The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-12-07
CHAPTER w.

The boy had not sat thus many minutes.
however. listening to the low breathing OF
his excited friend, when his attention was
attracted by the sight of familiar object
floating upon the river. 1t was the large
by an old faithful negro. The, flute ring
OF female dress in the stern Of the boat,
revealed the presence O! his sister and be
trothed. They had come out to meet him
on his return from the chase. Jumping
from the grass to hail them. his step was
arrested by an occurrence which struck
him at once with terror and amaZement
The river bank far below him was lined
with a thicket of young trees, matted TO
gether by luxurious growth Of creepers
of every description. From this thickel
he beheld thin curl Of smoke arise. fol-
lowed by the report of rifle and single
warhoop. Before he could move or speak
the old negro had fallen heavily from his
seat into the water, and two savages were
seen TO spring into the river. and with
their rifles held above their heads. gain the
boat now drifting with the current,
With cry of horror the young man
grasped his rifle and rushing forward
would have plunged over the preciPice
had not the strong hand Of the hunter, laid
upon his arm. restrained him.
Stop rash boy, or you will ruin every.
thing!''
GLANDS off. old man. say! My sis
ter-and Mary! must save them!'
"You must. and you shall. Follow me-
at once! II the Indians see you they will
push across the river, and they will be los
to you forever"
By this time the Indians had placed
themselves in the bow and stern Of the
boat, and were sculling her along. keep
ing her in the current. The boat was
large and heavy and their progress was
not rapid, But the young man saw at {
glance that his companion was right, ant
accustomed to yield implicit obedience to
his dictates. he turned reluctantly. and fol
lowed him down the same narrow pas:
which had brought them to the hut.
Back Snarl! stay here sirrah!" said the
hunter TO the dog, who would have follow
ed them. "And now my boy, look to you
tools. we have work aheadI'
Away like blood hounds on the trail
they started down the rocky path. The
sun had set and The twilight glimmer which
was left. served only to throw strange, darl
shadows over their rugged pathway, bu
with the firm and unerring tread of hun
ters. in mountain land. they dashed for
ward at full speed. The contrast between
the two was great. The one, furious ant
half demented at the idea that those h.
loved best on earth, were in the hands O
the brutal savages, grasped his rifle with
very death-grip. and with clenched teeth
sprang and bounded like wild deer start
led from his covert. The other, older an,
more accustomed to restraining outwar
emotion. went as swiftly, but with the Ion
measured tread of pursuing panther
taking care as he went to look to the prim
ing of his rifle; and to loosen his lon
hunting knife in its scabbard. Few wer
the minutes, (though they seemed llk
hours to the youtli) ere they emerged upo
the smooth level beach of the cove.
was. as we have said before, a littl
pebbly place, few yards square, wit
hills coming gently down to it upon thre
sides On that side furtherest, but only
: few yards distant from the shore. lay
gigantic oak. which had been uprooted i
! some long previous storm. and which no,
reclned, like fallen monarch, in ster
and silent majesty, with its giant arms sti
lifted up towards heaven. Behind this la
lural rampant, the two hunters placed them