The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-11-04

until the voice entirely ceased. Moving
in this cautious but tardy manner, quite
half an hour elapsed before they cleared
the camp, aud gained the shelter OF the
neighboring forest.
Dung this interval, which seemed
an age to Rochester, his heart beat with
strange agitation. Every instant he eI.
pected TO hear the shout which would an
nounce that their flight was discovered;
and he knew that if this happened be.
fore the woods were gained there was
no hope.
At last, however, they found them
selves within the covert Of the forest;
and now for the frst time the unknown
guide turned toward Rochester. He
started back. 1t was the White Fswn
that stood before him. Then, falling on
one knee, as knight of ancient ro-
nance might have done, he took her un-
resisting hand and began to pour forth
his thanks
But the Indian girl drew it quickly
away, and 10 some embsrress ment. then
hurriedly said:
White brother, farewell. The forest
maiden has only done Tor you what you
have already done for herr and in saving
your life, she pays back the debt she
owes tor hers. But you have not q mo-
ment to lose," she continued, earnestly.
1.-THE Young braves of my tribe are quick
of foot, and before long they will be on
ycur trail"
She had hardly spoken when shout
rose on the night air. from the direction
OF the village.
..We are discovered cried the Indian
girl, "all is lost"
"Then fy and leave us to our fate" an
swered Rochester, starting to his feet
"you can gain the village Undecided.
As Tor US, we must take our chance"
No" cried the Indian girl with gen.
erous self devotion. If desert you, you
are sure to be recsptured, and it shall
never be said that the chiefs daughter
left any one in extremity" She seemed
to reflect moment, and then cried,
Follow me, that is if you still trust me-
Lead on" cried Rochester, 81 believe
in you as in my,mother's purity. War
Eagle will come also" And he looked
10 ward the savage who had remained
silent during this rapid conversation,
and who now, nodding, followed the
White Fawn and our hero with rapid
strides.
A few steps brought the fugitive to
brook of running water, into which the
Indian girl quickly led the way. The
shouts had meantime, increased, but were
leaving the village, showing that the
trail had been struck and that the pur-
suit was begun.
After moving down the brook for
considerable distance, the chiefs daugh-
ter suddenly stepped on shelf OF bare
rock, and running rapidly along for the
space of hundred yards, drew aside
some brushes, disclosing the entrance of
a narrow cave.
Enter" she said, quickly. No one
knows of this refuge save myself and, as
our trail is lost, we can lie here safely
concealed
Rochester and his companion entered
az she spoke; and then, closing the bushes
she hurried after them. II
The cave was profoundly dark, but our
hero knew from the quick breathing OF
the Indian girl, that she was greatly az
itated. Nor was it without cause, for
the cries of the angry pursuers were fast
approaching. In a few minutes shouts
were heard, apparently directly over
head. answering back the wild whoops
from the other side of the stream. 1t
was clear from this that the trail had
been lost at the point where the Indian
girl had entered the brook, and that the
savages were beating the shore on either
side. to recover the traces OF the fugi-
tives.
The suspense was long intoleraDle,
for the young braves instead of hurrying
OIL ward, returned again and again, like
baffled hounds to the vicinity of the
caves mouth. until at last Rochester
began TO fear that the hiding place was
known to some of them, AMI that they
were searching for it. The chiefs
daughter began to dread similar result
tor unconsciously she crept closer to our
hero's side, laying her hand timidly on
his arm as if appealing for protection,
her woman's nature of the time triuph-
ing over the heroism to which she had
nerved herself during the earlier part of
the pursuit.
The veins of Rochester thrilled at that
gentle touch; and Selling the soft, warm
little hand, he pressed it to his heart.
1t WAS done without thought, nor could
he have helped it if his life had paid the
forfeit but the Indian girl started like
a frightened dove, withdrew her hand
from his. and noislessly moved to the
other side of the cavern.
At last the sounds of pursuit died
wholly away. AS yet the cave was I'M
discovered.
Had we not better pursue our jour
ney now?" said Rochester, addressing
the old chief.
No. no' eagerly interrupted the In
dian maid. My white brother will be
sure to lsIl in with some of my fathers
warriors. We must wait here till the
sun comes and goes; but then, and not
till Their. will it be safe for us to pursue
our journey"
The White Fawn speaks like 8 sage
warrior, not like giddy squsw," an
swered War Eagle interrupting the eI-
clamstion that was on Rochester's lips.
III We go forth now. our trail will be
certain 70 be discovered; but if We wait
till tomorrow night. by which time the
hunt will be abandoned, we may escape .
But what if We are discovered in the
meantime? They may burn US out like
foxes in hole" SAID Rochester, impetu.
ouslv. IL don't care tor myself, but
only for the White Fawn; and Id rather
be roasted 10 death dozen times than
that hair of her head should come to
harm. If We leave the cave now, she
can get back in safety to the village; and
that is the great point after al.
My brothers heart Is good, but he
knows not of what he speaks. The
White Fawn has been missed before this
and it Is more dangerous for her to re-
turn than to 90 on. We must stay here.
And when we go she must accompany
lis But War Eagle will make her bis