Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1852-11-11

undiscovered.
Had we not better pursue our journey
now?' said Rochester, addressing the old
chief.
NO, no., eagerly interrupted the In
dian maid. My white brother will be
sure to fall in with some of my fathers
warriors. We must wait here till the sun
comes and goes: and then but not till
then, will it be safe to pursue our jour
ney,'
The White Fawn speaks like sage
warrior, not like giddy squaw, answer
ed War-Eagle, interruptipg the exclama-
tlon that was on Rochester's lips. IF
we 60 forth now, our trial will be certain
to be discovered but if we wait till to-
morrow night, by which time the hunt
will be abandoned we may escape
But what if we are discovered in the
meantime Z They may burn US out like
foxes in a hole said Rochester, impetu-
ously. Il don't care for myself, but only
for the White Fawn; and I'd rather be
roasted to death dozen times than that
hair of her head should come to harm.
If we leave the cave now, she can get
back in safety to the village; and that is
the great point after all
My brothers heart is good, but be
knows not of what he talks. The White
Fawn has been missed before now; and it
is more dangerous for her to return than
to 60 on. We must stay here. And when
we 60 she must accompany US. But War
Eagle will make her his daughter, he ad-
ded, chivalrously, and she shall never
know she had another father
Rochester said no more. The words
of the old chief, in truth, had given him
a strange pleasure. He had not thought
before of the necessity of the White Fawn
becoming fugitive also; but he saw now
that War-Eagle was right; and vague yet
happy visions began to float before him.
He gave himself up unconsciously to these
dreams. How long he INDUCED in them
he never knew; they gradually faded into
deep sleep however, from which he was
finally aroused by hearing the sounds at
his side. The grey light of morning was
stealing into the cave, through an aperture
in the bushes, and by it he discovered
the Indian girl sitting dissolved in tears,
while War-Eagle, like bronze stature,
gazed immovably at the mouth of the
cave.
Rochester drew toward the weeping
girl, and, after gazing a moment in silence
said, in kind, gentle voice: What ails
my sister? Does she repent of what she
has donel If so say the word, and the
white brave will deliver himself up at
once
The face of the White Fawn had been
covered with her hands, from the first mo-
ment she had attracted Rochesters atten-
ton; but now she hastily withdrew them,
and clasping him by the arm as he at
tempted to rise, forcibly held him.
NO, no, no. she said, rapidly, the
White Fawn repents not. But her faith
er loved her, and she loved the old chief
she spoke in broken voice, and it is
but natural that she should weep. But
her brother shall behold her tears no
more.
Nor did he. All through that day,
whose hours seemed protracted into ages
and whose unceasing suspence fretted the
nerves of even Rochester nearly past en-
durance, she maintained her composure.
A score of times, during that interval, the
fugitives thought their hiding place was
on the point of being discovered; for
scouting parties were continually abroad
in search of the lost trail, and frequently
approached almost to the mouth of the
cavern. But night, at last, delivered the
three from their anxiety; the shouts of
the savage hunters ceased; and now the
eager fugitives were at liberty to go a.
broad.
All that night the little party hurried
forward, War Eagle leading the van, the
White Fawn following and Rochester
bringing up the rear. Their safety de-
pended on the number of leagues placed
between them and their foes before morn
ing; for their trail would certainly be dis
covered soon after daylight, when pur-
suit would be commenced The number
of miles traversed that night, by three
fugitives, would be considered incredible
by any one not familiar with the frontier.
Their speed, however, saved their lives;
they never heard more of their pursuers;
but, on the third day reached the border
fort, from which they had set out, and
where they were now welcomed with JOY,
having been given up for lost.
The Indian maid did not long remain
the adopted daughter of War Eagle, but,
after few months, took to herself near
er and dearer tie, by becoming ROchester's
bride. The wedding took place at the
close of the campaign, during which in
terval the White Fawn had continued in
the fort, where the commandments lady
had taken charge other education, so that,
when our hero came back to claim her,
she was able to add the charm of civiliz-
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