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

| ~ ""'oA, "1e -'Adc rubuou upon anu crap
pied with him. Fleet Foot sprang to cut the
bands which confined the prisoners. Meantime
Mac struggled with the savage ; both were pow
ertul men-for a moment the savage was con-
fused, and did not employ his strength and agil-
ity as he might have done under ordinary cir
cumstances-of this confusion the hunter took
advantage and was quick enough to plunge his
khiie into the red mans breast-he fell with
cry which aroused his fellow-warriors, who
slumbered in confidence that his watchfulness
protected them
len Indians were on their feet, with their
rines IN their hands, before the death cry of
their guard had died in the woods. The
fire which they had left brightly burning, had
nearly gone out. The brands were scattered
They could neither see their prisoners nor any
foes They did not rush forward to ascertain
the fate of their sentinels, nor did tney flee
hastily from n'the spot where they had been sleep
ing Each individual quietly skulked around
tree. No foe could see them. Not one of
them could either see or hear foe, but never
theless there were very dangerous foes quite near
him.
When Fleet Foot rushed to release the pris-
oners, he found the good work accomplished.
rough hand grasped his arm, and a voice
which he knew we'll, said
We've been watchin' the varmints most all
night. There skeered now, but they won't
run nor show themselves yet awhile, our boys
understand. We must lay low with our guns
cooked till it's day, and we'll all git blaze at
EN-. How many!'
Ten, guess, said Fleet Foot
Take care O. this woman, said old Martin.
1t was Kate. Fleet Foot said not word,
but put his arm around the girl as if he had a
special right to protect her.
There was no wind stirring. 1t was as quiet
in the deep woods, as if there had been no In
dian camr--no desperate adventure--no struge
gc-no scene Of death. Softly the morning
light began to steal through the dense folliag-
it searched its way among the green leaves,
and slowly dissipatcd the gloom which hung
tenaciously around the trunks Of the trees
among the low bushes, and in the wooded ra-
vines. The fox went snufing to his hole, the
rabbit hoped timidly from one moss bed or
grass tuft to another-the birds left their nests
and sung sweetly on twigs, which overhung
fallen leaves stained with blood-the squirrel
left its nest, and sat securely chipp1ring on
bougns that bent toward asbes, which were tie
result of fame that had given light for the
planning and executing of bold and daring de-
signs.
Many all animal was, no doubt watching in
, that 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 passion,
which will lead men often to more desperate
deeds than hunger. The quiet beautiful scene,
a lover of nature woald have rejoiced to delight
in, was to be disturbed by other conflicts than
those between cruel animals and their victims
1t was scarcely broad day light, when one Of
the Indian warriors thought he saw movement
in clump of bushes, dozen rods OF more dis
tant from him. He watched intently. He wai
not mistaken other Indians had their suspi.
cions excl ed knowing gances were exchanged
The suspicious bush became more attractive te
the savages. Presently what was apparently q
womans bonnet was to be seen cautiously ele
waited nearly to the top of the bushes slowly
turning around us if there were eyes within
sharply looking out to ascertain if there wer,
foes, or suspicious signs of foes in view.
rifle report rang through the forest, and tn,
exposed bonnet disappeared Again the wood
were free from unusual sounds. 1t was no
-. . long before Indians skulkcd from one tree II
, another. They were at first very cautious, bu
-, they saw nothing to awaken suspicion, AM
they became more bold Now one left his am
buscade, then another 1t was not long belor
eight warrors stood near where the fire Of tn
night previous had CLEANED on both e4ultan
= and hopeless faces. They talked rapidly, an,
, seemed decided ON the course they should pur
sue; suddenly their council was brought to
violent conclusion, by the unerring aim of hal
dozen invisible rifles, and, as many savage
springing into the air, fell dead, while foul
others--two of them from the council, and two
others from an ambush, they were about leav
I ing to jon the council-bounded away through
the woods with an energy which indicated thai
p. each knew that he who was the feetest stood
: the first chance of escape. The hindmost In
: dian had not gone many rods before ball ar
rested his career.
Fleet Foot had his eye upon one who dis
: tanced all the others. He recognized him by
peculiar marks, as the savage who had well
nigh overtaken him on the two trying occasions
: previously mentioned, when his fleetness saved
1 his life. The Indian had no weapon but his
hunting knife. Fleet Foot dropped his unloaded
rifle, and bounded swiftly in pursuit Shouts
!, rang after him as he sped his way. The Indian
glancing behind him, saw that danger threaten
ed him. He redoubled his energies, yet Fleet
Foot gained on him, cheered us he was in the
daring race by Mac, who followed with all hi,
I speed but was barely able to keep in sight.
Away went the savage, bounding over logs,
leaping ravines, and climbing steep banks, and
9 after him came Fleet Foot, straining every
: muscle to its utmost tension. The hunters were
d all excited about the chase, and several vert
It endeavoring to keep in sight of those who had
t already lost sight of Fleet Foot. There was on,
d person who could not join in the chase, who hac
d deeper interest in his fate than all the hunters
d --an interest which was confessed in soft whis
o pers, when Fleet Foot was taking care of he
n as old Martin had directed him, in that hour o
d great suspense to the hunters and to the In
It dians, which they had passed before daylight