Des Arc weekly citizen., 1868-05-16

| Mir. Murray, the rage or the hot-tem. pered old planter came very neal bringing on catastrophe.
 Harry Murray, however, had good deal of cool good sense, and this way side consultation ended in leaving the whole matter to him and Lanman.
 The value of the wagons and their contents, of course, hardly entered into the consideration, the main thing being to avoid the present danger and reach the fort.
 Rosa Murray:s fair face blanched for a moment when her brother explained their danger, but she was brave girl, and instantly declared her readiness to do her part as became her.
 "Lipan Joe Will help us ?v asked she.
 "Yes, and for your sake, I think"
 "And Mir. Lanman?"
 "Yes, but not for anybody's sake in particular" answered Harry.
 "Well, Harry, If he does act as our friend we need not laugh at him." ex- claimed Rosa. 'I must say that I don't like his stern, gloomy face, but he is just the man to take us to the fort.'
 "He's a mystery, he is," said Harry i; "but do like his stern, gloomy face. As for the rest, agree with you"
 The few miles, which was deemed wise in such sultry weather, were fin- ished long before sunset, and the camp was pitched for the night in a grove, by flowing spring, which had served many another caravan" for the same purpose.
 Lanman took care that even more than the usual distance should be pre- served, not only between the little tents that served the Murrays for sleeping apartments and the general bivouac, but also between the horse corrals of the planters and the would-be robbers.
 Supper was cooked and eaten in the usual manner, and nothing had yet oc- cured to arouse any suspicious among the plotters that their victims were not at their mercy.
 Darkness came, and the stars came out, unattended as yet by any moon, and the silence was almost oppressive to the anxious hearts of those who knew how much might depend upon the next few hours.
 The rufiians put on a more than usual semblance of weariness, and before lnn0 the camn was liin tho na,nn of tn c dead.
 Steadily and stcalthily Harry Mur- ray and his friend labored during the first few hours, seeing to it that sad dies, packs, arms, &c., were placed in proper proximity to the steeds, upon whom their safety was to depend,
 For long time Lipan Joe was mo- where to be seen. One of tho men volunteered the information that "the durned redskin war out scoutin' somewhars," but no one seemed to have kept track of him.
 About midnight, however, as Lam man lay in the grass among the horses, wearily waiting the moment for action, hand was laid upon his shoulder, and well-known voice whispered:
 "Now, come! Comanche on prairie. Stempede camp before long. No wait. Good time GetaWay'
 No time was lost after that. The saddles were noiselessly adjusted, the sleeping negroes awakened and bidden to take their places in silence, and all things were put in readiness for the signal of the faithful Lipan. It was indeed necessary to trust oil to him, whether they would or no.
 "Ycs, Miss Murray" said Lanman, in reply to question, "you can trust him.
 "But you, Mr. LaDman ?"
 "You need not trust me-"
 "Do not misunderstood me. I mean that you are running a great risk on our account, and we have no claim on you"
 "No-no claim; my own fate, ol yours, either, is of no consequence, tc me. 1 rather prefer to save you, how ever."
 Rosa Murray looked at the speaker | in amazement as her keen, womanl, intuition detected the bitterness in his voice.
 ::sThen we will try and do without your help, sir" said she, rather tartly
 q don't think you can do that very well just now" said he, coolly; "bu you need not annoy yourself; your Tiff, and Harry's are worth something, and mine is not. You have hope and a flu ture, while have not. Itis, therefore only an act of common politeness oI my part to risk such useless thing a my own throat for your preservation Come, it is time to be moving! Si lenee, now; no noise!'
 Lanman had heard the'locust cry of Lipan Joe, and knew that the deci sive moment was at hand. Harry ant his father were already among thu horses.
 Rosa had been placed in their care and her sombre friend was busy witt necessary preparations at distance O some yards, when his practiced ea was startled by rustic near him il the grass.
 1 Lipan Joe was near, putting the sad dle on his horse.
 Again the locust cry, keen, dry, and shriil, sounded on the night air and thu | girth was left for moment unbucklcd