Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1878-12-25

I
| ", Smith took up the trail and
followed it until lost by the water
The canoe had left its trace-the
truth was easy read. Ten minutes
later the trail-hunters were search
ing the opposite shore, and then the
terrible truth was known.
The moist sand still retained the
imprints of the maidens' feet-but
beside them were others, deeper,
broader-the trace Of moccassined
feet. With a groan Smith sank to
the ground. The blow seemed to
paralyse all his enegry. But not
so with other borderers. BY the
dying light they bad scanned the
trail, reading it as one reads
the page of a printed book.
The captors were five in number
probably some Of the army that
had recently besieged Boone
borough, lurking behind to pick
up stragglers. The girls had been
carried away in the arms of the
savages, for their footprints were
no longer to be found, nor any
trace of blood to tell of violence.
That was long, weary night to
the bereaved ones, especially to
Smith. Nothing could he done I'M
til daylight, while they knew that
every moment was adding to the
start gained by the abductors.
With the first glimmer of dawn
the trail was taken up by Smith
and three comrades. More could
not be spared from the settlement.
All that day they followed it without
pause or rest. Alright, when dark
ness put a stop to their labors,
Smith lay down, but could not
sleep. His heart was sore with
thoughts of his loved ones suffer
ings. That these had been great,
that day had told him. The saw
ages had travelled at a rapid rate,
forcing the captives to keep pace
with them. Their shoes were cut
and torn by the sharp rocks and
roots. At times blood traces show
ed where they had passed. And
yet Smith knew that they felt con-
fident friends were working for
their freedom. The trail was marked
by occasional broken twigs, or bits
of cloth that had eluded the eyes
of the savages. Even in the midst
of his misery, the young ranger
felt a peculiar pride in the courage
and GOODNESS of the one he so dear
ly loved, who could so cunningly
deceive the foe, while aiding the
pursuer.
He was correct in his guess.
Anne left the sign for guidance.
One Of the savages, while goading
her on with a pointed stick,
promised to make amends for her
suffering by making her his squaw
as soon as the village was gained.
Instead of crushing her spirits,
the threats aroused the maiden
She broke twigs as she passed
along, delaying the party as much
as possible by her tagging and
laundering footsteps.
At dawn the borderer again start
ed forward, bat the past night had
greatly composed Smith, and he
was once more the cool, keen
witted scout. Through the fore
noon he had carefully noted the
course pursued by the Sawanese.
He began to fear that they would
reach their village before being
overtaken, and urged on by this
dread he resolved upon desper-
ate course.
Should the same course be held, !
he knew the Indians must cross
the next stream at a certain pass,
it being the only ford for miles.
By making direct for this point,
without passing to spell out the
trail, much valuable time might be
gained, and as the last hope the
settlers resolved to attempt it.
The pass was reached, and to
their great JOY the trail was found.
The rocks in the stream were still
wet with the water splashed up
by the passage. The savages could
not be far distant now.
"Loolx A smoke :" suddenly
muttered Grafton.
await here. I'll 60 forward and
reconnoiter," whispered Smith.
Scarce two hundred yards he
crawled then paused, peering ont
upon the camp of the savages.
They were eating. Annie and Jes-
sic sat near them, their hands
bound, and their feet free. Sud-
denly, one Of the sayages arose and
strobe to Anne's side, Offering her
some food. AS she refused it he
struck her. That was his last in
suit. The scouts rifle was raised
and spoke, and the Indian, with a
shrill death yell, fell to the ground,
shot through the brain.
The other Indians seized their
weapons. Smith sprang forward.
The maidens uttered cries of Joy
and rushed to meet their friends.
The Indians leveled their rifles.
Smith rushed upon them with club
bed rifle. His rihebutt crushed
one Indian to the ground, dashing
out his brains. Then-crack-
crack-crack I three rifles spoke,
and three indians fell, dead and dy-
ing. The long trail was ended.
The little party reached Boone