The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1873-08-08

for he had only too clearly recognized In
that scream the sgoniscd voice Of his
wife. II took but q few moments for
him 10 clear the intervening timber and
underground, and a. he dashed out into
the clearing, holding his rife ready for
instant use, he comprehended In one
swif, glance, all that had taken place
and was fdther TO fear.
Near the end Of the cabin. fscing the
clins Of which have spoken stood the
mother, her face white as the dead, her
arms outstretched, and her staring eyes
fixed upon the prccipitous height up
which the form Of an Indian warrior
was struggling.
"My child, my child" was all the
woman said, and then Rufus Brsnson saw
that the bundle borne in the Indians
arms was the form of their only child,
little Maggie.
Firm Of heart, and with nerves ss
steady as the rocks around, the father
for n moment actually qusiled and COW.
cred under what his quick sense told
him was the deadly peril Of the little
one.
But he was quick 10 recover.
The Indian was drawing away; step
by step he was increasing the distance,
and o. he occasionally glanced backward,
the parents saw in his hideously painted
countenance, the fell purpose that actu
ated the abduction.
"God and mel" Bransou muttered as
he raised his rife, glanced through the
sights, and touched the trigger.
The Indian started violently at the
shot.
He was hit, but not badly, and with
yell of devilish triumph, he passed up.
ward.
"Too low by couple of inches"
said low, calm voice, at the settlers
elbow.
Branson started ms though he himself
had been shot
Where lad that man come from?
Who is he? Neither had seen him APP
proach.
But there was no time for explanation.
The stranger, a man rather below than
above the ordinary height. whose fine,
athletic form was fully displayed by his
closely-6tting buckskin garments, step
ped forward a few PAGES and grimly
planting his left foot in advance. threw
up an unusually long rifle as though pre-
pairing to fire.
"For Gods sake, stranger, be careful
of nv child" cried Branson, while the
agonized mother muttered an inaudible
prayer. E.
ats our only chance. know that
Indian" was the quick reply, and the
sharp click of the hammer as it was
drawn back, told that the critical mo-
ment had come.
BY this time the Indian had nearly
reached the summit of the steep. That
he was wounded now became evident, as
upon broad ledge of rock he rested
moment.
The opportunity was seized by the un-
known.
Although the savage had taken the
precaution to hold the child up in front
of himself as a shield, covering nearly
the whole of his brawny chest, but leav-
ing his head uncovered, the stranger did
not hesitate in making the shot. For
one second, as it gained its position, the
rife wavered. and then instantly became
as immovable as though held with a
wise. With clasped hands and strain
ing eyes the parents watched that statue
like form upon whose skill SO much de-
pended.
Suddenly loud report rang out, the
white smoke drifted away, and as the
vision became clear. they saw the savage
loose his hold upon the child, reel wildly |
for an instant, and then pitched forward
upon the rocks. 1t may be immagined
that the father was not long in reaching |
the place where the child lay, and in a
few moments more the little one was in
its mothers arms.
"Tell US who you are, that we may
know what name to mingle in our pray
ers," said the mother, as the stranger
prepared to depart.
my name is DANIEL BOONE" he said,
and was gone.
The Alfred Murder.
W. 49, ..fs...nI L.. ..t..o..s - n...