Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1857-03-07

I Tort.
All this rapidly transpired, and with
Brady to decide, was to act. As he
stole cautiously round the northern
side of the inclosure, he heard a voice
in the distance singing. He listened
keerly, and soon discovered from its
intonations, that it was a white mans
He passed ratidly in the direction
whene the sound came. As it ap-
preached, he concealed himself behind
the trunk of large tree. Presently
a white man, riding fine horse, came
slowly down the path. The form was
that Of Albert Gray the stalwart, brave
devilmay care settler, who had built
him home miles away from the fort
where no one would dare to take Il IA
mily except himself.
Brady wore, as he almost always
did, the Indian garb, and had war
paint upon bis face He knew that if
he showed himself up the path, Gray
wonid shoot. taking HIM to be an In
dian. He therefore suffered GRAY qui.
etly to approach his lurking place
When the lime came, he sprang for
ward ere the settler uld have time TO
prepare, drew his tomahawk. and sez-
ing him dragged hirn from his horse
As be did so, he whispered to him, I
am Captain Bnady, fJr Gods sake he
quiet
Grrv, with the instructive feeling Of
one who knew there was danger. and
with that vivid presence Of mind which
characterlzes those acquain ed with
frontier life, ceased at once to strug-
gle The horse had been started by
the sudden onslaught, and sprung to
one side Ere he had time to leap for
ward, Brady caught him BY the bride.
His loud snortlng threatened to arouse
any one who was near The Captain
soon soothed the frightened anilal in
to quiet.
Gray now hurriedly asked Brady
what the danger was The strong,
vigorous spy turned away his face, un>
able to answer him. The settlers al
ready excited fears were thus turned
in'o realities. The many form shook
like al aspen leaf with emotion tears
fell as large drops of water over his
bronzed face. Brady permitted the in
diligence for moment, whilst he led
the horse into thicket close at hand
and tied him. When he returned Gray
had sunk to the earth and great trem-
ulous convuls ons writhed ever him
Brady quietly touched him upon the
shoulder and said Come He at once
arose, and had gone but few yards
until every trace Of emotion hal appar.
emily vanished. lie was no lonrer the
bereaved husband and father-he was
the sturdy well trained hunter, whose
ear and eye were acutely alive to eve
ry sight or sound, the waving of leaf
or the cracking Of the smallest twie.
He desired to proceed directly to-
ward the house, but Brady objected to
this, and they passed down toward the
river bank. As they proceeded, they
saw from the tracks OF horses and moe.
casin prints uPon the places where the
earth was moist, that the party was
quite numerous one. Afer thorough
ly examining every cover and possible
place of concealment, they passed on to
the southwark and came back in that
direction 10 the spot where Bevington
stood sentry. When they reached him
they found that Biggs had not return
ed. In few minutes he came. He
reported that the trail was large and
broad, the Indians had takdn no pains
to conceal their traces, they simply
had struck back into the country, SO as
to avoid coming in contact with the
spies whom they supposed to be linger-
ing along the river.
The whole four went down to the
cabin and carefully examined the ru-
ms. After long and minute search,
Brady declared in an authoritative
manner, that none OF the inmates had
been consumed This announcement
at once dl>pelled the most narrowing
fears of Gray As soon as all that
could be discovered had been ascer-
tanned, each one of the party proposed
some course of action. One desired
to 20 TO Pittsburg and obtain assist
ance, another thought 1t best to return
to Mcintosh and get some volunteers
there, Brady listened patiently to both
these propositions, but arose quickly,
after talking moment apart with Biggs
and said 'Come
Gray and Bevington obeyed at once,
nor did Biggs object. Brady struck
the trail and began pursuit in that tre-
mendous rapid manner for which lie
was so famous. it was evident that if
the savages were overtaken, it could
only be done by the utmost exertion.
They we're some hours ahead, and from
the sumber of their horses must be
nearly all mounted Brady felt if they
were not oyertaken that night, pursuit
would be utterly futile 1t was evil
dent that this band had been south OF
the Chic aud plundercd The homes of
other settlers. They had pounced up
on the family of Gray upon their re-
turn.
When the pursuit began. 1t must
have been two O'Clock. at least two
hours had been consumed by the spies
in making the necessary explorations
about the house, ere they approached
it, and in examining the ruins. Not