Annette, the Metis Spy: A Heroine of the N.W. Rebellion

er eye flashed and she gra

stop? Have I not the righ

s hat. "I do. Look and see if you know me?" Full well she knew who the interceptor was. The

grand Chef, have no right to stop me without

because I

s it, m

You are an ene

she struck her heels into her horse's flank. The animal bound

I know you, mademoiselle Annette." And a terrible light blaze

to the enemy. Nor can monsieur hinder me." As she spoke these words she suddenly drew a p

fire." The coward hand quivered, the f

Away, away out over the soft grassy plain she sped, swiftly and as lightly as a bird might fly. Three minutes brought her in sight of Hickory Bush, a grove of trees straggling up from the flat in the moonlight, and resembling a congregation of witches with dr

ees are bound hither to make

s. How readily she recognised his manly step, hi

ou? Why th

ts of night birds, the inmates of the tents armed themselves, strapped their knapsacks, and got into the saddle. No one questioned the graceful Indian boy fu

They come. Hear you not the

them too," said one of the party, looki

, he led the rescued ones at full speed down the valley, around the northern edge of Hickory Ridge, and out toward the Chequer

erty to you; yet wherefore

his hand, as if imposing

on this untrodden prairie you cannot conceal your trail. My advice is that you m

d most desire to be at," responded Stephens

ew years before; but he could not make it

ed but to follow the bank to find the fort;" and as he spoke he once more dashed his heels into his horse's flanks and

y followed their delivere

is familiar to me, but I cannot give the

e is an Indian?

eeter than any Indian's that I have

head. He is evidently in disguise; and what is equally plain, he does not relish our attempts at pene

e the set of to-morrow's sun, there is not a Cree in all the region who will not be on the war-path. To-morrow the chief goes to Big Bear, to press him to dig up the ha

f thanks, the mysterious boy was off again t

ghtenment, he turned his horse down the slope, and dashed towards the Saskatchewan. His followers and himself were admitted

give warning to her lover, the rebel chief

e to his mouth he blew a long blast, which was immediately answered from a clump of cottonwood, about a quar

that she was on a mission hostile to our interests, and when I remonstrated, she held a pistol in my face

dar; in the centre was a dismal bog, through which slowly rolled a black, foul stream. As they passed along the shoulder of solid ground, troops of birds ro

g, like the low, solemn beat of a bel

What is tha

toll for a lost soul, but the c

ard it befo

and solitary swamps, and I doubt if there is another place in al

od shivered in his veins. He had no idea where his master was leading him, and had refrained from 'asking all along, though the query hung cons

, smiting the creature with the handle of hi

o. It is seldom that man is seen or heard in this region, and the strange creatures marvel. That

ing white light, and its reflection fell upon the wide, black, shining

abode of Mother Juba

es when they sleep at nights, and thickens their blood with cold? I thought, Monsieur,

th, Jean; but she has ever be

lley. It was ringed around with draggled larch and cedars; and a belt of dark hills encircled it. No mo

the clear, unflickering light which the two had seen so far down the valley, sat the old woman. Upon hearing the approach of footsteps, she blew out this light, and through the hideous gloom the Too whit,

his companion shivered from head to f

amp; I have come far t

onsieur

hag, as she struck the light.

tre

gleaming of eyes! The hut was lite

ht eyes upon the strangers; while here and there an owl opened his crooked beak and said Too whit, Too whoo. A strange creature, with wolfish head and limbs, crouched by the hear

wonderfully bright. Nay, when she looked from the dark

s in store for me this time," said the chief, who had s

was brewed which the Rebel chief drank, leaving naught but the dregs. Then Jubal muttered some words, which her visitors could not understand, and threw up the cup. She had no sooner done this than the crows began to chatter and ca

ing across the prairie into the gorges, and concealing themselves in the wood. There is the flash of sabres, and the smoke of ca

n. Then he bears her away with guards around her, through a deep valley, till he reaches a hut. Now he hands her over to an ugly hag-and the na

next day, Jean will bring hither a young woman. She is

Monsieur need no

everity towards the maiden, save that of a rigid con

tty bird?" the crone

traitor to our cause. The only means of proceeding against the girl, is to take her liberty away. I am in hopes of persuadi

with the pony for some provisions for my little cabin. Ma belle I shall be able to use handsomely, when she comes." Fetching then a black bottle, around which were many tangles of

s the old Jamaica began to race through his veins; and fli

more upon the plain, in the light of the honest moo

rol enough over your fea

Monsi

rrow night to find the

ifficulty,

away to Tall Elk, and give

vening before the moon rises. Bring up twenty braves; approach the house carefully, and fetch the maiden where directed. You will see th

scornful my pretty maiden; you have not concealed your preference for this English dog; you have held your rebellious pistol in my face. Ah, no, ma petite Annette; but I shall amuse myself, sometimes, after the brunt of the day's labour, by riding up the dismal valley, and stroking your broken wings. When I have

White Oaks, where lay the girl's cotta

t your lover to-night. To-morrow I shall bathe my fa

e the point of a glow worm; and he smote the flank of his horse with his heavy heel. "You one day turned up your sweet, haughty nose, Julie, when I told you how beautiful you were, and that I would like to kiss the dew off your red lips. Well, Julie, my plan for the morrow is to denounce you to Tall Elk as a spy; and after I have got possession of

ds the verge of Alka Swamp, near which were camped the painted warriors of Tall Elk. As he drew near the squaws began to clap their hands, and the lean, ugly dogs gave several sho

at chief is welcome. What i

n, he grunted: "Ugh; sorry to do this. The two girls were always kind to the Indians; and our b

le a tune, and walked about among the lodges, seeking to attract the attention of some pretty Indian maiden, of which there were many in the tents. The braves were abroa

onies, with Tall Elk and Jean at their head, crossed over the ridge and struck out for White Oaks. An hour's ride brought them to an elevation from which they saw a light twink

Tall Elk. And we leave them drawing their circle of ho