The New York herald., 1869-03-27
CHAPTER /.

woods upon the bank OF beautiful river. They had
ridden far and rapidly. Their steeds were painting
and covered with sweat and foam.
ave must give the horses breathing SPELL" said
the former. Shipping to the grounds and hrs com
panion nodded graceful assent as she followed ms
example.
The couple were evidently father and daughter.
The was in the prime Of life, hale and hearty,
with large frame. which was sinewy ana athletic
without ceasing to be refined and prepossessng lie
had the Keen shrewd look peculiar TO the advance
guards or civilization and there was an honest
frank expression on his sun-brOwned face that pro-
claimed his integrity and courage.
In her way his daughter was equally picturesque
In the early nush OF womanhood, with pure,
sweet and tender face, with eyes darkly glowing,
with coral tinted lips and cheeks solty nasned Win
her. she was as graceful as gazce, as lghthearted
as bird, lovely as ower and as spirited as an
The stream by which the couple had halted was
Wood river, branch OF the Platte. In Nebraska at
point fifty miles northwest OF Fort Kearny.
"Are you tired Miriamp' asked the hunter. George
Dane, with fatherly solicitude.
.sTired, fatherYn reIoined the maiden with happy
laugh "Oh, no. How could be tired alter day
like thisP Every minute has been filed with
pleasure and excitement ! feel as fresh as yonder
Dird.n
Tne father smiled understandingly, with look
full OF the fondest affecton.
II can guess the cause OF your ightness OF heart ;,
pected OF certain Hubert Earle, from the mines
OF Idaho, may account, suspect ior your present
A heightened color appeared on Miriams face for
the name mentioned was that OF her lover She
answered the glanccs OF her father. however, with
frankness that attested his entire sympathy with
arrue, father, my heart has been unusually light
for several days past How could !, DC Otherwise
Mr.. Dane did not reply. He was looking with
kindlng eyes over the fair flower dotted plain, and
his next remark showed how widely his thoughts
II wonder what mother has been doing without us
all day, Miriam. She must be lonely, with no one to
1oaHf m nv cha hnr ms |
we could see our home from this point" and ms face
lighted up with soulful glow. ''Onr cottage is not
more than seven miles distant; let me see."
He drew from his coat pocket glass. adjusted II
to his sight, pointing 1t in northery direction and
ga5ed through long and earnestly towards MS
.Yes. see t.n he said, at last. with long, deep
and JOYFUL inspiration as II the sight refreshed him
day. can even see the vines you planted before
the windows Miriam. And there, on the grapevine
her sewing. Bless her She does not imagine we
are looking at her. Look, Miriam"
m M ne her ove sG % ee
smiles as she regarded the distant home scene
'Dear mother ~ she murInured. 1T is a treat to
her to be able to sit out under the trees without fear
OF moestation. There are no hostile Indians here
abouts now-are there fatherr'
mo. Red Knife, as you have already heard. was
killed yesterday by settler, and mis- band has
treated towards the mountains. / VIII confess,
Miriam, that during all the time we have been In
the West have not felt SO light hearted and care
free as since received news OF Red Knfe's death.
Y0u have lust how this Joy bubbles over IN me.
Red Knife was a demon, rather than a savage.n
Miriam shuddered, and ner features even paled at
the memory OF the Indian mentioned.
"He never spared pale face she said. striving
path. For than three years he has ragged to
and fro upon the plains like ravening wolf. lie
was The terror OF the border"
"You nave named him appropriately, Miriam"
said the hunter. "He had hendish hatred OF the
white race, and his victims have been many.i
Mr.. Dane held out his hand for the glass, and MI
riam was IN the act OF restoring IL, when strange,
gaspng, painting sound startled them both, and sent
them quickly to their saddles.
The hunter wheeled his horse and looked down
upon the river bank. from which direction the sound
had come, his manner self-possessed but his c0un-
tenance indicative Of alarm. The maiden followed
Her eyes were the first to discover the cause OF
the sound that had startled them. detecting mans
figure creeping along through the underground OF
bushes lining the shore.
At the same moment their presence, IN turn. was
detected, for the man dropped suddenly among the
protecting bushes, az il he had heen shot.
IAN lndiany' whispered Miriam, drawing rom
her bosom "a revolver.
The hunter shook his head continuing to watch
the spot at which the man had fallen, his hand on
his rine his manner that Of one ready for action.
Suddenly, as the man showed a hagRard face peer
ing cautiously from his concealment Mr.. Danes
anxious counenance broke into smile, and he cried
.Halloi Is that you, Thompsons DO you take
for Indians. that you skuk there IN the bushesS
The individual addressed was silent full minute,
as IL seemed from sheer amazement: then he sprang
out from his hiding place with CRY OF relief and
advanced swiftly towards the father Ind daughter.
He was man OF middle age OF the ordinary type
OF backwo0dsrnen, strong and brown and staiwart,
OF the rude rough type that seems to belong TO the
border. His face was haggard and white, although
covered with perspiraon. Ills breath came through
his parted lips In quick uneven gasps. lie had run
far and swiftly, and looked as II about to drop from
fatigue
with keen anxiety. the mans singular appearance
giving him n sudden shock OF alarm.
"The Indians ~ gaspcd Thompson, scarcely able
command his stIney coming Red
Knife and his band-divded-my wife-my chill
dren Help me Help me ~
"what talk is this ~ cried Dane, agtated In spite
OF his efforts at aencontrol. Red KNIFE was killed
yesterday
ale IL coming TO take his vengeance on Us settlers.
He has divided his band INTO two. They were mp at
the Deer Fork thus morning and are now coming
this way. The points 10 be struck are your house
and mine.r
my God ~ calculated Dane, as his informant
paused In his excited, GREATNESS narration.
"A morse q horse !, cried thompson, reenp with
fatigue. 81 can go no further on foot My vile, my
chlldren-God pity and save them ~ :,
lie looked from the hunter to his daughter In ago
Dized and mute supplicatioD.
Dane snatched the glass from MirIam's hands and
lie looked 10 the northward-saw his pretty cot
tage. his wife busy at her needle under the trees
and glanced at the dim line Of the horizon stretch
Ing away eastward and westward from his home
suddenly the glass dropped from his bands--his
face blanched In the hue OF spow. From the west,
seeming 10 emerge from the clouds OF scarlet and
gold, he had behed band OF mounted Indians
riding boldly towards thar unprotected home,
towards that unconscious and helpless woman
win Irenzied cry he put spurs TO his horse and
dashed away like mailman, shouting to his daughter
to follow him. AT the same instant Thompson stag
gered forward and fell In the maiden's path, holding
up his hands In anguish.
"my wife my children ~ he groaned.
There was no hesitation Ia the soul OF the brave
Miriam.
Mine is but single life; he has seven depending
on him. she said aloud.
Az she spoke she leaped from her saddle and with
o gesture commanded him 10 take ner place.
Indians
Miriam again pointed TO the saddle
CO." she commanded. Think only OF your fam.
lily, and be gone ~
Still Thompson nesiiated, sweeping the horizon
with eager glances, to assure himself that no rnnne
dlate danger threatened. A change came over MS
face ~ he looked, and he uttered wld cry catch