Demoine courier., 1854-11-30

of assistance from Martins party
They were convinced that one or more
Of the p isoners would oe killed on the
morrow, aud bravely and generously
they thought it was worth while TO risk
their Two lives TO save three, one of which
was particularly valuable to both hunt.
ers, but peculiarly SO to one of them.
When The two Indian guards were
growing weary aud sleepy. they had DO
suspicious that two hunters with drawn
knives were ready, if they slambered, to
make that their last sleep.
Fleet Foo, began 10 fear that daylight
would dawn before The sayages nodded.
aud that the others would awaken and
all would be lost. Every in.
creased the danger and ed the
probabilities OF rescue aud escape. Al
length he brought himself to believe lha,
HE moment Tor action had arrived. He
gave the concerted signal and approached
his victim who stood erect against a tree.
lie was successful, and drove his knife
TO the hear, of the savage, who may
have been dreaming, perhaps, of a wig
wan far away, where children of when
tie was proud, awaited lis return. The
savage fell in his las, sleep heavily"to The
ground. Tha, one which Mac was 10
have attacked was startled by tie fall
lie was sitting upon the ground nodding,
but was no, sound ASLEEP. He sprang
TO his feet when Mac vas no. yet near
enough to strike him. In an instant he
would have been away from the dim ligh,
Of the fire aid out Of sight of The hunt.
e-. but Mac rushed upon and grappled
with him. Fleet Foo, sprang TO cul The
bands which confined tho prisoners.-
Meantime Mac struggled with the saw
age, both were powerful men-for a mo.
ment the savage was confused, and did
not employ his strength and agility as he
might have done under ordinary circum
s:aHccS--ol this confusion he hunter
took advantage, and was quick enough
10 plunge his knife in the red mans
breast-hc fell with a cry which arous
ed his fellow warriors, who siumbered
in confidence tina. his wa,chfulness pro
,ec:ed them.
Ten Indians were on their feet wi!h.
their rifles in their hands. bslure The
death cry Of their guard had died in the
woods. The fire which they had LET,
brightly burning. had nearly gone out.
The brands were scattered. They
could neither see their prisoners nor any
foes. They did not rush forward 10
ascertain the fate of their sentinels, nor
did they flee hastily from the spo, where
they had been sleeping. Each individ
ual quietly skulked around a tree. No
foe could see them. No, one of them
could either see or hear d foe, but never
,heless there were very dangerous foes
quite near them.
When Fleet Foot rushed to release
the prisoners he found the good work
accomplished A rough hand grasped
his arm, and a voice which he knew
well. said: ,H
We've been watchin' the varmints
mos, all night. They're skeered now,
bu, they Won't run nor show themselves
vel awhile; our boys understand. We
must lay low with our guns cooked I'LL
Its day, and we'il all gi, a blaze a, EN-.
How many" #
Ten, | guess said Flee, Foot.
take care O. this woman said old
Martin.
Ii was Kate. Fleet Foot said not a
word; he put his arm around the girl as
if he had a special right to protec, her.
There was no wind stirring. I, was
as quiet in the deep woods as If there
had been no Indian camp-no desperate
adventure no struggle-no death scene.
Softly the morning light began 10 steal
through the dense foliage-i. searched
It's way among the green leaves, and
slowly disslpaied the gloom which hung
tenaciously around the trunks of The
irees-aniong the low bushes. and in the
wooded lavines. The fox went snuff
fng to his ho;e-,he rabbi. hoped Tim
idly from one moss bed or grass tuft to
another--,he birds left their nests and
sang swee,ly on twies, which overhung
fallen leaves stained with blood-the
squirrel left It's nest, aud sat securely
c%hippering on boughs that ben, toward
ashes, which were the rusult Of a flame
tina, had given ligh! for the planning and
executing Of bold ane daring designs.
Many an animal was. no doubt, watch.
ing IN The fresh light of morning for an
opportunity TO secure such prey as he
was wont TO satisfy his hunger upon;
and there were other eyes watching an
opportunity to satisfy a passion which
will lead men often to more desperate
deeds than hunger. The quiet. beau,i.
ful scene, a lover Of nature would have
r~ejoiced to delight in, was to be disturb.
ed by other conflicts Than those between
! cruel animals and their victims.
Ii was scarcely broad day light, when
one of the Indian warriors thought he
saw a movement in a clump Of bushes,
a dozen rods or more distant from him.
He watched inlenlly. He was no, mis-.
taken; other Indians had their suspicious
excited; knowing glances were exchang.
ed. The suspicious bush became more
attractive to the savages. Presently,
wha, was apparently a woman's bonnet,
was TO be seen cautiously elevated near
ly 10 the top Of the bushes. slowly turn
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