Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 8, Number 17, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 13 October 1877 — Page 6

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iy '•v?

-t

*.?W

THE

PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE*

THE FLIRT8 LOGIC.

What give up flirting? The idea! I'd like lo know, Indeed, What sacrifice you'll next require,

There's no real need of eating thus three time* a day, 111 give uiem up, it no you say.

Why, Tom, I flirt when other girl* oald have a cry and find Jtt ls more soothing t« the nerves

And cheering toihemlnd.

„A damp, nu pleasant Nlobe Jfo man shall ever make of me.

JTot flirt, then what's the use of eyes, Or Hps, or golden halrt Dirt Harry klw meT Yes he did,

Yon need not stand and stare

-t I- ke any Gorgon. He's my own j)ear Counln and so handsome grown.

Jfot flirt? Why it's sunbeam's play, Birdsidngor mount afar? 2 llk« to be "the bop«"the life I ••The very guiding star"

Of every handsome man I see, 1 want them to make love to me.

Tfot flirt? Why e'en the staideet flower Nods In coquettish glee $ a*o every naughty seobyr that 4

Come whispering o'er the lea. Then I say I'm like the flowers, and so do Just as 1 see them do.

I'd flirt with grandpa,dear old man, ft? still alive, If he were stilli

I oft rehearsi with lltth Ben, Who's only Justturnrd llv*. And 8 til

I, to keep my hand In, make

Sweet eyes at Bruno, or old Jake.

brow old, well all the men 1 know Will grow eld, too, I'll wear jfftM £j£ The sweetest caps and daintiest ties,

And crimp my snowy hair,. I'll hang my walls with pfetnredbeatfx To chter my heart while knitting hose.

SARATOGA*!

f* gjS

—Ajr—

A* TALE OF FRONTIER LIFE. im A TRUE STORY. ,ff»

CHAPTER HI** ^THB ABDVCTION.

It* will be borne in mind that when attention was last withdrawn from the party of the young girls, they were stijl under the "beech trees" wi I horses, and the groom, M'Cart

trees" with their Jart v.

Nat-

orally*all felt much alarm at the and

den departure of Walcott and the Indian and their anxiety was intense, to ascertain the cause of the disturbance and what connection, if any, Col. Belden might have with it, For some time they continued to hear the yelp of the hound, as be receded further and further away bwt at length, all sounds died out to the distanoe, and the poor girls were left alone to painful oonjecture. As, however, silence prevailed for a long time, thev bepan, gradually to resume a little courage ana, at last, they so far forgot the causes of their anxiety, as to observe with more curious attention,the character cftbo spot in whieb they were. •They also bad the ourlosity to look for dome of those new and celebrated springs with which the neighborhood was said to abound, and wnich they had, iu part, ventured so far to visit.

One of these they found by following the deer path into the edge of the marsh. The fountain itself was plainly indicated by the redness of the earth which surrounded it, caused by the deposition of the copious solution of iron, •with which it is charged. But the water which rose up and burst forth, like a boiling Geyser,was bright and sparkling and a* clear as a crystal. It gushed up tn great abundance, aud flowed, off in a ateady and copious stream. The fixed air broke in continued bubbles from its anrface as from a glass of sparkling wine. It is now known as Columbiau Spring.

For some time they amused themselves about thia spring, drinking of its I water, and wondering at its liveliness and exuberance. At length, however, the three—for the groom had fastened tbfe horses, and gone with them to the fountain—returned alptig thevrude pathway. When they came forth from the thicket of alder bushes, they were sur•wised not to find the horses which they bad left tied to the trees. Every thing wound thorn was still, find nothing gave a due to the mystery. The groom was the tirst to observe tue fact. He Immediate^ endeavored, by means of the tracks to find out in what direction they bad gone. He soon ascertained that the course taken was baokward, and around the circular beaten path. The animals must have been untied, for no remnants of brdken bridle reins were left behind.

They seemed, also, after a short distanoe, to have gone away at a rapid pace. He followed the tracks till he came to a 5' lace where tbe ground waif much troden by them and as footprint® led thonce in all directions, it was impossible to divine What way further they had really gone. Selecting those footmarks which appeared the moat distinct, and which went off through the underwood, quite away from any regular course, be followed them

for

ten or fifteen rods.

When in a part of tb« woods more close and impenetrable than usual, hesuddenly felt himself seised from behind, and thrown, with violence to the grouud. Iu he found hldaaclf pinioned and helpless.

Ha! ha! ho! ho!' shouted a stentorian voice "beside blm. So, my little lamb, I ve got you again, have 11 This time I'll give you a tether yon Won't get t* rtdottKtSwy/ w' -V-V-.'

