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

the scene. As her gaze fingered on the
different points of attraction, for the time
she forgot the terrible scenes she had re-
Gently passed through and the horrors of
her present situation. Her captivity, and
the probable fate that awaited her, wholly
passed from her mind. In this dreamy
state Of lorgetiulness, her eye was follow
ed down the meander,ngs Of the riyulet,
which, in the bright moonlight, appeared
like a stream of malten silver, until its
course was lost in the dark clump Of bush
es which bounded the small opening, when
an exclamation of delighted surprise arose
to her lips. Ere it found uuorance she
had the presence Of mind to restrain it.
The next moment the dark form OF n sa
ware rose stealhiy in the shade behind
her. The deep cultural monotony made
use of by the red man when surprised
Hugh WAS uttered in a subducd
voice, giving evidence that the movement
of the maiden, slight as it was, had not
escaped his observation.
For three or four minutes the gaze Of
the savage was rivcticd on the spot to
which her glance had been SO lately dircc-
ted, while his hand clutrhed the fatal to-
mahawk, ready for instant action.-I'he
maiden held her breath, while her heart
beat almost audibIy--haf in hope,
half in fear. Some time elapsed, yet
nothing unusual met their gaze; but
presently a slight rustling WAS heard
among the bushes, and soon a(tera young
doe was seen to emerge hastily from the
thickct, gazing around IN startled man
ner. For moment II stood with lis head
half turned to its late covert, then slowly
stalking towards the litlIc stream, it Lapp-
ed awhile the bright waters and shortly
after plunged again into the bushes and
the same deep solitude as before reigned
over the scene. As if his suspicious were
luled to rest, the savage soon after sunk
quietly back on his lealy couch, and ere
long his heavy breathing assured the mai
den that his senses were locked i'll SUM
Der.
Mabel-for the reader will recognize
the Scouts daughter in the young female,
we have been speaking ot--listened with
a glstening eye TO the deep respiratlons
of the sleeper. In order to test the sound.
ness Of his slumber, she moved her feet 50
as to produce a rustling noise among the
crisp leaves around her, and then await
in anxious expectation, the result of the
5 trial. But the sleep Of the Indian was toe
heavy to be thus easily broken. Under
ordinary circumstances, probably, even thu
: slightest noise she had made would have
aroused him at once but the night pre-
vious, which was that succeeding the mas
e sacre, as well as that in which the iata
deed was perpetrated-ha been sIeeples
t ones--and this, with the fatigue OF Ion!
tramp, had induced deeper slumber thai
t usual.
= Having satisfied herself that her capto
It was not ieignng, Mabel again turned he
eyes towards the thicket with beatin
o heart. She had not gazed long, when
e dark object was seen creeping slowly an
o warily in the deep shadows of the bushes
y and presently young man stepped eau
h tously into the patch OF moonlighin iron
e Though the thicket was at some distance
S the quick eye Of the girl Immediately re
k cognizcd the intruder. Awarm blush su
g fused her pale chsfks, and her bosor
8 throbhed with a new emotion as her gIanc
fell on the form of one whose presence,
may well be supposed, was never NOR
n welcome than at this trying moment. le
ID amid the thrill Of Joy which the presenc
ID of her lover inspired, there mingled Il
lie small degree Of fear. She supposed III
ID he had come to her rescue alone an
id though she had no doubt he might easlI
I'd overcome the sleeping savage, what II Il
IS other, who had, in reality, been sent bac
st as young Mayberry supposed, to asco
N tain the cause Of the shot---what if
OF should return! Every moment she G
HI expected to hear his footsteps, for Il
lie hour had passed when he should Ia
er been ,here-and what could her lover
- single-handed with two such powerI
hg foes
he Forgetting her own situation in the da
ss ger that mensced one so dear to her, S
Ter almost regretted his appearance. n
EST long, however, did she retain this ieelir
nd for, a moment after, to her great joy, s
'as beheld her father standing by his slt
res The gaze of both was apparently fixed
Ter her. She was soon satisfied that she W
ler seen by them, for, after brief consul
ent ton, her father either made sign to t
&C. effect or beck0ncl to her. What sho,
to prevent her starting away to their prot
the uonl In the first impulse Of the nom
ing she vainly made the attempt ValnIy
the say, for her crafty captors had taken
the prccaution to guard against flight by C
and iinmg her limbs, both arms and feet,
rro- ,hus RENDERING her entirely hclplcss,