The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1842-04-15

can't last long, and the old tree can be
better spared than the young. Iiowsom-
ever, as long as can raise my rusty old
friend hcre-ha ~ said he, with sudden
start, "what is that p
A slight rustling Of the dry leaves was
heard a little distance off, as if some one
were making his way cautiously through
the thick undcr5rush which sprung up in
every direction.
"To cover, James ~ whispered the
Scout, "to cover and lie close ~ and he
crept softly behind huge pine against
which he had been leaning. The young
man followed his example, darling behind
a dense thicket, where he could observe
the Scouts motions as well as reconnoitre
the spot he had left.
He had barely secreted himself, when
a tall savage was seen TO advance with a
snake-motion into little opening just be-
vond the small enclosure we have men,
toned. He paused for a moment after
emerging from the bushes, and then CLAN
cling furtiyely around, he bent down and
applied his ear to the ground. The Sigh
test sound-even the mere movement of a
foot so keen is the sense Of hearino in the
Indian, might have betrayed them. Scarce
" drawing full breath, the concealed par
~. with no little anxiety, watched the mo.
lions Of the wary SAVAGE.
From where younc Nayberrv stood. he
had the Indian comnletelv in his range
and 81, his mercy and he tnrned his head
erouirinoIv toward the Scent, and notion
ed to that effect, The old man shook
his head ncootiycly. and he turned again
to observe the further movements of the
red man. In the meantime the savage. as
if satisfied with his scrutiny. raised him
self from his ben, posture, and crept silent
away in the direction whence they had
come,
For ton minutes ar more the white man
renamed perfectly mouonless in their co.
ver,s. At the eyDira,ion of which the Scou,
left his post, and, after throwing careful
chances around him and bending his cal
to the Ground, beckoned the Young mar
to rollow him.
81 could have brourht him down with
out fall" said the latter, in a cautou.
whisper. as he Joined his companion.
~ es. and brought the whole pack mp.
on us at the same time. perhaps, :" addel
the old man. in the same undcr,one
'Thore's M ,ellinc how MANY of the ser
Do,,s there are about bere-,he wood
NAV, no alive with them Rut don't nm
dsr.,,rI tbr meaning If this fellows lur
king 50 sllv in this direction" he con,in
, ned with doubtful shake of the head.
I "perhops." suggested the Young man
= he was sent back to ascertain about tn
: firing
al b'lieye you're RIGHT, James-tha
, must hn It And the cunninr dog will re
,rrn nm our trail. and try to sarcumyen
MS that way. But he's run by the gam
for 4 dead sartiptv this time and now le
5 rs profit by it."
Alter arain cau,ioninq his companion /
+. be silent and wary--an admoniton tn
o latter felt to be entirely useless, the tw
, s,arted briskly forward on the trail the
q had been so long following, and whic
II promised. ere long, to lead them TO ii
$ objects of their pursuit. The day W.
d fas, drawing TO a close as they struc
= AGAIN into the woods, scarcely aiTordi
= Iight sufficient to discern the faint trac!
t. by which their steps were guided.
d CHAPTER VII.
/ BY the margin of little stream whic
d flowed from gradual descent, and wour
9, its noiseIess way around the roots of o
.e trees, now rickling unseen through Il
ct green heritage, whose iibrcs it nourlshC
I'd in return for the protection alIorded--ar
a now lapsing gently under the fallen al
IN decaying trunks which extended aero
I'd but did not obstruct its course--at Ia
4.