W.iv «td tta Ma«mM jwsar. cussed

creature about

This queetlon w^rf

nsnal

thanta

proceeding* of

bad oauaht hold of a V(*un« tree oloee at id pulled the groui KJKT^H It in'thia portion, he proceeded

I pulled it over, tlU.as be sat on

band aw

it, the top lay An the ground. When he

to make arrangements to Ue bis new prisoner to is. By this time,vhowever, M'Oartv had began to comprehend Mmethlng nflhe nature of the contrivance but as his bands were securely tied be was uot iu a aii«*'ku render any very effectual real "MM*. Watching his opportunity, not* *sanding, as he was pulled to the fcr*s *Utl Ing upon hia back, he succeed^ in giving bta captor a violent throat wuh his ft*t, which sent bim to some dlstsnee and the bent sapling aprang back to upright portion. M'Carty» meanwhile, got upon nis feet, and started off in hope to make good hia aacapeby running. In thia, however, oand himself egre^iontjy mistaken^ for ha bad scarcely made a doteu steps, before be was recaptured and Hong again to the ground, with aa much facility as if he ba^i

bmb

-t Jr

t.f

the

m*rmt

child.

^And^myUttiep^* tormentor, 'ycu thought did you? WouUln it be

exclaimed hla bt to get away

you? wouuin we nice tbotwh? haSbal Bat jrfrej^uabeattUbl awing thia

Um*b

CAa-SfesSc.-.

»h*t even the

Doctor can't gH y.•»» .. 8ayiait tbla, b* it?1 MWy In hla aroati and ctrtfe' t.- And tyinglii *e vlUihi* pun.

a'liMWwi

vorite hlmf t^ls time M'Carty could not defeat the operation, and he soon fbnnd himself reeurely lashed to the elaatio sapling and having a strong gqepiclon that though the weight of the lunatio had bent it down, hlaown would not suffice to koep It there. Such, in a few momenta proved to be the fscj*. For no sooner waa the sapling loosened from the hold of the lunatic, than It awjng the little groom up in the air, like a scarecrow on a pole. As, however, be waa tied by the waist, he did not, immediately, experience any special inconvenience. To be sore, be felt abaurd and helpless enongh, thus dangling about among the bushcc and ho alto entertained some apprehensions aa to how long hia remaining in that 'bad eminence' might continue or rather how long he might be able to endure it. His position, however, seemed to afford his captor infinite amusement. He laughed, shouted, and screamed in the most frantic manner, and

even

fairly

rolled vpon the ground, in the excess of his enjoyuient. The woods again resounded with hia unearthly glee.

Meanwhile the two helpless girls,who were now left entirely alone near the Spring, were in a condition little to be envied. Of the meaning of those strange, wUd shouts tbey were utterly ignorant. There waa something in the sounds too unnatural to encourage them to approach them. But the agony of pu?»pen5»e at last overcoming all the other feelings, Lucille proposed to go and ascertain, if possible, what bad happen

the sense of some new danger. The tlillne83 was as mysterious aa the pieceding noise had been, snd seeiiied mnch more to be feared. While she waa in thia state ol uncertainty and apprehension, her attention waa attracted by a slight rustling

........

WM HLlini rou

,« "r.

at hand, and

looking

untameable beast oi prey., Lucille, without knowing whom or what she was to encounter, felt herself nevertheless, mysteriously influenced by the singular stare of wnich she found herself the object. To a certain extent she was naralyzed. She was not of a timid nature but at that moment she experienced the fascinating power of a real, or supposed, great peril. She was unable to withdraw her look or to move her limbs.

She

Poor

won:d have cried out,

as much for aid for herself, as in warning to her friend, but her tongue was stricken a» with palsy, and she was incapable of uttering a sound.

The spell at length was broken. Slowly parting the bushes, the maniac came forth and stood confronting her, wild, hideous and*mooking. He gazod upon her with mingled curiosity, admiration, and menace The object now presented to bis sight was, it would appear, new to him but, at the same time, bis manner was that of one who bad unexpectedly fallen upon a prize, which be did not quite understand, but which he bad no idea of relinquishing, v,

Lucille!

