ms brandished, the rifles they
bore shining in the red glare.

I saw Barbeau grip his gun by the barrel and strike as he ran. Again
and again it fell crunching against flesh. A savage hand slashed at
him with a gleaming knife, but I struck the red arm with my pistol
butt, and the Indian fell flat, leaving the way open. We dashed
through, but Barbeau grasped me, and thrust me ahead of him, and
whirled about, with uplifted rifle to aid De Artigny who faced two
warriors, naked knife in hand.

"Run, Madame, for the fort," he shouted above the uproar. "To my help,
Barbeau!"

CHAPTER XXV

WITHIN THE FORT

I doubt if I paused a second, yet that was enough to give me glimpse
of the weird scene. I saw De Artigny lunge with his knife, a huge
savage reeling beneath the stroke, and Barbeau cleave passage to the
rescue, the stock of his gun shattered as he struck fiercely at the
red devils who blocked his path.

Outnumbered, helpless for long in that narrow space, their only hope
lay in a sortie by the garrison, and it was my part to give the alarm.
Even as I sprang forward, a savage leaped from the ruck, but I escaped
his hand, and raced up the dark trail, the one thought urging me on.
God knows how I made it--to me 'tis but a memory of falls over unseen
obstacles, of reckless running; yet the distance could have been
scarce more than a hundred yards, before my eyes saw the darker shadow
of the stockade outlined against the sky.

Crying out with full strength of my voice I burst into the little open
space, then tripped and fell just as the gate swung wide, and I saw a
dozen dark forms emerge. One leaped forward and grasped me, lifting me
partly to my feet.

"_Mon Dieu_! a woman!" he exclaimed in startled voice. "What means
this, in Heaven's name?"

"Quick," I gasped, breaking away, able now to stand on my own feet.
"They are fighting there--two white men--De Artigny--"

"What, Rene! Ay, lads, to the rescue! Cartier, take the lady within.
Come with me you others."

They swept past me, the leader well in advance. I felt the rush as
they passed, and had glimpse of vague figures 'ere they disappeared in
the darkness. Then I was alone, except for the bearded soldier who
grasped my arm.

"Who was that?" I asked, "the man who led?"

"Boisrondet, Francois de Boisrondet."

"An officer of La Salle's? You then are of his company?"

"I am," a bit proudly, "but most of the lads yonder belong with De
Baugis. Now we