The Shasta courier., 1868-06-20

others did the same. and they were all soon
lost in slumber Sleep did not visit the ewes
OF the poor captive quite so readily. She
struggled with her hands for while, but
hndlng 1t useless she resisted and remained
quiet.
Murphy waited till the sleep of the sayages
was deepest. Then leaving his position he
stepped with cat-like tread into the encamp.
ment. Motioning to the captive to make no
noise, he leaned over her and quickly sever
ed the bonds which held her. Assisting her
to rise, he took the only two rifles the Indian
had, and, followed by the released girl, re-
treated into the shadow as silently as he
came. Reaching safe distance he stopped,
and in whisper to d the girl to remain were
she was, as he had determined to return and
Kill the Indians while they slept, if possible
But If he should fail in the attempt she was
to start for the settlement; by the darkness
he thought she could escape She assented
and drawing his keen knife and tomahawk,
the daring scout returned to the camp. The
fire still gave faint Pickering light. Occa.
sionally it would glare up for a few moments,
revealing the camp and s occupants quite
distinctly. Murphy silently waited for one
OF these moments, when he bent his muscu-
lar form over his slumbering foes His arm
was raised aloft; the knife blade glittered in
the red fire light, then descending, was swift
ly buried to the hilt in the red mans heart.
A second and third quickly followed, but
the forth, suddenly awaking, sprang to his
feet. knife in hand, though evidently bewil-
dered and alarmed at beh0lding white man
before him. Ere he could recover himself
the scouts tomahawk was sunk in his brain.
Hearing noise behind him, Murphy turned
and beheld the released girl standing but a
few feet from him with rifle in her hands.
ln answer to his "what are We doing here ~
she replied, that fearing her brave protector
might be overcome in the struggle she had
taken rifle, and instead of fleeing, had ap-
preached nearer the camp and as the Indian
sprang up she had rushed forward to the
scouts assistance. Murphy made no reply,
save muttered g Humph," although scarce
ly pleased at the courage she displayed. Sat.
istylng himself that the Indians were all
dead, he rolled their bodies into the thcket
out OF sight This done, he told the brave
girl who he was. and how he came to be
there. and assured her of his further protec-
ton till she was safe with her mother and
friends in the block-house.
Her gratitude to the brave man for deliv.
ering her from such horrid fate as awaited
her, was too deep and heartfelt for utterance.
and she silently took his broad hand and
held it between her own for few moments.
Taking one of the Indians blankets, which
had not been unrolled, the weather being
warm, he spread it on the ground, and told
her to lie down and take the rest which her
wearied body and mind so greatly needed =
She did so, and closing her eyes, soon fell
asleep, with the scout watching over her.
When morning came, she arose much refresh
ed, and they then started on the return to
the settlement, which they reached short
time after dark the same day. Deep was
the mothers and daughters joy at meeting,
and deeper the mothers thankfulness to the
brave man who saved her child from an aw-
ful fate. Murphy remained in the block
house until the next morning, when he de-
parted with the heartfelt blessings of ALL