Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-12-02

observer the earth must have swallowe'
bin.
More bravely than ever did Hugh nov
bear his captivity, for hope burned bright
ly 10 his bosom. There was something
in the mien of the unknown Indian which
assured him he was planning his deliver
ance; and though be could not conceive
who he was, or why be had taken SC
deep an interest in him, he was satisfied
that in time, through means prepared by
him, he should see again bis beloved
home-clasp again his beloved family.
Many days passed ere be saw another
token; but one sunny morning as he sat
on the ground floor of his wigwam, en-
gagged in one of his menial duties, the
broad belt of sunshine that streamed in
through the entrance was suddenly OBJ
scured, and raising bis eyes, Hugh be>
held the same red face that had peered
through the bushes. II was but one look
be had a chance to give ere il vanished,
but in another instant from the rear Of
the wigwam issued the same cOoing notes
that had so sweetly disturbed his mourn
ful revery once before. In another in
stant the shadow again intercepted the
sunbeams, fleeing almost as quickly as
seen. As it passed, Hugh felt, rather
than saw, that something was thrown in /;
bot when, as the sunshine again played
upon his knees, he beheld pair of moe
casins resting there, wilder, stronger
pulse beat in his bosom, for he felt that
the hour of his deliverance was nigh
He remembered that on the morrow
grand hunt came off, and he knew that
on such occasions all the bravest OF the
braves were gone, aud inferred that as he
should be left, as be had been many times
before, in the care of only the sqdaws
and perhaps one or two Indians, his de-
lverer had selected that as the propitious
time to effect his escape.
With leaden wings rolled on the hours
that interviewed between the token and
the time. Bnt the morrow's sun dawned
at length, and with its first beam the
hunters sped away. But so many duties
had they lel! for their captive to perform,
that it was late in the afternoon ere he
could repair to his accustomed seat beside
the river. Bot all day his heart had
been cheered by those cooing words that
first woke hope. Now they seemed cir
cling in the air above him, now stealing
out Of the messy ground, and anon float
ing as it were on the breath Of the few
flowers that yet smiled in life. As he
reared the water, louder and clearer rang
he notes, and following them, he was led
mile or two down the bank to spot be
as one where the river in
tented the grassy soil by tiny bay.
Scarcely had he stepped there ere
light canoe darted from under shelving
,ank, and at the helm stood the Indian
rieud. Hugh had lived long enough
With red meu to understand unspoken
anguage, and sign from his deliverer
vas enough to tell him that he must
ronch in the bottom of the tiny craft
nd be motionless, under some skins.
The sun set and the moon rose, and
till the canoe sped on over the blue, calm
waves, aud not until midnight was it
noored, and then Hugh knew that he
vas safe. Up steep ledge of rocks die
is conductor lead him, and through long,
arrow and dark aisles, whose bottom
Ot for the friendly moccaons, would
ave sadly torn and bruised bis feet. AT
ength they stopped, ard the Indian, re-
easing his grasp, lighted torch and re-
ealed to the white man the fact he had
uessed, that they were deep in the EARTH
, one of those weird like caverns of
,hich legend loves to sing. A fire was
indled, the smoke somehow finding vent
,r itself without annoying the lockers
n, and soon over the crimson Goals that
ropped on to the rude hearthstone, was
rolled a venison steak that the Indian
ad taken from his Withholding larder
I'D, refreshed and happy, Hugh, in less
ian two hours after he had entered the
,veru, slept soundly on couch Of dried
rass, and dreamed beautiful visions Of
ONE.
For several days they tarried there, !
Ie Indian going out each morning, but :
,turning regularly at sunset, and always
caring a plentiful supply Of game /;
7hen week had elapsed, simply saying +
, Hugh, I'VE 60 now they no find us, '
E led him forth, aud commenced jour q
eying towards the south. One night,
ter they had been long on the road, they :
alked to much later hour than usual c