The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-09-29

and sprang upon his foe. So sudden was
the attack, the stranger was hurled upon
i his back, and the Indian was astride him
holding a glittering knife to his throat
even before he had time to use his wea.
pom, or make the slightest resistance
Moses gave utterance to shrek, which,
made the forest echo again, and then he
Missed these words through his teeth:
! 40 Mllburn, I've go: you ali, I've
got you now
'Well-well.'' growlea the man,
you We got me; and what then e.
''What then p shrieked Moses, his eve
Fglarlng upon his foe, and his hand moving
asst ne longed-to finish his work but
becoming more calm, he continued
40 Mllburn, it was just such mig ht as
this, fifteen years ago, that you came up
on my cabin. The red blood ran like
water, and the red flame cracked until l
became homeless. You were the leader
Of the tiendish band who did that fearful
work.
you deserved it, for you were rene.
eade, growled Milburn.
"You speak falsely, for was no rene
gade. .sOnce l was the chief of my tribe,
and they obeyed me. The pale.lace
came among us, yourself with the others.
Soon | found that my people were be.
coming discontented. They thirsted for
the white mans blood. You set them
on. could see no reason why my pale
brothers should die, and 50 prevented
general slaughter. The settlers we're
grateful, and one Of them gave me his
child as my bride. She was a blue.eyed.
tender being of sixteen, and loved her
with all my Indian heart and soul. 1t
was On account Of this marriage, and my
desire to settle down into civilized life
that you call me renegade.''
"ihe act made you So
''But it did not make you leader of my
band, or give you the right to murder
my loved ones and destroy my house,
IL have not murdered your wife,
$50 learned by the words overheard
you utter just, now. l have always
thought you did, and for fifteen years
have mourned her as lost. During that
time, too, | have constantly sought for
yon, but until this moment have never
been able to find you. Now You throw
yourself IN my way, and your doom is
sealed. But first, tell me where I shall
find my wife my Wild Flower g.
"Alive! alive! take him alive !"
shrieked Milburn, and then a fendish
laugh burst from his lips.
This was caused from the fact that
half a dozen sayages had cautiously ap-
preached, and their knives were raised
over the head Of Moses, as if about to
be plunged into his body. The words of
the white renegade we've obeyed; and the
former chief was seized, and, in spite Of
his struggles, disarmed, and firmly
bound
Mllburn began to rave in his triumph.
He brandished his weapons in the face of
his former captain, and even inflicted up-
on him severe cut. He also gave his
enemy several kicks and blows, tr.ating
| him in most brutal manner, all (which
the Indian bore without even groan.
although his eyes flashed fire, and his
breast heaved with the intensity of his
pent-up feelings. But it was not the
purpose OF Milburn to kill his victim then
and there, for he had other plans in view.
In a short time the bear had been dress
ed, fire made, and some steaks broiled,
Milburn and his followers making a
hearty meal, Of which poor Moses remain
ed only spectator. AT er the repast
was over, the party started off tow ard
the Hudson, dragging their victim after
| them. They did not observe that deep
err in the forest there was single human
figure,~ and a pair Of dark eyes watching
them.
All night the march was continued, and
with intervals Of rest. unit! the following
night. BY this time the river was reach
ed. and out into the middle Of the Hudson
the captive was taken over the solid ice
He could not divine the intention Of bis
captors; for in the middle of the stream
he hauited, and then gave some orders to
his men, who at once set 50 work to obey
them. With their hatcbets, 8 hole but
little larger than mans body was cnt
through the ice, and then Moses was
plunged into it, his head however, still
remaining above the surface. Here he
Was secured in such a manner that he could
not sink. neither could he escape from
his horrible position. He could gaze
around and see all that WAS passing. but
his eyes must soon lose their power, as
the water Nas chilling him to tho very
heart.
1t was mt long before a circle Of fires
had been lighted. and the glare Of these
rendered the surroundings as brilliant as
the noonday-sun could have done. The
great mountains g|owed' like FURNISHED
silver in the reflection. and clad in their
I robes of ice, the prospect was an enchant-
ing one. Even the doomed man gaz d upon
it. and wondered if in the sprit-land he
could find anything more truly magnifi-
! cent.