Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1875-04-02

iinc uoWH tue river.
The chase led him several miles, and
when he at last got shot that finished
bruins career, he found that it was three
o'clock in the afternoon. Swinging
his meat to sapling, out of reach of
cat or wolf, he started home to get his
horse and return and fetch it that night
Taking a near cut, he reached the
cabin from the western side, where the
timber grew heavy up to within few
yards of the building, and consequently,
he could not see the clearing, or what
might be transporting there, until he had
passed through the wood
Thus it was that, when within a short
distance of his home, he heard wild,
piercing shrek but he could only guess
that something terrible must be taking
place beyond the screen of bushes and
leaves. Uttering shout that his pres
ence might sooner be known, Branson
sprang forward like wounded buck, a
great fear in bis heart, for he had only
too clearly recognized in that scream the
agonized voice of his wife
the Intervening timber and underground,
and as he dashed out into the clearing,
holding his rife ready for instant use, he
comprehended in one swift glance all
that had taken place, and what was
| further to fear
Near the end of the cabin, facing the
cliff of which | have spoken, stood the
mother, her face as palid as death, her
arms outstretcbed, her staring eyes fixed
upon the precipitous heights up which
the figure of the Indian was struggling
4" My child my child p was all the
woman said, and Branson saw that the
bundle in the Indians arms was the form
of their only child, Maggie
Firm of heart, and with nerves as
steady as the rocks around, the father
yet for moment quailed and covered
under what his quick senses told him
was the deadly peril Of the little one
But he was 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 countenance
the fell purpose that actuated the alb
ductor.
Good aid me !" Branson muttered
he raised his rife, glancing through the
sights, and touched the trigger.
The Indian started violently at the
shot. He was hit but not badly. and
with yell of fierce triumph. he still
pressed upward.
TOO low by couple of inches" said
II low, calm voice at the settlers elbow
Branson started as though he him.
self had been shot. Where was this
man from? Who was he? Neither
had seen him approach But there wal
no time for explanations. The stranger
Il man rather below than above TIL,
ordinary height, whose fine, athletic
form was fully displayed by his closel,
fitting buckskin garments, steppee
quickly forward a few PAGES and frml,
planted his left foot in advance, threy
up an unusually long .rife, as through
preparing to fire.
''For Gods sake stranger, be careful
Of my cbildp cried Branson, while tn
agonized mother uttered an audibl
prayer.
Its our only chance. / know tina
Indian was the quickly reply, and thu
sharp click click Of the hammer. al
it was drawn back, told that the critca
moment had come.
BY this time the Indian had nearl,
reached the summit Of the steep, Tha
he was wounded now became evident
as upon broad ledge of rock he pausec
for moment. This opportunity wa
seized by the unknown. Although The
savage had taken the preciuton to bole
the child up in front Of him as a shield
covering nearly the whole of his brawnj
chest, but leaving his head uncovered
the stranger did not hesitate in making
| the shot.
For one second, as it gained its posi-
ton, the rifle wavered, then Instantly
became as immovablc as though held
in a wise. With clasped hands and
stariDgs eyes the parents watched the
statuelike form upon which 50 much
depended.
Suddenly sharp report rang out; the
white smoke drifted away and as the
vision became clearer, they saw the
savage loose his hold upon the child
reel wildly an instant, and then pitch
forward on the rocks 1t may be i'm.
agincd that the father was not long in
reaching the place where his child lay
and in few moments more the little one
was in its mothers arms.
TEL us who you are. that we may
know what name TO nlingle with our
prayers" exclaimed the mother, as the
stranger prepared to depart.
"My name is Daniel Boone" he said
ard was gone.