St. Charles Republican intelligencer. (St. Charles [Charles City], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1856-08-14

CONSERVATION among your friends
; You recollect, Miss Laffrets, that yor
der ruffian, the stoutest, set upon m
with the greatest fury. ! defendedm my
self as long as could, determined t
Iprevent your capture or perish in tn
attempt. At length was felled by
crushing blow to the earth. How
long | lay insensible l cannot tell, bu
when recovered, it was nearly dark
and the company were looking TO
you in every direction. Though fain
from loss of blood, and suffering indies
cribable pain from a severe confusion
l also joined in the search. No sci
fish consideration of prudence, so called
could prevent me from making an et
fort in your favor. Like one distrac
ted, started in pursuit, resolved no
to abandon it until your recover,
from the hands of the villains.
travelled without learning anything O
your fate" In lower tone. "See
they are watching us; we must bt
cautious "a little indiscretion will de
stroy ALL" After short silence "a
had thrown myself, weary and dis
Iplrlted upon the ground, when fancied
l heard the sound of human voices al
no great distance Crouching upon my
hands and knees, l crept cautiously
forward as near the place as possible
without being discovered, when saw
to my joy, the object of my anxious
search reposing sorrowfully upon a
rude couch, guarded by those two rnf
fans" (Pointing.) "For long time
l deliberated upon what course t.
pursue. Sometimes was half inclined
to rush upon them and decide tht
matter with my single arm, but the
odds were too much against me
besides, faint from blood, and com
pletely exhausted byrecent exertion, ]
should have been wholly unable to
contend with such desperadoes. The
attempt would have been madness,
and the loss of my life would but
have added another item to the black
catalogue of crime already registered
against those graceless knaves. Then
thought of returning to my friends
and giving the alarm. When properly
prepared, we might overtake and pun
ish the fugitives. But how was | to
return in my weak and disabled con-
dition? At this juncture the Indian
made his appearance, and after con-
vcrsing awhile with your captors,
struck off into the woods. followed
as fast as was able at distance.
When sufficiently near, beckoned to
him to stop. He did so, and the rest
is already known to you. The Indian
feigned sickness and imposibility
to continue the route. At his sugges-
ton was introduced as an expert
woodsman, and employed l have
watched all day for an opportunity to
speak with you, but in vain. You
may imagine with what anxiety | have
regarded these proceedings but be.
lieve me, | shall do my utmost to effect
your deliverance."
During this history lola had regard
ed Lacy with the greatest interest
She doubted at first his sincerity. AS
he proceeded in the narration, his
manner became SO earnest and his
tones SO expressive of sympathy and
real solicitude, that her sus spicions
were shaken, and before he had finish
ed she was ashamed Of having doubted
him.
"Mr. Lacy, how can I sufficiently
express the gratitude which the inter.
est you have manifested in my welfare
deserves?" said lola, feelingly, while
her guileless heart suspected no treach.
cry and her sweet. face was turned
gratefully towards him.
"To know, Miss Laffrets, that
have saved yon, is ample compensation
for what little service l may render
| only regret that l cannot prove the
depth of that friendship which | fee
II must ever entertain for you, by
some act more deserving your thanks
| 81 can only pray Heaven will re
ward your disenterestedness as it de-
serves. The exertions you have alrea
dy made in my behalf, assure you
will never be forgotten"
"What you say gives me inexpressi
ble happiness. l blush that have
done no more. How shall value ths
friendship you may bestow upon me
Friendship what word how sacred
all it's claims I"
| Here Lacy suddenly passed his hant
upon his right temple, which was band
aged, compressed his lips irmly upol
his teeth as though suffering extrem,
pain. A suppressed groan ESCAPED
him. "Ahl sir" said lola with deel
feeling,-"I perceive you are suffer
ing-suffering from hurts received i,
my defence. ! fear you will fall from
your horse-let me call for assistance
!. "No, no." said Lacy, pitously," it il
over now, that is, it does not pain mt
SO bad. 1t was an ugly blow though
another such one would have finish
ed me. However, do not regret tina
| was wounded in your iefence."
i "Your arm is in slis, too / fea
: you are badly hurt, sir, more than yo'
, are ready to acknowledge
) ut is only fracture The bone j
r not broken entirely-pry don't men
, tion it. It's merely nohing, a sligh
: bruise. I did wrong t,allude to tn
. circumstance. IshoulG have know,