The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-09-01

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The travellers had left the inn, but the
landlord gave fill relation of the duel.
concea''ng only the name of Clinton. On
the name of Clinton, Austin started.
"Ah. that explains his conduct Of las,
night" he cried.
"lIe has iledw said Ellen covering her
face with her hands.
"And il is Welt" exclaimed her father
sternly.
For three weeks, Frederick Austin was
unable to leave the inn but at the end of
that time, he was sufficiently recovered to
be transported TO his fathers house.
Still Ellen heard nothing of her absent
lover. He anxiety and grief for his absence
were equaled only by her joy to think that
he was no. the murderer of her BROTHER
To him Ellen told all her heart and when
she related many acts of generosity in Gin
ton. Frederick, who knew by experience
that he was brave, openly approved of her
choice and while he forgave his former an
tagoniSt, regretted exceedingly that he had
fed where none pursued.
Frederick was soon able to walk about ::
he aud his sisterthen took short strollS upon
the prairie and on the river banks and end
ed by prolonging gradually their morning
walks. When the young man had regaincd
his strength, he either went forth alone with
his dog and gun, or accompanied by his sis
ter. made short excursions on horseback.
II is needless to say that Ellen, like a true
maid OF the prairie, rode with the utmost
grace and ease.
Frederick, notwithstanding the arrogance
of which we have seen him guilty, was
naturally Of pleasing disposition, generous
and obIidgng. His love of satire and fun
sometimes carried him TO extremes. and his
seli-wIll bordercd on nsolence; but he bad
changed somewhat since his recovery.
which fact was owing perhaps to the lesson
Clinton had taught him at the inn, and the
fatal consequences OF his presumption.
Two months passed by. and still no news
/ from Clinton Grover reached the ears olthe
! anxious Ellen.
Summer was gone. and autumn with its
chilling frosts, had robbed the prairie of lis
robe Of green. The leaves Of the forest
! had fallen to the ground, and the prairie
grass had become wihered and sere.
1t was one Of those days when the mel
ancholy Of autumn is joined to TO the beau.
! ~ Of summer, that Frederick and his sister
rode forth upon the prairie, and excited By
influence of the fresh prairie breeze uncon,
/ sciously proceeded several miles from home
They were upon the broad prairie, which
extended far away on every side, undu!a
ting and beautiful, although covered Will
dry and withered grass.
The sun wentdown before they though,
TO return; but as evening approached. ant
the silent prairie became clothed in gloon
they paused with one consent and turnc,
their horses homeward.
They galloped on at rapid pace; bu
night came and they were still far ava,
from home.
Night. but not darkncssi
Behind them far away OH the prairie,
broad CLEAN of light quivering
intense
The prairie was on fire!
"Hcavens ~ exclaimed Frederick
'slook -
"The fire ~ cried Ellen.
"Yes-the prairie is burning! forward O
we are lost!"
The stceds needed nor urging, they bound
cd away as if conscious of the danger.
The Sreeze freshened, and the dry gras
was consumed like powder, in the fame
which swept along the earth.
Onward, onward dashed the stecds, bear
ing their riders swiftly over the prairie
but the flames were behind them NOR,
swift, more furious than they!
Onward onward still they few; but III,
deer bounded by them in bis might, and tn,
Guttcring Of wings over their heads, tol,
that the birds Of the air were more swil
than they.
Trembling with fear Ellen dashed he
steed and kept close by her brother. Oh
that wild spcciaclc-the prairie llumeG b,
the fierce glare of light, the raging flames
and the cloud of black and dismal smok C
which gave to the canopy Of heaven fear
full tint of gloom!
Onward dashed the stecds, but the wind
were swi!ter than they; and the fame
were on the wings Of the wind. Alrcad
the hot breath of The conflagration swcI
over them like the Simeon of the desert
All behind them was fierce glare c
light: all before them was darkness an
gloom. Suddenly faint light was see
upon a distant hll-like atorch held by Tn
| hand of man-and it approached. wavcrin
10 anu NV. AZ IdNl IlC luiiii VI lNS ISdIlI W Il
indistnctly visible.
"Faster." cried Frederick, "and we ar
saved! Heavens! the flames are gainiu
on Stiil-faSttr-iaster ~
, But to increase their speed was impoSs
siblc. The cracking flames were alrcad
upon them, when the torch which they ha
seen approaching, was suddenly plunge
into the grass n hundred rods before then
In moment the flames shot upward, an
the form of the stangcr was seen. still hold
ing the flaming torch. Frederick and l.
len were between two fires. but the on
, was fleeing before them, while the otht
was cloSc-cloSc upon their backs. The
saw the form Of the stauger already upo
the black space which the foremost fire ha
/ left, and terrible was their struggle to rcaC
= it before overaken by the flames behind
The smoke rolled over them-thc swi
flames were already beneath the hoorS
5 their steeds-thcy were blinded, sun'ocate,
| burned-but they were saved
, The fire before them swept onward-oI
/ ward-leavng in its track the earth a
charred ahd bare. The flames died ava
at the point where the stranger had plunge
his torch into the grass, or swept arour
them in a broad circle Of raging fire
Il, Arrived on the black space ofcround IL
:. faded horses staggered aud fell eyhauStc