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

rooted tree, to assure himself that he had
not been discovered, and that no immedi-
ate danger threatened him. On his left
was beaten path that passed very near
The fallen tree by which he stood, but on
the opposite side; and while running his
eye along this path to ascertain, by its
bearings, the direction of the village, he
heard the faint sound of distant Voices
He concealed himself behind the body Of
the tree and adjusted his FIRE arms for
ready use. In few moments, the grow
ing distinetness Of the sound satisfied him
that the speakers were approaching along
the path, and must pass within ten steps
of his place of concealment Soon all
apprehension of personal harm was dis
pelled by the appearance of only two
Indians, and they unarmed But the sue
cess of his undertaking depended upon
his not being discovered, and he resolved
to let the two savages pass, provided they
would pass him unnoticed They were
engaged in a very earnest conversation,
and one of them--the same whom we have
seen in the hut of the two ladies--was
evidently excited, and his gestures indica.
ted that some ones scalp was in danger,
though, had he known it, his own life
hung upon thread. 4
They passed, however, without glance
towards Wilmer, and after allowing them
sufficient time to get out of his way, he
fell into the path and followed after them,
and afew hundred yards brought him to the
brow of a steep declivity, whence he had a
full view of picturesque and animat-
ing scene. Almost under him, lay the
village and the river; aud, in an open
space, were congregated some twenty males
J of the tribe, consisting of the too old and the
too young for the war path, with three or
four in the prime of life, left to aid the
others in case the village should be at
tackled. All seemed to be engaged in an
athletic game which required skill and
agility, and an occasional burst of laughter
showed that it also afforded amusement
The squaws and papooses looked on from
little distance, and seemed to enjoy the
sport though in far more quiet way
With the aid of his spy-glass, Wilmer
could have seen all that passed but its
continual motion proved that he was in
search of objects not seen, and that he
was noting localities and approaches
rather than the amusements in which the
villagers were engaged Presently, the
glass was steadily fixed upon two female
figures, with arms interlocked, walking
liesurely from the out skirts of the village
towards hut somewhat removed from the
others, and occupying a rather central
position. His hands tremblcd, and the
gathering moisture obscured his vision
He wiped his eyes and the glass, and look
ed again. There could be no mistake
neither the lapse of six years nor the dis
guise Of Indian costume prevented his re-
cognition of the mother and daughter,
and it required all his powers of self.
control to restrain the impulse to apprize
them, at once, of his presence. Not a
moment did he loose sight of them until
they entered their habitation !. and, then
by careful survey of the village and its
surroundings, he drew, upon his memory
an accurate map Of the whole, so that he
could traverse, in spite of the darkness
the entire ground without fear of loosing
his way.
The sun was setting, when his work was
done, and he returned to his companion
with heart full of hope, and plan well
digested.
''Well, my friend" said the Hermit
'your face tells story of success.
eyes" was the reply, "I have found
them at last, and if hope does not deceive
me, this night will be the last of theil
captivity"
"And your plan, Mr.. Wilmer What
are the difficulties to be overcome 2"
"The first difficulty is to avoid dis
covory; that failing, the next is to escape
from an oyerpowering force. But l hay'
no serious apprehensions The sayage
have no misgivings-they feel too secur,
to be watchful, and with my knowledge o
the geography of the village, must be
blundcrcr, indeed, to bctray myself. NJ.
plan is, if it meet your appreciation, t
; take our horses across the river, as sooi
! as it is dark, and then return to this side
and if l succeed in getting the prisoner
! out Of the village, they must be takel
: down the river in a canoe, which will hav
the effect of inducing the same means O