Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-09-30

and WAS meditating the probable direction they
had taken, when noticed that the vines were
in many places broken and Asphced. The
truth now flashed upon me, that they had
carried my child forward by clinging on to the
vines, leaving no trails, and th1s thinking to
battle us in our search. How they had disposed
Of their horses could not conjecture, for il
was utterly imprssible to have taken them
along,
"' We now tied our horses one, more, and
guided by the broken vines, pursued our way
After proceeding thus by clingihg on TO the
vines, our path began to be ASCENDING, and we
soon came into an open space. r reached the
brow Of q small hill, and upon aking dowr
into the valley saw eigat 5Sh made th'
blood fairly curdlc in my yelns syssPsout hun
dred yards from me, upon a ~ block just
large enough, to support her, seSod nv child
A rope was secured to the limb Of tree direct.
ly over her head, one end of which was fixed in
moose around her neck Another rope was
passed around the block on which she stood
and a short distance off stood the seoundrel Pc
dro, with the end fastened around his body. He
was gesticulating violently to my child, and
although / could not hear what hs-said, judi
ged that he was attempting to make her prom
ise to be his wife. To this my daughter ans.
.wered nothing, bat sto,d calmly awaiting her
fate.
awfulness of my child's situation aroused me tc
action. IF my grief at fndug my daughter
gone was fearful, it was now doubly intense
although stood like block Of marble, nc
word escaping my lips.
"M My first impulse was t, shoot the villain
which | could easily have done, but Was fear
full that his tall would bring the block to the
ground, and thus sacrifice my daughter. A
thought now flashed like lightning across my
mind. If could only hit that rope my bullet
would sever it, and before the villain could
harm her, my friends rifle would finish him
But new difficulty now presented itself, The
companion of Pedro now emerged from thick
ct near by. But resolved to trust all to prov
idence and endeavor at least to save my child
communicated my plan to my friend, and after
examining the caps on our rifles, we dropped
upon our knees to take him. Ny mind was il
state amounting aim )st to agony What, i
I should miss? The thought was horrible 4
sudden movement of Pedro decided me- H
was about to snatch away the block. 1t was
moments work. glanced along the barrel 0
MY rife, covered the rope, and fired i.
1.-THE report Of my friehd's rIsF fEg %
upon the still air, and all was blank. ha
tainted. When awoke saw my child stand
4 ing over me with tears upon her lair cheeks
and springing up | clasped her convulsively t
my bosom.
'' Before me lay the body Of Pedro corps
A small red spot upon his forehead told how ia
tai was my friends aim. The rope had bee
cut by my bullet The other fellow it seems ha
taken to his heels Us soon as he heard ou
firing.
60 That was n great shot, remarked.
"' 1t was sir, and you can find proof of it
truth if you will sup with mo to night, when
will introduce you to my daughter and her ne
BILE husband
"' Indeed, sir, Ishould be very happy to-
replied, but fear 1t will trospass too much o
your hospitality.
"' Not at all. not at all, sir.
: "' But did you never find the fellow who CT
capped !?
GO Yes, sir. If you will but turn your eye
to our worthy landlord, you will behold him
i started as he said this, and as did so h
was gazing keonly at us, as if he guessed wha
the ranger had been relating.
80 From that time my hair began to tur
: grey, and at the end of month it was as whit
as you now see it..
THAT night" sud Casper, as he inisht
the recital, &C I supped with the ranger and h
two children, md happier couple it was new
my lot to behold"