The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1878-08-29
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yea, Anne. Toe scouts report iresh signs
ia lbe uelghborhood. Some Of the bealhens
may Be ouglAying on tie wsich FOR scalps
or raptires,
No, ihauk you. For . month we've
been prisoners 10 the borough to-day We
will breathe the air Of freedom, though
Simon Girty himself be lurking around
Come, Jessie, and laughing merrily 81 The
borderer's sbsdowed oounienanee, The
two maldeus FASTENED away from the
gate,
IL Vas late 10 the sumner Of l77s.
Less tbAn one week before, Boonesbor-
ough bad been surrounded by hundreds
Of bloOd.thirEly Eayages under Blaekhsh
aud Captain DuQaesne. sinbbornly re.
sisted the ShAwauese lifted the siege aud
retreAled. Yet what was more likely
than that some saysges might still be
lowering near, hoping TO partly ayenge
the death Of their two score comrades
whose life ended before the FIRE breathing
rifles Of the besleged.
Henry Smith watched the young wo.
men until the neighboring forest shut
them from bis view; aud then he turned
away with Sigh Had bis love been
less strong he might have followed them
and thus saved much toll aud suffering.
But Anne Medwsy was a bit of CO.
quette, and just now she frowned on the
suitlof the gallant Virginian, For nearly
year Smith had been paying his court,
and never did mischievous mai len more
assiduously exert her power than Anne.
In ber hands Smith was toy. Yet, in
bis native state, be bad gained name
for daring, courage aud skill--ri sing TO
the post OF major. But James Midway
migrated TO Kentucky, taking with him
his family. Aud six months later Major
Smith followed him, TO renew his suit.
He became favorile with Daniel Boone,
and during the great pioneers frequent
excursions, Smith was left in charge OF
the settlement.
Anne and Jessie strolled idly along the
bank Of the beautiful river, plucking
flowers or casting sticks aud bits of bark
into the rapid current, acting like chill
dren just freed from school. The warn
ing words OF the young ranger were for
gotten--the settlement was LETT far be-
bind them.
Look, Anne cancel suddenly cried
Jessie Moss, pointing TO where the stern
of a bark canoe protruded from clump
of bushes.
1t belongs to one OF the hunters, no
doubt. Come, It's early yet. Hammand's
cabin is nearly opposite. Suppose we
surprise Lucy?
But the current is SO swift, demurred
Lucy.
Nonsensel I've not forgotten how TO
paddle. Come, III be lerrywoman. Step
In. Careiul-that's IL. Now of we go !
Laughing merrily, Anne pushed the
irail craft from the shore, and seized the
paddle. But she had underestimsted the
force of the current. The bark danced
restlessly, and Anne found ii hard 10
manage. Twice the canoe whired quite
around, but as often resumed its course,
for now, fairly alarmed, the maidens
piled their paddles with all their strength
and skill.
Pail, Anne--pulll gasped Jessie, The
snagl
Just below them the waters were brok.
en- by jagged sawyer, that half the time
was quite hidden from view. The cur.
rent was fast sweeping their boat upon
this obstacle. For moment it looked as
though their efforts would succeed, but
then n paddle broke, almost casting Anne
overheard.
The canoe whired around, dancing un'
easily. Then the swift current dashed II
upon the snag. The bark gave way like
an egg shell, and with cries OF terror, the
girls were cast into the water.
For a moment they struggled desper
ately, their shrieks half sli1ed by the
roaring waters Then Anne rose; tht
water scarce reac he'd her waist. They
were upon sand. bar that reached near
/ ly third of the way across the river
As this fact became plain, the terror OF
the girls changed to mirth; and there
they stood, each. laughing greedily at The
ludicrons figure made by the other in hef
wet, clinging garments. Jesting over
their adventure, they struggled through
/ tie shallow water, al unconscious of The
gIoating gaze fastened upon Them irom
the bush.iringed shore.
| II the Hammonds should not be al
home we'd be Ia pretty
/ A number of dusky, paint-bedaubeC
figures sprsng through the bushes, anC
seized upon the girls. Their shriekt
were quickly stined. Choked into silence
half fsinting, they sank helpless into the
arms OF their eAptors, who immediatel,
plunged into the forest.
II was nearly sunset before the prolong
4 ed absence OF the maidens excited alarm
at the settlement. Then bis heart beat
ing wildly, Smith took up the trail ant
followed IL until lost BY the water. Th'
canoe had left ils trace--the truth wal
easily read. Ten minutes later the trai
bunters were searching the opposit,
shore, aud thea the terrible truth wa
known.
The moist sand still retained the i'm
i prints OF the mAidens' eet--but besidI
them were Others, deeper, broader, ,-ih'
trace Of moecasIned feet. With a groat
Smith sank TO the ground. The blow
seemed to paralyze all his energy. Bu
not 80 with the other boarderers. BY thl