, noiselessly as shadows. In another moment De Artigny and I were alone, the black night all about us, and not a sound reaching our ears to tell of those vanished allies. He took my hand, a caress in his touch, a suggestion of pride in his voice.
“The old chief is warrior still,” he said, “and, unless all signs fail, the Iroquois will long remember this day. Come, Adele, ’twill not do for us to be far behind, and we have walked this trail before together.”