If alarmed before she

knew the dar.ger, how much was h6r apprehension increased, now that it stood Wofore her. The madman certamfv presented no pleasant object for contemplation, though his conduct was so far unusual that be Indulged in none of his sardonic laughter, and uttered no wild ahtAita. All his merriment had passed away. Solemnity sat upon his rude features. Even an apparent effort to recover some lost train of ideas was jtible on bis countenance. Perhaps the beautiful object before him vainly and ineffectually touched some chord in his ruined memory recalling dimly and, perhaps, unconsciously, not the images, but the emotions, of other days. What may have been that struggle to connect that which he saw with what he had seen before or how the sweet look of woman may have had reference to the tenderness of a mother's early caresses, can not now be told. Alas! for the poor wandering lunatic! no mother's neart would ever again beat— no mother's eye ever again fight up with affection and pride. On earth no consoling voice waa destined to soothe his pasaionaor alleviate hia sorrows or sympathize with him in his struggles and hia joya. Tho lamp of iutellect had gone out lorever, aud he was left in the darkness of solitude and abandonment.

the frail and beautiful heing w^ tte^.

bled before him. Can it bo belied?

motioniess lashed But not a deep gi^U separates him from all the tender, treasured memories of the paat,-aud ha .may

mood continue. The charm waa soon broken for h% tramp of a tew, and theory of afriinDitg bMib^fcrpfl, "causedhifntoiitart. Thfe old t^presson

away with her through the foreet. scream of terror waa all she could utter, before, in the extremity of her appreben aions, nature came to her relief and she fainted, and, for a longtime, kuowuo more.

When Waicolt had, as we have related

1* on

Kit r.icnet tsetaen ana iiiui»u ua w™,

of Lucile were the (MU. How Car the might have been concerned in those eventa, was left to conjecture. But faloott knew hla alsMX* dlabc nbk bad

Waloott knew hla almost diabolical •bKtuity, andhU tad nodifBcnlty in attribnting to hia

l'-ERRE HAUTE SATURDAY iCVENXNti'MAlL.

questions. But it waa no time for idle conjecture' If anything aerlous had actually occurred, he knew himself to be the one roost likely to remedy it. So, without loss of time, he made his way In the direction in which the misalng groom and hia young mlstresa had. dishave thus far neglected to state

.. jgii that the name by which the lunftltc waa then generally known, waa 'Crary Jaoob,* or'Wlla Jake 'and wetakeoccaa-

nown, waa 'Crary Ja

w. —ke 'and wetakeoccaa ion to adopt It, for the sake of greater

brevity and clearness ln our narration That he had encountered either Lucile or M'Carty, Walcott felt very confidant, from the outcries which be had beard. Further than thia be was, for the present, unable to conjecture. When be reached the spot where the others had paused he waa, like them, at a loss to Know how to proceed. While hesitating there be was joined by Indian Joe. Colonel Balden, faint and exhausted as he was. had met and remained with his daughter. Though the young man and the guide were fcotb, for a moment, at fault, the hound kept moving rapidly about In a circle till suddenly pausing, and looking upward, he set up a furious barking at some object apparently over bead.

Turning his eyes in the same direction Walcott saw the body of M'Carty suspended from a small tree, motionless and apparently lifeless. To cut him down and relieve him from bis precarious position was, for the two active men, but the work a moment. The bod"

™r.rdVp~

ifTS?toSSd SdSiS Snod£l w|o »r».«,r: lightly MuUowly J^«ioiow«ra

^-jjygartss

In tbeooatI|e of fow mlDuU,j M'C.rty

tttws&ffisasit

3BSSWS wSSS

^?Z?J^\hT^ce iferethe horSe dered speechless, though still retaining Sicks led away in different directions, his heanng and his ®ye«^- "J? The sudden slfence oppressed her with cfcnw he Ead been unable to give ny^ sign of his whereabouts but most of wnat bad occurred between Jacob and

Lucile he had witnessed. During the delay whibh was necessary for his lull restoration to speeah, and

that which was further caused by his re-

of the leaves near cital, it may well be imagined that

w«v

more young Waloott was impatient enough,

that way more a voune Kirl in whom he

steadily, she ottajj was still eyes, ga«ng npon ner

fierce, wild through the foliage. Her first thought was that they belonged to some wild but gradually the outlines of a human'countenance became faintly recognizable through the leaves. The char-

a Ik/tmAttAH .tuafi

ln Iinr

,Artiint/7 She had

wrapped in uncertainty. She had disappeared, leaving no present trace be-

•Then you have no idea,' ta"d Waloott, after a diligent cross examination of

aomethins more painful ana starinng ... aharn about the tban in the gaw the wildest and moat ^t, so near ns I could untameable beast oj prey#, t^n varmint. mxHA nff tnivnn) the

judge, the varmint made off toward the lake and I'm afeard it 'ill be hard tracking him through the fly.' •It's difficult to say what course he will take,'said Walcott thoughtfully 'he often changes his mind and sometimes is quite as apt to be fouad in a position directly opposite to that for which be starts, as anywhere else. But did he show any signs of violence with her, Jim?' •None, that I see, in t'other band, be seemed quite dumfounded when he first laid eyes on her. I didn't hear any moreof his'tarnal yellin', which I sup ose he means for a laugh but whether grew deaf, or he grew dumb, I can't say. All I know is that he kept his eyes on her, and carried her away as softly as a kitten. Away he went over that hummock yonder, and clus be the yaller

Rine,

like a two legged moose. Cuss me I think he's human. What do you think on't, Joe?'

