Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-06-15
MONTPELIER, VERMONT, THURSDAY,

strange wc maven Ketcheu Vhoi oo'Ni poys.
b'lieye they've been lcctlc careless and the
Ingns have got EN-.
He had gone but few steps after he made
these remaaks, when Fleet-Foot cried
Jist as expected. Here's one on EN- any
how. Them Ingins II roast the othsr, BY pow
der, if they don't get him out of their hands.
That they will, answered Mac, who looked
upon the dead body of hunter, with whom he
had been well acquainted, lying directly in their
path. lie had been shot and his scalp taken.
Last year old Blackfsh said he'd roast the
first hunter he could get into his camp, and if
they've got the other fellow Il prisoner, Ill bet
they mean to give him taste of what we give
young pigs on Christmas, but we won't let EN-
by powder, as you say, Fleet-Foot'
No, by powder, we won t, cried F4ett-Foot
The hunters did not stand over the body of
their dead friend even long enough for this con-
versation. Their duties to the living were too
pressing. They talked cautiously as they pro-
ceeded. Experienced as they were in detecting
Indian signs, they knew that the savagcs could
not he far in advance, and they hoped to over
take them before it was dark. While the hun
tiers were fastening in the pursuit under this
impression, the Indians were encamped upon
small stream, which afforded no particular ad-
vantagcs to them in the case of an attack.
II was late in the afternoon when the female
prisoners, from over fatigue, began togrow tar
dy in their march. Both fell behind the main
party of savages, and were guarded by braw-
ny warrior, who delighted in torturng them.
The spies On their trail came in sight of the
women and this warrior, who, with an Indian
boy, was, at the moment, all the savagcs in
sight, and supposing this to be the whole of the
party, with restless impulse rushed to the at
tack. They saw their error too late. The
brawny warrior was severely wounded by ball
from the rifle of one of the hunters, but no
sooner had the report of his gun rang through
the woods than the hunters were surrounded.
one was shot and scalped the other taken pris-
oner.
While Fleet-Foot and his companions were
groping their way by starlight the Indians
were holding a council upon the fate of their
prisoners.
The spies had found much difficulty in tracing
the path Of the Indians, but they left behind
them such signs as clearly indicated to their fol-
lowers the path to be pursued. The savages
had pushed forward with much speed and eau
tion till they had been attacked; when, sup
posing that all in their pursuit had been re-
moved from watch over their movements, they
relaxed their speed and soon encamped.
Losing the aid of their forcrunners, from the
time they left the corpse of theiA unfortunate
friend, Fleet-Frot and Mac were 5oiix - TX
ercise their keenest powers, in order to keep the
Indian trail.
Twilight had gone, and though the hunters
could clearly see the leaves on the tree-tops, il
had become quite dark around their path They
were about to seek camping place, and give
over the pursuit till another day dawned, when
Fleet-Foot, STOPPING forward, looked for several
moments intently through the thickening gloom,
then he whispered to Mac
Somebody 3 maxim leetlc fire out yonder
about a mile, and IL bet my ammunition it 3
them tarnal varmints'
The fire grew brighter Mac saw it distinctly.
The hunters slowly and stealthily turned their
footsteps towards the feeble flame. 1t became
more and more distinct, till at length they could
see its smoke curling among the leaves Of the
trees under which it snapped and glowed A
dark form stood between the fire and the hunt
ers they recognized the outline to be that of
an Indian creeping onward with cat-like eau
tion, both grasped their rifles closer, and put
their left hands on their hunting knives. They
were inpatient to know where were the prison.
erS, and what was the strength of the Indian
party. At length the fire blazed so brightly
that it Illuminated three forms which the hun
tiers, with great joy, recognized as those of the
women and the captured spy but with all their
skill and all their caution, the hunters could
not ascertain the number of savages. An old
Indian came to the fire and lit hispipe another
roasted piece of meat, and both joined par
, ty at such distance from the fire that Fleet
Foot was puzzled to tell how many foes he must
fight before the prisoners could be rescued He
longed to shoot the " varmints," who exposed
themselves to the fire, but prudence forbade him.
, tie instructed Mac to keep his place, and watch
closely while he went round the camp and re-
connoitered.
Watchfully and noiselessly he stole through
the woods, till the Indian council was between
him and the fire; then he could count the num-
Der Of Indians in council, but he was not salts
, fed to know only what strength guarded the
prisoners; he desired to communicate to them
} the cheering news that they had friends as well
: as foes around them With this intention, he
continued his noiscless course, until he stood but
l few feet from the prisoners The young wo-
man was nearest him. He whispered her name.
} She did not hear him, or if she heard conceived
the voice to be one her active imagination had
conjured. A, ain Fleet Foot whispered that
l name which was dear to him, and fell sweetly
from his lips. The young woman started, and
, looked about her. An Indian on the watch,
5 saw her startled movement, and came near her
+, The FIRE shone brightly on him Fleet Foot was
sorely tempted to shoot him, but the risk was
l too great. The bold hunter position was one
t of great peril Another word from him might
alarm the young woman, and her agitation de-
feat the whole scheme of rescue. Shielded from
I the view Of the Indians by a large tree, Flee
Foot crept nearer the prisoners. He was rejOicet
y to see the Indian, whose suspicious had beer
v excited, return among his companions and take
4 IL Elnnt Eook rrna nou