Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-02-03
$500 PER ANNUM, IN ADVANCE.

mans knife quickly severed the thongs
thai bound him, when he rose to his feet.
he started back in surprise a. the sight OF
his deliverer. A warning gesture impos-
ed silence, and the same instant Norman
pointed to the way by which he had en-.
tered, Nugen, stepped towards 1t eager
ly. but struck h,s foot against roll OF
mats, and stumbled. Aroused from their
| ligh, slumber by the sound, the Indian
guards sprang into the wigwam, as Nu-
gent gained his feet.
"Quick! fly for Villas sakel" cried
Norman. pushing him out of the wig
wan. .-.
In another moment Nugen. was speed
ing away to liberty and love, and Nor
man Reed was a captive.
The whole encampment was astir, and
men pursued Nugent. but noiselessly.
Meanwhile the Osages dragged their new
captive into moonlight, and a loud yell
of triumph shook the air. as by the deep
scar on his face they recognised himlas
the slayer of their young chief.
The mornings sunshine looked down
on Il scene of fearful preparation. Nor.
man was already bound to the stake, fag-
gots were hcaped about, and women, E.
ven the youngest and gentlest. gathered
round 10 scoif and taunt, while dark
forms, with demoniac looks, stood ready
10 begin their fendish work. Norman
prayed silently for strength to meet the
death which. save for its terrible form,
was not unwelcome; for he was alone in
the world, none loved him. and he wds
glad that there were 10 thoughts of 9TH
ers' anguish to embilter the pangs of that
hour.
Three or four boys. whose prececious
savage qualities were thus rewarded, had
been appointed to open the horrible dra-
ma by aking the prisoner their target;
and the arrow of the first was just lodged
quivering in his arm. when wild whoop
ran though the woods. and band OF
hostile Indians burst upon the encami-
ment. In an instant all was confusion,
bullets, hatchets and clubs flew about in
every direction, making scene almost
as fearful as that planned by the Osages.
But they were the weakest, and again
were routed, leavlug the ground covered
with dead and dying. in possession OF
the Shawnees, with whom Norman had
so often hunted. ha saa-
"What, you here, my brother!" said
their chief, as he loosed Norman ftom
the stake. "Fhe Panther came almost
too late. But he did not know his broth.
er was prisoner, or he would have
sprung quicker on those Usage dogs"
The next evening found Norman a
the Biockhouse, receiving his comrades
congratulations for his unlocked for re.
turn, and Villas thanks for Nugent'.
rescue. But these last he shrunk from
He could not bear her grief, but he coult
scarce command his feelings to look up
! on her happiness.
For awhile all was tranquil-more sc
than for a long time; for the friendl,
Shawnees occupied the neighboring for
est, and once more not merely the garri
son, but Villa herself, could venture
/, without risk through its deep shadow:
and sun-lt glades. One day Stephenson
and Reed had gone out shooting in the
direction of a small plain. stretching into
the forest--a deep bay fthe great ocear
of prairie which lay further west. A:
they were sauntering along its verge
they observed Villa Thorncaslle and
Nugenl walking at some distance. Ste
phenson was soon lured away by tur
key, which falsely promised 10 let hin
: come within range; out Norman stood
leaning on his rifle, watching the lovers
as they strolled onward, gathering the
, bright flowers as they went, and thinking
, how they had already plucked all the fail
blossoms from his own path.
Suddenly there was loud tramp
Norman looked round. and there. ul
from little ravine, rushed wild buffalo
bull. He had been chased and wounded
into madness by the Shawnees. and nov
he came along with his head down
foaming at the mouth. and tearing The
ground with his hoofs. Villas scream.
told that she also had seen The infuriaieC
!. animal, which came on straight toward.
her.
'Nugen,! Nugent!" cried the terrified
girl. as she turned to fly.
\ Nugent was few yards away. He
looked up. saw The danger, and also fled
"Nugent! Nugenr! save mel" she a.
gain cried, as the long grass caugh, her
foot and she fell.
! But Nugent glanced back only to re.
sumo his fight more eagerly. 1t was a
terrible moment for the shuddering girl.
The furious buffalo was close upon her
and she could already see his eye-balls
glowing as she strove TO rise, yet felt es.
cape was hopeless. Then form spraap
between her aud the buffalo, and Nor.
man, whose rifle was only loaded with
useless shot, struck the animal on the
forehead with the but-end, but merely to
draw his fury upon himself, as indeed j,
was his only hope; and in an instant he
was tossed high into the air, and in an
other was pinned to the earth by the buff
falo's horns, and trampled beneath his
hoofs.
i Villas cry Of agony a, this sigh. was