Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-03-19
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
WHEN Wilmer and his companion re-
turned to the bank Of the river, whence
they had taken their horses, they landed
about quarter of a mile below the village.
1t was very dark, and as they approached
the scene Of operations, not sound was
heard, and so carefully did they advance
that they scarcely heard each others steps.
Each was armed with tomahawk, knife
and pair Of pistols, their rifles having
been deposited in the boat, to which they
agreed to retreat, in case it were necessary
Having reached the outskirts of the
town, the Hermit took his position as
sentinel, and as corps dc reserve, should
his assistance be needed and cautioning
Wilmer not to strike blow unless he could
make it instantly fatal, they shook hands
and parted-both fully impressed with the
risk they ran but both hopeful ofsuccess,
the singular good fortune of Wilmer in
all his adventures being, in no slight degree
the ground of confidence.
Wilmer had just reached the first hut
indeed the only one it was necessary to
pass, when the Hermit distinctly heard the
bow of a canoe CRATE upon the sand and
gravel, and not more than twenty steps
from him. Softly, but distinctly, he imi-
tated the note of the whip-poor-wil /; the
sound conveyed its meaning to Wilmer,
who, like the Hermit, stretched himself
upon the ground, and awaited the solution
of the mystery. In a moment, two dusky
forms stood within a few feet of the Her.
nit, whose PROSTATE position alone enabled
himto see them as it brought them above the
horizon. They entered into conversation,
and the Hermitunderstood enough of their
language to comprehend their history and
designs, in which lie became deeply inter
ested. tto
They were the same Indians whom Viii.
mer had seen that afternoon, and one Of
the sar%e that entered the ladies' hut, and
had laid himself down at their door, as q
feint to prevent them from venturing out
whilst he was preparing to execute his de-
signs. 1t seems that these two indians
belonged to another tribe, once on friendly
terms with Tatunkah and during that
reign of peace, they visited the village,
where they saw, and became enamored of,
the mother and daughter. Their visit
was prolonged from day to-day, until they
began to be considered part of the tribe
At length war broke out between the
two tribes, and these two Indians were de-
tanned as prisoners, but not against their
will and now that hollow peace was re.
established, they ceased to be watched.
i During their stay, however, they made
no favorable impression upon the hearts Of
the two ladies, and maddened by passion
and disappointment, had resolved to alb
duct them, and return to their own tribe
The time for the execution of their scheme
had arrived, they, too, had secured THEN
horses upon the opposite bank of the river
and had just returned to bind, gag anG
|, bear off the coveted prizes t.
Learning all this from the short dialogu,
to which he had so opportunely listened
the Hermit's blood coursed through hi
veins, with lightning speed; but he fearet
to strike, lest one might escape him an,
the alarm be given. He therefore sufrere,
them to pass on, and with the stealthy ant
noiseless tread of a cat, he followed after
grasping his tomahawk in one hand, ant
pistol in the other, ready to spring for
ward in case Wilmer were discovered b
them, But the latter had heard the ad
> vancing steps of the savages, who, fearinI
> no surprise, and feeling no necessity 70
: great caution, needed not the slight SCUM
9 that followed each football. Thus admon
ished, he erawled out of their line of ap
proach. aud they passed him, near enOugl
; to have heard his breathing, had he bee
I incautious, and they watchful Scarcel
T had they advanced ten steps, when anothc
5 figure camo in view visible only by III
}, dark line standing out against the horizon
a yet faint as ii was, the costume beiraye
a the presence Of the Hermit. xhnm lnl