The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1873-11-05

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timber grew heavy up to within few
yards Of the building, and consequent
ly he could not see the clearing, or
what might be transpiring there. until
he passed through the wood.
Thus it was, that, when within but
a very short distance of his house, he
heard wild, piercing shrek; he could
only guess that something terrible
was taking place beyond the screen of
bushes and leaves. ee-r s,
Uttering loud shout, that his pres
ence might sooner be known, Bronson
leaped forward with the leaps of
wounded buck, great fear in his
heart, for he had only too clearly rec
ognized in that scream the agonized
voice Of his wife.
1t took but moment for him TO
clear the intervening timber and un-
dergrowth.
AS he dashed ont into the clearing,
holding his rife ready for instant use,
he comprehended 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 and staring eyes
fixed on the precepitous heights up
which the figure of an Indian warrior
was struggling,
MY child my child - was all the
woman said, and then Rufe Bronson
saw that the bundle borne in the In
dian's arms was the form of their only
child, little Maggie.
Firm of healt, and With nerve as
steady as the rock around, the father
for moment actually quailed and
covered under what his quick sense
told him, the deadly peril of his little
one. But he was quick toreeover.
The Indian was drawing away; step
by step he was increasing the distance.
And as ho occasionally looked back
ward aud downward, the parents saw
in his painted countenaDce the full
purpose that actueted the abductor.
"God aid mel" muttered Bronson,
as he raised his rifle, glanced through
the sights, and toucked 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. ....
Bronson started as though he him
self had been shot.
Where had this man come from
who was he
Neither hadseen him approach. But
there was no time for explanations.
The stranger, a man rather below
than above ordinary heighth, whose
fine. athletic form was fully displayed
by his closely fitting buckskin gar
ments, stepped quickly forward lew
PAGES, and firmly planting his left foot
in advance, threw up an unusually
long rifle as though preparing to fire.
"For Gods sake, stranger, be care
full of my child I" cried Bronson, while
the agonized mother muttered an in
audible prayer,
"It's our only chance. / know that
Indian" was the quick reply. and the
sharp click click of the hammer as it
was dawn back told that the critical
moment 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
paused q moment.
This opportunity was siezed by the
unknown.
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 leaving his head uncovered, the
stranger did not hesitate in making the
shot.
For one instant, as it gained its po-
sition, the rifle wavered, and then in
stantly became as immoyable as though
held in vice.
With closed hands and straining
eyes the parents watched the statue
like form upon which so much depend
ed,
Guddenly q sharp 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 minute, and then
pitch forward upon the rocks.
1t may be imagined that the father
was not long in reaching the place
where his child lay, and in few min
utes more the little one was in it:
mothers arms.
aTell us who you are, that we may
, know what name TO mingle with oul
! prayers" they said as the stranger
! prepared to depart.
! ttAE - =; n..:l Doo,,oO - 4,