Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-04-23

nOlstleSS slep lulO lUe OIeu sPiCc auu ulsIpPSaI-
cd behind a thick growth Of bushes.
CHATTER ".
The Indians had halted 10 a small opening in
the forest close By the outlet. In the full conf.
dence that all danger from pursuit was over, they
relaxed from their usual .watchlulncss over their
prisoners, and instead Of keeping them by their
sides. as they had heretofore when they slept,
they had allowed them 10 sit apart, taking the
precaution, however, 10 bind their ankles with
thongs. In the early part Of the night the sisters,
as if worn out with fatigue, had reigned deep
slumber Indeed the distance they had trave-
led, and the almost constant wa'shunos5 Of the
preceding nights. rendered rest absolutely ne.
cessary 10 their worn frames. But the intimaiion
!hcy had received Of friends lurking near, arous-
ed them. To lu all suspicion, however, they
thought it beslto counterfeit sleep, and 50 saiish.
ed were their captors Of its realty and that il
would remain unbroken, and so confident that
they were entirely beyond the reach oflhe whites
they yielded themselves unrcservedly to that re.
pose which, from what they had lately undergone
nature imperiousy demanded.
On little mossy knoll, wholly unshetcred
from the heavy dews, the captives had thrown
themselves. their deep. regular breathing beto.
kening that their senses were locked in the deep
est sumber, and that they were totally obliyious
TO the scene around them: and vet there was no,
! the fall Of leal-the swapping ofa ,wig-the
! faint chirp ola haIf-arouscd bird-thc low sigh.
ing Of passing breeze rustling in the trcc tops
not one ofthe many sounds that disturb the ST.
ence ofnight in the forest, that was not heard by
those apparently unconscious sleepers.
Since the early evening, when tie scout haC
apprlzed them Of The presence OF a friend theil
bosoms had throbbed with contending emotions
hope and fear absolutely pradomnatng. A:
the night wore away and no furlhcr signs Of res.
cue appearing, their anxiety increased. More
than once was the head Of Catharine, the eldest
lifted from its mossy pillow, while she cast fur.
tive gances around and eargery listened to catch
some sign ordalverancc. Who they were that
| dogged them 10 this place she knew not, but her
heart told her that one at least Of the party was
her cousin Sands, while Anna, the younger, as
naturally believed that young Smith was among
them.
While they were thus waiting in anxious soil.
citude, counting the moments BY the beating OF
their own hearts. and almost desparing Of an al.
tempt being made that night; faint sound in the
bushes behind them reached their ears, causing
them simultaneously to hold their breath as
they listened eagerly forts repetition. All, how.
ever, remained as still as before, and they came
TO the conclusion that their ears deceived them
81 certainly thought heard something, Anna,
whispered the elder, placing her mouth close tc
; her sisters ear.
$50 did l." added her companion in a wemu'
lous tone.
"Listen again, dear Anna
"Hist!" came a low warning at the speakers
ear, inturrupting her-"be silent as death--dc
not move--you have friends at hand!"
"Be calm, Anna, whispered Caharine in
: joyful tone TO her startled sister-"lts hunting
, Joe. know his voice, we are safe!"
Even as she spoke the tall form Of the scou
rose in front of the bush behind them, just diser
: nable in the gloom ofnight. Making sign o
5 silence, he stopped down and cut the thongs tina
, bound them, and then whispered,
"On your lives, gals, be wary! Raise your
, selves-hush hush" he hastily added, "don'
stir, nor breathe!"
The caution thus suddenly given was occa
stoned by the movement of one Of the savages,
rod, perhaps, in front, who turned heavily on hi
E eafy couch muttering rapidly the untelligibI
argon of his tribe. For moment the three re
5 mained breathlessly listening.
f "The varmint is only dreaming" at lengtI
2 said the scout in a tone olrelief-"now up anc
follow me-"
5 The captvcs did as they were bid, moviD;
. with the gentlest caution, until they reached 1h'
7 narrow passage in the bushes which led from th'
opening, when the scout stopped but notIOnet
n them forward.
: 81 must stay here" he whispered 10 them a
S thew cre9t by him, "to guard your retreat; yo
2 will find a friend close at hand. Bid him b
careful, and remember that you are treadin
# among sleeping adders-ifyou arouse them it
r DEATH"
g The two maidens nodded assent. aud passin
: on soon cleared the clump of bushes, when
u welI.known voice, recognized though barely au
: dbIe, greeted KaIe, and well.known hand gras
ped hers and guided them along The may vii
derness to the canoe, 10 which they hastily seat
, ed themselves. Hardly had the trembling girl
J embarked in the frail vessel, ard ere the yoan!
: men, who followed the counsel oil the scout b!
acting cody and deliberately, had got fairly ar
), ranged for start, they were alarmed by hearing
frornt the direction whence they had come the eX
; pressive exclamation used by the red man wher
suddenly surprised, followed by shrill whooI
a which rang through the forest. Grasping th,
S pendant branches the young men drew the cano
: swiftly along, scarcely breathing until they ha