Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-03-26
4 BY R: W. THOMAS,
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
SCARCELY had Wilmer turned to. look
at the light pointed out by his sister, when
he heard the signal Of alarm, from the lips
of the Hermit, who soon after advanced,
on foot, to the margin of the river, having
left,the horses, for, fear they might betray
him. The canoe was pulled close in to
the bank, and after whispered consulta
ton between che two gentlemen, the boat
was, suffered to drift down the stream,
whilst he Hermit cautiously lead the horses
lower down-the object being to get near
enough to ascertain by whom the fire was
kindled. They succeeded in gaining posi-
ton in a cove, little below what proved
to be an Indian encampment; and from
the numbers, and dappearance, as disclosed by
the light, they had no difficulty in ascer-
tanning thatitwas Tatunkah's band return
ing from their expedition against the set
Elements bordering tho Mississippi.
Secure against observation, our little
party was painfully excitedtby the scene
that was enacting. They could see the
'sayagcs drawn up in double lines, with a
passage along which prisoner at the
farther end, was destined to run, with his
coat off, and receive the blows to be dealt him
as he ran the gauntlet, for the amuse-
ment of his captors who proposed to train
him for the final run when they should
reach the village. Wilmer involuntarily
graspod his rife but a whisper from hi:
sister, brought him to his senses, and they
all.reniained quiet, but anxious, to witness
the result.
All being ready, the prisoner set off
amid the shouts of the savages, at the toy
of his speed. The blows rainod thick ant
fast upon his back and shoulders but tC
the astonishment Of his tormentors, wher
he reached the bank of the river, which
was about twenty feet in perpendicular
height he did not pause, but leaped over
and the sound that followed proved tina
he had elonred the bank, and alighted in
the water, but with what result they die
not know Some of the savages soizeC
their rifles and rushed to the edge of tn,
precipicc, to fire upon him, if he wer
still alive. They gazed upon the surfac
of the water, which was dimly visible
and listened in breathless silence for an,
sound that might indicate his locality
But neither saw nor heard anything, an,
with a yell of disappointment, the
gathered around their fire. tst
The river, at that point, is about on
hundred and fifty yards wide and Whine
whispered, that if the fellow was not killed
or disabled, he would soon make land
ing, and that they must be ready to assis
him. They waited however, niue
longer time than was necessary to swil
the river, and giving him up for lost, hol
a consultation as to whether they shoul
quit the river, or continue to descend yC
lower down, as a matter of comfort to til
ladies. They had just concluded to adoI
the latter mode of travel when they wen
startled by loud voice, within ten stcl
of them, exclaiming;-- F
"Durn yer yarler hides-zyou spoakil
theiyin, murderin yilyans, did you thin
you could come it over Mike Sloan?-
Gi me a far show and kin whip eupe q
full Of ye, ] dar any five Nv yc, alta tim
to cume over here--you nasty millatt
niSgersP gfh t.u NJ
eDon't talk so loud, Mikep Sa
Wilmer, in an under tone.
BLESS my soul, Mr.. Wilmer is III
you2" He exclaimed, in asubducd voiC
II cant see you, but I'd know that
voice anywhar?P
"Aes, Mike, | am hero, aud so is q
Hermit and SO are the two ladies,
you see, you must not risk a oui hv
just for the pleasure Of abusing {
sayasss,