The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-03-20


thoy considered ms IN important piece ofnews
and il STIMULATED them TO fresh efforts for her
discovery, and the apprehension and punish
ment of the william whom they felt web nssuI-
ed was concerned in her abduction. With II
proper outfit, they LEFT ST. Charles, dctornil'
cd 10 proceed up the river us far us the neigh
borhood of the Arckeras in u barge, proyid-
ing they did not find the object OF their search
before. Aud here we will leave them, aud
return TO our hero.
In few days after they embarked on their
perilous enterprise, Duusian returned TO 81.
Louis TO claim his bride. His disappointment
aud grief cannot be imagined when he learn
ed that she had been spirited away in the
manner we have stated. Without delay, and
burning with indignation, he also started in
pursuit ef the beloved object So great was
his Impotence, he could scarcely make the
necessary preparations for the arduuus under
taking. The passage up the Missouri in II
barge was too slow for his purpose;accordIng-
| ly,at the distance of .wo hundred miles above
the 81. Charles, he abandoned the river, and
procuring fleet horse, continued his search
alone.
That part of the distance which he had
made by water had been accomplished with
out any particular adventure worth relating,
aud now the open prairie, the bouudless viii
deruess, were all before him. But in what
direction was hc TO continue his search;
where was hc 10 look for lola? by what land
marks was lac TO be guided in travelling
those limtless solitudes? were questions
which the first moments Of cool reflection in
duced him to ask. He determined to follow
the general course ofthe Missouri, aud to
join those who had preceded him, ut the Aric-
kera village Days passed, aud still with uu-
] n lonely
way, sleeping by night upon the ground, and
eating his coarse meals Of dried veuison for
sustenamce. But for this he cared not. For
the loved one only did he fear. lie pictured
her in the power of ruiliun, weary with
travelling, sinking under the fatigue of the
Journey and forced TO submit TO iudignities at
which humanity should shudder. To his
great JOY he learned from half breed whom
he fortunately encountered, that three per-
sons answering his description had passed
through the region about II week before,
namely, two Canadian voyageurs, 4 female,
aud also an Indian.
Duhstan could not doubt but the female was
her of whom he was in quest, and pushed
forward with new energy aud the reader
rccollccts was now near the country Of the
Aucheras, and NJ not Il great distance from
the Black-mOunlains. While thus watching
us we have described,the splendors ola sun
set upon the praries, and absorbed in the
contemplation oithc imposing appearance of
the mountains, he was startled by light rust
ling sound at his elbow, and the light clattcr-
ing of horses boots. Turning quickly about
he was confronted by an athletic savage,
mounted upon fine sorrel sieed. For u
moment they gazed at each other in silence.
Dunstan mstutively carried his hand TO his
holster, and grasped II pistOl, while the Indian
at the same time laid his upon knife stuck
in his girdIe. and drew back. Then sudden
" starting forward he held out his hand, aud
smiled in concilialing manner. With lit
tie hesitation, and sundry misgivings as 10
the sincerity Of his motives, lie accepted the
protlGred token Of alnity.
He appeared to be one ola war party, as
he was painted in the most fantastic manner,
from head 10 foot. lie was unable TO ar
ticulate u word of f. nglish, and made known
his wishes by signs. lie pointed to his heart
to signify that his feelings We're friendly to-
wards him, then towards the mountain ranges
To make him understand that he was going
in the same direction.
This news was anything but gratifying to
our hero, but he could not in common cour-
tcsy reject the companionship of his new
friend, and more he dare not. Although he
doubted the faith the warrior Indian, he
was obliged to submit, and they continued
he lose sight Of his strange companion.-
With one hand upon pistol. he managed to
watch, unobserved, every movement, resolved
to shoot him upon the first appearance Of
trcacherV. As the darkness Increased, he
grew more vigilant, and cast many uneasy
glunces at the long prairie grass which was
high to conceal II lurking foe II
The savage, evidently was i'll at ease, and in
return threw many sdelong gianccs at the
side arms ofDunstan, as though conscious
that any suspicious movements on his part
would he attended with danger. They had
proceeded perhaps hali-hour i'll this way,
when he imagined he perceived u slight
in the grass produced by other
cause than the wind; stralning his vision TO
the utmost to his alarm, he saw two bright )
eyes piercing out upon him, and presently
he distinctly saw the head ofan Indian eager |
" watching his approach. Dunstan was IL
bout to turn and fly, when the savage by his
side gave shrill whoop,and endeavored by II '
leXterous movement TO throw himself from {
1is horse. But he had been anticipated, aud G
before he could effect his purpose ball from l.
Dunstan's pistol was lodged in his body, aud Il
instead Of falling us lightly as he intended, he
oiled heavily and with groan of rage and /
jain TO the earth.
In an instant Bayard was upon his speed, $
md as he darted like lightning away, horrid ,
,elIs arose from hundred throats, and us :
many savagcs sprang to their feet who had a
,ecn snugly nestled IN the rank grass await i
ne him. They were ioied, and though there Il
vas mounting Sin hot haste" Dunstuu was II
ar in advance before the chase fairly COM q
They put their horses upon their Il
nettle, and whooping like tiends, followed, II
nut in vain. Discouraged, they soon aban-
oned the pursuit. Our hero pressed on l.