Huntington advertiser. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1874-1921, 1874-05-07
THE SUN.
NINA EvELYN'S RIDE.
By W. II. MANNING.

Fort Prince Albert was invested by
large force of Blacktoot Indians
The bCsiegers out-numbered the little
garrison ten to one, while the ammuni
ton and provision Of the latter were
running low. Bravely had they re
sisted the repeated attacks of the en-
emv for over a week, but now starva
tion stared them in the face, and they
were aware that new and desperate
experiments must be tried to release
them from their peril or very soon the
knife and tomahawk of the merciless
savages would be busy.
For two hours the commandant,
Colonel Sir George Evelyn, had been
in consultation with his officers, en-
deavoring to devise some means for
saving the garrison, and, fer half that
time, the ColonePs daughter, Nina
Evelyn, had remained near the door
of the room where they were in con
ference, anxiously waiting to hear
the result OF their deliberations.
At last the door opened and the
officers came forth, wearing pale stern
faces. Nina watched them eagerly,
but, merely returning their solutions,
fitted by them, and hastened to heI
fathers presence.
Colonel Evelyn was pacing moodily
up and down the room when she en-
tered but, when he saw who the fail
intruder was, he paused in his anxious
walk, and addressed her with assum.
ed playfulness:
what have you come to take
part in the consultation, pet? If SC
YOU are too late"
"No, no, father; women are not
supposed to know anything about the
art of war. But what have you decl-
ded on?'
Come with me to the parapet, and
| will tell you," was the brief reply.
From the parapet they had a good
view of the country round the fort.
On the South side was the river, be.
yond which stretched the great forest
which, also, bounded the garrison on
its Northern and Western sides. And
in these gloomy shades lurked the red
men, only kept back from the nearer
approach to the fort by the great guns
Of the whites, for which they had a
profound awe.
But on the Eastern side, compri.
sing, perhaps, a third of the immedi'
ate circle around the fort, and gradu-
ally widening as far as the eye could
reach, was a prairie, on which no say
age could be seen, for here they were
exposed to the fire Of the cannon, and
this they could not stand.
Now, then, papa, what is youl
plan?" asked Nina, after they had
reached the parapet, and gazed around
for 4 moment.
$40 send horseman across that
prairie to the nearest post for help!
replied the commandant, firmly
pointing to the East.
"Why, he cannotpass the savages'
exclaimed the girl,
"He must, or Fort Albert surel!
falls"
as it our last hope?" questioned
Nina, thoughtfully.
1t is. May heaven aid us :"
Then, / will be that messenger!
"You! Child, you are mad"
81 am not. You cannot spare
man from the defense ; and while
shall be Just as apt 10 succeed in tn
undertaking as man"
The colonel poohed and pshawed
at first then entreated and threaten
ed; but the wilful girl was finn. Sud
denly a new idea struck the colonel
and he said to himself:
Il have little hope ofassistance al
irving in time to save Us, even shoul'
the messenger reach the post in safe
ty; and this, 1 hope he-or ;he-wiI
succeed in doing. So, surely Mn
will be as safe on her fleet horse as i
this doomed garrison. She shall 60
and may God guard her"
"Nina received his decision with
profusion of thanks ; but, for all c
that, she comprehended full well th
danger of the undertaking; but sh
was a true border heroine, and dan
ger, to her, was but a common occur
renee.
"Not an eye in the fort was DR.
when she mounted her feet horse
ready to sally forth from the gate
for not one of the soldiers but love
her dearly, and would have riske
his life in her service.
Colonel Evelyn pressed warm an
clinging kisses upon her lips; the
the great gate was opened and tn
spirited horse, impatient at his lon
confinement in wooden walls, she
forth like an arrow; but now the fl
ther's feelings changed, and stretch
ing forth his hands, he cried aloud ;
"Come back, Nina! my darling
} come hack !"
} Nina EVELYN looked over he