Thus addressed, the Indian laconically replied: «. •Hedebbill.' ij*4-, "Well, you mayn't De far off the trail thereanyhow,' said Jim 'but what 1 want is to meet him sgin, when be can't get behind in? to take an onfair advantage.'

During this colloquy Walcott had remained silent and musing. He now interrupted the speakers, saying: •It won't do to leave her in his power a minute longer than we can help. He may at any moment kill her in one of his caprices. He might eveii take it into his bead to Ue her up, as be didi you M'Carty. But, 1 suppose you are too much frightened to go near him any more?' •fcot if I know my own mind, Mi*. Arthur. Do you think you're the only man thkt Siii't afeard cf nothing? I'm ready to start this minute. Joe there, may stay behind (with the coloael and his da'ter. You jest lead off, and we'll see if the varmiut trees me agin like a cussed raccoon.'

Arthur Walcott was, in one sense, rash. In imminent danger he acted promptly but even in the most pressing circumstances he did not act adVlsedly. Whatever precipitancy might appear in his oonduct, now Existed in Ispt. Upon occasions, where instant action was indispensable, his power of mind and rapidity of combination Were equal to the emergency and his plans were only developed by their simultaneous execution. But when it was not

Whatever may have been the connection of his present conduct with th$. dim -r-, adt on the ihstant when the(Sspadmitan4 confused recollec ion of bis past life, of reflection, or required ^ifel^y, he there he ato^d, still slleut andgaztng at

not 0De

to omit an opportunity of

Correct conclusion. In the

presen|case,

F'om bt* dark and «oi«nr»Tr evt-s, "^»d- lime for reflection dened by unaooountable sympawie^ gince parauit made In the wrong direc roll forth tears that still hang upon 'heir

therefore, before adopting

tjoQ wou]xj worae

tban ucelesa and

tlon would be worse tban uteless and from *otne experience in the habits of Jacob, bo had arrived at the conclusion that It waa not always

Bafe

to trust to

probabilities or appearances. ..

fiTj f? CHAPTER IV.

THE

SPWSOS IS 1787.»

In those days, aa we have already Mid

of minitled fatultv, malice, and cunning Saratoga was almost a wilderness. Itia came^ick. fh an instant, and tiefore true that about a quarter ot mile from hho was aWaire of his intent, he caught where Colonel Belden and bis party the vounir eirl in his arma and darted

were

now assembled there was a small

ono clearing and a rude hut, the work and the property of Indian Joe, the guide. Tho latter, notwithstanding his tboronah aboriginal habits, hadnchite blood in bis vein*: and this

Slight

explain hia

partiality for something

a garden

and a fixed abode. The rude shelter

own u«wi, «s »**i which bis ii^Stei'for'u |«nColouel Bdd«n «n«IndlM

their way to the place of rendezvous Walcott knew they were originally agreed upon, he hastened on more convenl«t awmmo^tkma, and before them at the top of bis sneed. The had others followed him as feist as tbeyconld. colonel 1 1kifiS! The dog alone kept pace with him. On the first adventure of the nacraing, be arriving at the 'beech trees' he found had virtually waumed Misa Belden there alone, and almost all their movamwita. He wild with apprehension. A few words to expose them timeto tih» iMwnrtd her as to the (feteof bar father, hasard of flieiting with the ftiaaJac and Of what bad occurred near her, she beoouldnotvery well leave tbem unknew little or nothing, except that Lu- sheltered s^forthe comingnlgbu It die had departed and bad not returned. The ntttying of the horsey the search tempt track!ug tba

rmr

ftothepresent, and to commence the aearch as aoon after aa practicable. DnrlBK the fkUcuea and excitementa of the recant eveata tba day bad inaenafc

«j Vi

tomeLlf not all. of those nntoward occur- ing toward nlgbtfalU It waa therefore r«Mfi«. That it wt» he who bad let looae prudent to take immediate «tepe to pro-io.^Tb.l-anod,^. Wtattad

BMOMA of fsrt v. H?KI what had Having socceeded in ien \Uiv. *ese \ery dtfT^r*-nt bor*-*, which had not strayed very far,

the whole group began alowly to tnovo northward along the western aide of the valley, following the woodland path ao often mentioned. To the left the ground was rough and rocky, and rose with a gradual ascent. It was everywhere covered with large, old trees, the views between which were not Interrupted by any underwood". To the right as they Wflut along, atill lay the narrow awale or marsh.

