Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-03-19
/. Orisinal Nouellette.
Written tartas CiarksviIle chroniele.l
/ IDA HOLMES,
.ea.s 0. OR THE z3"
Belle Of the Fort.
BY n. W. THOMAS,
Author o. the ''Young Colonel" the "Reifagees,
,"Liay Dale" the Convent Prisoner"
sJane Mar.on," the "Bride Of ...-
.4 lasd1 an Hour" &c.. &C.. 80 e.f
CHAPTER XIII.


ei as CHAPTER XIII.
: WHEN Capt. Fritz and his party awoke
and found themselves abandoned by the
Hermit, Sloan and Sullivan and robbed of
their arms, their CONSERVATION was ex-
cessivc. They could divine no motive for
such betrayal other than a purpose to
murder, or place them in the power of the
savages who constantly roamed that region,
and, seized with panic, they fled from
that vicinity andrsought safety by retreat
ing in the direction of the fort but varying
sufficiently from the course by which they
had advanced, to avoid meeting with
Maj. Dadc To attempt to enter Texas
without arms, and without guide, would
have been madness; and the only chance
for safety, was within the circle defended
by the fort. During their rapid fight,
some of the soldiers, seduced, by Fritz,
began to reflect upon the probable con
sequences of their desertion; and their
ur.s-.acd and somewhat helpless condition
tended greatly to subduc their rebellious
spirits and incline them to return to their
allegiance. HH
Before the setting of the sun, they had
conferred one with another and determin-
cd to 90 back to the fort, and report them
selves as having been persuaded by Fritz
to,ioin him in an expedition for the relief
of the General and his daughter; and
tina. having detected the criminal designs
of their leader, they had FASTENED to re-
turn to their post Of duty. This being
settled, they so reported to Fritz, whom
they greatly alarmed by threats of
vengeance for his agency in entangling
them in the net work of difficulties and
dangers by which they were surrounded,
He begged them not to desert him
promising still to conduct them on to
wealth and life of enjoyment; but they
needed him not, further than to order him
to leave them on the following morning,
aud to keep out of their way, for the
future. On these terms, they parted, and
before Cen Holmes reached the fort, the
desertors had reported themselves to the
officer in command, who promised to use
his influence to avert the penalty they had
Justly incurred. Fritz, alone, unarmed
and wretchcd, as the wicked ever are, was
never afterwards seen in that region
of country, and was soon forgotten by
those who had known him in the fort
Let us, then, turn from him, and take uI
the history Of more worthy characters.
In.an Indian hut--constituting one oI
ayillage ON the North bank Of Red River
--sat two ladies' The elder, though forty
fyc years of age, was still handsome and
of commanding appearance and notwth
standing the traces which care had lef
upon her features, her countenance wa
expressive Of mild and benevolent dis
position and even the casual observer coul,
not fail to detect the signs of an indomit
able will, rendered the more conspicuou
bylrepeated calls for its exercise.
The younger was about twenty, and il
her faneiful Indian costume, with he
glossy black hair tastefully plated, an'
her features, though tanned by exposure
rich ia beauty Of form and expression, sh
looked like the queen of a fctc, arrayed il
mimic character and selected, for he
beauty, to play tho leading part in som
festive scene. She was seated at nc
mothers feet, and looking upinto her fac
with an expression Of sorrow, said
"Whep the warriors return from tn
war path, how shall /, dear mother, ayoi
the doom that awaits me2 The chief ha
sworn that shall be his wife, unless tn
lady from the fort be here on his return
Two days have passed since the messenge
brought tiaiags that she was on her va
hither, but neither she nor her atter
I 4 - =.