The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-01-06

but even If they should, fear them not"
81 fear, young sir, that those light arms
Of yours would be insufficient, in case of an
attack from the red-skin."
"They never failed me yet" said Orlan-
do, his eyes Frightening, and his bosom
swelling with proud emotion. "Though
like not deeds of strife, yet fear not
danger.v t.s
"To deal with such an enemy, you
should be able TO WELD a weapon like
that" said the stranger as he put forth the
muzzle of his ponderous weapon, the butt
of which rested upon the ground.
At that moment Orlando's eye caught
the outlines of hawk that was sailing
high in the air above the tree-tops beyond
the cot. He turned towards his strange
visitor, and took the massive rifle in his
hand Its owner smiled as he resigned it
to the youth, and stepping back pace, he
remarked
"She'll prove little too heavy for that
hand of yours, and twill be steady hand
and quick eye that takes wing at that
distance"
The young hunter seemed not to notice
the words of his companion, but raising the
rife to his side he drew back the hammer
and then placed the butt against his shoul-
der. The single tick of watch could
hardly have passed between the resting of
the rifle and the pulling of the trigger The
sharp clear crack ran through the forest,
and ON the next instant the hawk uttered
a shrill scream-trembled moment upon
its outspread pinions-and then, with last
effort to maintain its position, it shot OBJ
liquely through the air, and fell not rod
from where the two men stood. Orlando
stepped to where the bird had fallen, and
picking it up, he returned and handed it to
the stranger, remarking as he did SO
"That's good weapon
AS the powerful hunter took the rifle,
he stretched forth his broad palm and
said
"Orlando Chester, take that hand.
There-it shall ever be yours in time of
need, and upon Mark Chiron you may look
as friend. If the enemy are subtle, the
wit and strength of Chiron can overcome
them.''
A moment the young man retained his
grasp Of the hand that was thus held out
to him, and while yet he gazed into the
face of his companion, he said :
"Speak you of enemies to me ?''
Indeed do"
"But fear not that the red man will
attack me-"
"And is there no danger in the world, no
enemies but the red-skinsp Do not tohite
men sometimes prey upon each other ?'
" Yet there are none to prey upon me-"
"Be not too sure Of that, young sir.
came not here without an object, nor do
offer my services at random. ask you
not to accept of them, for they shall be
yours at my own will"
There was an air of truth in the words |
and in the manner of Chiron, which the
young hunter could not doubt, and after
moments reflection he said
" If it be as you say--that there is really
danger in my path-you can be my friend |
now by explaining to me its nature, and
then / can save you further trouble by
avoiding it myself"
"The nature of that danger could not
explain, and to be plain with you, tell
you would not if could. Nay-do not |
start. speak my thoughts plainly, and
fear not to tell the truth. have come
here to-day to recognize you, and when
first / saw this garden, that lays in such |
fantastical forms and devices about us,
I knew well from whose brain sprang the
wild conception, and knew too, whose
delicate hand must have done the work
there is but one, and that"
The giant hunter drew his hand across
his eyes as he thus abruptly broke of, and |
then raising his face towards heaven, he
uttered
ALIAS poor Morgiana Chester, thy fate
is hard one but if there is just God in
heaven, thy wrongs shall be atoned for
and those that wrong thee shall be brought
70 justice.
For full minute Orlando regarded the
man before him in sort of wondering as
tonishment. Every vestige of doubt had
fled from his thoughts, and though he won
dered, yet he hesitated not to trust. Then
there was something in the manner of
Chiron, kind of authoritative determine
tion, that made him hesitate to ask further
questions, and at length he said
" Ny mother is in the cottage there, and |