The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1866-04-07

muttered the Indian angrily. Pcalsweap
take scalp-hers and another one ?" 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 injury, aud ]
am sure you cannot be so cruel -
1t was an unwise speech, tor 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.
Take your scalp, first he said seiziDg
tuft of my head.
Jennie sprang forwad, with cry of an.
guish, 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. / eau die, III
must be, without murmur, but beseech
you TO have mercy on him, and to consid.
| er his tenderyea !"
ielt the hot tears dropping fast upon
my forehead. Somehow they seemed TO
give me fresh courage and resolution,
grew stronger at the sight of her despair.
Do not weep, dear Jennie|' I said
! will die like man II you ever see
my father again, give my love TO him, and
tell him that did !"
She uttered long gasping sigh. Then.
as it O sudden thought had come to her.
she sprang TO the nearest corner, seized the
loaded rife which always stood there, and
raised it just 10 time TO stay the shining
blade, which in another moment would
hQvn hnnn down nm loRc
8 Put up your knife" she said, in low.
calm, determined tone. I" Let it come one
inch nearer to that poor boy and you shall
never live to strike q second blow !"
The Indian turned away, cowed and
abashed. Something in her eye told him
she was not to be triRed with. Neverthe.
less, though foiled in bis purpose, he could
not help but gaze at her admiringly.
White squaw is brave" be 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 wsuld be fjt mate
for her ! Pealsweap's lodge is lonely and
cold 1fhe spare her scalp, will she go
with him and be his squaw ?"
The Indians face was calm and emotion.
less but his voice was eager and earnest.
He drew slowly nearer and at last paused.
The trap.door which led into the cellar
was up and directly behind him. The lad
der which we always used in deceuding
had been taken away for some purpose or
other. All this Jennie saw at glance,
and, in a moment her resolution was made
She drew quietly nearer, and then gathered
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 q low
cry, into the yawning pit behind him /!
Iu 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 we'll knew the Indian
could not escape, unasSisted, 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 be-
trothed lover. / shall never forget how
tightly father drew me TO his heart when
he learned all, nor bow proudly Richard
looked upon his promised bride while list
ening TO the recital of her noble heroism.