Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-03-24
s.ndi,b hatred oftbe white race, and his

iendish hatred OF the white race anu MS
victims have been many"
Mr.. Dane held out his hand for the
zlass, and Miriam was in the act OF re-
storing it, when q strange, gasping,
nanting sound startled them both, and
sent them quickly to their saddles.
The hunter wheeled his horse and
looked down upon the river bank, his
manner self-possessed, but his counte-
nance indicative of alarm. The maiden
his example.
Her eyes were the first to discover the
cause Of the sound that had startled
them, detecting a mans figure creeping
along through the undergrowth of bushes
lining the shore.
At the same moment their presence in
turn was detected, for the man dropped
suddenly among the protecting bushes,
as if he had been shot.
"An Indian p whispered Miriam,
drawing from her bosom revolver.
The hunter shook his head, continuing
TO watch the spot at which the man had
fallen, his hand on his rifle, his manner
that of one ready for action.
Suddenly, as the man showed hag'
gard face peering cautiously from his
copcealment, Mr.. Danes anxious coun--
tenance broke into smile, and he cried
out:
"Halloi Is that you, Thompson Do
you take us for Indians, that you skulk
there in the bushes
The individual addressed was silent
full minute, as it seemed, from sheer
amszement; then he sprang out from bis
hiding place with cry of relief, and ad.
vanced swiftly toward the father and
daughter. .
he VAS q man of middle age, of the
ordinary type of backwoodsmen, strong
and brown and stalwart, OF the rude,
rough type that seems to belong to the
border. His face was haggard and white,
although covered with perspiration. His
breath came through his parted lips in
quick, uneven gasps. He had run lar
and swiftly, and looked as if about to
drop from fatigue. ~,
"What has happened, Thompson z
asked Dane, with keen anxiety, the man s
singular appearance giving him su J.
den shock of alarm.
"The Indiansi' gasped Thompson,
scarcely able to command his voice.
"They are comingl Red Knife and his
band-divided-my wife-my children
Help me Help me
"What talk is this ?" cried Dane, agi-
tated in spite of his efforts at self-con,..
troll. "Red Knife was killed yesterday.
He was only wounded" interrupted
Thomson. He is coming 10 take his
vengeance on us settlers. He has divided
his band into two. They were up at the
Deer Fork this morning, and are now
coming this way. The points to be struck
are your house and mine.
"My Godr' calculated Dane, as his
informant paused in his excited, breath
less narration.
"A horse horse " cried Thompson,
reeling with fatigue. 81 can 60 no fur.
ther on foot. My wife, my children
God pity and save them
He looked from the hunter to his
daughter in sgonizsd and mute supplica-
ton.
Dane suatched the glass from Miriam s
hands and placed it to his eyes.
He Loo ked to the northward-saw his
pretty cottage, his wife busy with her
needle under the trees-and glanced at
the dim line of the horizon stretching
away eastward and westward from his
home. :.
Suddenly the glass dropped from his
hapds-his face blanched to the hue OF
snow. From the west, seeming to emerge
from the clouds Of scarlet and gold, he
had beheld a band of mounted Indians
riding boldly toward that unprotected
home, toward that unconscious and help
less woman.
With freuzied cry, he put spurs TO
his horse, and dashed away like mad
man. shouting to his daughter to follow
him at the same instant Thompson stag
rered forward aud fell in the maiden S
, nath. holding up his hands in anguish.
my wife my children he groaned.
There was no hesitation in the soul OF
The brave Miriam.
Mine is but a single life; he has
, seven depending on him, che said aloud.
As she spoke, she leaped from her sad
die, and, with gesture, commanded him
to take her place. -.
But-your danger faltered Thomp'
sou. The IndiSns-
Miriam again pointed TO the saddle
"Go," she commanded. Think only
Of your family, and be gone
Still Thompson hesitatei, sweeping
the horizon with eager glsnces, to assure
himself that no immediate danger threat
aned. A change came over his face s'
he looked, and be uttered wild cry
catching up the glass Mr.. Dane had lei
fall. and looking through H.
The sight he beheld couvulsed him with
/ terror.
Not mile away to the west he saw
coming over q ridge in the plain. and sp
proachiDg rapidly, q considerable b9dy
| of mounted ssvages.
"They' re coming-s band Of redskins
directly toward us ! " he gasped. j n
lost. Fly, Miriam, while you have th'
timei"
The maiden took the glass and gazeC
through il an instant at the spproaehlni
foe. A strange light appeared in he
eyes-a light possessed only By thos'
upon whom God has bestowed q con
sciousness Of His great proteeuon-th'
light Of heroism which death itself can
a0t master