Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-04-24

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the pipe of peace $50 up my men," he continued ad-
dressing his clerks you away and out general SUB
le,te, by taking johnson good supply Of the weed"
''A very fine ;" said Nick with knowing shake Of the
head "but Sublette, him know trick worth two Of that
hundred Backees out laying in the woods and not
soul will reach the market until they are gose"
"The Blackfeei cried McPherson ''then we are de-
feared surely. What is TO be done 2"
"F4ow many bales will suffice 2" said Ray, quietly
"If johnson, agent had but one," replied the trader
despoudingy, "a would be right. 1t is impossible, how
ever and this year is lost to me-"
By no MEANS" said the clerk rising with all his native
energy and fire beaming in his eye; johnson shall have
the bale or my scalp shall hang in Backfuo lodge be-
fore morning!"
edward ~ exclaimed the daughter with an alarmed
glance which opened the fathers eye to what had hitherto
been profound secret
care you in earnest, Mr. Ray y! said Mcpherson grave
ly and even sternly.
81 am sir give wild Polly Ga favorite mare) and
trust to me for accomplishing your wishes"
"YOu will go alone, ,hen?"
al will"
Mcpherson ordered the he valued much to be
saddled and in half an hour Edward Ray, with two bales
Of tobacco behind him. and armed 10 the teeth, sailed forth
from Spokan amid the paudits Of the whole party, whose
establishment regarded less the peril Of the adventure than
the character of the man who undertook it. Miss Nc
Pherson conscious Of the interest she had betrayed in he
hers clerk hastily retired to her chamber while her IA
,he after carefully fastening the gates aud posting proper
sennes lit his pipe and seated himself absorbed In reiiec
tion by the fireplace in 0he principal apartment Great
smokers are your Indian traders who in nbe things than
! one resemble the men with whom they have TO DEAL
Meanwhile, Edward Ray, after leaving the fort, rode
slowly down the valley rejecting the wsest course for
him to pursue. Before him was journey Of seventy miles
with hundred wild Indians thrsling for pale face vic
tim the NJ ess welcome thought that he owned horse
and carried rare prize in the shape OF two bales OF obac
co. Ray felt that he had rashly ventured on wild and
doubtful enterprises and, under ordinary circumstances
would have soon turned back but he knew the opinion his
fellows had Of him. and felt with pride that no one had Of
fere to accompany him. Besides in the presence of her
he loved he had undertaken this bold task and deter
mined that she should not think him Indifferent or nid
ride Of half hour brought him out OF the valley, and
upon the skirt of plain of some extent Here Ray halt.
ed and gazing upon the prairie that lay at his feet endeav-
ored TO discover some sign Of the Backfee The moon
shone brightly upon the waters and woods and not sound
disturbed the stiffness of an American night in the wilder
ness Ray felt the influence Of the hour and the place
and forgetting all but the delight Of travelling by moonlight
over that plain removed thousands Of miles from civza
ton set spurs to his and troed swiftly along the path
leading in the direction of the Indian mart. 1t some
time ere the young clerk paused, and then sudden hesa-
on ON the par, of his mare brought him consciousness.
Raising his eyes, he found himself close upon WOOD be-
tween which and somewhat broad river he now had 10
pass single glance told him that Indians were near as
light smoke arose rUm amid the trees whether they had
yet discovered him matter of uncertainty Ray,
therefore, determined to make bold dash and trusting 10
his beast rode hard gaop along the skirts OF the for
est The moment he nea-ed the t.es his hand upon his
rifle he listened with the most anxious attention Not
sound save the catter Of his unshod nare heard
iii he had cleared half the dangerous Then came
the sound Of horses in pursuit. and then the Backieet
whoop with the crack of rifles His enemies were in full
chase Now it that the gallant seed put forth her en-
ergy aud now it that Rays spirits and that he
felt himself man, with all mans love of life. Looking
back he saw the wild Indian warriors coming fast towards
him. but still gaining ground and ne felt sure did he
loose his precious merchandise and give it up To the pur-
suers that he could with oustrp them But he was
resolved 10 serve his masters interests and he urged his
steed to her utmost An hour passed in this manner. The
bowling whooping Indians half hundred in nuabsr, gal
oped mady after him, their long spears waving in the
moonlight, and their black hair streaming 10 the wind
Before him lay e-brake where the reeds ten
feet dry, parched and cracking Through this lay the
path Of the fugitive. Ray looked forward 10 the welcome
shelter determined to make stand and there the very
entrance Stood mounted on tall horse, opposing foe-
Cuchng pistol the clerk clinched his teeth, aud rode
msdy against his new opponent, who, just il time 10 save
himself cried, '.sl rght-Saucy Nick" There va no
time for greeting, and away they scampo.ed through the
cane-brake not before, however, &c nabreed had cast
brand amid the reeds facy had proceeded hundred
yards ere VII of fire arose between them and their pur-
Suers Magnificent was the scene which greeted the
admrng eyes Of Edward Ray as he halted the other
side Of the brake Tho recds scoched by the summer sun,
were as inAammabe as straw and the flames spread with
astonishing rapdi,y to the right and left The poor birds
that were sheltered in the below alarmed, rose on
the wing, and flying few hundred yards, halted to gaze
at the fire, which seemed fascinate them and wild
mas too cuging to their lars until the fires touched their
very nostrils would then unwngy RISE and eapng
it. scour the black plain of cndes in the rear of the flames
As the two gves etreated the scene became more mag
ncent for the blaze in the distance creeping 10
the rich, and left in sparkling and brilliant chains Then
as the wind rose hurried after them the roar OF dis
tan cataract il was heard while the heavens were over
cast with the dense volumes Of smoke that assembled
"Away!n cried Nick, Urging his steed to the utmost =
''he fire Spirit is awake he rides in yonder cloud A
way our bones will be mingled with those Of the red
men upon this pain.''
'But, Nick, said Ray, as side by side they dashed
tha nrair;e left ynu