Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1870-05-05
CHAPTER II.
A DAUGHTER OF THE PLAINS.

As Nil, revolver IN manu-, ldceu rleet rooe
but without daring to advance single
step, lest the INSCRIPTIONS wretch should
kill the unfortunate girl-he was suddenly
startled to see that the girls eyes had opened
widely, brightly and unconsciously upon
him,
Before he could move, however-before he
could even fully realize that the captive was
conscious and obseryant-she had passed
from under the uplifted hand and murder
Gus knife of the half-breed, and was des-
cendng to the bottom of the creek .
AT the same instant wild appeal for help
burst from her:
Save me! save me
The swift CLEANS of lightning do not move
quicker than Kit responded to that cry.
At single bound, he was upon the halt
breed, whom he stretched senseless and
bleeding with furious blow upon the head |
from his revolver. |
Thus stricken PROSTATE and helpless, the |
miscfeant was instantly bound.
s'Thank heaven !" then murmured voice
that was singularly musical, despite lis into
nation of excitement.
Kit sprang to the maiden and cut her
bonds.
Never was seen q fairer, brighter, or
sweeter picture of womanhood than that
she presented.
She was scarcely sixteen, and was even
small for her age but her 1.-the, lovely tg-
ure possessed remarkable strength and agil-
ity, and its rare qualities were further en-
HANGED by soul Of the most glorious type.
"You have saved my life, Mr.. Carson,
she Immediately added, grasping his hand
saved me from fate worse than thous-
| and deaths thank you from the depths OF
my soul, and shall remain your grateful
| debtor forever
Thoughts of the dreadful fate from which
| he had saved her Thoughts of the misery that
would be spared to her loved ones by her
eservation-caused the slight figure to
sway and tremble, for moment, like reed
in blast, and Kit felt tears of joyous graft
| tude falling upon the hand she had so feel
ingly imprisoned.
You are not seriously injured!' he
asked.
mo sir. Only little scared-a little
tumbled !"
You're a brave girl. s.e,' said the
scout with heartincss which showed that
her words and bearing had gone TO his
heart. ''Your face seems familiar to me.
and dare say l ought to speak your name
as readily as you have spoken mine, but
somehow, l cant quite place YOU"
ION, everybody knows you, Mr.. Carson"
was he reioinder. But with me the case
is different. am too small TO be remem-
bered. must tell you, therefore, that am
Effie Lyon"
. Not Colonel Lyons daughter? Colonel
Lyon of New Mexico Y
eyes sir, | ain Colonel Lyons daughter !"
"What the very girl who has been at
school for year past in Leavenworth
1.-The very same, Mr.. Carson?'
AT this assurance, the countenance of the
scout fairly bcamed upon Miss Lyon. He
again took her hand with u fatherly tender
ness.
"Youll excuse me, Effic,' he said. 81
ought TO have remembered you at sight. My
excuse is that am always a wanderer-al-
ways on the wing and that succession of
, new faces are every day presented to me.
There is another excuse too, Ellie, in your
, case: it has been some time since saw you
The small face became wreathed with a
look of contentment.
"And now, to explain matters" coniin-
t ued Kit, giancing at the half-breed's pros
trate figure, and perceiying that he was still
unconscious. "rel me your story first
sit is not long one began Ellie. AS
you seem to be aware, have been attend
+ Ing school in I4eavenworth. 1t was agreed
that father should come for me at vacation
Let me tell you why he didn't, inter
rupted the scout G He was nearly killed
about the twentieth Of June, in an encoun
G ter with the redskins. and for ten days, la,
between life and death.
Father nearly killed n falterel Ellie
D more disturbed by this news than She hai
been by her late terrible peril, And
knew nothing Of it.
i '.But he's out Of danger now" resumed
Kit, and will soon be himself again
G. But why didn't Edgar come for me
Q father being unable to do so:' asked Efiie
/ opening her eyes wide in wonder.
/ Edgar r rejoined Kit. Who is Ed
n gar!"
e visiting in our family once in a while for
year or two past. mean Edgar Coleman.
/. Well, as you are an only child, Ellie,
E, dare say that you arc the particular membe
Of your family who is responsible for tn
t. visits Of this young gentleman.
/, . need not deny it. responded Ellie, a
y rosy flush swept over her pure checks
tc .but as father did not come, and as | di
it not hear from Tim, | became anxious abo,
e him feared that lie might have fallen int
y tho hands of the Indians Every day adde
re to this fear, and at last determined 10 81
r. out for home without waiting any longer /,
ID an explanation for his non arrival.
4" And You did so:s
Ia g Yes, sir Joined a wagon train til
~ was Just starting for Santa Fe, and we can
al on safely and pleasantly enough until nor
Of to day, when during brief halt at
crossing, when every body was busy, al
ly while | was gathering flowers along 4
Kit wooded banks Of the creek, this iiendl
he savage pouuced upon me, stlilet my crit
lid bore me to his pony, mounted with me
ut his arms, and got eii unseen by wading
the creek and keeping to the cover Of /
his bushes on its banks
ere arhe villain circulated Kit. 81
at must have been watching his opportunity
lie was 1t turns out that he saw
H., in l4eayenworth, before the train s,arted,a
d that he has been lowering about it c,
since waiting for chance to selZe me.
lus told me so himself.
the Do you know who and what he is?
ost .tOnly so far as | have seen with my 0
the eyes--that he is half breed, and Il terri
nee villain
Al II can tell you something about Lin. II
old called Fleet Foot, and his reputation is W
ain thy Of his name. do not pretend to keep
run Of his species in fact, have trouble
tain tell one red skin from another, SO far as
IN | generality Of them is concerned but
fellow has CHANGED to be brought 10 my
urst lice occasionally for several years, an,
have never heard Of him anything but e
!, he AS he never follows any business, its ill
m in that lie gets his lving-by taking it whel
s 50 er he can find it.
g Hes a thorough demon, affirmed Z
mis- " He talked love to you, SUPPOSE
not g Yes and At last, to save himself Il
de- bic, he tried to bind my hands bshind
cap. and then came such desperate stru
ould that at length tainted. This must
N to been an hour since, or just before
saw me !"
niled ''IIc has bruised and scratched your
IS in see
''Well, he got about as much as lie
uced me, said the little heroine cooly.
wing s'You have torn your sacquc and Dire
final see, in several places, and suied them.
other 'sAnd lost my hat altogether. But
lrupt tic handkerchief over my head, and
n the rest does not natter
girl swell, Ellie, you can travel, any he
'pl: ut exclaimed the scout admirngly. 81
dad to see you take your awkward at
|, the ture so coolly. But tell me where it
his that you began 10 recover your sense
/, and know where you was
nd. 1T was just before the red skin undel
shou- to run away from you. hope you {
d. think | was unconscious ell that tim
Il. | t.n.ur Him Dr fxxf, Won NAV M q.