The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-03-27
Miscellaneous.
e V e r EFT Il NSTAN
A Tale of the Black Hills.
BY j. II. ROBINSON.
CHA PTERJI
ICONCLUDEn.


CoNCLUDED.l
= About midnight VanderveI and the Indian
were joined by Lacy at short distance from
where Letson kept watch over lola. The In
dian and Lacy changed clothes, and the for
mcr proceeded to paint the latter after the In
dian style. When he had finished. the trans
formation was considered perfect. The In
dian was then dismissed, while Lacy, wht
was to personnte him with Vanderver, return
ed to their companion Early in the morn
ing Miss Laffrets was compelled to mount q
horse provided for the purpose, and with hen
ccnptors, who were also mounted, moved off
IN a northwestly direction. The sol d;so,j
indian, who passed under the sobrjouet Of
kedskln, kept studiously aloof during the
greater part ofthe day; but before nipht Jolo
observed that he appeared anxious 10 mn
proach her. Several times when Vanderyer
ana Letson were few yards in advance. he
reihed MS horse close to hers and apparently
was about 10 address her. AT that instant
her captors sIackened their pace, and he fell
quickly back, us though afraid Of their dis
! pleasure. '''
IoIH resolved to favor his design. Again he
repeated the operation, when, bending
towards him, in low, hurried voice she nd
dressed him
"lfyou have ought TO communicate, speak
i am ready TO hear YOU"
Inc Indian smiled, and then pointed sig
nificantly towards Vanderver Miss I.aflrets
understood him. lie wished not 10 be OBJ
served by lls companions, and as she beIicv-
ed, employers. Curious to know the import
oia this, she rened up her horse and kept
pace with the Indian.
Her captors were now some distance in
advance Lacy inclined toward her in the
saddle, and speaking in a whisper sa i'd
"Ie not alarmed, Miss Lutircis, n friend is
nearyou, one who would peril Ills life to save
you from the power of those luffinns who
have torn you from home, aud TN, soft cndear
mems ofthoSe you love. | truss YOU know
me even in this guise, which was adopted ms
tha only means of your rescue. EXCHANGED
habI!lnents with the Indian you first saw
yesterday, by the influence ola large bribe.
Your abduction produced the II eatest con
sternaton among your friends You recol-
Iect, Miss Laflrets, that yonder ruffian. the
stoutcst, set upon me with the gre Attest fury.
defended myself us long as could, deter
mined TO prevent your capture or perish in
the attempt. At length was fell hv IA crush
ing blow TO the earth. How long | lay in
sensible | cannot say, but when recovered
1t was nearly dark, and the company were
looking for you in every direction. Though
faint from loss ofblood, and suffering indies
cribnhIe pain from severe confusion, ] also
Joined In the search. No self con sIeratiou
of prudence, so called, could prevent me from
making an effort in your favor Like one dis
tracted. ! started in pursuit, resolved nor to
abandon it until your recovery from the
hands ofthc villains. travelled without in
temupton till nearly daylight without learn
ing anything of your fate" Ina lo wer tone
''~ee! they are watching us; we must he eau
tious Il little indscretion will destroy al."-
After short slence,-"I had thrown myself
weary and dispirited upon the ground, when
| fancied heard the sound of huns voices
mt no great distance. Crouching upon INV
hands and knees, | crept cautiously forward
rs near the place as possible without being
discovered, when saw, TO my joy, the object
of my anxious search reposing sorrowiullv
upon rude couch, guarded by those two
ruftians." (Ponting.) "Fora lonw time |
deIlberated upon what course to PURSUE
Sometimes was half inclined to rush upon
them and decide the matter with my single
arm, but the odds were too much against me;
besides, faint with blood and completely ex-
hausted by recent eXertion, | should have |
been wholly unable to contend with such
desperadoes. The attempt would have been
madness, end the loss Of my life would have |
but added another item to the black catalogue
of crime already registered against those |
graceless knaves. Then thought of return
ing to my friends and giving the alarm When
properly prepared. we might overtake and
punish the fgtiveS. But how was | too re-
turn in my weak and disabled condition? AT
tbs luncture the Indian made his appearance
and after convGrsing awhile with your captors
struck off into he wood. l followed as fast
rs was able at q distance. When sufficient
" near, | beckoned to him to STOP
He did so, and the resi- is already known to
you. The Indian fegned sickness and utter
disability to continue the route. Al his suS-
gestion | was introduced as an expert woods
man, and employed. have watched an OPP
to speak with you, but in vain. You
may imagine with what anxiety l have re-
garded these proceedings; but believe me, Il
shall do my utmost to effect your deliverance."
During this history lola had regarded La
cy with the greatest interest. She doubted
ut first his sincerity. As he proceeded in the
his manner became so earnest and
his tone so expressive of sympathy and real
that her suspicious were shaken,
and before he had finished she was ashamed
doubted him.
"Mr Lacy, how can | sufficiently express
the gratitude which the interest you have
manifested in my welfare deserves" said To-
la, teelingy while her guitless heart suspect
ed no treachery; and her sweet face was turn
ed gratefully towards him.
"To know, Miss Laffrets, that have saved
you, is ample compensation for what little
service may render. | only regret that l
cannot prove the depth of that friendship
which feel must ever entertain for you, by
some act more deserving your thanks"
81 can only pray that Heaven will award
your disinterestedness as it deserves. The
exertions you have already made in my be-
half, assure you, will never he forgotten"