The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1842-04-15
From the Portland Transcript.
E'l,a Scout.
CJach3oL.
c IL A p T l. Z VI.

The same anxiety on account OF the
report of the gun that troubled the young
mans mind, seemed also to bnrden the
thoughts of the scout, for, after travelling
alone some time in silence, he remarked,
in low tone
These woods are master places for car
rying sound. I've heard, fore now, when
I've been out hunting, a report go ECHO
ing through the forest, just as though each
tree had tongue of its own, and so caught
up and repeated the sound to its neighbor,
until it went clean through the whole tract.
But hope there are no such tell tale trees
in these parts, for if they should bear that
pesky shot 10 the red skins we are in
search of, it would be an evil report for
us, | consate, though we raised it our
self"
Tread softly, my boy" continued the
old man, "and don't disturb the bushes
more than you can help. We must be
careful of our trail, for there's no telling
how many of the varmin there may be
prowlng around u.s."
Every step was now taken with the
greatest caution. Particular care was OBJ
served to prevent the least no:se-cven
the swapping of twig--and our two
friends pressed forward so softly and steal
thiIy that they scarcely disturbed the dry
leaves in their path, From the signs
around them, the hunter knew that the
Indians could not be far of. AT one spot
which they reached about two hours after
their affair with the panther, the marks
were so fresh, the Scout assured his com
panion that they could not have left it but
short time before. The savages had evil
IDENTIFY set about preparing hasiy meal,
and it was possible the report of the gun
here reached them, for there were obvious
marks of hurried departure.
As the newcomers cast searching CLAN
ces around them, and the Scout pried into
the neighhoring bushes, as if fearful OF an
ambuscade, the quick eye of the young
man caught sight Of an object which SEN
the blood with a warmer flow through his
veins. The place in which they found
themselves was small area, nearly sur
rounded with lofty trees, whose overhang
ing branches cast a deep shade over it
On one side a MASSEY tree lay stretched
along the ground-its cxtremltes conceal
cd by the underbrush into winch 1t hat
fallen. In slight croyice of this tree
which had doubtless been occupied as tn
maiden's seat, as if placed there to aitrac
attention, the young man detected hea
bracelet, which he at once recognized as
Gift of his own to Mabel. 1t was Toxic
10 him that she anticipated pursuit, an
his heart was thrilled with a secret plea
sure, for it assured him that she had conf
dence in him and relied on his eXerllon
10 rescue her from captivity. 1t showed
also, that she was not disheartened, BIT
still retained her spirits unbroken. As h
eagerly directed the attention of his con
panon to the discovery, the Scouts ey
Frightened, and complacent smile high
ed up his features as he remarked, III
barely audible whisper,
"Aye, the gal has a quick wit and
courageous heart, though she is dart
of mine. She is worth fighting for, DO
and, when the time comes, | hope 20
heart won't fail you"
al hope you don't doubt me, sir y sa
the youth, reddenng slightly as he spo'
"Dis,rust you, youngstcr!' replied t
Scou, in tone of honest sincerity, an
yer you think it. Ioaly thought | wor
give you hint of what is before u.s.
There may be blood split before we
the end OF the business. One or both
us may lay our bones in this forest
there's no saying, for these red skins h'
sure eye, and seldom burn powder
nothing. Ifeither of us fall, pray N
be the one, lad, for, in course OF natu'