The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1869-04-02


"What talk is this 2" cried Dane. ~agitated
in spiiesof his efforts AZ self-controL SRod
! Knife was killed yeqter1aV
sic was only wohided." intertfpled
Thompson. ale iaoomihs 10 take 81 von'
geance on us s~ettlers. He has dividedthil
band into two. They we're up at the Deei
Fork this morning, and are now coming this
way. Phe points to be struck are your house
and mine"
"My Godr' calculated Dane, as his iaform.
| ant paused in his excited, breathleas nara.
"a horsei a horsei@ cried Thompson. reel.
ing with fatigue. II can go no further on
foot My wife, my children-God pity and
savo themlp ~ mnMMMfW
lie looked from tho dnter u his daoeh.
ter in ~agonizcd and mute duplication.
Dane snatched the glass from Miriam's
hands and placed Il to his oyesFN1n
He looked 70 the northWard-saw his protl
ty cottage, his wife buayat her needle under
tina treosL and glanced ~ the dim line of the
horizon stretching away eastward and west.
ward from his homo. -EHg
Suddenly the glass dropped from his hands
his face blanched to tho hue Of tho snow.
FROM the west, seeming to emerge from the
clouds III scarlet and gold, he had beheld a
band OF mounted Indians riding boldly to-
wards that unprotected homo, towards that
unconscious aud helpless woman.
With n frenzied cry, he put spurs 10 his
AAN MNh NHAAA avn n ~ NNNNM
shouting to his daughter 10 follow him; al
tho same instant Thompson staggered for
ward and fell in the maiden's path, holding
up his hands in anguish.
my wifel my childrenl" he groaned.
There was no hesitation n tho eoui of the
brave Miriam.
"Mine IL but a single life, he has seven de.
pending on him, she said aloud.
'As she spoke, she leaped from her saddle,
and, with q gesture, commanded him 10 take
her place.
"~Bat-your dangerl' faliered Thompson.
Tho Iudians-"
Miriam again pointed to tho paddle.
go, she commanded. THINK only Of
your family, aud begonel"
stu Thompson heitated, s~weeping the
horizon with eager glances, to assure himself
that no immediate danger threatened. A
change came over his face as he looked, and
he uttered a wild cry, catching up the
glass Mr.. Dane had let fail, and looking
throughit.
The sight he bohcld coDyulsed him with
terror.
Not a mile away, to the west. no saw coming
over a ridge in the plain, and approaching
rapidly, a considerable body of mounted saw
ages. NM
They're eoming@ band Of rod-ekins-di-
directly towards uel' he gasped. I'm
lOstl Fly, Miriam, while you have tho timel"
The maiden took the glass and gazed
A9Ak - ~ NA AHNAAA ~ NAAN NHIA ~ AAAhk AhNa
A strange light appeared IN her oyes-ahght
possessed only BY those upon whom God has
bestowed q consciousness OF His great pro.
tection-thc light Of heroism winch death
itself cannot master.
''Snro enough" sho murmurul. "They
are cOmingl The leader Ia Rcd Knife. Go,
neighbor Thompson on the instantl'
I'VE can ride togothefl" cried ThompsOn.
"NOl The horse il tired. We have been
to Willow Island. We should be oyertaken
before We had gone two milos!"
Then we'll die together Z"
mol mol You must mount"
With q grasp so sudden and Arm that il
startled him, the maiden pushed him to-
wards the horse, aud in another instant ne
found himself, moro by instinct than by
thought, seated in the saddle.
''Away, beliml" cried Miriam TO her steed,
with an imperative gesture. 'Awaylp |
The horse broke fuiiously over tho plain
giving Thompson only time enough 10 hAsh a
look OF gratitude towards the maiden, as he
away to the northeast, towards his
monaced homo. III ~
A moment later, Mr.. Dane locked over his
5hOuldcr-took In at q glance the situation Of
lfAirs, recognizing tho peril as we'll as the
OF his child-bowed his head solemn
", as one submits to the inevitable, IN appro-
of her conduct, and then be swept on
10 the rescue of his wife, his soul torn by
such emotions as are seldom brought to bat
10 together.
And Miriam, throwing herself Hat upon the
ground, remained alone upon tho plnin,, in
he very path of a scorce OF mOunted1 Indians,
Who were galloping towarde her with the
witness of the windl