Annette - The Metis Spy

Julie kissed the forehead of her mistress, and then tripped away

daintily and softly as a fawn to do the bidding.

Before ten minutes had elapsed, an Indian boy, of lithe and graceful

figure, walked swiftly down the path toward the bush. As he reached

the little grove, another figure emerged from the shadow and said in

a low tone: "Tres bien!" This was Julie, and the Indian boy was Annette,

disguised so perfectly that her father could not have guessed the

truth were he standing by. She wore a buff coat and deer skin

leggings; and about her waist was a belt in which were stuck a long

knife and a pair of pistols. She patted her pony, took the bridle in

her little brown hand, and vaulted lightly into her seat. "There now,

Julie; return quickly, and go to your room."

"Au plaisir, portez-vous bien, ma maitresse."

"I shall take care of myself. Adieu;" and she galloped down the

grassy knoll, and out upon the prairie.

Although the plain was a great, dusky blur, this observant maiden

knew the route as accurately as if the meridian sun were shining; and

her horse, guessing that his mistress was on an errand of life and

death, flew lightly over the level sod, as if he were a thing woven

of the winds. She was aware that her horse could outdistance an

Indian pony; and after half an hour's ride knew that the band must

now be fully a couple of miles in the rear. But she kept on till she

judged that fifteen minutes more must bring her to the encampment at

Hickory Bush. Then through the hush of the night came to her ear a

far off, indistinct sound, which resembled galloping thunder. She

knew not what it could mean, unless indeed it was the tumult of some

distant waterfall, borne hither now because, mayhap, a storm was

brewing, and the dense air was a better carrier of the sound. The

moon was now pushing its wide yellow edge above the plain, and she

was enabled to see objects for a considerable distance around. But

nothing met her view, save here and there a hummock or a clump of

poplars. She rode on marvelling what the sound might be, for the

noise was constantly becoming louder, and growing "Nearer, clearer, deadlier than before"

when lo! out of the west come what seemed a dim shadow moving across

the plain. With hushed breath she watched the dark mass move along

like some destroying tempest and, as it seemed to her, with ten

thousand devils at its core. Chained to the ground with a terrible

awe, she stood fast for many minutes, till at last in the dim light

she saw eye-balls that blazed like fire, heads crested with rugged,

uncouth horns and shaggy manes; and then snouts thrust down, flaring

nostrils, and rearing tails.