The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1863-10-30
THE RANGERS CHASE.
A Tale Of Early Life on the Frontier
ny j. 7. M'CoNNEi.

"Thcv must have halted here two
or three hours said the latter
"Thcy think they outwitted us, and
ARE SAFE" replied Edgar. "But they
cannot be more than thpe hours
ahead of us, and | think VIC may over
haul them tonight"
"They arc twenty 20 iwo,' said
iWhitc.--''we must wait for the men.
"We can cross the river" Edgar
answered, "and ride on rs long as we
have light. By that time we can sec
which direction the Indians have talk
on; you can then return here and has
ten up the men, who must reach this
point before midnight
1t required but few minutes to
cross the river, which at that season
was always low. Upon the Western
bank the trail was still more apparent
than upon the Eastern. Here also.
there had been n halt, though not SO
Hong.
"Thrce hours of daylight. now -
Thought Edgar, "and we should over
haul them" he forgot that his force
was but one to tcn--that he was more
! than hundred miles from any settle
mcnt III the midst of vast solitude,
where he could meet none hut enc.
mics Nor would the reflection have
| disturbed Inn, had it occurred. He
saw but one imagc--thc helpless cap.
+ tive in the hands of his most hated
foes; and, cool and consideratc ms lie
usually was he would not have hesi.
tatca TO encounter the whole band.
with mis- single strong arm. Fortu-
natcly, perhaps, no such opportunity
seemed likely to be Offer ed him: for,
after winding about for few miles
among the bluffs. the trail ascendcd
ihc ridge which divides the two riv
crs, and here again turning TOWARD
the North the flIgitivcs had evidently
increased their speed. The long twi
light, too, was deepening into night
and the fear Of again going asst ny
would compel the halt rs soon us tho
tracks became invisible.
They followed, however, with al
practicable speed, for an hour longer
dismOuntcd ut every ofshot from the
main ridge,t to ascertain their direction
bat at the end of the time it was III
longer safe to proceed, and Edgar re
luctantlv drew up.
"1ou had better return to the riy,
er, now, White said he, "anl bring
ule men up as fast rs possible. eX
pect you before daybrcak."
"if they do not come up, I will re
turn myself, ~ said White; and. turn
ming about. he rode away to The South
The hardy Ranger was now lcf
alone in the midst of the wilderness
Night had closed in, moonlcss-ant
ihe stars twinllled but family dow
Ghrough the woods The wind-as i,
usual in this country--had suhsidet
toward evening, ana sunset had been
followed hy II dead calm. When tht
footsteps of Whites horse died ava,
in the distance, the silence of th,
grave added depth and awe TO til,
solitude No branch wavcd-scarcel,
n leaf stirred; and even the tricklins
Ola little spring, in ravinc near hin
only served TO make the stiffness aud
ihle---as glimmcriuslight but rem
dcrs darkness visible
EDGAR dismounted, and led hi
tired horse in the direction of Tin
, sound; and, having allowed him Il
drink, divcsted himself of his harness
and pickcted him on slope of greer
grass near the spring. His own thirs
satisfied, he then seated himself n
the foot of the tree; and, drawing
q blanket over him. epdeavorcd to slecI
The stiliRess was broken only by hi
horse eagerly cropping the sweo
grassland the monotony of the drir
, ping fountain, combined with his IA
tigue soon bro't on that half-dream
state which prcccdcs oblivion. In
u deed bis head was thrown back agains
, the tree, and his eyes were closct
5 whcn'he suddenly sprung to his fee
and standing as motionless as the TIRE
about him, assumed the attitude {
profound listening.