The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1847-11-08


limb, SO as to steady his body in the effort the
savage again hurled the shining Ratchet full at
the fair target with the other, coolly and de-
liberately as he would have sunk it in the bark
of tree. 1t fell with precision that seemed
to Morton Elwood little short of miracle,
and even in that fearful instant when the hap
piness of life time hung suspended, as it
were, on single hair, he wondered at the un-
erring skill he had witnessed, and for awhile
was lost in admiration and astonishment.
And scarcely less amazed was the captive
below. That her limbs should be freed, one
after another, without the discovery or devel-
opment of any human agency, was to her un-
accountable; and as the second weapon fell,
cleaving in its progress the letters that confn-
ed her left hand, and lay shining at her side,
she raised her eyes to the midnight sky, as
though wondering whether it fell from heaven
with the mission of freedom written on its
glittering edge.
Catching it up with an eager grasp she ap-
piled it to her remaining letters, and in an in
slant with a noseless movement stood free
and unshackled upon her feet A cry Of Joy
had almost escaped her lips, but remembering
the danger of her situation, she suppressed
the wild heartgush, and gazed around her in
search of her deliverer, if he was indeed cloth
ed in mortal shape. No sound in the forest
nor appearance of human face, gave her clue
! -, o1s u
paused, confused and amazed at the novelty
of her situation and the mystery by which she
was enveloped.
But new and perplexing difficulty arose in
the minds of her deliverers. Should she at 3
tempt to move without the utmost caution.
! her tread would awaken the slumbering sava-
ges; and were they to adopt any direct meas
ures to inform her o. their location, it would
probably lead to the same result s
AS they expected, the moment Flora Brook
field found herself relieved of the shackies
that held her captive, her first impulse was
precipitete escape. Without thought as to
the consequences, after brief hesitation, she
rushed towards the darkest portion of the for
est, actuated alone by the desire to avoid if
possible the immediate danger that surround.
ed her.
Scarcely had her foot pressed the sod, ere
an Indian, raised by the noise she unwarily
caused started from his sleeping posture, and
in an instant stood with tomahawk appraised
above the shrinking girl, threatening destruc-
ton; but his fearful pantomime was of brief
duration. Before his lips could utter sylla-
BILE, or his hand do injury to the trembling
captive, Ratchet from an unseen source above
sunk deep into his neck. cleaving it so that
his head fell upon his breast, and he sunk
down upon the earth without struggle or
groan-dead.
AS if favored by propilious providence
not another Indian was awakened, and the
maiden, now warned by the result of her
former precipitate procedure, hesitated IN her
movements and awaited the cooperation
her deliverers. She had accidentally discov-
cred their locality, by the direction OF the
weanon that silenced the awakened Indian,
and knowing that the same hand must have
given it impetus that freed her from her oonas'
she now, for the first time, came to definite
conclusion in relation to the method OF her
deliverance.
She remained passive scarcely minute
awaiting some intimation by which to govern
) her actions. ere a small faxen cord, sufficient
to sustain her weight, was taken from Its con-
cealment beneath the scanty vesture OF the
Red Hunter, and uncoiling itself as it swung
pendant from the tree fell lightly upon her
shoulder, sending thrill of pleasure to her