ns to be?"

"Back from the river, in a glen of caves and rocks."

"How far from here?"

"Four or five miles; there is a trail from the mouth of the creek."

"And you know the way? and there might be many warriors there? they
will remember you, and obey your orders?"

He straightened up, aroused as the full meaning of my questioning
occurred to him.

"Ay, there is a chance there, if we find them in time, and in force
enough to make foray. _Sacre!_ I know not why such thought has not
come to me before. Could we but fall on those devils from the rear in
surprise, even with a third their number, they would run like cats.
_Mon Dieu!_ I thank you for the thought."

We plunged into the forest, no longer endeavoring to advance silently,
but inspired with a desire to achieve our goal as soon as possible. At
the mouth of a stream entering the river, De Artigny picked me up in
his arms, and waded across. On the opposite bank he sought eagerly on
hands and knees for the old trace he dimly remembered. At last he
stood erect.

"Ay, lass, it's here, and to be easily followed. What hour do you make
it now?"

"About three."

"So I would have said; and 'tis not daylight until after five. We can
scarce make it, yet we will try."

It was not as dark here away from the gloom of the Rock; the forest
was open, and yet I will never know how De Artigny succeeded in
following that dim trail at so rapid a gait. As for me I could see
nothing of any path, and merely followed him blindly, not even certain
of the nature of the ground under my feet. Again and again I tripped
over some obstacles--a root, a tuft of grass--and continually unnoted
branches flapped against my face. Once I fell prone, yet so
noiselessly that Rene passed beyond view before he realized my
misfortune, and returned to help me regain my feet. Not until then, I
think, did he comprehend the rapidity of his movements.

"Your pardon, dear girl," and his lips brushed my hair, as he held me
in his arms. "I forgot all but our comrades yonder. The night is dark
to your eyes."

"I can see nothing," I confessed regretfully, "yet you have no
difficulty."

"'Tis a woodsman's training. I have followed many a dim trail in dark
forests, and this is so plain I could keep to it on a run if
necessary. Ah! the fort is awake and vigilant--that was rifle fire."

I had not only heard the sharp reports, but seen the flash of fire
cleaving the darkness.

"The discharges came from