Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-05-11
THE TRAP.

There never breathcd more merciless
and viilaiuOus monster than Ben NathaGs,
fellow who had attached himself to the
interests of the Pawnee Indians, then a
peaceanle tribe and well inclined toward the
white settler of the far West. But Nathans
had sOWcd the seeds OF discomfort among
the red men; and although he could not in
duce the chief 10 join him III any murderous
enterprises, he had completely won over Il
number OF the warriors who agreed TO join
him in any desperate undertaking they might
lie called upon TO attempt, provided he
would lead them, and provided also, that
they would be rewarded.
With dozen OF these fiendish PawDees,
Nathans set out one bitter winters night
upon an excursion, which he informed his
men would pay them handsomely, and that
too, without iucurriu.g any great risk to
themselves.
The point Of attack was a rancho situated
On the main road from Laramie to Bird ger :
Pass The leader and his Savages entered
il about midnight. They had murdered the
watchnan outside, ard lett his bloody form,
ghastly aud horrible 10 look upon, stretched
beiUre the dwelling.
Within. they found two men; and even
before they had been aroused from their
s!umbcrs, the dripping tNmatawk was raised
over them, and When it faE. il crashed
through the brain of' the hall arC used sleep
ers, and seat them back 10 their long sleep
i heavy uOOr now interviewed between
Nalhans and an apartment he wished to
reach. He tried the latch, and found that
it vas locked; but sciziHg an axe, he scan
effected an entrance by battering the door
into splInters.
\ single shot was fred at him, and the
mast m. ia :,
but doing him no harm.
Instantly he lcaped through the opening
he had made, but all was darkness around
him. And vet he thought that he heard
the sound Of light foot fall, a; d saw the
ful,er of night dress by the rays Of the
lrrcheo hch were biaz!ug in the next
apartment. So he ca led;
Bring lights, men! Qaick, bring
lights! :"
The sayacnS sprung through the aperture
with wild yells, flashing their torches over
their heads, aud daucing about in evident
delight. They already felt themselves more
than repaid for their journey, for in the
Iauche store tieey had found blankets, orna
ments furS, tobacco, aud, what was OF still
greater importance, to them, whisky. OF
thi. they had drank until they were ready
for any act, no mattCr how daring or brutal.
the room. their rays revealed Il bed which
was standing in one corner. To the side Of
this coach the renegade sprang. He saw
that 1t had been but recently occu pied, for
il was vet warm But there was only a
,iugle indentation upon the pillow. Could
this be the couch. of the woman he sought;
where was the husband? And where was
the woman?
Nathans at once began his search. He
seized torch, and high and low through
the building he went, not a spot escaping
his scrutiny. But he returned to the main
room foilei, for not soul could be found,
and yet the villain felt sure that he had
caught the glimpse Of a female form, flying
from his presence.
Upon reaching the upper room, he found
that it was in flames He was angry, but
his wrath was of no avail, and he found it
impossible to extiuguish the flames.
At the moment he believed himself to be
t1lei for 1t was woman he sought. But
Try fell upon his ears He sprang into the
sleeping apartment and throwing back the
bed covering he saw an infant, who, up to
this moment, had remained concealed from
his view. lie seized The child in his arms,
aud as he gained the outside of the burning
mass, he laughed loudly, and exclaimed;
he proud beauty Is IN my rOwer now.
This Is her child, and wherever the infant
3, taken she will follow. But it is strange
that the mother should forsake her little
one. even for an Instant, at moment OF
danger. Where can she possibly be 2"
But the question was not answered. The
walls Of the little one rose upon the still
nigh; air; but there came to il no mother
soothing voice.
The villain and his followers took their
way into the mountains, bearing their booty
with them, as well as the frightened and
s995bjng infant But they halted only a
short distance from the rancho, for Nathaus
resolved on further plans. He had deter
mined chat the woman he sought should
become his captive, and that, too, before he
ITGturuei 10 the Pawnee stronghold, at Table
Hill.
Daylight dawned, and while he was trying
10 decide upon some plan Of action, he saw
white boy approaching his camp:
The sayages had discovered the lad at the
same time. Thoy were yet under the intiu-
ence Of liquor, for they had quantity OF 1t
with them, still unconsumed, and upon
seeing the approach of the boy, they leaped
upon him, and their knives were raised,
ready to be plunged into his breast; but
Nathans srrang to his rescue, and, with the
greatest difficulty, succeeded in saying his
As soon as the little fellow was safe, the
villain asked:
Well, my boy, what brings you here1'
L came, sir, replied the lad, ION ac-
count of that child
Did the mother send you ?"
No-the mother is dead.
How is that?'