The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1863-10-30

her lovers safety, as well ms her owl
liberty, depended upon her selfcom
mand. Obcying II sign from him
she commenced slowly and cautious.
~, though with trembling hands, TO
unfold the blanket which protected,
but also impcdcd her. As fold after
fold fell gradually oil, her heart beat
with u wilder and stronger pulsation.
aud when, finally, she found herself
free, she could scarcely forbear spring
ing to her feet, and rushing into Ed
Igor's arms. BY II great effort She re-
strained herself and cautiously rose
to her feet. f.Ir rs
Full fifteen minutcs--an agc NJ such
u time, had passed since Edgar ap-
approached the tree. But the sus-
pense was amply compensated, when
without the least noise he saw her
gaiu the shadow of the first tree. He
fingered still to sec that she was TN
observed, and then one moment bro {
him to her side, and joined their lips
in II kiss, rs intense Us was the dan
ger by which they were surrounded.
Yet he dared not speak and there
was no time TO be lost. The savagcs
might discover the escape at any mo
mcnt, and their last chance would he
gone. lie took her by the hand, and
walking swiftly, though cautiously,
began to rctrace mis- steps through the
wood. Five minutes brought them
to the head of the ravinc, and here he
Should turn TO the left if he wished TO
gain the path by which he approach
cd. But by this course he must take
n wide circuit to avoid the Indian en-.
campment--and every moment was
precious. Turning, therefore, To the
right, instead, he led her, as rapidly
she could walk, in the direction rs he
supposed, of the dividing ridge along
which he had travelled IN tl" evening
His observations of localities was
usually so accurate, that there seemed
no danger Of missing the way. But
he had been so much absorbed in the
agpaoach to the bivouac, that he had
not noted the winding Of the ravine,
or even the points of the compass,
and his surprise was very great Oh
finding, after an hong spent in pushing
forward, that he was apparently as
fur as ever from the ridge
1t was long past midnight, and but
n short time could clapse before the
prisoners escape must he discovered
1t was vitally necessary that he sho'd
rccross the river before sunrise; and
yet without his horse this was impos-
sible. Jane expressed conlldence in
her ability to walk even much farther;
but the speed of even so active walk
or rs she, was far from sufficient iol
escape. Edgar grew silent and anX
ious, though the checrfllln'ss of his
companion at another time would hav,
drawn many Il smile from the Gloom o
his face. ..... .r
"Wc can only push forward, John,
said she; enterprise so succc 'siullS
begun should not be given up in. dc
spair" .."
IL can never despair so long as yol
are with me, Jane" he replied; "bui
| ought TO tell you that unlcs car
llnd my horse, our capture is certain. y
"Sce, then, if I am not n better night
ranger than Captain John Edgar
she said; - hear your horse now"
The Ranger drew her to him and
kissed her warmly.
81 gh,h t,1AIp,t la f,Hnr - al,
he. 81 should have passed without
hearing him."
This was more compliment than
earnest; FOR MS he spoke II low nickc
from the bushes directly in front, mdi
Gated the spot where his horse wa
still standing. The faithful aliima
was aware Of his masters approach
\ few moments sulllccd to prepare
him for u retreat. Edgar doublel
his blanket, and placed it behind th,
saddle. Lifting Jane TO this improml
tn pillion. he mountcd, and turned
/ his horse head homward.
"WhaL is that Jane exclaimed.
Floating up the rayinc came n pro
ilonged war Vhoop, ringing AMONG I'll
trees, and dying away in d thouslnt
echoes along the ridges.
They haze discovered your escape
replied Edgar.
He waited 80 near no more, but rC
gaining the dividing ride, set OIL 9
II swift pace toward the south. Th
order was reycrsed--the pursuer
were now the pursucd--and spec
alone could decide the race. Edga
rode Apowcrful horse, that had born
him safely thro' many fight rs we
/, rs march; but the double weight h
was now carrying, the journey he ha
made, and the efforts still cXpeCte
} from him, forbade the idea Of rapi
I travelling. Yotthc bloodhonnds wei
I upon his track; and ut the dawn oftla
! now scarcely an hour distant, Itdg,
knew they would sweep down upo
( him like the wind Escape seemed I
: d'hicultas before the resc 4"
2 Yet the Ranger was not crst dow
+ and the strong-nearted pioneers s dag
? ter gave little thoughtto danger, 4
:, in all women of her class, cXcitemc
| only evolved her energies; and sh
| talked with n sort of cheerful clatiC
b as if the peril were passed, and hon
;, were rcgaincd. 'Edgnr.was'iar fro
{ being so much at ease; but he h,
never known fear, and, save on a
@ count OF the loved one whose Hrr
| I a., ,-A,,l1 ,,,t 4,