The Shasta courier., 1865-11-18

earnestly; " but, oh, do not harm my
brother! He never has done you injury,
and | am sure you cannot be SO cruel
1t was an unwise speech. for it betrayed
her weakest point. 1t told the savage how
he could best work upon her feelings, and
he was not slow to take advantage of the
discovery. He Immediately drew his knife
and approached me.
Fake your scalp frst,' seizing tuft of
my hair.
Jennie sprang forward with cry of an.
guish and placed both arms tightly about
my neck She almost choked me with her
firm, convulsive hold
q" Oh. you must not, shall not slay him p
she exclaimed, in agony. Il can die. if Ii
must be, without murmur, but l beseech
you to have mercy on him and to consider
his tender years y
| felt the hot tears dropping fast upon my
forehead. Somehow they seemed to give me
fresh courage and resolution. | grew strong
er at the sight of her despair
s. Do not weep, dear Jennie" l said, 81
will die like a mani If you ever see my
father again, give my love to him and tell
him that died"
She uttered long, gasping sigh. Then,
as if a sudden thought had struck her, she
sprang to the nearest corner, seized the load
ed rife, which always stood there, and
raised 1t Just in time to stay the shining
blade, which, in another moment, would
have been down upon my defenceless head.
Put up your knife" she said in a low,
calm, determined tone. Let it come one
inch nearer to that poor boy, and you shall
never live to strike second hlow?"
The Indian turned away cowed and abash-
ed. Something in her eye tald him that
she was not to be trifed with. Neverthe-
less, though foiled in his purpose, he could
not help but gaze at her admringly.
White squaw is brave, he said shortly.
:" She does not shrink and hide from danger
like the timid deer. She is too brave aud
beautiful for the coward pale face ! Only
warrior would be fit mate for her. Peal
sweap's lodge is lonely and cold If he
spare her scalp, will she go with him and be
his squaw ~
The Indians face was calm and motion
less, but his voice was eager and ernest
He drew slowly nearer and at last paused.
The trap. door which led into the cellar
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 II glance, and in
moment her resolution was taken. She
drew quie,ly nearer, and then, gathering all
her strength for the effort, gave him a GER
tain push. Taken thus unawares, he could
not save himself. He staggered, lost his
balance and fell back with a low cry into
the yawning pit behind him.
In moment the trap door was down and
securely fastened. Then Jennie sank into
chair beside me. weak and trembling, now
that all was over and we mingled our tears
together, but this time they were tears Of JOY,
for we well knew the Indian could not escape
unassisted from the close quarters when had
SO unexpectedly fallen to his lot.
Two hours later my father returned. and
with him was Richard Lee. Jennie's betroth
ed lover. We felt perfectly at ease then. |
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.