Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1873-11-28

by, and that she and her child must stay
within, or close the house when he was
absent.
Several days afterwards Rufe Bronson
hoard his dogs in the timber down by the
river, and knowing they never opened
without good cause, he caught up his
rifle and FASTENED to where they were
barking. They had struck a fresh bear
track, and as he arrived in sight they
fairly lifted it going in straight line
down the river.
The chase led him several miles, and
when at last he got his shot that finished
bruins career, he found that.it was three
or four o'clock in the afternoon.
Swinging his game to sapling ont OF
reach OF cat or wolf, he started for home
to get the gray mare and return to fetch
it that night.
Taking near cut he approached the
cabin from the western side, where TIM
Der grew heavy within few yards of the
building, and consequently he could not
see the clearing, or what might be trans
piring there, until he passed through the
wood.
Thus it was, that, when within but n
very short distance of his house, he heard
wild, piercing shrek he could only
guess that something terrible must be
taking place beyond the screen of bushes
and leaves.
uttering a loud shout that his pres
| Lon
sprang forward with the leaps Of a woun-
ded buck, great fear in his heart, for
he had only too clearly recognized in that
scream the agonized voice of his wife.
1t took but moment for him to clear
the intervening timber and underground.
AS he dashed out into the clearing,
holding bis rifle ready for instant use, he
comprehended in one swift glance all
that Lad taken place and what 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 outstrethed and her staring eyes
fixed upon the precipitous heights up
which the figure of an Indian warrior
was struggling.
My child my child y was all the
woman said, and then Rufe Bronson saw
that the bundle borne in the Indians
arms was the form of their only child,
little Maggie.
Firm fheart, and with nerve as steady
as the rocks around, the father for mo-
mcnt actually quailed and corwered I'M
der 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 back
ward and downward, the parents saw in
his painted couutepance the fell purpose
that actuated the abductor.
'God aid me p nuttered Bronson. as
he raised his rife, glanced through the
sights and touched the trigger.
The Indian start ID violent y at the sho
He was hit, but not badly, and wllh
yell of levilish triumph ,he passed up
ward.
"Too low, by a couple of incbee,' said
a low, clam voice at the settlers elbow.
Bronson started as though he himself
had been shot.
Where had this man come from? Who
was he?
Neither had seen him approach. But
there was no time for explanations.
The stranger, n man rather below than
above the ordinary height, whose fine,
athletic form was fully displayed by his
closely fitting buckskin garments. st p
ped quickly forward, few PAGES, and
firmly planting bis left foot in advance
threw up an unusual long rife as though
preparing TO fire.
"For Gods sake, stranger, be careful
Of my child !" cried Bronson, while the
agonizod mother uttered an inaudibIe
prayer.
''Its 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 broad ledge Of rock he paused a
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 bis brawny chest, but leav-
ing his head uncovered, the stranger did
not hesitate IN making the shot
For one instant, as it gained its posi-
ton, the rife wavcred, aud Instantly be-
came immovable as though held in vice.
With clasped bands and straining eyes
the parents watched the statue-like form
upon which 20 much depended.
Suddenly Tie sharp report rang out
the white smoke drifted away, aud as the
vision became clear, they saw the savage
loose his hold upon the child. reel wildly
for a minute, then pitch forward upon
the rocks.
II may be imagined that the father
was not long in reaching the place where
/ his child lay, and IN few minutes more
4 the little one was in its mothers arms.
I Tell US who you are. that we may
know what name 20 mingle with odi
prayers" said the mother, as the stFang.
err prepared to depart.
MY name is Daniel Boone" lie said
and was gone.
He who blackens others does no. viii
-. L..~..1f