After proceeding for a quarter of an hour or more, tbey begau to perceive signs of the vicinity of some sort of habitations. The distant barking of dogs was heard. Presently tbey could occasionally see an ludian boy gazing at them with his great round eyea, from behind some distant tree. He oetrayed thus early the instincts and habits of his race. He was not noisy and prattling like tho child of the white man but taciturn, sby, and watchful. The everlasting bow and arrow seemed inseparable from him. Ita practice was the education of all. The forest wsa their only university and the young savages grew up to take their degrees, not on scrolls of parchment, but In deer'a bide and bear skin.

Presently the travelers came to a more cpen place and here waa seen at a short distance ahead, a small clearing, and a large log bouse. Further on, and up the slope to tbe loft, were some twenty or thirty wigwams. It was, in fact, a sort of'Indian town which they approached.

Here were visible all the various and picturesque objects which -characterize such scones. Tbe men were grouped together in lazy clusters, either dozing

up«n the ground, or sitting in sluggish silence, leading just tbe life of unoccupied animals. The women were busied with tbe various labors of their position, making or staining baskets, cooking their rude meals, hanging out atrips of meat to dry, Or working upon gayly fringed moccasins.

It was not, however, toward tbe cluster of wigwams that our party continued its way. The log house which stood in the clearing, and on the verge of the valley, seemed to be their point of destination.

On coming nearer, it was found to be a huge our sided edifice, constructed of rouna lo^x, rendered impen^imolo to the weather by wedging and plastering. Its roof Wfcs composed of long poles covered with strips of bark, ana its chimney of rou^h stone, laid up in mortar. At one eh it', and a little awaj from it. was a large shed of hemlock bushes and poles, which answered the purpose of a stable. Here tbe horses of the new comers were shortly afterward bestowed with such care for their comfort, aa circumstances admitted. At the door of tbe cabin itself, the guests were met with a sort of reception which did not partake, either of the obsequiousness of the modern publican, or the churlish

ungraciousness of a man receiving un welcome company. In those days, it

lit

was tbe custom to receive and ontertxiu freely atll who required sheltei and the act was neither a condescension or an homage. Their arrival, therefore, excited no remarks No extraordinary movementa were perceptible in consequence of it. In the mean time, night bad begun to set in as they approached.

By 'tne sidd of the entrance, on a log which answered tbe purpose of a bench, sat man in his shirt sleeves, quietly smoking a pipe. He gave directions to a uegro about tbe horses, and rose up as tbe old man and his daughter came to the door. 'Them cattle, I take it,' he said, 'ain't bad no gre^t matter of traveling to day eh! squire?' •None to speak of,' replied Colonel Belden, 'but we ourselves feel a little fatigued, and would be much obliged to you for such accommodations as you can give us.'

Upon hearing the sound of the other's voice, the man suddenly pulled his pipe from his mouth, and alter looking at the colonel very steadily for Bome time, he took off his cap respectfully, and said: 'Your sarvent, captain: 1 didn't at first know you these still times so alter a man. What can I do for you?' 'Eh, what?' exclaimed tbe old colonel, looking sharply at bis interlocutor, in his turn 'whomhave we here^Upon my word, I think it's Brigham? Why my old friend, how do you do?* 'Who would have thought of meeting you here?^ Marion, this is one of my old soldiers of 77. I "am indebted to bim for many an important service. But Brigham, you don't mean to say that you've turn red landlord again?' *Yes, but I do tho', captain a man must turn his hand to almost anything, when the campaign is all over, you know •Why,! should have thought, Brigham, that services like yours would have putyou in a position to live at your ^ease. Wnat I did was no great matter, you know and yen they have kindly givea me a oolonel's commission fordoing it' 'And how much pay does that bring you now, Colonel,'quietly asked Brigham. •As for that,' replied the colonel, 'why no great matter—nothing at all, in fact but then the honor, you know.' •Yes, I know,' said tbe other, 'but in tbe way of getting a living, I don't s*e that your servicesliave been any better paid for than mind. Hows'ever such i» tbe fortune Of wa osptain, or rather, colonel, ainoe they have made yon one, which I'm glad a hear. But I never counted my littl enterprises as any great thing. Iwoilddo tbe same over again just for tbe fin of tbe thing. You know I was alway fond of running a little risk.'

