Annette - The Metis Spy

"Thank you, chief; I would rather not be at the capture of Captain

Stephens. You know he saved la Reina here, from being drowned in the

whirlpool."

The "Queen" was the name by which Annette was known among all the

Indians and Metis that lived upon the plain. "But," continued the

Colonel, "I hope that Tall Elk and his braves will do no harm to

Stephens. He is not with us, but he is a brave, good man, and love

our people. In acting against us he is only doing his duty."

"Ugh! It is well," grunted the chief. "Will look after Stephens

myself."

But this assurance did not satisfy Annette, who stood, during the

dialogue, with throbbing heart and pale cheek. The threats of the

Rebel Chief still lingered in her ear; and she knew that her

deliverer's life would not be safe in the hands of the terrible man.

She said naught, but a bold resolution passed like a flame through

her brain. In a little while the chief departed, and at the head of

his painted warriors struck out across the dark prairie in the

direction of Hickory Bush. The Bush was about twelve miles distant,

and the rising of the moon would be in two hours.

In a little while the girl said, "Papa, I am so disturbed to-night

that I cannot sit up with you as long as usual: good-night." Then she

kissed her father who caressed her silken hair; and she left the room.

Now, Annette had as a companion or attendant, an orphan girl, named

Julie. She was not tall and graceful like Annette, but her olive face

was stained with delicate carnation, and her little mouth resembled a

rose just about to open. She was intelligent, active and

affectionate; and the great aim of her existence was to serve a

mistress whom she almost adored.

"Come to me, Julie," Annette whispered as she passed the girl.

"Well, mademoiselle, what can Julie do?"

"Captain Stephens, as you are aware, ma petite Julie, is to be

captured to-night by those savages who have just left our house.

Monsieur Riel hates my deliverer, and I shudder to think that he

should fall into his hands. I mean to-night to warn him of his danger.

"Brava!" exclaimed the girl; "c'est bon! It is so like my brave

mistress. Ah, mademoiselle, I have seen Monsieur le Chef look upon

you; and there was great love in his eye. But it was not the good,

the holy kind. Ah! It was bad. He hates le Capitaine, because

he saved you from the chute.

"Ah, then my little Julie, you know? Yes, it is all as you say; and

this is why my heart flutters so for the fate of Monsieur Stephens. I

want my bay saddled and led quietly out to the poplar bush; and I

shall come there in a little."