The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1842-04-08

passing thought of the object he had il
view, fitted through his brain. The long
silence was at last interrupted by TIT
Scouts addressing his companion, with
out checking his pace, however:
"And so You were going in pursuit a
lone, my young friend! honor you,
courage, my boy, but it would have beer
rash, unacquainted as you are with tho
cunning habits of these woodfcnds.-
How could you expect to cope with then
single handed!"
81 could die, sir" said the young mar
in n determined tone.
"Aud add one more to the number
scored in Blood rejoined the Scout
mo, no, young man, life is too precious
to be reckIessly thrown away. Stout
hearts and strong arms are too scarce in
new settlements, and we shall need all
we can muster berorc this bloody war is
over
"But you were going alone, were you
nol!"
"Aye, but my life is not so precious as
yours. If Mabel is lost, ! should have
none to mourn me. Then again know
the nature of these devils, and my chance
would be better. | am glad of your COM
pany, however; and from my heart, |
thank you for the interest you take in me
and mine. have heard there was a lik-
ing tween you and the gall, and am re-
joced TO know that you are worthy of her.
With the blessing of Heaven we may car
cumvent them that have her yet; and il
so be she is alive, and we all get back to
the settlements again. she is yours, young
ster. But if they have murdered her.
"You do not fear that EVENT." said the
young man hastily, the glow ON his cheeks
giving place to the pallor of alarm.
81 don't know, James," replied the
Scout, shaking his head doubtully 81
am 10th to think on it; but when their
blood is up, there's no knowing to what
lengths they will 90. If they suspected
now that any one was on their trail, and
she should hinder their flight, her scalp
would dangle at their belts in moment
The thought of the possibility of such
an event, produced a protracted silence as
they strobe on their way brooding over
the situation of the captive. Hour after
hour passed away and still they slackened
not their speed. Bnta few words passed
between them, for besides the necessity
of restraining every possible noise thro'
fear of surprise, they were each too much
occupied with their own thoughts to con-
tinue conversation. Many a mile had
been passed over, when at last the Scout
heslta,ed in his rapid gait, and shortly
come to dead halt. The sun was gctt-
ing low, and the forest was so dense that
the fading light scarcely penetrated the
thick foilagcs of the ovcrhanging branch
es. SO shrouded in gloom indeed, had
their way become that it required the clos
est scrutiny Of the quick sighted Scout to
detect the trail, which at first was broad
and distinct as if the savagcs had roved
careessly along thinking pursuit out OF
questions; but for some distance it appear
ed that they had grown more careful, for
it was evident that pains had been taken
if not to conceal, at least to render then
rout as little marked as possible.
at is getting too dark to travel farther
to night" said the Scout in low tone,
as he leaned on his rifle against the trunk
of fallen pine and wiped the drop from
his brow. "Somelhing has occurred to
make them more careful, for have OBJ
served the last hour or two the trail ha;
been growing more faint as we proceed
You see by the prints on the leaves al
around us that they made halt here, pro
badly for consultation. And here you SCI
by the bent twigs that they have srucE
off in this direction. If they were alarm
ed they had got over it from the broat
trail they made again, or this may b'
some track of the deceitful beasts. A
there should be a spring near from tn
rickling Of yonder water" continued
, the Scout, "wc had better make a stoI
here for the night" and he proceeded t
l disencumbcr himself of his Announcements
! "But there is still daylight, enough t
follow their track" said the young ma
, impatcnty of delay. every momcr
t is important-.wc have broad trail befoI
t us, why not follow it1'
patience, patience, my boy" said ii
old man, throwing down his huntin
!, pouch. "'Tis a hard lesson, but yc
d must learn it. Make haste make vast
g are words full of sound wisdom, simp
a as they read, my young friend. ! am
h anxious to overtake the varmints as yc
L are, but there is more in the signs abo
l. US than meets the eye, and want bro;
l. daylight to pry into them. We ha
s. travelled small piece to-day, and go'
)t nights rest will refresh US for an car