Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1876-04-06
"A Texas Story.
CHAPTER III.


! renew it in the morning.
With saddened hearts the trio retrace
their way home, with the one agonizin
thought, what has become of Helen?'
They reached the cottage and sat fo
some time considering how to act. Al
thur was almost frantic with grief IN
refused to be consoled.
Next morning Nr. Morton thought
best that Ned should take Arthur to tn
nearest house aud if possible engage som
one else to accompany them in thei
search. Ned started on this errand Jus
as Aurora was lesinning to sip the dew
Of morn.
When he returned he was in compan,
with six or seven others, who were noteC
for their bravery aud who seemed anxious
for ali Indian chase. In a short time th,
search began in earnest. They peeret
luto evey clump Of bushes aud gazed
over the prairie with the hope of seeing
even trace of the lost one, but in thi,
they were disappointed. They stopped
at II o'clock to take some refreshmcnt,
which they had brought with them
After eating and letting their horses
Craze on the long prairie grass for short
time, they again started forward. But
after riding for sometime they at las,
concluded that they we're on the wrong
trail, and started in different direction.
After the expiration of an hour or two
they soon saw that their search would
prove fruitless for that day at least, for
already the sun was declining in the
vast. They he1t thought Of finding q
suitable place to pass the night. Late
in the evening they came to clump of
of bushes: here they alightsd. They
kindled fire and prepared some game
for supper which they had shot during
the day. After this they spread down
their shawls and were soon sleeping
soundly, all except Mr.. Morton who lay
awake the greater part Of the night think
ing Of his loved one.
AT day>break they prepared hunidly
some breakfast, mounted their horses and
started on their search again.
After riding some distance they came
to dark .Ocd. This they entered, old
Ned and one of the brayest in the crowd
leading the way. Sometimes their prog.
ress wonld almost be impeded by the
low shrubby brush wbloh was abunda ut.
AS they were riding slowly along they
espied a small hut covered with skins
and bark. Ned was the first to see il and
directed the attention of the rest to it.
See here boys you'd jist better have
your gun, reaGy or the fust thing you
know. Mr.. Redskins will have you."
Ned had scarcely finished bis warning
sentence before they espied the figure Of
an Indian stealing cautiously out Of the
wigwam. but on seeing them he turned
back quickly ond went into the hut.
Now thought they, we're in for fight"
They pushed forward and were soon in
front of the door. BY this time the
Indian they had FIRST espicd, had given
the alarm to the inmates. Ono of the
party hallooed, and the door was opened
by an Indian.
"Havo you seed anything Of a white
girl round in these parts said Ned.
"Here am Ned do come and release
me" Said voice inside. Just then
enc Of the Indians raised bis tomahawk
over the bead of the lovely Helen and
swore that if she uttered another word he
would kill her right there. But the
voice was too familiar not to be recop.
nizcd by Ned and Mr.. Morton. In an
instant they were all Of their horses, aud
demanded Of them to release her. This
one Of the Indians declared be would not
do. and swore he would shoot the first one
who attempted TO enter. One of the
party at this iusolent speech leveled bis
gun at his head and fred. The shot
proved fatal and the Indian staggered
and fell. At this the rest of the party
made rush into the hut and soon q
combat ensued in which two more of the
Indians fell, and the other being wound.
ed was ready to yield. In a few mos
men father and daughter we're clasped
in each others arms, with tears Of graft
tude and thankfuness running down their
cheeks.
The little party soon made ready to
start back taking With them the beautiful
Helen and three Indian scalps besides.
Ii.