Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-04-07

ture time for the same purpose. AS there was
no pressing work upon his little farm that
needed immediate attention he departed on
his GRAND, promising to return before night
fall.
He rode some dozen miles over the broad
prairie, still keeping to the rivers bank, until
he espied small column Of smoke, some
what inland, arising perpendicularly to the
clouds. Supposing this to bc an evidence Of
civilization or at least proof that he was net
alone in the wilderness, he urged his horse
towards it. Hardly however had he procee-
ded mile ere loud yell, as if from the
throats of dozen wild devils smote his ear
In moment alter, uprising from the long
grass where they had laid concealed, there
rushed towards him five mounted Indians, wa
wing over their heads the terrible tomahawk,
and seeming intent on his destruction. With
the rapidty Of lightning he raised and dis
charged his gun. One OF the red butchers
fell from his horse lifeess. He managed du-
ring the panic that ensued to reload, and as
they again rushed toward him, he shot another
in mid career. There were now but three,
but they came upon him with such speed that
he was forced to sling his rife across his
shoulder and turn to fee.
The race was an animated one the Cam
anches were well mounted on swift Mustangs.
Mr. GARDENERS animal was not a slow one, and
wildly the whole party Few over the prairie.
There was one advantage possessed by the
eilng amid the long grsss, and, having this
fact in their favor, it was not astonishing that
they slowly gained on the pursued.
SUpposing that q demonstration made with
his rife. might stop them, Mr.. Gardiner poin-
ted it fail at the breast of the foremost war;
rior. He was not mistaken. The moment
that they perceived the weapon pointed to-
wards them, they checked their speed, and
with wild yell darted OF in another direc-
tion across the prairie. Seeing their appa-
rent change Of purpose, the farmer now per-
mitted his horse to walk, surprising OF course,
that he would not be again interrupted.
had no idea that those red skins were here
abouts,'' he soliloquzed. .sWhere can they
have come from, and what can be their bust
ness. l am sorry that | was compelled to
shoot any of their number, but better so, than
that wife and Amy should have lost their pro-
tector.''
He patted his horses neck and spoke words
Of cheer to him. 1t now occurred to him to
load his rife, as he might possibly need it
again. lie did 50.
.sCome. Bluebeard - he said to his faith
ful animal, s.we must push ahead, to reach
home. We will be looked for anXiousiy.
Who knows but what these unfeeIing wretch
es may be prowing around our home 20
These thoughts seemed to hurry him on.
Again were they in swift motion towards the
| clearing. He soon struck into the woods,
| and rapidly left the prairie behind. AS he
| came in sight of his home, he discovered his
wife some distance on the road towards him
| gesticulatiug violently, and beckOning him
| onward. HIS heart almost sank within him,
| as lie observed her.
! ssWhat is the matter, wife ~ he asked with
terrible apprehension.
oAnly is gone sShe has been stolen 20 an
| swered the wretched wife, down whose cheeks
tears of agony were coursing their rapid way.
s.By whom ?'' be asked but his heart told
| him already. He had arrived too late.
| 81 know not by whom" she replied. 'EShe
was there in front of the cabin few moments
| since. heard her scream, and rushed out TO
| save her. but she was gone. | looked every
where, but without success. o. ick, husband
dismouut! l will lead Blucbeard to his sta
| BILE. Strike into the forest here. They can
not have gone far. Oh! my child my child -
Mr. Gardiner could speak no consoling
| words nor dare he tell her what he feared
| He Said, ssGo back to the house wife load
the other gun, and keep watch and ward over
every door and window. Suffer n" one to en-
Iter. Shoot them down if they attempt 1t!
| | will seek for her in the woods"
During these directions, he had thrown him
self from his horse. and started at once II
| pursuit. II was convinced that whoever thc
perpetrator Of the outrage might be, they were
on foot, as that part Of the forest was toe
dense to permit OF the passage of horse
| Apprehension lent speed to his footsteps. lie
thought that the captor OF his child wouic
naturally he impeded in his progress, and tha
if he could succeed IN outStrlpplnS hlm, h'
might yet save her
lie pressed on at the very top of his speeC
for some thirty minutes, until he reached al
opening the existence of which he had here
tofore been ignorant of. He saw at once tina
this would be the only means Of escape from
the woods. 1t was bounded on either side ID,
: a deep marsh, through which no one coult
pass. Here, then, he determined to pos
himself, and wait for time, trusting to tn
appearance of the abductor. That be nigh
! be himself safe from observation, he climbe'
into tree. and waited, with beating hear
and almost crazed brain, for what mig ght occur
Not long did he have to wait. With tn
stealthy crawl of the panther, thrusting asd
| the underwood, and carefully surveying ever.
inch of ground before him, Stalwart Jnd' N
: bearing the now unresiSting form of the tai
, Amy. made his appearance. He deposite'
the child among some tangled vines, directi
under the tree where the father was stationed
, and then skirting the clearing, passed alon
TO the other side, with the probable intentio
of sumnloning some of his fellows. Mr.. Gar
diner waited until the Indian had disappeared
then sliding from his position, he seized IN
, child, and whispered in her car
| ssAiake no outcry, but rouse! 1t is you
father, ANY,
,, The words seemed to recall her to life
, She had evidently lost her consciousness
through terror. But now that a familiar voic
fell upon her ear, she came to herself again
and clung tightly to her parent.
ssOuick this way. dearest That bad ma
, will soon return, and perhaps with aid. w
must endeavor to reach the cabin before the
reach u.s.
They now commenced their return. The
!, had not proceeded far, however. ere the
heard the indians cry of disappointment rim
through the solitude, and awaken the echoe