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

her efforts, and when, from sheer eXhaus-
ton, she gave over, for the first time since
her captivity the poor girl wcpt. Find
ing that her struggles were impOtcnt, she
cast a fearful glance towards her friends
and again raised her imprisoned arms,
thus giving them to understand that she
could do nothing for herself. Shaking
their heads atlirmatively, as if they COM
pretended her meaning, the two seeming
ly held another consultation, Immediately
after which they fell back into the shade,
and were lost to sight.
CHAPTER VII.
1t was very evident from the cautious
movements of her friends that they were
unaware of the number of her captorS.
Had they known the true state Of the
case, they would undoubtedly have TAX
en- boldar measures for her rescue-thc
advantages being altogether on their side.
They were pretty well convinced that
there were but two at the most TO deal
with, although they were not sure that
others had not Joined them. Even to get
the captive safely out Of the clutches of
two only, they felt to be 4 hazardous
game, well knowing that if their attempts
were discovered the first blow would fall
on her head. Aware of this, their pro-
ceedings were marked by the greatest
! possible secrecy.
knowing that some plan had been
matured for her release, Mabel waited
the issue with trembling apprehension.
Holding her breath that she might catch
the first inumation of the approach Of
deliverers, her patience was soreIy tested.
Minutes passed away-cach one seeming
an are in her state Of suspcnsc-and stu
all was silent as death. Once only she
thought she heard scarce percepubIc
rustic among the leaves at distance ,
and her eyes were Immediately turned
upon the sleeping savage, dreading lest
/, the noise should break his sumbers.
But he still slept on--brcathing heavily,
and occasionally muttcrlng unintc!Iigihly
in his sleep. At one time she though,
: all was lost, for the Indian suddenly halt
, raised himself, uttered at the same time
| 4 slight exclamation as of surprise. The
5 action and the utterancc were probably
e occasioned by the ilitterng Of some wild
} thoughts through his brain, for he soor
e settled away again in the same depth o
B, unconsciousness as ever.
e Mabel now listened with renewed in
0 tensity for signs indicating the approach
r of her friends, but not a sound could be
C heard. There was not so much as TIT
c falling of leaf to break the grave-lIke still
: ness. Drcading either the awaking Of thu
: sleeper, or the return Of the absent, he
Il anxiety increasd every moment. Ih
S feeling of suspense-of uncertainty, grew
9 so strong that il almost amounted to tor
II ture, and she found it difficult TO sustal
herself amid the conflicting emotion
" that agitaied her breast. Again and agar
II she bent her car in hope of catching a
9 approaching southland, for the hun
Il dred,h time her searching glance was riV
ID cited on different points whence she eS
s, pected the appearance Of her de!lverers
l. but all in vain. With sickening emotlo
t. and sigh of disappointment wrnng IroI
e, the very debhs of her heart, she bent ht
= head for moment, half yielding to III
f. weight that oppressed her, when sligI
m touch on her arm almost caused her
&c shrek out in alarm, so sudden and une'
it pected was the action.
re "For your life be still" whisper'
It, her father in her ear.
&c II required all the effort she cou
40 command to obey him--so full and stror
at was the tide of feeling that rushed thr
d, her heart. A moment hardly transprc
ly when she felt the thongs that bound h
he wrists giving way and at last G;oP fro
*, them. Her iirst impulse was to thro
3r- her liberated arms around her parent
he neck. The Scout received and return
x the embrace in silence, then in a 10
he whisper said
we "Here, my child, take the knife, a
do loose your feet. Quick, Mabel, for til
Gul is precious How many of the varm'r
arc they, gal :" as she bent over TO se'
an the cords.
ihe Ere she could return an answer,
lot slight crushing and a hasiy step amo
ng, the underbrush a little front of the
she struck her ear.
de. ooh God, father, he's returned W
on claimed the maiden hal(-aloud, forget
vas in her alarm of every thing else.
lta- The words had barely left her Ii
hat when a tall savage bounded with sh
ud whoop from the bushes few yard:
lec- advance of them, brandishing his to'
ent hawk in the very act of launching
we the half STOPPING girl. As quick
the thought the Scout sprang to his feet
'on- confronted him, in,erposlng his own
and dy as shield TO his child. The &C
An of the Scout frustrated the purpose