Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-03-08

ing which the gallop of horses could be distinct
ly heard around them, and then flash which
lighted up the features Of o tall savage looking
Indian, and report, which this time too truly
dealt death to one of the hunted miners. He fell
without groan, shot through the brain. But
the fash in the pan of the old musket which the
Indian held, gave an excellent opportunity for
old Nathan, who, true to his promise, sent tho
bullet of his trusty rife, to the breast of his
savage foe. A fierce yell and shower of ar
rows succeeded by, the most completesilence, told
to their comrades the loss Of another brave
warrior of the Chatenangoes.
Fortunately, none Of the party were bit by
the arrows, and led by old Nathan, whom all
had began to regard as the one most likely to
extrcate them from their present difficulties,
pressed on at the top of their speed-on-o
he same course which they had been pursu-
ing, the two wings of their foes at some dis
tance ahead and the main body following with.
in easy rifle shot behind.
What does all that mean " exclaimed
Theodore Doke, as an exultont shout from their
savage foes rose behind them.
"Ah! poor Clindy, his scalp's danglin on
some cussed Injun's belt-but--let em scrapc
he won't feel it ennyhow."
He's beyond that" said Theodore.
Yes, ard lucky dog, too, said old Nate /;
g he's got off without much fright, SO cum to
the real nicety ov it, and he's better off nor we
are, for we've got to fight like blood hOun's, and
half die with fright, and finish with the scalpin
knife, and the Lord knows what with, don't
But let 'em cum, I'm rayther thnkin we'll git
u right smart lunch, while they'r getting
dinner ennyhow."
The feelings of Leon Howard may be imagined
but certainly cannot be described. Not for him
SELF not that he feared death, even in the terri
bic form which he had reason to expect it, but
for the loved ones at home, whose happiness in
life he believed depended in great measure
upon his sare return. He had lpiled unceasing-
ly for years to accomplish tba. high and noble
object, and now, just in the monsatot success,
it was all to go for naught
He had nearly four pounds of gold on his per-
son, which was carefully packed in eathern
belt and buckled tightly around his body. This
he determined to defend with his life. Rather
than sacrifice the gold, he determined to sacri-
fee himself For what to him was life without
it? Could he 20 home to his mother and sister,
and look upon their wretchedness without the
power to aid them! No, better never see theil
misery, than, having seen it, be pOwerlesS tc
relieve.
.On-on they went. The clouds came ur
from the west in midnight blackness, and veiled
to guide that weary band to haven of rest ant
safety. Nothing but the dark blank ahead-it
might be death at any moment. But there was
no alternative, and on they went-their only
guide the sound of their enemys whOops.
For an half hour longer they held their course
over the level PRAIRIE pressing on with all speed
but without the most distant idea of sOhere they
wero going or whether it were their best course
to pursue, when an unlocked for obstacle
river of unknown size and dangers-barred theil
further progress. 1t was but dimly visible
through the intense darkness, and was so likt
to the prairie over which they were riding, tina
some of the horses dashed into the water err
they discovered the change of elements.
:" By the heavens! " exclaimed Theodor
Doke, as soon as they had come to stand
this looks a little like bringing matters to
close Probably they imagine we shall be JUS
frightened enough to jump into the river an,
float down stream, but they may be as wei
: making up their minds to something littl
tougher"
"And we may as we'll be making up ou
! minds to some other course" said the Captain
Yes, the quicker the better" said Theodore
: C In my opinion there is great deal to be don
and short time to do it i'm
| "In my opinion it makes little difference ,Uht
9 we do, or ,Chen we do it," said another 6 ther
s is but one possible way for this to end"
"And in my opinion, " said Theodore, quicl
G ly, !" there are great many possible ways fc
this to end. One way is to plungeinto the ri,
0 er like band of brave suicides, and so bafH
the Indians and save our Scalps, and anotht
| way is to cover down and whine like chidre
Is caught out after dark and so save the poor Ii
Q dians the trouble of fighting and another is
/, fight and die like men, or cut our way to pla
g of safety"