Annette - The Metis Spy

"Oui, Jubal. You have guessed aright. To-morrow or the next day,

Jean will bring hither a young woman. She is to be strictly guarded

in that room where you kept--....

"Jubal remembers; Monsieur need not mention names."

"C'est bon! Well, Jubal, you need not exercise any severity towards

the maiden, save that of a rigid confinement to her room. Me you

shall hear from again."

"Is the maiden a pretty bird?" the crone asked with a chuckle.

"That matters not, Jubal," the chief replied, somewhat haughtily.

"She is a dangerous young person, and has been playing the traitor to

our cause. The only means of proceeding against the girl, is to take

her liberty away. I am in hopes of persuading her to a right frame of

mind, and with this end in view, I shall be obliged to pay some

visits here during her captivity."

"I understand," quavered the hag; and the gleam in her eyes, as she

laid her hand upon the chiefs shoulder, was most diabolical to see.

"My poor simple son is down to the village 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 cob-web, she set it before; her visitors.

The chief took a long draught. Jean swallowed enough to enable him to

stand boldly up and stare at the owls, and the bright-eyed ravens.

"Let us away, Jean," cried the chief now in high spirits as the old

Jamaica began to race through his veins; and flinging himself into

his saddle, he rode of at a fleet pace.

Jean opened not his mouth till he found himself once more upon the

plain, in the light of the honest moon. The Rebel chief now checking

his pony's gait said: "I suppose you have control enough over your fears now to listen to

me?"

"Oui Monsieur."

"You will be able to-morrow night to find the den that we have left?"

"Without difficulty, Mon Chef."

"Well; to-morrow you ride away to Tall Elk, and give him this

message from me.

"Colonel Marton is abroad, and his daughter, Annette, the enemy of

the Indian and the Half-breed, is at home. She must be secured this

evening before the moon rises. Bring up twenty braves; approach the

house carefully, and fetch the maiden where directed. You will see

that the braves make no noise, for this girl is as wary as the wild

goose, and that little minx, Julie, her maid, is almost as wide-awake."

And as Jean rode away, the villain muttered to himself, "We shall

see my proud bird how long you will gainsay Louis Riel after I get

you under Jubal's bolt and lock. Go with you from Canada as my wife,

and fly the honours with which this revolution will crown my brows?

No, by the Mater purissima. You have been too 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 served my mood, played to the full with the

caged bird, Jubal can let it go to attract some new mate. Holy

virgin, but my triumph will be very sweet! Yea, Annette, to have you

in one's own power is a sweet thing; nothing can be sweeter except

the vengeance which shall feast itself at the same source as my

passion."