The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-06-10

he could not see what was transpirlng
there until he had passed through the
wood. Thus i was that, when within
short distance Of his home, he heard a
wild piercing Shrek.
He could only guess that something
terrible must be taking place beyond the
screen of bushes and leaves. Uttering a
loud shout that his presence might be
sooner known, Branson sprang forward
with the leap Of a wounded buck, agreat
fear at his .heart for he had only too
clearly recognzedthe scream and the
agonizing voice OF his wife.
1t took but moment for him to clear
the intervening timber and underground.
AS he dashed out into the clearing, hold
ing his rifle ready for instant use, he
comprchended in one swift glance all
that had taken place, and whatwas iurth'
er to fear
Near the end of the cabin facing the
cliffs of which have spoken stood the
mother, her face pallid as the dead, her
arms outstreatched, and her eyes fixed
on the precipitous heights, up which the
figure of an Indian warrior was strug-
Cling,
My child my child" was all the wo-
man said, and then Rufus Branson saw
that the bundle borne in the Indians
arms was that of their only child, little
Maggie. y ., al
Firm of heart, and with nerve as
steady as the rocks around the father
for moment quailed and covered under
what his quick sense told him was the
deadly peril of his little one.
But he was quick to recover.
The Indian wastdrawins 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
full purpose that actuated the abduc-
tor.
God aid mel" Branson muttered, as
he raised his rifle, glanced through the
sights, and touched the trigger.
The indian started violently at the
shot. He was hit, but not badly, and
with yell of hendsh triumph he passed
upward.
Too low by coupler of inches"
said'a low, calm. voice at the settlers
elbow.
iBranson starteda as though he himself
had been shot,
Where did the man come from2 Who
was he? Neither had seen him ap-
proach.
The stranger,a man rather below than
above the ordinary height, whose fine,
athletic form was well displayed by his
closely fitting buckskin garments, then
stepped quickly forward few PAGES, and
firmly planted one foot in advance,
through up an unusually long rifle, as if
preparing to fire,
"For Gods sake, stranger, be careful
of my child" cried Branson, while the
agonized mother muttered an audible
prayer.
"It's our only chance. know that
Indian" was the quick reply, and the
sharp click click of the hammer as it
was drawn back told that the critical
time had come.
By this time the Indian had reached
the summit Of the steep
The opportunity was seized by the un-
known.
Although the savage had taken the
precaution to hold the child up in front
of himself as shield, covering nearly
the whole of his hrawny chest, but leav-
ing his head uncovered, the stranger did
not hesitate to make the shot.
For one second, as it gained its posi-.
ton, the rifle wavered, and then in
stantly became as immovable as if held
in vice.
With clasped hands and straining
eyes the parents watched that statue
like form upon whose skill so much de,
pended.
Suddenly sharp report rung out, the
white smoke drifted away, and as the
vision became clear they saw the savage
loose his hold upon the child, reel wildly
for an instant, and then pitch forward
upon the rocks.
1t may be imagined 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. .a -. 5
"Tell us who you are that we may
know your name to mingle with oul
prayers" said the mother ,as the stranger
prepared to depart.
my name is Daniel Boone" he said
and Uac uOne