Part 22 (2/2)
He sat in silent conteroup
”Did you chance to notice,” he asked at last, speaking htfully, ”how they hissed that word 'Francais,' when they first rushed up the hill upon us? It soo by old Major Duponceau, as out with the troops in 1729, about a strange people they warred against down on the Ocatahoola These h he swore they were put to the sword--or else of the same stock, and have felt the taste of French steel”
”What did he call theh I re they were of fair skin He told e story of their habits and appearance, to illustrate how greatly they differed froes hom he had met They worshi+pped the sun”
”'T is true of the Creeks”
”Ay! they play at it, but with the Natchez 't is a real religion; they had a priesthood and altars of sacrifice, on which the fires were never quenched Their victims died with all the ardor of fanaticism, and in peace and war the sun was their God, ever de of blood
But see, the ain”
The afternoon sun had lowered so that its glaring rays no longer brightened the depths of the canyon, all upon our side of the streaan their advance toward us in much the same formation as before, buttheir weapons to their backs, bearing in their hands ugly frage, who had received a severe slash upon his shoulder during our last _ encouragement to the others
”Stand stoutly to the work, friend Cairnes,” I called across to hiht prove welcome ”If we drive them this time, they will hardly seekto the will of the Lord of Hosts,” he returned piously ”Yet I greatly fear lest my sword-blade be not sound within its hilt”
”Stoop low for the volley of rocks,” commanded De Noyan, hastily, ”then stand up to it with all the strength you have”
Halfway up the little hill they let fly a vicious volley, the hard ainst the face of the rock, and showering down on backs and heads, so to our posts of defence once th of us, and, to our disastrous surprise, delivered a second volley of stones directly into our faces One jagged rock glanced fro me on the side of the head with sufficient force to send ainst the stone slab
Before I could regain place the Indians swarles, bearingmist of blood I beheld a carven war-club uplifted in the air, noted the face, distorted by passion, of the naked giant wielding it; yet, before I could close my eyes to the swift blow, there caled with a sharp report As if stricken by a lightning-bolt the huge fellow plunged forward, his body across roan of despair, realizing that Madame, in an effort to preserve my life, had throay her sole chance to escape torture, or an existence worse than death
The knowledge nerved le, but ere I could ridand snarling like a pack of hounds who had overtaken their quarry It would have been over in another rind of a stone knife-point at rip on the fellorist, when suddenly, sounding clear as a bell above that hellish uproar, a single voice uttered an imperative command
Instantly each Indian's face was upturned tohere such unexpected suazed across the narrow valley, to the summit of the cliff on the farther side There, solitary, a carven statue full in the glow of the westering sun, turning her gar her rich profusion of hair into radiant beauty, stood a young woure It was no ti white robe, draped fro away fro down upon us There was a suggestion of despotic power in both face and posture, and the ring of stern authority spoke in the sound of her voice
Twice she addressed our savage captors in brief sentences strange to esture up the valley A htly forward, perold of her hair to flash and shi+mmer in the sunshi+ne; then she stepped swiftly back fro instantly, as if dissolved in the haze
CHAPTER XXI
THE STRONGHOLD OF THE NATCHEZ
We were hopelessly prisoners On le had becoh Cairnes had to be knocked insensible before the heathen finally hastly white appeared his usually florid face as the victorious savages dragged hi his heavy body down like carrion upon the rocks
De Noyan appeared badly cut, his gallant clothing clinging to his, silent witnesses to the le
Yet the Chevalier was far froorously kicking at a passing shi+n ”'T is not my custom to lie with head so low Ah, Benteen,” he s at the recollection, ”that was the noblest fighting that ever came my way, yet 'tis likely we shall pay well for our fun _Sacre_! 't is no pleasant face, that of their grim war-chief, nor one to inspire a man with hope as he makes plea forno greater outward concern than he ”Nor will the ugly clip on his shoulder leave his humor happier”
The Chevalier's eyes danced at the recollection
”'T was our preacher friend who sheared him I hold it a master-stroke; but for a spear-butt on the way it would have cleft the fellow into two equal parts Have you seen aught of Eloise since the fight?”