While thia dialog ue was going on, the rest of tbe party tad dismounted, and passed info the rude hostelry. Tbe building was divid »d into two compartments, *nearly equal in size. Tbe first, or ante-room,

•t'.i'iri

Oka the other, occupied the

whole width of *be\ bow*?. Beyond it, was the inner apartbentor withdraw it* room, which, as appeared, waa set apart as the place ln Which any female '—'-1-'

nt,

yrere to be the

meals were not only taken, box cooned andi when the tables were cleared, tbe apartment was turned into a bedroom. The simple habits, and the narrow circumstances cf tbe occupants, rendered this arrangement convenient and proper Whatever could serve as a shelter from the rain, was then deemed a fit place for eating and aleeping.

The men, as a matter ef coarse, paused in the outer room, and began to make themselvea at borne. Ovals and bate were doffed and bang on huge hooka or spikee of iron, driven into the timbers of the building. Suspended over tbe back of a maple chair, waa an Iron candlestick. in which was txurning a tallow candle, that abed but a feint flickering light through the apartment.

While MpCarty had been busy pnrridthe quadruple, Joe, true to bis savage instfocta, bad quietl# declined sharing in the menial aervicea, and walked with the gentlemen, into tbe bouse.

'Carty to

lng for tbe comfort of Indian

Colonel Bolden and Wakott speedily -|f|e yQf

informed Brigham of tbe terri penae under which tbey were laboring tortnard to the disappearance and fete of Siucuie Valcour and as tlMiy had expect

ed, be immediately took a lively interest In tbe affair. •You must know, Colonel,' he said, 'that I always thought Crazy Jake wou end by doing some great mischief, a often tried to secure him, but all

and

I've ... no phrpnue. Where on arth he has gone to now there's no tellln'. Hows'ever if Artbur here (bitching bis elbow toward Walcott) will go with me to-morrow moral ng, I'm agreeable to have one alter the old varmint. But we'll to make an arly start, as the old to my sartaiu knowledge, gets up siderable soon himself, and we nab afore he smells us over the dew, see.' •Start as early as you like, my friend said Walcott,'and I will be ready. act I would go now, ir it would de good.' 'No, no,' said Brigham, 'ther'a no of being off yet. The moon isn't up near three ln tbe morning and as .... going off through the woods in the dark we might as well stay where we are, foi Catfoot himself couldn't foller game without something 1m the way of eyesight.' 'Well, Brigham, my old friend,' repliod Colonel Belden 'manage it your own wsy. Only I wish you to understand that in this business, I take success particularly to heart for I would as soon leave my own body lifeless in tbe woods as to go back to Jules Valcour without his child.

»nu8h nave chap, conbim you

sny

use till for rk, for

Soon after, preparations having already been made for that purpose, sup-

{ongwas

served up for the guests ou a table of pine, set out in tbe middle of the room. It is needless to detail the varions preliminary operations which met the eye of the travelers, and which forcibly impressed upon them tbe fact, that they were already a little removed from the comfortable nabits of well organized society, It is enough to know that tbe preparations were at length achieved.

Orateful to the appetite as may be tbe dishes which are sometimes spread before the well exercised sportsman, after a hard day's chase we doubt whether 'the most exhilarating bunt could give a keener appetite than that which'certain of our party brought to the discussion of their evening meal. In true democratic style, all sat at tbe same board though, as in all democracies, there was Still a distinction. One end of the table was even there looked upon as especially to be nored. There was no dais, and no canopy, yet good manners -and gentle breeaing, on the one band, gave a sepa rate position and on tbe other hand,Natural respect and deference, accorded a tacit superiority to those whose previous position and habits had qualified them for maintaining such sn ascendency.

During the meal, little was said by any of tbe party. Marion Belden was too much excited, and at the same time, too much exhausted by recent occurrences to partake, except in a very slight degree, of the food placed before her. Anxiety also prevailed in the hearts of her father and of Walcott. The mind of tbe latter was impatiently busy with thoughts and devices for the morrow. Brigham was moving about tbe premises, sometimes within, and sometimes without the building and occupied with the Various little c«res of his establishment, or the weightier duties of a host. •Why, here cornea little Jim M'Carty as sure as I am alive,' tairi lie, us the groom, alter having made proper provision for the horses, now entered the apartment to take his place at the table with the others. •It's me for ear tain, Sandy Brigham and there's nothing so very wonderful about that, I take it/ 'Yes there is, though, Jim,' replied Brigham

4for

nobody has hearu on ye

since you was carried off by tbe Winedots (so be pronounced Wyandottpe) just arter the war.'. •Well, it's true,' said M'Carty, seating himself aud commencing his meal without ccrembny. 'It's true, them varmints did do something like what you say but I made up mv, mind not to go with 'em clean to the lines and so 1 gin 'em the slip one fine morning near the Sawble (Ausable) Forks.' •But how did it all happin, Jim? I thought you was too sly for any redskin to get hold on. Tell us all about it. You and I used t© conceit we understood the cunning ceremony of the eritters as well as anybody.

