The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1853-09-14
5nees, sbnt 5zeala must !ilet giYe herheart

ee99ss fi s4tiie siiaue soI evening began TO
settle on the deep wood thai. drooped
around, the captive still listened for
the returning footsteps of the maiden.
She came up to him silently, and said
in low voice: 'a.#s 4
| "Would the fetterpd uhieftain desire
me to loose the cords from his hands,
and let him breathe once more the free
Dir of the woods ?'' ); 81 ssSst
eyes, gehtle maiden, free tne from
these hateful thongs that cut my flesh.
and will fly like tho wild deer to my
own people. and bear thee, zcola, to
my hotne, and thou shalt be the queen
OF my heart"
"Zeola cannot refuse to save the life
of the brave warrior, nor can she re.
fuse to go along with him, and cast her
lot with his people"
And then the maiden departed With
a promise to come soon and free him.
He had begun to think she was going
to- prove false, when he felt knife at
his bonds which soon caused them to
fall from him.
"IIist," said low voice, "it is J.,
Zeola: creep stcalthiiy backward and
follow me-"
They had advanced but little space
in the forest, when loud shout in the
direction of the village reached their
ears, and Immediately after confused
hum of angry voices followed an
nouncing chat their flight had been dis
covered, and the village alarmed.
Ieola turned to her lover with o
look Of agony in her face, and clasped
her hands. But such was not his de-
memcaner. His eye kindlcd, and he
had drawn himself up to send back IL
shout of defiance, when the bcsecching
look of the.maidcn deferred him-and
bending his head to avoid the branches
he dashed forward with rcdoubled ve-
locity, preceded by his companion.
Over stream and marsh, through
tangled brakes and open gladcs they
held their rapid way-the girl thread
ing the forest as if she held clue in
her hands, and striking her course >as
truly as if directed by compass, TO-
ward the country Of the Greeks.
But however swiftly the fugitives
advanced, their pursuers followed as
rapidly as hounds in their path. At
first, indeed, the enemy did not appear
to gain ground, although their shouts
could be heard ringing far and wide
through the huge forest, but gradually
the uproar concentrated around one
spot, as if the trail had been discover
ed; and Immediately after, Q savage
yell, as if from d hundred savage
throa,s, came through the leafy arcade.
Farewell" said the maiden, "my
strength is failing me; fly while you
can, and leave Zeola to her fate"
The Indian looked reproachfully In
her face, folded his arms across his
breast. and stood still.
"Oh fly ~ said she, clasping her
hands. "Ihc chief, my father, will
save my life, and we may meet in hap
pier times.''
"War Eagle was his calm reply,
''never deserted his dogs-if Zeola
stops, he stops"
Seeing him resolutc, sine again sprang
forward in flight, and for while her
excited spirit gave almost the speed
of the deer to her footsteps. la
Her lover was continually at her
side; where the way was difficult, as
sisting her, and sometimes even carry
ing her. But all their efforts proved
insufficient. The shouts Of the pursu.
crs drew higher and higher, and at
length the foremost was visible afar off
through the forest, just as the overtask-
cd energies of Zeola gave way, caus.
ing her to fall to the ground.
! She again sought her lover to leave
her to her fate.
lie made no answer; but lifting her
light form in his arms, looked around.
a rugged and broken ascent lay i'm
mediately before him, leading, as he
remembered, to lofty prccipicc, that
beetled over dark and inaccessible
dell. His resolution was at once ta-
ken.
Following the single narrow path
which led to the summit, he struggled
on with unwcaried energy, and at last
succeedee in gaining the flat rock on
the top.
Had lie been armed he might have
defended the place against hundreds,
but he bore no weapons; SO sitting his
mistress down, he stood over her
awaiting the appearance of his pursu-
crs,
Their dusky forms were soon seen
through the forest. They espicd the
fugitivcs, and with loud shout rushed
to the ascent. a dozen arrows were
fitted to their bows, and aimed at the
Creek warrior, when Zeola suddenly
waved her hand to those below.
Father" she cried. "spare him or
we die together. The cliff is high, and
q single step carries me to the edge OF
it,"
The arrows were pointed downward,
and all eyes were turned OH the old
chief in front
A quivcr. for an instant, might be
\ conn M, b;c f,oo nc ;f bo ,,.oe o,dnouor