Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-06-05

W"uOW k"Ls"S Out upUH wv SCcUc OeIOte Oet
with vacant eye, dwell, with agony upon the
position Of her family. Her Thoughts we're
of a mixed character. Horror a, the propo.
si,ion Of the Mexican pariixan was mingled
with the reflection tia, her sacrifice migh,
save many whom she loved. This again
y as doubtful. IS the free gifi OF The property
appeared the great object aimed 1t by Do"
Jose. Then csWc upon her other thoughts
Of one who had laid his life and love at her
feet, and whom she had rejected with disdsin
because Of his color-Fray Cris,obal. He
had offered to quit his tribe. his rowing life,
all for her, and settle down a colonst under
the banner Of Texas. Her manner, her
shrinking repugnance al binding herself to
one with Indian blood in his veins, had been
sufficient answer for the warrior. lie had
spoken no more, but his altered mien indi.
Gated deeply wounded feelings. Helen knew
him well, and knew that, under other circum.
stances, Fray Cristobsl had perilIed life, all,
for her and her family. She feI, with bitter
regret that on his devotion she now had no
claim.
The day passed; the Mexican soldiers ate,
drank, slept, and amused themselves, q few
keeping watch. Nigh, came, and then sen.
.incls were posted at every weak point in
fact a chain Of soldiers surrounded the house.
Ingress and egress appeared equally impos-
sible. Hours passed the last meal was
brought to the prisoners, with an in,i,nation
that at dsy.break the terrible tragedy would
be enacted. For greater safety. lights were
denied them, though the guards omitted TO
deprive the cap,ves Of their pipes and TO-.
bacco pouches, in which flint and steel we're
always kept. For about two hours after sun.
set, no sound was heard save the measured
tramp Of the mounted sen,inels without the
stockade and Of the foot within. Helen sa,
alone al the window Of her hut, which over.
looked the lawn. To the right was the out.
house containing the male prisoners, 10 the
left the stream. On this now fell the rays
Of the dim moon, just rising from a bank of
clouds and on this Helen gaxed, under the
influence of the only feeling which preserved
her from utter despair. 1t wanted an hour
Of midnight, and yet there was no sign given.
Ten minutes more passed, when dark mas.
rising slowly from the water gave hope, and
made poor Helcn's heart heat wildly. A
figure was clearly visible. 1t stood upon
the brink Of the stream, near a wood. pile
when musket.shot was fired by an observ.
ing sentinel. A heavy plunge was heard
in the water, end when the alarmed senlineIs
reached The spot, a dark mass WAS seen
floating down the river, already at distance.
Satisfied that the Indian intruder had bee n
slain, or MORALLY wounded. the soldiers, after
reporting as much, returned to their posts.
Helen, who had seen the Indian, after
throwing log into the river, glide behind
the wood.pile, INV saw him. with intense
anxiety, crawl along the line of buildings
Tie reached the spot where she stood, and
was about 10 pass, when low whispered
"C,istobal" arrested him. "Miss Pollock"
SAID he in the same tone, in one sentence
tell me all you know" Helen in ,ew hur.
ried words explained all. "Your father, al,
shall be saved" "Oh, Cristobsl, do that
save my father. my mother, my brothers al,
and my deep and eternal gratitude shall be
yours" "Graiitude is but cold word to
me-" said CustobsI. who with her dropped
all semblance of Indian manner, "Be gen.
erous, dear Crisiobal,' whispered Helen,
blushng unseen in the darkness. Il have
been cruel, unkind, but your devotion 10 nv
friends will make me forget ALL Even nv
Indian blood = SAID Cris,obal, with a sad
melancholy IN his tone which wen, to the
girls heart AN but youf noble risk Of life
and aI lifr's joys 10 save nv friends 'And
you Miss Pollock 'Cris,obal.' said the ae-
i,ated gml hnrriedIy dear Cris,obal. such
dreadful scenes as these make us 1--we wears
in an hour. Call me. then. Helen; save my
father and mother, and hope everything
Fray seized the girls hand through tho barr.
ed window, AMI said in husky tone, If
save all, would 20" foreet my Indian faint,
and become my wife = i would will,
said Helen. WIN in tins hour Of peril became
a woman, forgetting al maiden coyncss in
the excitement Of the moment, From graf
iiude only 7 SAID Cris,obsl gloomy. Il will
respect And you will be mine = \ will.
You love me then ? Dear C,istobal, waste
not the precious moments think what is
most dear TO you, and doubt not hut time
will prove you M, far wrong There was
a tenderness in ielen's tone winch carried
irresistible conviction, and pressing her han nd
TO his Ups, the young man glided away to-.
wards the shed in which the men were con-
fined.
A brief and hurried conversation now en-
sued. which having lasted about ten minutes,
the Comanche chief returned. and bidding
Helen TO be- Of good cheer. again sough, tho
river, and disappeared. The sgitaied girl
now noticed that q great hustle was taking
place 10 the shed containing the male pris-
oners, as if the whole party were busily en-.
gagged in moving all il contained. Sounds
Of breaking up barrels were plainly heard
and then the low and cautious striking Of q
light. Helen's heart beat violently she Eel,
con6den, that some plan arranged between
Cris,obal and her father was about to be car
ried out. Next instant fame rose 10 the
shed on the side which communicated 10 the
Ouibuildines aud eransries, while hsndfuls Of
burning sticks were cast from narrow loon.
holes, Which were intended TO supply liph,
and air TO the erection. The alarm was Civ
en- the sen,inels rushed TO STAY the flames
and punish the audacious cspiives. when the
door flew open, and a volsy o, musketry was
poured upon tie ss,onishrd Msxicans. The
male prisoners had been placed within the
arsenal Of The whole hamlet. And now, amid
the roar Of muske,ry and the cracking Of the
flames, csme the fearful Comancl'e war.
hoop from tho plains Of the bewildersd and
s6reh,sd Mexicans. To defend the house
was impossible, - the fire would soon wrap