Brigham now flung himself diwn upon 'ft lsrge wooden chest, to hear M'Carty's account of the adventure. As for the others, tbey were too busy with thoughts of their own tp pay much heed to what was said. M'Carty, with many interruptions, caused by the necessary, business of eating, then gave something like tbe following account of hia capture and escape. 'Why, yotffeee,1 the way it bappeued was jest thHi Yott remember there wis parties of them British Injuns baogln' about for a while arter the war was done. •Hows'ever, when some months bad passed over, without any scalps being lost, the oonntry folks began to think there waa no more risk, and to'go back to their clear! ns. I happened, about that time, to be down Fish Creek with some pelts and General Schuyler wanted me to go out with hia gals and some chaps up from Albany, on a visit to Quakerr Springs—them salt licks, you know^ 'totber side the lakft^ near Bemis's, Well, when they started, I was for takin' th6 gun along, knoWin' how things was with the savages better than they did? but tbey downright langbed me

out

on't ao between their jokes and

the heat of the weather, I left the sbootin' iron behind. We followed the old army track through the Woods, all on *wm bein* mounted bnt me. As I knew every foot Of the ground, I nat lly led

•They came on, laugllln, and jokln' and laid out to have a knick-knack, or somethin' of that kind, when tbey got to tbe Springs. ^As wocome up within a mile or so of the epoi, I begun to' noaee marks In tbe path which 1 didn at aU like the looks of. *1 know it's hard tellin' a Huron's trail from an Oneida's but I bad bad some experience that way, and from

AOAF HMUFV TO FHFTH I HAD

it was likely the savages themselves, If so be tnere was any of'em about, hadn't aty notion of our party being near. Acting on this idea, I kept carefully ahead, detarmined to keep a sharp look out «I knowed tbe gtneral would expect me t*.bring back hia gals safe and sound, or I would never

had been strong and there was every sign that a party of Injuns had been about. I judged there might be seven or eight of 'em at least. 'Leaving the young folks to enj'y therselves, I thought I'd jest take a turn in the neighborhood, and see what bad become of the Hurons, if Herons they, was. As I went quietly along a path, I caught sight of somethin' brown poppin' behin' a talliu tree to the right but it didn't get out ot eight before I diskiveredit to oe an Injun bead. I never let on but made as if nothin' had happened, and walked steadily for'd, lookiu' carelessly about me. For all that, I took good care to go no further than a rod or HO when, turnin' coolly around, I strolled back. In wheelin' about sudden like, what should I catch a glimpse on but the leg of another savage around the edge of a smarPwhite pine, clus to the track. 'Thinks I to mvself this is gettin' rather warm maybe the whole gang is skulkin' about within a stone's throw. At that minute, I was somethin' like tLirty rods or so from where the rest on 'em was takln' their refreshment. As good luck would have it, the ground 'twist was open, so that they were in dear sight and I calo'lated they would have no trouble in seein' me, on a pinch. I still made as if I saw nothin', but detarmined, as soon as I was a little more clear, to give tbe alurm, and make a run for it myself. 'I was a little nonplussed to find they let me quietly go on aud so begun to suspect some trick. Sure enough, in a moment arter, I sees a tall feller, every minute or so, when be thought I wasn iookin', glidin' from one cover to another, in the direction of the party of folks. Tbe game was plain enough now. They wanted to catch the whole lot on us. •There wasn't a second to be lost. If I gave alarm at once, tbe young folks might have time to mount and gtt away before the Injuus could come up. But in that case, it was putty clear that I myself would ba*e to be nabbed. But there was no other way so, jumpin' on a big stone in the middle oi the path, I gives a screech loud enough to wake the dead. •It turned out jist as 1 expected. The Injuns at once jumped from their hiding places, and what between my yell ana the sight of the redskins makin' toward them^.the young men understood it all in a jiffy. They got on horseback in no time, the Injuns

arter

them at a keen

jump, and thanks to tbe open army road, they soon left the redskins far behind. •As soon as I taw tbis^ thinks I to myself, this time tho gineral can't say but what I did my best. Meanwhile us long as tbe savages thought there was any ohance of catcbiu' the rest, tbey didnft seem to mind me maybe they thought I was sure game enough any bow. We differed jist a little in opinion ou that pint. 'I never yet knew even a Mohawk, who could outrun me in an open woods. So when th*y begau to turn and make preparations to get me in their dutches, I quietly pulls out my jack knife aud rips down the legs of my leather breeches to near the bottom, both fore and aft, as a sailor might say aud then, arter a full consideration of my course, I made

