The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1869-03-30

looked down upon the river DanK, from
which direction the sound had come, his
manner self-possessed, but his countehance
Indicative of alarm. The maiden follow
ed 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 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, as
if he had been shot.
'An Indian ? whispered Miriam, draws
ing from her bosom revolver,
The hunter shook his head, continuing
to watch the spot at which the man had
fallen, his hand Oh his rife, ready for
action.
Suddenly, the man showed II haggard
face peering cautiously from his conceal.
ment, Mr. Danes anxious countenance
broke into smile, and he cried out.
Halo Is that you, Thompson Do
you take us for Indians, that you skulk
there in the bushes 2
The individual addressed was silent a
full minute, as it seemed from sheer sur
prise then he sprang out from his hid
ing-place with cry OF relief, and ad-
vsnccd swiftly towards the father and
daughter
He was n man OF middle age, OF the
ordinary type of bsckwoods men, 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, un-
even gasps He had run far and swiftly,
and looked as if about TO drop from
fatigue.
What has happened, Thompson ? asked
Dane, with keen anxiety, the mans sing
ular appearance giving him n sudden
shock of alarm,
The indians gasped Thompson,
scarcely able to command his voice
erhey are coming! Red knife and his
band -divided-ny wiie-my children !!
Help me Help mel
What talk is this cried Dane, agita.
ted in spite oil mis- eaHr's at self-conrol.
Red Knife was killed yesterday
'IIe was only wounded interrupted
Thompson. He is coming to 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 God = calculated Dane, as his in.
formant paused in his excited hrrathlcss
narration.
a horse horse = cried Thompson,
reeling with fatigue. 4 can 20 no further
on foot. My wife, my chIlren-''od
pity and save them.
He looked from the hunter 10 Iii
daughter in agonized and mute supplica-
ton.
Dane snatchel the glas- from Mirm'-,
hands and placed it to his eyes.
lie looked TO the norlhward--aw hi-
pretty cottage, his wife busy nt her nee
die 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 hi;
hands-his face blanched to the hue o.
: snow. From the west, seeming 10 emerge
from the clouds of scarlet and gold, Ia,
had beheld band OF mounted lndions
riding boldly towards that unprotected
home, towards that unconscious md help
! less woman.
With frenzied cry, he put spurs to hi,
horse. and dashed away like madman
) shouting to his daughter to follow him
at the same instant Thompson staggered
forward and fell in the maiden's path
holding up his hands in anguish.
My wife my childrenl' lie groaned
There was no hesitation in the soul o
the brave Miriam
Mine is but single life; he has seveI
depending on him, she said, aloud.
. As she spoke, she leaped from her sad
, die, and, with gesture, commanded hin
to take her place
'But-your danger : falierei Thompson
, The Indians
, Miriam again pointed TO the saddle.
3 Co. she commanded Think onl
5 of your family, and be gone.
: Still Thompson hesitated, sweeping th
horizon with eager glances, oassure him
: self that no immediate danger threatened
y A change came over his face as he looked
and he uttered a wild cry, catching up tn
glass Mr. Dane had let fall, and locke
I through it.
: The sight he beheld conyulsed him wit
j. terror.
IS Not mile away, to the west he sa,
coming over ridge in the plain, and M
y preaching rapidly, considerable body {
!, mounted savages,
o They're coming--a band OF redskins
It directly towards us he gasped' I'll
e lost! Fly, Miriam, while you have IL
d time
d The maiden took the glass and gaze
is through it an instant AT the approachir
Is foe. A strange light appeared in h,
eyes-a light possessed only by those upC
es whom Con has bestowed consciousne
IN Of His great protection-the light
a heroism which death itself cannot ma
ne ter.
0. Sure enough, she murmered. 'Th'
= are coming! The leader is RedS<niI
ed Go, neighbor Thompson-on the instant
a. We can ride together : cried Thoi
hc son.
sNot 'rba io.a, "a ,;raJ W. ha