The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1857-06-11

counted all cOulQ see IN tDe ualkncsSi
there were four. This, thought |. is the
rnfiians' settlement. | was not mistaken.
The pioneer motionted me to be cautious,
and then crept towards house which was
larger than the rest. We were soon un-
der the shadow Of the building, where VIC
stood to confer together. This was Dick
Hskey's place, as | had suspected. The
pioneer felt certain that his daughter was
there, and he now set his mind energeti-
cally to work to find a plan for releasing
her. | did not pretend to think. There
was certain air about my companion
which drew all my attention to him. /
stood waiting for his plan. All he wished
was to get into the house without making
a noise, and lie would bid defiance to any
mortal enemy in that place. He bid me
stay where was, and then disappeared
around the side Of the house.
He had been gone but few moments,
when be returned and made known his
discovery and plans. He had found ar
open place, which was used as a window,
large enough to admit his body, in the
upper part Of the opposite side of the
house. How be was TO get in there, /
could not guess; but he soon relieved my
mind. He made known his plan, and we
set to work, We went into the woods and
found young tree Of the right size. We
soon cut it down with our sharp knives,
and took of the branches. We were fear
fully still in our work. We carried it to
the house and put the large end firmly in
TO the ground, at such distance from the
house as to allow the other end to reach
far enough into the opening 50 that the
whole might be firm. The pioneer then
peered into my face for a moment, and
feeling assured by its expression that
was prepared to do my best, let what
would come, he placed his hands on the
tree, with his rife strapped to his back,
and ina few moments disappeared through
the opening.
4 now listened intcnuy, but no sound
met my strained powers of hearing. All
was silent Ny heart beat hard against
my breast, and my body ached, so great
was the tension Of all my nerves The
stiffness was awful! Some time had now
elapsed, and yet no sounds of any kind
had met my cars. The tension of my
nerves began to give way, and fdgety
nervousness take its place. l began 10
feel anxious for the pioneer. What if
there should be more men inside than he
had suspected and they should be aroused
by any noise and overpower him! knew
well that his strength could cope with ten
times his number in fair hand-to hand
fight; but here it might be different. His
powers might be impeded BY the presence
of his daughter, if he should find herr
and then, again, all the strength in the
world would not be proof against a rifle
ball, even if fired from a coward's rife.
My nervous imagination now almost
drove me mad, could bear it no longer,
and had just placed my hands on the tree
to assemble die, if die l must-when a
noise of fire arms, loud voices, and bitter
curses, mingled with the quick and heavy
tread of mems feet, burst out upon the
stiffness. The next moment, l heard the
cabin door crash.
i cooked my rifle and rushed around
the corner of the building just in time to
send my ball into dark figure, which
was vomiting forth curses, while its right
arm was just lcvelling pistol at the head
of the pioneer--whose gigantic form
loomcd up in the darkness-while a form
in woman clothing was clinging to him
with desperation. / knew that it was
Mary, and the thought sent courage in
to my heart, and strength into my
nerves, which made me feel equal to
dozen villains. The ruffian sank under
my rihe-ball, and in the next instant mi
knife was buried deep into the heaEt Of
other, who at this momEnt rus
nl.shir..nWith. - ca
bIood bPs, he s,i dropped dsaa.s',
and 'a aotsd was !, now up and h
wrelo6os now o'ns "a! !iiger, =
ip1 ron, iumult u oflae dgH1 gH1 Y