Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-03-04
NO. O..

heavy up to within a few rods of the bu,,dinp
and consequently he could not see the clears
ing or what might be transpiring there until
he had passed through the wood.
Thus it was that, when within but yery
short distance of his home, he heard wild.
piercing shrek, he could only guess that some
thing terrible tnust be taking place beyond
the screen Of bushes and leaves
lttsring a loud shout, that his presence
might sooner he known, Brsnson sprung
forward with the leaps of wounded buck.
great fear at his heart. for he had only tao
clearly recognized in that scream the agoni>
zns voice of his wife
II took but but q moment for him to clear
the Intervening timber aud underground
As he dashed out into the clearing, hold
ing his rifle ready for instant use. he compre-
hended in one swift glance all that had taken
place, and what was further to. fear. :.
Near the end OF the cabin facing the cliffs.
OF which have spoken. stood the mother. her
face pallid as the dead, her arms outstretched.
tous nights up which the figure of an Indian
warrior was struggling
"hiy child my child !" was all the woman
said. and when Rute Brauson sew that the
bundle borne in the Indians arms was the
form of their only child. little Maggie
Firm of heart, and with nerve as stead as
the rocks around, the father for moment ac.
tnally qualed and covered under what his
quick sense told him, the deadly peril of his
little one.
But he was quick to recover
The Indian was drawing away step hy
step he was increasing the distance. aud as he
occasionally glanced back kward and downward,
the parents saw in his hdeously. painted coun>
tenance the full purpose that actuated the ab
ductor.
Good aid me!'' Brauson muttered, as he
raised his rife, glanced through the sights.
and tonchad the trigger.
The indian started violently at the shot.
He was hit, hut not badly, and with veil
of devlish triumph, he passed upward.
'Too low by couple of inches" said
low, calm voice at the settlers elbow.
Brauson started as though he himself had
been shot.
Where has this man come from Who
was he ?
Neither had seen him approach
But there was no time for explanations
The stranger, man rather below than
above the ordinary hight whose fine. athletic
form wns fully displayed by his close Il ting
huck-skin garments, stepped quickly forward
few PAGES, and firmly planting his left foot
/" advance. threw up the unusually long rifle.
nF though preparing to fire.
''Fnr G"d'l sake, stranger, he careful Of
my child J! cried BransoD, while the agonized
mother muttercd an audible PRAYER.
1t is our only chance. ''T know that In
dian" was the quick reply, and the sharp
click click at, the hammer as it was drawn
back told that the critical moment had come.
Rv tir In 1.1
the summit of the steep That he was
wounded now became evident. as upon broad
lcdg" Of rock he paused moment
This opportunity was seized by the un>
Although the savage had taken the nre>
canton to hold the child up in front of him>
self as shield, covering nearly the whole of
his brnwny chest, but leaving his head un
covered the stranger did not hesitate in max
ing The shot
For one second. as it gained It's position the
rifle waveTed, aud then instantly became as
immovabIe though held in wise.
With ciasped hands and straining eyes the
parents watched that statue like form upon
whose skill so mmuch depended.
Suddenly sharp report rung Ort-the
white smoke ';riited away, and "s the vision
hecame clear. they the sarage loose his
hold upou the child. reel wildly for an instant,
and then pitch forward upon the rocks.
1t may he imagined that the father was
not long in reaching the place where his
child lay and in few moments more the
httIe one was in its Mothers arms.
Tell US who yon are, that we may know
what name to rninele with our PRAYERS" said
the mother. as the stranger prepared t. depart
"N'y name is DANIEL BOONE" he said,
and was gone.