The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-07-30

white man must GO"
Dick glanced toward the cabin, and saw
his wife stand in the doorway, apparently
| in great alarm at his situation. The saw
ages saw her, and after a word or two
between themselves, three of them start.
ed in that direction .
Unperceiyed by his captors, Dick made
a sign that his wife fortunately under
stood, and she disappeared within, clos
ing the door in such manner that the
savages failed to obtain admittance, as
Dick saw to his great Joy when, after
trying it for few moments, they hastily
returned and joined the others.
Evidently small in point of numbers,
they cared not TO waste time that would
be necessary for siege; so they had
desistei from their efforts to make cap
tives of the woman and children.
rCome," said the savage, laying his
hand on his captive's shoulder ;snd Dick,
who felt his heart rise that lis loved
ones we're left behind, went almost cheer
fully into the forest, in which the shad,
ows Of night were already beginning to
gather, casting only one backward
glance at his home, to wonder when he
would see it again.
Then he resolutely put his face for
ward for the fate the future had in store
for him. The future might be long
captivity, or might be death; yet, as he
walked between his capters, and the
shadows grew deeper about him, hope
was in his ieart that he. might escape, per
haps before the sun should rise on the
morrow,
That night was long and weary one to
the settler. Evidently they feared pur-
suit, and stopped not for rest or food un-
til the sun was an heur high the next day.
Then, as if feeling secure, they had long
halt, made fire, and one of the number
shooting deer, they cooked it and en-.
ljoyed plentiful repast.
Thus far the savages had used him
well, only taking the precsution to bind
his hands behind his back in such man
ner that he found it impossible to use
them in the least. They had been very
considerate of his comfort; and he deter
mined, by appearing as cheerful as spossi-
bic, to drive away from their minds any
thoughts they might have of any unwil-
ilingness to accompany them, so that his
chances of escape might be better, though
their suspicious were constantly on the
alert.
In this manner the day passed, and
with the first shades of evening they made
preparations to eneamp. A fire was made
AS they considered themselves so far
from the settlements that they need fear
no longer from the withstand couple
of the party soon brought in game to af-
ford them generous supper.
This cooked and partaken of, they all
lay down to rest, Dick, with a savage on
either side Of him, so close that he could
not stir without being aware of the mo
ton, and, as an extra precaution, they had
bound his feet together as tightly as his
wrists, and the prisoner heart began to
sink within him as it had done before flor
while thus bound he saw no possible
chance of escape offered to him.
A couple of hours passed, and still
Dick had not closed his eyes. One after
another Of the savages had dropped off,
las he knew by their hard, regular breath,
ing, until at last he was the only one of
the group who was not asleep.
| Oh! if his hands were only free, how
soon he would be atliberty again!
| He pulled upon the thongs with all his
power until they cut deep into the flesh
like the keen edge of the knife and at
last, to his great joy. he found the knot
that held his left hand had slipped little.
Another strain, and it moved little fur.
ther; and with another ii was parted so
far assunder that with trifing exertion,
be pulled the end through.
The savage lying on the left of him
moved and he lay perfectly motionless,
almost holding his breath, with his hand
under him in the same position as when
confined. But the Indian only stretched
himself little, and then was off to sleep
iagain.
Dick now went to work to free his 9th.
er hand but the knot was drawn sd hard
that even with the help of the other, he
found it impossible to do so.
He remembered his pocket knife, and
l3that he had given it to his boy to play with
on going out to work the AFTERNOON of his
captivity. II he had it now, how quick
| ! lie would be free man!
The moon had risen, and was shining
down through the branches of the trees
and he saw its rays glittering on blade
Of knife in the belt of the savage that
, had so recently moved.
1t was dangerous undertaking, but
J his situation required desperate meas
ures.
/ With the utmost caution he stretched
, out his liberated hand, and slowly drew
) the knife from its resting place: The In
dian never stirred, and his deep breathing
3 told Dick that he was sleeping soundly-
(, A moment more, and he was lying with
r the cords cut from his limbs, with none o
the savages wiser for his motions.
t Now came the most difficult part Of thu
5 operation-to rise to his feet and get be
yond the confines of the campfire with
e out awakening any Of his captors.
But Dick proved equal to the emergen
8 cy. Slowly and with the utmost caution
e he rose upon his hands and knees. Th'
, swapping Of tw;g, he knew, would be
tray him to the watchful ears of thos
: about him.
On his knees at last, he stepped owe
n the sleeping savage whose knife he held il
| his hand, and slowly approached the In
l. dian 10y whose side his rife was lying
That he did not mean to leave behind, a
5 he would need it for his own protection
d and to procure food with before be coult
e reach the settlement. STOPPING down
i his hand was upon it, when the savage
4 awakened by the slight motion he made
n essayed to spring to his feet.
That action cost him his life, for Die
d plunged the knife he still held in his han,
$ into his breast and he fell back with
deep groan.
!, All caution was now needless, for ever,
Y sava pe was az wakened and sratcbino n,