The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-09-17

with curiosity. ''There's no one living with
in twenty miles Of this place, and can't i'm
agine how size came in the woods. Old
Bill Shoots cabin is good twenty miles
from here, and Dan Neil is ten miles from
him, and that's all the people there are
this side the State line. Neither Bill or
Dan is married, and it's passing strange
where that young one came from.'
81 wish you to take a ride through the
forest" said Mr.. Randolph to Stubbs.-
''Take the whole day to search for some
person claiming this child. I will remain
here until your RETURN" and be placed a
piece of gold in the hunters palm.
The suns rays were slanting low among
the trees in the west when Bill Stubbs re-
turned to his cabin.
''Pm afraid you'll have to father that
young one," he exclaimed, addressidg Mr.
Randolph. "I've ridden nearly forty miles
day, and can hear nothing of anybody
who has lost a child. Perhaps she's been
lost purposely."
Mr.. Randolph looked serious. Such an
idea lad not before occurred to him, but
the old hunter he mentally vowed that he
would adopt the child if her parents were
not discovered.
Seventeen years later and Madge RAN
dolph, as the founding was denominated,
had become the reigning belle of the town
Mr.. Randolph had an occasion to make
trip to the State Of Durango, in Mexico,
and for that purpose joined party of ira
ders who were starting from Independence.
All the men were well armed and had much
experience in Indian lighting so they felt
pretty much at ease on that score.
After two weeks travel beyond Smoky
hill Fork they came upon camp of Sioux
Indians who had white woman i'm bond
age. Several of the traders offered to pur
chase her freedom, but she was the wife of
a chief who refused to listen to any pro-
position involving her leaving him. The
poor creature seemed particularly desirous
of entering into conversation with her
countrymen, but the Indians rudely thrus.
her back when she implored to be taken
back to civilized life.
That afternoon the Indians broke m
their camp and went away westward The
traders had doubled their offers to the
Indians, but they would not release their
captive. The same night when the traders
were in camp, they were suddenly aroused
by the sound of approaching horse hoofs
coming at a rapid gallop. A few minutes
later and the woman whose freedom they
had been trying to obtain, sprang from
pony, exclaming, "For heavens sake, my
countrymen, do not give ME up. 1 have
escaped, but they will soon be after me. ~
The traders instantly held council
The savages Outnumbered them twenty to
one there was no hope of making a sue
cessful resistance.
''Some one must fly with the woman
back to Independence-and there's not an
instant to be lost" cried several voices.
"Who'll do it ?'' asked the leader.
No one spoke the men all had goods
upon the train, and could not desert them.
IL have no property at risk" said Mr..
Randolph, after few moments re Election
my business is urgent, It's tue, but I'll
take her back perish in the attempt
few minutes later, and Randolph and
the woman were flying as fast as horses
could take them back to Missouri
Just before the break Of day the Indians
appeared at the traders camp and demand
ed the woman. They were assured she
was not present, neither did they know
where she was. 1t was not until the sava.
ges made strict search of the wagons
that they were convinced they were on the
wrong rail but their disappointment was
| SO great that they made an attack upon the
traders. A smart fight revealed to them
that they would have to obtain re>enforce-
ments if they desired to capture the train.
so they withdrew and left the traders in
peace.
After two days hard riding, Mr.. RAN
dolph and the woman reached a post OF
dragon soldiers, and were given an es.
cort, who saw them safely to Fort Leaven-
worth. The following is the story the
poor woman told Mr.. Randolph
81 was born Of respectable parents, my
father being farmer in Western Missouri
l was married at an carly age, and, after
the birth of II daughter, my husband start
ed to go to Independence for the purpose
of entering into business, taking the child
and myself with him. And after travelling
some days we entered great forest, and
before we were aware of it, we found our
selves surrounded by dozen Indians, who
had crossed the line on a stealing exnedi,
ton. They shot my husband before my
eyes, and were going to kill my babe
| when l begged for it's life. One of the
savages, who seemed to have some author
| ity, prevented my child being murdered
but refused to let me have it, and it was
left upon the ground to die, while they
hurried away, bearing me off captive