North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-03-31
VOLUME XIII---NO %,

vengeance on US SeCtlerS. Ile mas OlViueu
his band into two. They were up at the
Deer Fork this morning, and are nov
coming this way. The points to be struck
are your house and mine."
"My God T. calculated Dane, as his in
formant paused in his excited, breathless
narration.
"a horse! horse!" cried Thompson
reeling with fatigue. ~ can 60 no fu; ;thel
on foot. My wife, my children-God pity
and save thtmr
lie looked from the hunter to his daugh
ter in asonized and mute supplication.
Dane snatched the glass from Miriam.
hands and placed it to his eyes.
He looked to the northward-saw his
pretty cottage, his wife busy at her needle
under the trees-and glanced at the din
line of the horizon stretching away east
ward and westward from his home.
Suddenly the glass dropped from hi
hands-his face blanched to the hue of the
snow. From the west, seeming to emerge
from the clouds OF scarlet and gold, ht
beheld band of mounted Indians riding
boldly toward that unprotected home. to-
ward that unconscious and helpless woman
With frenzied cry he put spurs to his
uOESCg uUu udSuCu AWAY uAC u
shouting to his daughter to follow him al
the same instant Thompson staggered for
ward and fell in the maiden's path. hold
ing up his hands in anguish.
My wife my childrenv' he groaned
There was no hes tation in the soul Of
the brave Miriam.
"Mine is but single life he has seven
depending on him." she said, aloud.
As she spoke, she leaped from her cad
die, and, with gesture, commanded him
to take her place.
But. your dangerr' faltered Thompson
''The Indians"
Miriam again pointed to the saddle.
&C.," she commanded. Think only
Of your family, and be gonc!' -
Still Thompson hesitated, sweeping the
horizon with eager glances, to assure him
self that no immediate danger threatened.
A change came over his face as he looked
and he uttered wild cry, catching up the
glass Mr.. Dane had let fall, and looking
through it.
The sight he behell convulssd him with
terror.
Not a mile away, to the west, he saw
coming over ride in the plain, aud ap-
preaching rapidly, considerable body OF
mounted savages.
They're coming-a band Of savages-
directly toward us!' he gasped. I'm
lost Fly, Miriam, while you have the
time!'
The maiden took the glass and gazed
through it an instant Mt the approaching
foe. A strange light appeared in her eyes
IA light possessed only by those upon
whom God has bestowed consciousness
of His great protection-the light Of her
oism which death itself cannot master.
Sure enough" she murmured, They
are coming! The leader is Red Knife.
Go, neig ghbor ThnmpS"n-on the instant?
I'VE can ride together!' cried Thomp.
son.
"No! The horse is tired. We have
been to Willow Island. We should be
overtakcn. before we had gone two miles!'
"Then we'll die together II
"No! no! You must mount y
With grasp so sudden and firm that il
start, him, the maiden pushed him to.
ward the horse, and in another instant he
und himself, more by instinct than by
thought. seated in the saddle.
"Away, Selim!' cried Miriam to her
steed, with an imperative es u!e. Away!
The horse broke :uriouSly over the plain
giving Thompson only time enough to flash
look of gratitude toward the maiden, as
he dashed away to the northeast, toward
his menaced home.
A moment later, Mr.. Dane looked over
his shoulder; took in at glance the sit
uation of affairs, recognizing the peril al
well as the heroism Of the child bowed
his head solemnly, as one submits to the
inevitable, in appreciation Of her conduct
and then he swept on to the rescue of hi
wife, his soul torn by such emotions as are
| seldom brought to battle together.
And Miriam, throwing herself flat upor
the ground, remained alone upon the plain
| in the very path Of a score Of mounted In
| dians, WHO were galloping toward her witt
| the swiftness Of the wind ~