Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-12-02

suppose IL tctatcu tO MY Unll ulspositioh.
Besides the uneasineSs iclt on my own
account, was in constant apprehension
lest my companions should fall into the
lnlucky state. looked about for them
when | was free from the scrutiny of the
indians, but could see or hear nothing Of
them. trusted they had taken the
alarm and fled from the dangerous vicini'
ly.
Finally the question among the Indians
whatever it might be, settled down into a
form from which no appeal could be taken.
The parties seemed exactly divided, two
standing on either side.
One Of their number at length made n
proposition TO which the others seemed TO
assent and clipped small piece OF bark
from tree near by. A mark was then
made upon the ea,ih, and taking that rs
a standpoint, each proceeded to hurl his
hatchct at the mark upon the tree, and
one of the party holding me by the
shoulder meanwhile. to make certain that
did not give them the slip.
The contest seemed TO be for the pur.
pose of deciding which of the two pairs
should plant their weapons nearest the
mark. Every throw would have clovon
m apple bat one. more fortunate than
his fellows. struck square in the mark.
and that Indian hal won. shudderod.
for he had been the fierccst of the party
in his Arguments.
The result showed that my apptchen'
sions were not without foundation. In
moment was grasped. hurried to the
side of small Sapling, ard bound 10 1t.
was not fool. aud knew it meant
death by torture, but no words b-okc
from my lips; no vain attempts at escape
were made. was determined that if |
WAS burncd to death, my tormcntors
should never know the agony | endured.
II took but moment to secure me, and
then dry fagots were speedily collected,
saw that the job was to be a short cue,
and in some respects | was glad OF it,
Certainly should not have to suffer rs
long as though the torture was moe
slowly applied. One other thing consoI-
II me. so far rs consolation is possible.
NJ companions, with whom | had lived
30 long. had escaped, and neither of Us
would be compelled to sec the other suf-
fer.
1t did mol require long to procure the
necessary fuel, and when it was piled
,bou, me in such a manner As 10 secure a
pretty thorough roasting Of myself, one of
he red skins applied a flame.
At this mDmcnl tho Indians were oll
,bout ne. brandiShing Enivc. and hatch.
II. with view 10 cXtort some signs OF
ear from me. Their guns were leaning
,gsins, tree some twenty feet away
within ten feet Of that tree grew the
ocrry-laden bushes where | hal been
gathering m morning rcpsst.
As my eyes rested for q moment on the
bushes. | llnciel there was slight agita
lion amons them looked steadily, and
law it repeated. Something alive was
in there. \ suspicion very near the Truth
flashed across my mind. bat before |
could give II form the truth was made
apparent.
The bushes were pushed open quickly,
and Jacl, and Saul sprang forth. What
followed seemed like dream.
With TWO rapid bound, they stood be-
side the tree, and had hold OF tho Indians
guns. The LATER, quite - surprised a. |
ever saw men. turned and made rush
for the spot.
My two friends had each raised a %ca.
pom, aud both fired. but only single saw
aye fell Then followed fierce struggle.
/ saw Jack Murklc sweep rcd man into
,tcui;, with a blow from The weapon he
had iu,. discharged, while two sayagcs
bore down upon Saul. The old trappor
fell before their attack, and one OF them
sauN to the ground almost at the same
moment.
The question now lay between Jack
and the remaining Indian, who was the
iicrccSt aud strongest of the party.
WthadeXterous movement Jack caught
one of the loaded muskets, and the In.
dian secured the other. Neither having
time to discharge weapon, both sprang
to cover.
Jack was fortunate in position, however
SD that with ievelled weapon he KEEP; the
savage in close quarters behind the tree.
The whole occurrence thus far had 9c-
cupied only few moments, and The little
flame which had been applied 10 my tor
ture pile had not increased very much
Still it was getting painfully suggestive
OF what il might become il the manGvres
between the combalants lasted long, OF
the Indian proved victorious.
Ny only fear was that Jacks attention
would be drawn toward me for fatal
moment and to avert such Il nishap, |
called out:
"Tend to the redskin, Jack I'm all