Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-09-21
Au 0rigiual Starg.
LOST AND FOUND !;
THE WHITE FAWN OF THE FOREST.
BY MRS. HENRY DEAs.
CHAPTER XVI.

Arthur hearo notninG. lis nearWS was
not as keen as that of Manitara, sharpened
by long usage and experience; but obedient
to her behest, he flew to his horse, and in an
other moment they were both in the saddle
again, and on. their way.
They had not rested more than half an
hour; but still the strength Of the much-endu-
ring animal that carried them was some
what recruited. He was a gallant chestnut,
feet and well-trained, and albeit now fatigued
by hard running. and not accustomed to a
double burden, he, set himself conscientious
", if not with positive ardor, to the task be-
fore him. Arthur was afraid to urge him too
strenuously, but kept him at good steady
gait, which could be quickened if occasion re-
quired, hoping that the distance which must
lie between their pursuers and themselves
since as yet he could not see or hear anything
of the former-might ensure their getting
safely away from them without exertions of q
too violent nature. Had Manitara been sep
arately mounted, their chances, Of course,
would have been far better, and in that case
he would have felt no fear; but he could not
entirely Danish the apprehension that selims
strength misht prove unequal to the unwont-
ed strain upon it, and fail them, perhaps, just
at the most critical time. t..
It was no time, however, to indulge in USE
less fears Hecould only hope for the success
of his endeavors, and trust that if the worst
should come to the worst, and they were over
taken, Joe, on finding who was his rival,
might be content to yield up his claim to the
pretty fugitive, without undue opposition.
Personally, he did not fear the Indian-would
not have feared him, even with the probabili-
ty Of hand-to-hand encounter with him be-
fore his eyes, for he had all the rashness, as
we'll as the courage, of youth, and enough
confidence in his own prowess to believe him
self match for anybody, in point Of skill, if
pot Of strength. But he did fear to think of
Ms5itara falling again istte the hands Of this
enamoured giant, whose resolute temper, he
we'll knew, would not be likely to stop short
ofianything that would farther the accom-
plishment of his wishes and this catastrophe,
ifoverpowered himself, he would be unable to
prevent.
i He began to look oct anxiously for signs OF
their approach to the valley. The road, for
some miles, was an unbroken stretch of sandy
ground, and between this long sandy stretch
and the entrance to the valley, was one mar
row rocky ledge, extending perhaps for three.
quarters Of mile, running sharp along the
brink Of tolefably deep chasm, with high
wall of rock on the other hand. 1t was not
pleasant riding on dark night, nor under the
pressure of any perilous circumstances. Two
horses could rarely run abreast there, and it
flashed into Arthur's mind that their danger
would not be triAing, if the Indian, in venge-
full mood, should chance to come up with them,
just as they were covering this particular por-
tion of their route.
4. Hitherto he had cast frequent backward
glances, and lent his ear, in vain, to discover
some token of the pursuit Of which his com:
panion had assured him. But suddenly a
haifoo, distant but unmistakable, rang out
family behind them; and now casting anoth-
er hasty look over his shoulder, he saw at the
farthest visible point of the road they had
Just traversed little cloud of dust, encom-
passing moving shape, which could be none
other than that of Panther Joe. He it was,
indeed, and drawing momentarily nearer to
them. Mounted on powerful black horse,
swift of speed and accustomed to long hours
of rapid travel, it was no wonder that he
gained on the weary Selim, who began to show
alarming signs of fatigue and distress.
The rocky pathway along tha chasms
brink was now only short distance before
them; but once past that, Arthur felt that
he would be safe.
Twilight had begun to fall, and already
the light evening mist was rising from the
valley below and wreathing the mountains
with gauzy veil. Would darkness encom-
pass them before the danger was over, thus
adding to the difficulties in their way3
"For heavens sake, Manitara," said Ar
thur, in some agitation, "hold fast around me,
as we go over this road. Suppose you were
to be thrown Off"
II thrown ?" repeated Manitara, with a
light laugh. mo fear o. that-do not heed
me am quite SAFE" She flung back the
long braids of her hair with one hand, and
gazed around her with sparkling eyes. Ex'
citement had brought vivid glow to her
cheeks, and an exultant smile lit up her
countenance. She was in her element. All
the pulses of her frame vibrated in joyous
response to the rapidity of motion, tie keen
ness of the cool evening air, as they cleft it
with the swiftness of rushing wings. She was
stranger to fear, and to her this headlong
race was exhilerating and delightful, and
ftaught with no atom of terror or dismay.
Selim's hoofs went elattering over the steep
ledge, in what seemed to be frightful proximi'
~ to the sharp brink. Nearly exhausted
though he was, the plucky animal appeared
resolved to strain every nerve to accomplish
his riders will. But alas nearer and nearer
came the epursuer on his big black steed, every
minute lessening the distance between them
So near was he by the time they had skirted
about half Of the ravine, that they could hear
him quite plainly, as be shouted forth chal'
lenee3 in ssentorian tones gss..;.
Halt, therel halt, or I'll send bullet
through you'll You sneak l-you thiefp
HE won't dare to frs,'' said Manitara
aHsd be afraid Of hurting me-" She twined