•This at once brought the whole

Eeels.of

ack yellow wolves howlin' at my Instead or goin' toward Schuyler's I took tbe other trail tor'd the narrows, where I calc'lated to dodge the critters by takin' to water. Almost anywhere down the creek, I fancied tbey could wade, and that I would not stand so good a chance of fallin' in with help. 8ome Oneidas was ginerally foun' near the outlet, fishlu' and if they saw the tultof a Huron's scalp, tbey wouldn't

sleep

till it huug at their Lelt. Besides that, I begau to think they wouldn't fire at me for fear the report might be likely to awaken some inconvenient 'tention. They was iu the midst of an ineiny's country. 'As the race was likely to be one of Some length, I thought it best not to put forth my greatest Bpeed on the start. The savages are famojis for their wind, and

though

I kuowed I would leave 'em

far behind in a short run, I telt some little uneasiness as

which

the

box

the lsst

on't. So I just told 'em what I thought was tn tbe wind, and cautioned the young folks to make little less noise. This only made 'em laugh tbe more and they rode along, singin' and sboutin like mad. They war a high set, I te.l you. There'll be a devil's daace soon, and somebody will have

topay

TTWI, WUVUiVl Ws*

the piper

but let them faugh as win*, thinks I and says no more. Well, whether the tedakins were too

far off, or whether tbey only played shy, nothin'on'em did we seef while goin. We got to tbe spring, and ill the things spread out on the grass, and tbey to eat. tfp to thia pint the trail

We got was si began

the upshot of this

long one. •Hows'ever, away we went, and I just kept them their distance behind, "kuowin' tbst until I should tire out, I could leave 'em at any moment. To n»y surprise, while I wis tryin' exper ments on their speed, one short feller seemed to keep tne same distance whether I went fa*t or slow. To put bim Ho the, proof, 1 then went at tjie top of my spet for tub or flfteeu minutes but I found to inj sorrow that he keptas near me as ever. That means somethin, thought I, for if the villin wten'tsureof catchin' me somewhere, be would, most likely, have tried to come up with me before. 'In the course of half an hour I came in sight of the Lake, and shaped my course for that part of the outlet, to

I knew tbe friendly Iniuns was

in the habit of goin'i For half a mile, before reachln' tbe water, tbe ground was low, aud povered with tpick bushes. Into this thicket I made my way as best I could, trying to shape

hiy

course So as

to throw the Injuns out, if possible. I met with no trouble ln soon gittin'

the side of tb* water,and begifu to think it wax all right,when all along tbe shore beneath the bushes, for ten »od«or more Jnst in front of wheje came out.a long tile of Ir jans Hz up. They had laid hid among tbe reeds and bumea, and completely barred my way. For some timo back,'also, without my noticin' it, tbe short chap behind bad been galnm' on me so that drain' my«onfusion at sight of

the trouble ah«ad, be came op and al• most before I bad made up iny mind what to do, he coolly laid bis left hand on, my arm, while in bis other hand he swung a long handled, bright edged tomahswk, with which he made drcles over in

er my bead. I felt queer like. Bat a twinklin' I waa surrounded by the others, who seemed astonished^ as they came up, but said nothin BytsigM.» tbey soon gave me to ttnderstan that 3 least noise would oost me my scalp, lid n't want to sell It at that price, and kept still. Bat, all the while, I could

see across the outlet, and not more than. five hundred feet from where we stood under the shelter of tbe alder bushes, several of our own Injnns quietly fishin' on the other shore. The temptation to Wow out was strong but as my very winks was noticed, of course didn't dare to think on't. •Well, the long and short on it was, they hid in the busbes tUl dark, when they lay down we da.

thing Imvelin' (frttmwtd on GcrcnUt rage.']

was far enongh on the road to Cana-

rC i*r*

'Bat, Jim'said Brigham:'didn't the* gineral send scouts to see what had be-? come of yon?* •To be sure be did but as we bad taken tbe route by Skenesborongh, and not by. Lake fleorge, tbey found nothin' and after sarcbin a few days, tbey finally concluded it was not likely that anymore than a lock of my bair was in the direction of Canada while