Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-11-01

the father or at the Intended son-ln-law,
young Leper, they could not utter the word
that would carry despair to two almost break
ing hearts, and so the march was continued.
But night drew on, and one Of the elders
spoke:
There seems TO be no hope he said,
stopping and resting his rifle on the ground,
'and we are far from our families. What
would become ofthe village if attacked in our
absence =
This was question that went to every
heart, and by one consent the party stopped
and many, especially ofthe older ones, took
step or two involuntary homewards. The
father and young Leper looked at each 9TH
err in mute despair.
you are right. Jenkin,' said the young
man at length. lit is selfish in us to lead
you so far from home On'-and here for an
instant he choked-'on perhaps a fruiless
errand. Go back, we thank you for having
come SO far. But as for me, my way lies
ahead, even if leads into tho very heart of
an Indian village
'And will follow YOU ! And ! cx-
claimed dozen voices for daring, in mo-
ments like these, carries The day against cool
u IOuHStlS, anu luC yOuI8 "
to Leper's side.
Even the old men were affected by the
contagion. They were torn by conflicting
e notions, now thinking of their wives and
little ones behind, and now reminded of the
suffering caplives before. They still fluc-
tuatcd, when one of the young men cxclaim-
ed in a low voice
See there they are y and as he spoke
be pointed TO thin column of light ascend
ing in the twilight above the tree tops, from
the bottom of the valley lying Immediately
behind them.
'On then, on said Jenkins, now the first
to move ahead 'bnl silently, for the slight
est noise will ruin our hopes
Oh, how the fathers heart thrilled at these
words The evident belief of his neghbors
in the useIcssness of further pursuit, had
wrung his heart and with Leper he had re-
solved to 90 unaided, though meantime he
watched with intense anxiety the proceedings
of the connsels, for he knew that two men, or
even a dozen, would probably be insufficient
to rescue the cap,ive.-But when his eyes
caught the distant light, hope rushed over his
heart. With the next minute he was fore
most in the line of pursuers, apparently the
coolest and most cautious of all.
With noiscless tread the bordcrcrs pro-
ceedcd until they were within ii few yards
of the encampcd Indians, of whom they be-
gan to catch sight OF lhrou n the avenue of
tho trees, the fire flashed up, when fresh
brand was thrown upon II. 'o,,.'h-:y -.--t.
ing forward few PAGES further, they discov-
cred the captive girl with her two little broth
ers, and three sisters. bound, a short distance
from the group: and at the sight the fear OF
the father lest some of his little ones, unable
to keep in the hasty flight had been toma-
) hawked, gave way to a thrill Of indiscribabe
: Joy. He and Jenkins were now by common
) consent looked on as the leaders tthe party
He paused to count the group.
Twenty five in ALL he said, in low
!; whisper. 'We can take of third at least
with one fire, and then rush on them, and he
r looked TO jenkins, who nodded approving
ly.
5 In hurried whispering the plan of attack
, was regulated, each having an Indian assign
| ed TO his rifle. During this brief pause eve.
~ heart ,remblcd least the accidental crack
: ling Of twg or tone spoken unadvisedy
; above a whisper should attract the attention
of the savages. Suddenly, before all was ar
ranged, one Of them sprung to hls feet, and
. looked susplciously in the direction Of ouI
4 little party. AT the same instant another
sprung towards the prisoners, and with eyes
fixed on the thicket where the pursuers lay
t held his ,omahawk above the startled girl, "a,
. to strike the instant any demonstration Of
hostility should appear.
e The children chung TO their sisters side
! with stined cries. The moment was crili
S cal if the proximity of the pursuers wa:
suspected, their discovery would be the re.
: result. To wait until each man had his vic.
D tim assigned him, might prove ruinous; tc
: fire prematurely might be equally so. Blu
Leper forgot every consideration in the peri
of Mary, aud almost al the instant when the
occurrences we have related were taking
Q place, took aim at the savage standing ovel
] his betrOthed, and fired. The Indian fei
dead.
Immediately yell rang through the for.
S est-the savages leaped to their arm, few
, dashed into the thicket, others rushed on the
3 prisoners, the mos, sagncions retroating be-
\ hind trees. But on that who op dozen rifles
rang on the air, and half score of the assailec
fell to the earth, while the borderers, break.
ing from the thicket, with uplllted toma'
[ hawks, came to the rescue. A wild hand tC
e hand conflict ensutd, in which nothing coulc
be seen except the figures of the combaanls
rolling together among the whirlng leaves
| nothing heard but the angry shouts, and the
! groans of the wounded and dying. In a few
a minutes, the bordercrs were victorious.
Leper had been the 6rst TO enter the field
The instant ne fired, hinging down hsrihe
he leaped from his hiding place and rushed
I to Mary's side, thinking only Of her safety.
1t was well he was prompt. Two stall
wart savages dashed at her with swinging
tomahawk but the knife of Leper found the
heart of one, and the Other fell stunned by a
, blow from the but end of his fathers rifle,
, who followed his intended son-in-law a step
OF two behind. A seconds del'y would
have been too late.
Fortunately none Of the assaiIants were
killed, though several were seriously wound
ed. The suddenness of the attack may ac-