Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-08-18
81 have already told you we have

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and he seized bottle which stood upon
shelf, and raised il to his lips.
The bottle was full of oil. Jennie lift.
ed her hand TO stop him, but it was toe
late. He had already received a goodly
portion in his mouth, and was splitting
and coughing at great rate.
In spite of her situation Jennie could
not help but smile at his ridiculous mis-.
take.
"White squaw laugh another way soon,
muttered the Indian augrily. "Pealsweap
take scalp--hers and another one p and
he pointed toward me.
Jennie was sobered instantly.
"Do with me as you wish" she said
earnestly; but, oh, do not harm my broth
er He never has done you an injury,
and am sure you cannot be SO cruel !'
1t was an unwise speech, for it betray-
ed her weakest point. 1t told the savage
how be could best work upon her feel
ings and he was not slow to take advan-
tage of the discovery. He Immediately
drew his knife, and approached me.
Take your scalp, irst," he said, seiz-
ing tuft of my hair.
Jennie sprang forward, with cry Of
anguish, and placed both arms tightly
about my neck. She almost choked me
with her firm, convulsive hold.
"Oh, you must not, shall not slay him p
she exclaimed, in agony. 81 can die, if
must be, without murmur, but beseech
you, to have mercy on him, and to con-
slider bis tender years"
felt the hot tears dropping fast upon
my forehead. Somehow they seemed to
give me fresh courage and resolution. l
grew stronger at the sight Ct her despair.
"Do not weep, dear Jennie" I said
a will die like a man If you ever see
my father again, give my love to him,
and tell him that | did p
She uttered long, gasping sigh
Then, as if a sudden thought had come
to her, she sprang to the nearest corner,
seized the loaded rife which always stood
there, ard raised it just in time to stay
the shining blade, which, in another mo-
ment would have been down upon my
defenceless head.
"Put up your knife she said, in low,
calm, determined tone. "Let it come
one inch nearer to that poor boy, and
you shall never live to strike a second
blow
The Indian turned away, cowed and
abashed. Something in her eye told him
she was not to be trifed with. Never
theless, though foiled in his purpose,
be could not help but gaze at her
admiringly.
"White squaw is brave" he said, short
ly. "She does not shrink and hide from
danger like the timid deer. She is too
brave and beautiful for the coward pale
faces Only warrior would be fit mate
for herl Pealsweap's lodge is lonely
and cold If he spare her scalp will she
90 with him and be his squaw?"
The Indians face was calm and emo
tionless, but his voice was eager and
earnest. He drew slowly nearer, and at
last paused.
The trap-door which led into the eel.
Ter was up, and directly behind him
The ladder which we always used in
descending had been taken away for
some purpose or other. All this Jennie
saw at a glance, and, in a moment, her
resolution was made. She drew quietly
nearer, and then. gathering all her
strength for the effort gave him sudden
push? Taken thus unawares, he could
not save himself. He staggered, lost his
balance, and fell back, with low cry,
into the yawning pit behind him
In moment the trap door was down
and securely fastened. Then Jennie
sank into a chair beside me, weak and
trembling, now that it was all over, and
we mingled our tears together, but this
time they were tears of joy, for we well
knew the Indian could not escape, un-
assisted, from the close quarters which
had so unexpectedly fallen to his lot.
Two hours later my father returned,
and with him was Richard Lee, Jennie's
betrothed lover. We felt perfectly at
ease then. l shall never forget how
tightly father drew me to his heart when
he had learned all, nor how proudly
Richard looked upon his promised bride,
while listening to the recital of her noble
heroism.