Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-03-12


tin, specially them thievin Camanches
what rides like they growed to their
horses."
"What does he mean by force coming
to our relief, Mr.. Wilmer" Asked Ida.
"The soldiers who deserted" was the
reply "report that Major Dade was pre-
pairing to leave the fort with company
in pursuit of the Indians by whom you
were captured, and if so, we shall meet
them, probably in few hours, as they
could not te far behind when the rascals
came to a halt last night. Should we meet
them, Miss Holmes, you will have an escort
ample for your protection, and my services
will no longer be needed"
"And are you anxious so to be relieved,
sir?' she asked, with an expression of re-
grct and disappointment.
"By no meansl But am anxious to re-
lieve your father, whose gratitude is sstrug-
Cling with his prejudices at this moment
l know his feelings towards me, and
regret that he knows so little of my char
acter, as to believe me capable of an at
tempt to do him wrong. But Itrust the
time is not distant when shall be able
to disabuse him of his error, and take
stand as his equal in birth and fortune.
Pardon my speaking SO plainly, Miss
Holmes and whilst would not forget
that he is your father, I am truly solicitous
that you shall not imbibe his prejudices"
"And is this the sole raason, Mr.. Will
mer, why you are so anxious to leave us?
i mean my fathers prejudice!"
"No, Miss Holmes, that is not the sole
reason. And that you may understand
the motives by which am Influenced, I
must state that, five years ago, two ladies
both very dear to me,-were taken
prisoners by the Indians, and have reason
to believe they are alive and in the power
of Tatunkah. To liberate them is the
dearest wish ofmy heart, and l had set out
for that purpose, when 1 heard of your
misfortune and FASTENED to your relief"
Wilmer did not see the palor which
ovorspread the checks of his fair compan-
ion, whilst he spoke, nor the burning blush
which succeeded it, nor the struggle it cost
her to subduc the feelings which she would
not, for the world, have betrayed to him,
nor the slight tremor of her voice, as she
replied
II knew not, Mr.. Wilmer, the powerful
inducements held out to you to leave us,
or, believe me, l would not have been so
selfish as to insist upon your company on
our return +; but it is not yet too late to re-
pair the mischief, so let me persuade you
to depart, at once, upon your noble mis-
sion l can sympathize with the unhappy
captiyes and it were cruel to postpone the
hour of their deliverance"
81 thank you, Miss Holmes, for your
generous sympathy, and the rememerance
of it will serve to nerve my arm for the
task before me but cannot leave you
until you are again in the fort, or under
the protection of a sufficient escort"
"Oh, yesl" she exclaimed eagerly;"it ,oil
be better for you to accompany us until
we meet Maj Dade, and l know my father
will permit part of the force to accompany
you in your perilous undertaking. To go
alone, is like seeking death-the very idea
oft is painful" And again she blushed a
the impetuosity of her feelings but could
not restrain them, and concluded by say
ing ng:-"Promise me, Mr.. Wilmer, that yor
will not go alone!'
For the first time, the idea suggested
itself to Wilmer, that he possessed hole
upon Ida's affections he had not suspected
and, involuntarily, his eyes sought her
for confirmation of the suspicion but, a
involuntarily, she looked down, as if t.
avoid the scrutiny, and he saw only tn
flushing check, and the hand raised, seem
ingly, to adjust her curls, though, in truth
to conceal the tell-tale blush lie did no
prolong the look of enquiry, but hastene,
to reply:
"Were to make that promise, Mis-
Holmes, it would compel me to abandon
, my purpose, or result fatally to those whor
would serve, The appearance ofan arme
5 forceswould be the signal for their murder
5 and it is only by stratagem that their de
r liyerance can be effected. Since the da
. l became free man, my purpose has bee
e fixed to save them or perish in the attempt,
;. "And should you succeed, " she said, "
t hope you will bring them to the FORT
;, would give me great pleasure to make the
| acquaintance, and to lend them all tn