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

without resting, taking southeaslerIy
directions when darkness SGT IN they
4 halted and arranged their camp for the
night, but did not dare to strike fire,
fearing the propinquity Of hostile In
dams. A little jerked venison, which
they carried for such emergencies, was
4 their frugal supper and then they lay
down to sleep, intending when the moon
rose, to prosecute their journey again.
1t seemed to Rochester that be had
Just fell into slumber, when ne was sud-
denly aroused by finding his arms pin.
toned in hostile grasp. He was awake
in an instant, and would have sprung
to his feet if the person or persons who
held him had not kept him down. He
struggled desperately for moment, but
IN vain, and was finally forced TO sink
back, when his captors, for there were
two, proceeded to tie his hands behind
him with green withes.
He now, for the first time, looked
round him. A little space off he saw
War Eagle.in the same plight as himself.
But insttad OF the angry, flushed look
of Rochester, the face OF Delaware wore
an expression of imperturbable cain.
They have stolen on US unheard, we
slept so soundly," reflected Rochester.
"Not very Asttering to US, who thought
ourselves such good backwoodsmen. l
suppose The bloody demons intend to
burn US at the stake, else they would
have taken our scslps while asleep. The
redskins too, are ofthe same tribe as the
lovely girl-cursed witch should rath-
er call her, for she betrayed u.s.. but nol
/ will never believe it-she is too inno-
cent and true for thst-it's fate, / sup
pose or pre-ordinafion as my old father,
God bless him, used to say. At any
rate, if the worst comes 10 the worst.
thee red demons shall find that white
man can die as bravely rs one of them
selves.
While these not very comfortable re-
Elections were being made, the Indians,
who appeared to be about twenty in
number, had pinioned their two captives,
and now by words and signs, intimated
to the prisoners that they were to re-
trace their steps. Accordingly in few
moments, Rochester and War Eagle were
threading the mazes of the forest IN the
centre of their csptors, some going before
in single file and others following in
the same manner.
Four days of severe travelling brought
the band to the vicinity of what Roch-
ester supposed to be their native village,
for halt was ordered and, alter consul
tation the savages proceeded to paint
himself and companion partially black.
This, he knew was sign that they were
to die, and he began to prepare himself
mentally, for the approaching torture.
This ceremony being concluded, the
march was resumed, and in few min
utes, our hero's expectation that the vii
lsse was near was realized, for suddenly
as If q troop of demons had been let
loose the air was filled with shouts, and
instsntaneously the woods, all around
appeared alive with women, boys and
children, who, having been spprlsed by
runners ofthe return OF the war party,
had come out to escort the prisoners in.
| We will not tire our readers with
narrative of the scene that ensued. The
prisoners endured the Outfetings and
other indignities with which they were
greeted, the one with savage stOicism,
| the other with Christian heroism. It.
stead of beng led Immediately to the
stake, however, their sentence was defer
red until the morrow. 1t seems that al
ether party was expected during the
night, and the cruel sacrafce was de-
layed in order that the new corners
might participate in it.
Meantime, after the women and chill.
dren of the camp had got tired gazing at
and insulting Rochester and War Eagle,
the two captives, bound hand and foot,
were left in a wigwam in the centre OF
the village, to find solace, if they could IN
slumber. As on additional. precaution,
however, several braves watched about
the door.
Till nearly midnight Rochester lay in
silence. The reprieve for the night
would have been unwelcome, but it
affor ded him time to prepare for death;
for he was too sensible OF his comb lon
to indulge in hope OF escape He had
spent several hours in meditation and
prayer, when, turning to his companion,
he said, in whisper
"Are YOU awake, War Eagle?
UGH" answered the chief, in gut
tural tones. What would my brother
have"
Il would ask your forgiveness, Della
ware, for haviog brought you into this
strait. Had l taken your advice, per-
haps | should not have been captured.
But vet | could not but do so again"
continued Rochester. as if reasoning
with himself Murder woman New
erI'
To this hurst, the chief replied by
coolly saying:
The White Fawn is in the village,
for | saw her, SO there can be. no doubt
of her treschery. But my brother knows
best
Rochester answered only with groan.
Not having himself seen the Indian girl,
he had persuaded himself she was absent,
and that accidetn, not treachery. had led
TO his arrest and that of his companion.
But this evidence was conclusive. For
since the White Fawn WAS really present
in camp, yet made no lntercesslon for
them. II was plain that she had been
false TO her promise.
Are you quite sure, DelawareT said
Rochester. at last. c!inging. with strange
tenacity, TO his desire of excu!pstlng the
Indian girl. Haven't you ccntounded
some other person with herr"
The War Eagle has keen eye, and
the White Fswn's step is not to be mis-
taken" replied the chief. Tomorrow
my brother will sec her, perhaps she will
light his pile
Again Gus hero groaned and then burst
forth:
Now may God forgive me and
curse"
But hare hand was suddenly laid on
his mouth, so that he could not proceed,
and Immediately low, sweet voice whls-
pered. "Hist-lle still will cut your
bands" and, even as it spoke, the withes
parted, and Rochester ie.t both arms
and hands free.
He would have sprung at once to his
zoo, hat thu Gonna paptlp hand held him