The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-06-30
THR RsCAPR or GAIT, BRADY,


As the shades Of evening gathered
around and descended like pail upon tn
dense forest the Indian encampment pre-
Sented q very picturesque eceue-one tina
an artist would have loved to transfer L
to canvass. The huge fire, with IL
changing, Aickerlng lIghta, illumininE
the luxuriRnt foliage around and above
the swarthy forms Of the grim warriors
as they gathered about tho one fire, en-.
gagged In their wild, weird dances, or cal
In knots Of the trunks Of the huge trees
gravely discussing tho events Of thai
very busy day, and then the hoppled
horses and the two circles Of prisoners
the three ladies together on one side, and
the Hour male prisoners, with their arms
securely bound behind them, on another
All at once q more splendid expanse oil
light pervaded the whole woods from the
direction Of the creek, and lit up the en-
tire western sky, This glow grew bright.
or and brighter, and was accompanied BY
the loud cracking oil burning wood, and
the yells oil the excited Indians as they
danced and whooped like mad, along the
margin Of the creek, and In honor OF the
burning ark.
Finally the flames and shouts gradually
subsidized, and oil again grew black and
silent. A brooding, solemn stiffness now
enwrapped the wilderness, disturbed only
BY those many night sounds peculiar to
the vast and tracklesa American forests
the distant howl Of the wolf or the wild
cry Of the panther and catamount; the
doletul plant oil the owl, whippoorwill,
and night-hswk, or the chirplng and
drumming Of such insects as enliVen the
otherwise cherries watches Of the night.
y The Indiana expected to make 0 long
and early journey and hEd had . day
crowded with fatigues and exCitements;
hence they were disposed to rest. A
rude, barker bower, which was guarded
BY two old aud tried chiefs, had been
hastily thrown up for the women cap.
'tives, while the male prisoners were sep.
arated, and each bound and laid on his
back between two vigilant warriors. The
feet were left free, but the thongs which
bound the wrists behind the back, had
two long ends, one oil which passed under
the bodies Of the wary watchers on
either side, 80 that the slightest move
ment Of prisoner would be ielt by those
who were responsible for bis safe keep
ing.
How would our party have priz9d the
privilege OF sitting together In free con-
verse, and plotting an escape or discuss
ing the chances Of successful pursuit;
butit was not to be, and each laid him
self down with the most gloomy and de-
pressed feelings, uncertain whether, even
II 1t were possible, he should slngly at
tempt an escape,
Capt. Brady, especially, was racked
and tortured with thick. crowding doubts.
had not the one he loved dearest on earth
been lying near, an unhappy prisoner, his
duty would have appeared simple and his
course plain. He had been a captive
twice before, and had managed 10 work
himself free; but now he could not decide
whether 'twere better 10 stay by the ie-
males under his protection and rely upon
the pursuit which would most probably
ensue; or whether he should, did suitable
opportunity offer, attempt an escape, and
make the pursuit more direct and effect
i've by his presence.
As he lay thus, tossing and fretting;
working himself into Q state OF nervous
ness, and stretching ont one leg after the
other, his toes touched what he imagined
must be q knife. He carefully felt with
his moccaSsined foot, and then was sure
1t was scalping-knite. This decided
him. He now lay perfectly still, and
ieigned sleep, although the great beads of
perspiration stood thick upon his brow.
Both his Indians had at frat been very
wakeful-hsd laughed, chatted and ar
gued with each other, and had tainted
him BY turns. He had tried to lull them
into confidence by assuming a cheerful
and contented humor, and BY yawning
frequently, as il oVerpowered with aleepi
ness.
As he lay thus perfectly quiet, no had
the satisfaction Of hearing q diatinct snore
from the old Shawnee on his left. That
was o hopeful sign; but the other and
younger warrior was still wakeiul. He
turned and twisted; twice raised himself
on his elbow to listen; once rose and went
to the fire; came back and, finally, be, too,
commenced toyawn.
Then, to test Brady condition, he poked
him slightly in the ribs, telling him not to
breathe so heavily. The scouts breath
ings became still deeper and more regu-
lar, although his heart was beating like
tilt hammer, shaking his whole frame
with emotion. he really thought he
would moi be able much longer to stand
this excitement, the strain on his nervous
system was so intense.
He had just concluded to give uplAhe
attempt altogether, when q nervous Jerk
and twitching from the waketul Indian
showed he, too, had succumbed. Brady
lay immovable as o statue until both In.
dlans were fairly and soundly asleep and
snoring. Hc then opened one pepper and
then the other. Now his foot went down
after the knife. Still there. he clutched
It with his toes, and alowly and cautiously
drew the glitteriug prize towards his
breast. Now, by quick, little Jerk II
drops by his side; now he works, as It
were, over on 10 It; until, at last, It Is In
his hand, which was free from the wrist
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