Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-11-06

yards OF the Dulldlng, ana consequently
he could not see the clearing, or whai
might be transpiring there, until he had
passed through the wood.
Thus was IL that when within a shori
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 bushes and
leaves. Uttering loud shout, that his
presence might sooner be known, Bran
son spraug forward like a wounded
buck, a great fear in his heart, for he
had only too clearly recognized in that
scream the agonized voice Of his wife.
IL took but moment for him TO lear
the intervening timber and underground,
aud as he dashed out into the clearing
holding the rife ready for instant use,
be comprehended in one swift glance
all that had taken place, aud what was
further to fear.
Near the end Of the cabin, facing the
cliff, of which | have spoken, stood the
mother, her face pallid as death, her
arms outstretched, her staring eyes fixed
upon the precipitous heights up which
the figure Of an Indian was struggling.
Ny child my childw was all the
woman said, aud Branson saw that the
bundle in the Indian arms was the form
of their only child, Maggie.
| Firm OF heart, and with nerves as
steady as the rocks around, the father
for moment quailed and cowed under
what his quick senses told him was the
deadly peril of the little one. But he
was quick to recover.
The Iaa..n 4
by step he was increasing the distance.
and as he occasionally glanced backward
and downward, the parents saw in his
hideously painted countenance the fell
purpose that actuated the abductor
God aid me' Branson muttered as
he raised his rife, glancing 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 |
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
from2 Who was he? Neither had
seen him approach. But there was no
time for explanations. The stranger,
man rather below than above ordinary
height, whose fine, athletic form was
fully displayed by his closely fitting
buckskin garments, stepped quickly for
ward few PAGES, and firmly planted
his left foot in advance, threw up an |.
unusually long rifle, as though prepar-
ing to fire.
" For Gods sake, stranger, be careful
of my child cried Branson, while the
agonized mother uttered an 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 drawn 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 a broad ledge OF rock he paused
for moment. This opportunity was
seized 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, bpt leaving his head qu-
covered, the stranger did not hesitate in
making the shot.
For one second, as 1t gained its posi-.
ton, the rifle wavered, and then instantly
became as immovable as though held in
a wise. With clasped hands and staring
eyes the parents watched the statue-like :
form upon which so much depended. :,
Suddenly a sharp report rang out; the ,
white smoke drifted away, and as the y
vision became clearer, they saw the saw !
lge loose his hold upon the child, reel .
gildly an instant, and then pitch forward =
IN tbs rockc. It may be imagined that !
he father was not long ia reeebing the !
llace where his child lay, and in few 1
moments more the little one was in its =
Mothers arms. h
"Tell us who you are, that we may !,
,now whei Ieme to mingle with our a
exclaimed the mother, as the
prepared to depart.
My name is Daniel Boone" he said
-a19 was gone.