Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1878-08-08

snort ttstaode from his homo, he heard a
wild piercing shriak; ha could guess that
something terrible must bo taking placo
beyond the screen Of bushes and leaves.
Uttering a loud shout that his presence
might sOoner be made known, Branson
sprang forward with the leaps Of wounded
buck q great fear at his heart, but he had
only too clearly recognized in that scream,
the ogonized voice Of his vito. It took but
moment for him to near Tho intervening
timber aud undergrowth, and ss be dashed
out into the clearing, holding his rife ready
for instant use, ho oomprohended in one
swift glance, oil that had taken. place and
what was further.
& Near the end of tho cabin, facing the
cliffs Of which ] have spoken stood the
motlsr, her face as white as tho dead, her
arms out stretched, and hor Stirring oyes
liked upon tho prceipitous. height up which
tho form of an Indian warrior was strug-
Cling. s'ls a.$
"My child, my ohild!" was all the womal,
said, and tbep Rufus Branson saw that 4
bundle borno in tho Indians arms was o
form of their only child, littlo Maggio.
Firm Of heart, and with norves as ct uady
as the rocks around, the father for a mo.
mont actually quailcd aud covered undor
what his quick sense told him was tho
deadly poril of tho littlo one.
But he was quick to recover.
The ludiau was drawing away; step, by
step he was increasing the distance, and as
he occasionally glanced backward, tho
parents saw in his hideously painted oouu-
tenance, tho fell purpose that aotuatcd the
abduction.
"God and mcW Branson muttered as bo
raised his rifle, glanced through the sights,
and touched the trigger.
The Indian started violently at tho shot
Ho was hit, but not badly, and with
yell of deyilish triumph, ho passed upward
"Two low by couple of inohes," said
low, calm voice, at tho settlers elbow.
Branson started as though he himself had
been shot. i @
Where has that man come from? Who is
hel Neither had seen him approach. Il
But there was no time for explanation.
The stranger, u man rather below than above
tho ordinary height, whose Gue, athletic
form was fully displayed by his closely
ttting buokekin garments, stepped forward
few PAGES and grimly planting his left
loot In advance, threw up an unusually long
rifle as though preparing to fro.
"For Gods sake, stranger, be careful of
my ohild!' cried I'runsou, whi!o the
agonized mother muttercd IN inaudible
prayer.
It's our ouly ohaDoc. I know that In
dian" was the quick reply, and the sharp
ollok OF the hammer us it was drawn back,
told that the critical moment had come.
By this timo tho Indian had nearly
repched tho aummit of the stcop That he
was wounded now became evident, as upon
a broad lodge of rock he rested moment.
The opportunity was seized by the un--
known.
Although the savage had taken tho pre-
eceution to hold tho child up in front of
himself as shield, covering nearly tho
whole of bis brawny chest, but leaving his
head uncovered, tho stranger did not hesi-
tate in making the shot. For one second,
as it gained its position, the rifle waved,
and then instantly became as immovable as
though held by o wise. With claspcd hands
and straining eyes the parents watched that
statue like form upon whose skill so much
depended. 2lS
Suddenly sharp report rang out, tho
white smoke driftcd away, and as the vision
became clear, they saw the savage loose his
hold upon the Child, reel wildly for an in
stant, and then pitch forward upon the
rocks. 1t may be imagined that the father
was not long in reaching the place whore
the child lay, and in few moments more
the little ono was in tho mothers arms.
'Icll us who you are that we know what
name to minglc with our prayers, said the
mother, as the stranger prepared to depart.
""My name is Daniel Boone" no said-
and waa gone.