The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1841-05-21
. But might there not have been more than two


us he moved near the bank and cast his keen eyes
upon the bosom of the water. There's another
discovery I've made he added. DO you see
that little green twig in the creek there ?
Elliott glanced his eye in The direction denoted
by his comrades finger, and answered in the ai-
frmaiive.
well, Ellit that little twig is fast to Old Cross
Fires canoe, which is there sunk in the water;
and anger that these bushes here were cut to
make forts to iasten it to the bottom
very likely said Elliott
Sand now anger that there might have been
one or more Indians taking care Of The canoe while
the old dog and his imp come ashore TO cut the
forks
You reason like philosopher, Lewis. will
soon become an expert hunter, under your tutor
age
Now Ellit, said the scout, 'you 90 back 10 the
cd place and keep quiet, and have hight look
out, while slip around the pint Of that hill and
see what's going on. Only be quiet, and do as
tell you. III he hack heiore You get uneasy
The two hunters separated: Elliott TO seek his
original cover, and the other to obtain some intor
nation Of the expected enemy. The former cx-
amned the printing of his gun, and satisfied him
self that every thing was in proper order for ser
vice. lie seated himself upon the ground, and
kept remarkably Quie,-husying his mind, most Of
the time, in fancying the situation Of Rose Some
times he was ready to conclude that she had fallen
Il victim to savage cruelty, but he cndeaycred To
diSpcl such gloomy ideas from his mind. and con-
template only the brighter side of the picture. He
was unhappy, however, in spite Of his efforts to
restore his spirits to their won,cd huoyuncy In
the midst Of his medaions, he felt something
strike him upon the shoulder from behind, He
sprang upon his feet and discovered Wetzel stand
ing nenr him.
'lt's well amt an Indian, said the latter.
Elliott was much mortified to think that he had
allowed himself to be surprised so easily.
'Iews, YOU have learned me another lesson,
said he, 'and | shall profit by it,
See that you do. replied Weizel, in II low
voice. You mus, be quiet now, he added, in
whisper.
Did You see nnythng?'
'Yes; they're coming
'Who:'
'Old Cross-Fire and three others
'And Rose"
'She's safe enough, riding The little white poney,
and Old Cross-Fire is leading it along
Lewis, III shoot the impudent scoundrel if ]
die for ii" muilered the YOUTH and he clenched
his teeth with rage.
'Hush ElIit hush.-do MS | tell you, and all
will be well. Crouch down MS low as you can aud
be quiet
THE old red -skinned wretch growled the
young hunter.
shot, tell Won. III attend 10 him. Elllt, you are
getting frveriSh; ] see il on YOU Already. Keep
conl-keep coo,-or YOU can never shoot TO kill. ,
The eve of Wetze was quick to perceive that
his youthful comrade was aboring under some ncr-
vous excitement, occasion by the novelty and
probable danger of the situation in which he was
placed.
en- be cool presently he replied
'Only do MS tell You, ElIil. Lay low, and
draw your breath easy; and don't whisper another
word, us YOU value your life, and Roses too
Some time elapsed before either made the slight
es, motion. At length, the trnmping of the pony,
approaching the creek, was distinctly heard and
Elliott made motion towards raising his head to
obtain sight Of Rose, but his purpose was prompt
" ihwarted by the brawny arm Of his companion,
who brcalhcd, rather than whispered, in his ear,
his fvorite Injunction, BE quiet"
Welzels head was placed behind n cluster Of
green leaves, through the intcrslices Of which he
vas enabled TO obtain view Of the shore OF the
creek, opposite the place at which the canoe was
sunk lie observed Old Cross-Fire conduct the
pnnev TO the margin Of the bank, at which place
he l'ed ma captive 10 'he srouho' NC sono'hs
o' Rose q, 'h'S '''ns was 1"'c ""o'o'e, ~ Wv
sounds Tell upon t,'o'' ear NV meh'p'e" WI"
emotion; ana hlsh' nave 'h't'ns'o "r,He' oroer'
,ad not 'he 'a.'er, anticipating so"e'nl"s d, 'ne
klhd. turned MS H'cc 'o""'oS """' anu "o""e"
hun INTO silence
Old Cross-Firc, setting no store upon Rose
saddle, merely stripped the poney Of his bride,
which he slapped across the ANIMALS back, and,
with second swing, threw it upon the beach below
him. The poney canleed into the bushes, where
it soon commenced feeding upon the wild grass at
his feet. IN another moment, the Indians had lift
ed Rose down the decyy, and their whole purity
appeared on the beach. Two of them wnded into
the creek as far MS the w s which had been observ-
ed BY We,zel, where they plunged their arms into
the water, and drew forth wooden fork. Their
canoe Immediately rose to the surface. Dexter
ously throwing out the water it contained, they
pushed it to the shore, where Old Cross-Tire and
the other warrior had remained 10 stand guard over
Rose. The fair captive was then placed in. the
bow of the canoe; one Of the Indians seated him
self about its centre whilst another drew forth a
paddle and stood erect in the stern, and pushed off,