Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-10-23


"For Gods sake, my children, ask for
nothingr she frantcally whispered.
After eating their supper, the Indians
/ took smoke, and then stretched themselves
out on The ground, with their feet turned
/ ward the fire, and went to sleep, one Of
their number being delegated 10 watch the
prisoners and replenish the fire.
"God help us all hope Of escape is past,
forever pastr mentally calculated poor
| Mrs. Davidson.
| Bound and guarded as they were, well
might she give up in despair.
Time passed away and at last even the
poor captive children sank into q ftful
slumber. The anxious mother however,
felt no inclination to close her burning eyes
Her mind was too busy and her nerves too
excited.
With straining eyes she watched the
dusky sentinel as he kept his silent guard.
At length the fire began to smolder and
the redskin stepped toward the edge of the
forest-the camp was in a little clearing
10 gather some sticks.
Mrs Davidson watched him like a cat.
Suddenly, as the savage stopped down
to the ground, something sprang out from
the darkness among the trees, and quickly
pounced upon his back. But the faintest
noise-a slight scuffle, it might beds.
turbed the stiffness for a moment, and then
all again was deadly silent.
"My God what does it mean ~ cried the
bewildered woman. .fr
"AIother, moi. word, or sound, for your
life" suddenly came from behind her, in
deeply whispered tones.
Notwithstanding the caution, Mrs. David
son, who instantly recognized the voice, was
about to utter a sudden exclamation. The
shock was almost too much for her heart and
brain, and the poor creature came very
near running every thing.
"Not a sound motherl" was again quickly
whispered from behind, though no one was
to be seen, anxiously as she peered into
the darkness.
By a strong effort, Mrs. Davidson chokei
down her emotion.
"Oh Charley, is that your" she inquired,
a moment afterward, in a low, deep, and,
tremulous whisper.
ayes, mother yes but Ike ep still, and
look over there"
Mrs. Davidson turned her head the other
way, and in the light of the campfire be-
held several men creeping out from the
edge of the forest one after the other. In
the red light of the fire she could see them
plainly. There were six of them and they
were white men.
Oh, how that anxious woman watched the
scene before her Oh, how her heart
thumped and her brain throbbed at the un-
expected sight
With cat-like movements the cautious
whites circled around the unconscious saw
ages. Then five of the number placed them
selves right above the sleeping redskins
who stirred not O limb, so little noise was
there to disturb their deep slumber-and
pointed the muzzles of their rifles directly at
their breasts. The next moment the sixth of
the psfty whispered the word "ire," and
the report of the five rifles broke simultane-
ously upon the still air.
| Not a redskin lived or breathed after
ward, the reader may feel certain.
The loud noise awoke the sleeping cap
tives, AMI the glad cries of the mother and
her children quickly followed the deep de-
tonation of the rifles.
At the same moment Charley darted from
his hiding place, and rapidly severed the
thongs which bound the poor prisoners,
ave are saved! thank God we are savedp
cried Mrs. Davidson, as she sank down or
her knees, and clasped all three of hel
children to her wildly-beating heart.
Oh, who shall describe that scene2
The first burst of their boundless Joy
over, the whole party started forward to re
trace their steps to the nearest settlement
where Mrs. Davidson and her children eve
after remained.
In conclusion, it is only necessary to sa,
that Charley, who was not killed, as repre-
sented by the Indian, succeeded in making
his way to the station to which the captive
were afterward conducted and from whence
he had started out with the party who haC
finally effected the deliverance of Mrs
Davidson and her children.
OF course the reader understands that i
was one of the borderers who pounced s.
suddenly upon the Indian sentinel, and, b,
a well aimed blow, silenced his tongue, AM
prevented him from alarming his compan
ions. On the successful accomplishment 0
that critical feat in great measure de
pended the rescue of the captives.
Subsequently, search was made for tn
body of Mr. Davidson; but nothing was dis
covered but a few dry and feshless bones
the beasts of prey, without doubt, hay
ing deyoured all the rest.