The Lincoln County herald., 1873-04-23


wife. ... .. i.' 'r...
1t took but moment for him to clear
the intervening timber and updcrgrowth.
As he dashed out into the clearing.
holding his rifle ready for Instant use, he
comprehended 10 one swift glance all that
had taken place, and what VAS further to
fear.
Near the end Of the cabin facing the
cliffs, Of which have spoken, stood the
mother, her face pslld as the dead, her
arms outstretched, and her staring eyes
fixed upon the precipitous heights up
which the figure of an Indian warrior
was struggling.
my child ny child!" was all the
woman said, and then Rufe Branson saw
that tho bundle borne in the Indians
arms was the form Of their only child.
little Maggie.
Firm Of heart, and with nerve as steady
as the rocks around, the father for
moment actually quailed and covered
under what bis quick sense told him, the
deadly peril Of his 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 backward aud
downward, the parents saw in his hide
ously painted countenancc the full pur-
pose that actuated the abductor.
God aid mel" Branson 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 hurt, and
with yell of devlish triumph, he passed
upward.
"Too low by couple of inches." said
a low, calm voice at the settlers elbow.
Branson 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 timo for explana
tons.
The stranger, man rather below than
above the ordinary height, whose fine
athletic form was fully displayed by
his closely fitting buck skin garments
stepped quickly forward a few PAGES, aud
firmly planting his left foot in advance
threw up an unusually long rife, al
though preparing to fire.
"For Gods sake, stranger, be careful
Of my child!" cried Branson, while th'
agonized mother muttered an audible
prayer.
Its our only chance. I know tina
Indian" was the reply, and the sharl
click click Of the hsmmer as 1t wa
drawn back told that the critical momen
had come.
BY this time the Indian bad nearl
reached the summit of the steep. Tha
he was wounded now became evident, a
upon a broad ledge of rock he paused
moment.
This opportunity was seized by tn
unknown.
Although the savage had taken tn
precau,ion to hold the child up in front q
himself as a shield, covering nearly tn
whole Of his brawny chest, but leavin
his head uncovered, the stranger did nc
hesitate in making the shot.
For one second, as it gained its posi-
, ton, the rifle wavered, aud then Instant
, become as immovabls as though held i
a vice.
With clasped hands aud straining eye
> the parents watched that statue like forl
upon whose skill SO much depended.
Q Suddenly q sharp report ruug out-th
0 white smoke drifted away, and as tn
) vision became clear, they saw the savae
G loose his hold upon the child, reel wildl
for an instant, and then pitch forwar
T upon the rocks.
q 1t may be imagined that the father vi
I not long in reaching the place where b
child lay, and few moments more tt
Q little one was 10 its mothers arms.
e "Tell US who you are, that VIC ma
g know what name to minglo with o,
prayers" said the mother, as the stra'
e ger prepared to depart.
: MY name is Daniel Boone" be sal
II and was gone.