The Volcano lubricator. (Volcano, W. Va.) 1871-1879, 1874-02-26
NO.. 81,

| 1t took but a moment for him -
clear the intervening timber and IL
dergrowth and as he dashed out in.c
the clearing, holding his rife ready .os
instant use, he comprehended in ore
swift glance all that had taken placc.
and what was further to fear.
Near the end of the cabin on the c::G
of which ! have spoken, stood tic
mother, her face as pallid as dcd:a,
her, arms outstrctched. her staring eycc
fixed upon the PERCEPTIONS heights u
which the figure Of an Indian W.
struggling.
"My child! my child" was all th@
woman said; and Branson saw thas
the bundle in the Indians arms wss
the form of their only child, Magg;c,
Firm Of heart, and with nerves like
the rock around the father for momert
quailed and covered under what h;
quick senses told him was the deadly
peril Of the little one. But he We;
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 hideously painted countenancc
the full purpose that actuated the abb
ductor.
"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, and
with a yell Of devilish triumph he pass
ed upward.
"Two low by couple Of inches;"
said low, calm voice at the settlers
elbow.
Branson started as though he him
self had been shot. Where was the
man? Who was he? Neither had
seen him approach. But there was no
time for explanations. The stranger,
man rather below than above the
medium height, whose fine athletic
form was fully displayed in his close
fitting buckskin garments, stepped
quickly forward a few PAGES, and firm
ly planting his left foot in advance,
threw up an unusually long rifle, as
though preparing 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. I know that
Indian" was the quick reply, and the
sharp click, of the hammar as it was
drawn back told that the critical mo.
ment 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 paus-
ed, for moment. This opportunity
was seized by the unknown. AL
though the savage had taken the pre-.
caution to hold the child up in front Of
him as shield, covering nearly the
whole ofhis brawny chest, but leaving
his head uncovered, the stranger did
not hesitate in making the shot.
For one second, as it gained its po-
sition the rifle wayered, and then in
stantly became .as immovable as
though held in vice. With clasped
hands and staring eyes the parents
watched the statue form upon which so
much depended.
Suddenly sharp report rang out, the
white smoke drifted away, and as the
vision became clearer they saw the sa.
wage lose his hold upon the child, reel
wildly an instant, and then pitch for
ward upon the rocks. 1t may be ina
gined that the father was not long in
reaching the spot and in few moments
more the little one was in its mothers
arms.
"Tell us who you are, that we may
know what name to mingle with our
prayers" exclaimed the mother, as
the stranger prepared to depart.
"My name is Daniel Boon," he said
and he was gone.