Annette - The Metis Spy

Although I am not certain as to the prevalence of this weed in the

swampy places of the North-West, I can affirm that I have scarcely

ever seen a very dangerous quagmire that has not been covered with

this exquisite little plant; and if I could credit the stories of the

nursery, I would be able to believe that those malignant fairies who

live about dangerous springs and shaking swamps, cover the ground

with these dainty sprays of green to lure men to their destruction.

Perhaps the fairies were as interested in the fortunes of Annette and

Julie as, at my heart, I am; and that they decked this swamp in its

cover of glistering green to hide the death beneath.

Well, whether the fairies did this thing or not, the savages were

taking such a course that, in order to regain the trail of the

fugitives, they must cross some portion of the treacherous bog.

Annette's eye was upon their movements now.

"Pull rein, Julie;" and both brought their horses to a standstill.

"Well, ma maitresse, what now?" and the pet's hands trembled, and

the roses were out of her cheek.

"See; they near the swamp, and will be able, after a struggle, to

get through it. Now, Julie, I wish to ride down when they get fairly

in the toils; but I would prefer that you should go in the direction

we were pursuing. If everything is right, I shall soon overtake you."

"Oh, I go with ma chere maitresse, to do whatever she does."

"Brava, Julie; I do not think we have much to fear. Ha, they are in

the toils. In fifteen minutes they will be out. Let us away." While

she guided her horse with her bridle hand, Julie perceived her

unbutton her holster pipe, and seize and cock a Colt's revolver.

"I have one, too," muttered Julie; "so I guess I'll do the same

thing." Not a bit of cowardice did the sweet exhibit now.

They were now within a hundred paces of that portion of the swamp

wherein the braves were tangled. And if ever savages, or anything

else, were in a mess, these painted warriors now were. They had

reached the centre of the bog, and were floundering in it up to their

horses' bellies. Their excitement was so intense that they had eyes

for no other place than the spot where their horses floundered and

writhed; and did not notice the approach of the fugitives. Nay, the

two had reached the very edge of the quagmire before the Indians

noticed the Cree boys. The yell that then went up from their throats

was most comical.

Annette's arm was extended, and her revolver was pointed at the

nearest savage; seeing which, Julie drew hers, and covered the next

brave. But before she had the lid over her left eye, Annette had

fired, and fired to effect, for the brave had gone over upon his

back, and sprawled and splashed among the liverwort and the bog.