The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1873-11-07

caught sight OF figure lurking int
the bushes, but quickly disappeare
when he advanced to where it was. TIL
figure was that of an Indian warrior. an
Branson would have sworn that it va
the Indian warrior whom he had knocke;
down and bound the previous spring
The news was not in any way comfort
ing, and hence he did not tell his wifi
of his discovery.
It would only alarm her, he thought
and without, perhaps, any good result
He simply told her he had discovered
bear tracks near by, and that she an(
the child must stay within or close K
the house during his absence.
Several days afterwards, Rufus Bran
son heard his dogs in the timber doYr
by the river, and, knowing they nevel
cpened without good cause, he caught
| up his rife and hastened to where they
were barking. They had struck fresl
bear trail, and, as he arrived in sight
they fairly lifted it, going off in s
| straight line down the river.
The chase led him several miles, and
when he at last got shot that finished
| bruins career, he found. that it was
three or four o'clock in the afternoon.
Swinging his meat to sapling, out OF
reach of cat or wolf, he started fO1
home to get his horse and return and
fetch it that night.
Taking near cut, he approached the
cabin from the western side, where the
timber grew heavy up to within a few
yards of the building, and consequent.
ly he could not see the clearing, or what
might be transpiring there, until he had
passed through the wood.
Thus it was, that when within a short
distance of his home, he heard a wild,
piercing shrek; but he could only
guess that something terrible must be
taking place beyond the screen of BUSH
es and leaves. Uttering a loud shout
that his presence might sooner be known,
Branson sprang forward like wounded
buck, great fear in his heat, for he
had only too clearly recognized in that
scream the agonized voice of his wife.
It took but a moment to clear the
intervening timber and underground,
and as he dashed out into the clearing,
holding his rife ready for instant use,
he comprehended in one swift glance all
that had taken place, and what was fur
ther to fear.
Near the end of the cabin, facing the
cliff, of which have spoken, stood the
mother, her face as pallid as death, her
arms outstretched, her staring eyes fixed
upon the precipitous heights upon which
the figure of n Indian was struggling.
"My child my child'' was all the
woman said, and Bradson saw that the
bundle in the Indians arms was the
form of their only child, Maggie
Firm of heart, and with nerves as
steady as the rocks around, the father
for a moment quailed and cow
cred under, what his quick senses
told him, the deadly peril of the little
one. But he was quick to recover.
The Indian was drawing away, step
by step he was increasing the distance,
and as he occasionally glanced back
ward and downward, the parents saw il
his hideously painted countenance the
fell purpose that actuated the abduc-
tor.
"God aid mel" Branson muttered, as
he raised his rifle, glancing through
the sights, and touched the trigger.
The Indian started violently at the
shot. He was hit but not badly, and
with a yell of devilish triumph he
passed upward.
"Too low by couple of inches, -
said low, calm voice at the settlers
elbow.
Branson started as though he himself !
had been shot. Where was this man
from? Who was he? Neither had |
seen him approach. But there was no
time for explanations. The stranger, q !
nan rather below than above ordinary
height, whose fine, athletic form was
ully displayed by his closely fitting
1uckskin garments, stepped quickly
Onward few PAGES, and firmly planting
lis left foot in advance, threw up an un-
Usually long rife, as though preparing
O fire.
"For Gods sake, stranger, be careful
# my child l'' cried Branson, while the
gonized mother uttered an audlble
'rayer.
"It's our only chance. I know that
ndian," was the quick reply, and the
harp click click of the hammer, as
! was drawn back, told that the critical
1oment had come.
By this time the Indian had nearly
cached the summit of the steep. That
e was wounded now became evident,
8 upon broad ledge of rock he paused
or moment. This opportunity was
eized by the unknown. Although the
avage had taken the precaHtion to hold !,
1e child up in front of himself as a
HELD, covering nesrly the whole of his ,
rawny chest, but leaving his head un- =
overed, the stranger did not hesitate
| making the shot. :
For one second, as it gained its posi- :.
on, the rife wavered, and then instant {
: became as immovable as though held
! vise With clasped hands and .
airing eyes the parents watched the !;
atue-like f rm upon which so much :
epended. 9
Suddenly a short report rang out !.
le white smoke drifted away, and as {
le vision became clearer, they saw the I
wage loose his hold upon the child, :,
,el wildly an instant, and then pitch !
rward on the rocks. It may be i'm :.
yined that the father was not long in =
aching the place where his child lay, 6
I'd in a few moments more the little :,
le was in its mothers arms. :,
"Tell us who you are, that we may =
low what name to mingle with our 9
ayers" exclaimed the mother, as the !,
ranger prepared to depart. -
Ny name is Daniel Boone" he said "
and was gone. =