The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1869-03-30

sWhat has happened. Thompson9'
asked Dane, with keen anxiety, the
mans singular appearance giving him =
sudden shock or alarm.
The lndians!' gasped Thompson,
scarcely able to command his voice.
They are coming! Red Knife and his
band-divided-m wife-my children!
Help me! Help mel
What talk is this7' cried Dane, agita-
ted in spite Of his efforts at self-control.
Red Knife was killed yesterday
He was only wounded interrupted
Thompson. He is coming to take his
vengeance on US settlers. He has divi-
ded 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, a, his in
formant paused in his excited, breath
less narration.
"A horse! horser cried Thompson.
reeling with fatigue. 4 can go no fur
ther on foot My wife, nv children
God pity and save them!
He looked from the hunter to his
daughter in agonized ard mute supplica-
ton.
Dane snatched the glass from Miriam's
hands and placed it to his eyes.
| He looked to the northward-saw his
pretty cottage, his wife busy at the 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 his
hands-his face hlanched to the hue Of
snow. From the west, seeming to
emerge from the clouds Of scarlet and
gold, he had beheld band Of mounted
Indians riding boldly towards that un-
protected home. towards that uncon-
scious and helpless woman.
With frenzied cry, he put spurs to
his horse, and dashed away like mad.
man, shouting to his daughter to follow
| him; at the same instant Thomas stag
gered forward and fell in the maiden's
path, holding up his hands 10 anguish.
1 =
There was no hesitation 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
saddle, and, with a gesture, commanded
him to take her place.
'But-your danger.' faltered TLomp-
son. The Indians
Miriam again pointed to the saddle.
Go, she commanded. Think only
| Of your family, and be gone!'
Still Thompson hesitated, sweeping
the horizon with eager glances, to assure
himself that n immediate danger threat
ened. A change came over his face as
he looked, and he uttered q wild cry.
catching up the glass Mr.. Dane had let
fall. and looking through it.
The sight he beheid cnnyulsed him
with terror.
Not mile away, to the west. he saw
coming over ridge in the plain. and
approaching raridly, considerable
body of mounted savages.
They're coming-a band of red skins
| directly towards us" he gasped. L N
lost. Fly, Miriam, while you have the
| time,
The maiden took the glass and gazcd
through it an instant at the approaching
foe. A strange light appeared in his
eyes-a light possessed only by those
upon whom God has bestowed a con
| scioosn of His great protection-the
| light of a heroisn which death itself
cannot master
Sure enough she murmured. They
are coming! The leader is Red knife.
Go, neighbor Thompson-ou the in-
slant!
! we can ride together. cried Thomp.
son.
No. The horse is tired. We have
| heen to Willow Island We should be
overiaken before we had gone two miles.
Then vel die together
n No! You must mount!
| With a grasp SO sndden and firm that
| it startled him, the maided pushed him
| towards the horse, and in another in
slant he found himself. more by instinct
than by thought, seated in the saddle.
Away. Seiim! cried Miriam to her
steed, with an imperative gesture
| Away
The horse broke furiously over the
plain, giving Thompson only time
enough to flash look Of gratitude to-
wards the maiden, as he dashed away to
the northeast, towards his menaced
home. --s-----.
A moment later, Mr.. Dane looked
| over his shoulder-took in at a glance
the situation of affairs, recognizing the
peril as we'll as the heroism of his child e
bowed his head solemnly, as oae sub.
mits to the inevitable, in appreciation Of
his conduct, and then he swept on to the
rescue OF his wife, his soul torn by such
emotions as are seldom brought togeth