The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1879-05-16
NUMBER 20.

blanket, and placed it behind the Saddle
Lifting Jane 10 this inpronptu pillion, ho
threw himself into his seat, and turned hi,
horses head toward home.
"What is that p Jane exclaimed
Floating up the ravinc came a PROLONGED
warwhoop, ringing among the trees and
dying away in echoes along the ridges.
They have discovered your escape" Ed.
gar said.
He waited to hear no more, but reca;n;no
the dividing ridge, set off at a swift n,cs
toward the south. The order wac "nS ro,.paes paos
the chased were now the pursucrs-and
speed alone could decide the race. Edgar
rodo powerful horse, who had borne him
safely through many "a fight a, we'll a,
march; but the double weight he was now
carrying, the journey he had made, and
the efforts still expected of him, forbade
the idea of rapid travelling. Yet the blood.
hounds were upon his trick and at the
dawn of day, now scarcely an hour distant.
Edgar knew that they would sweep down
upon him like the wind. Escape seemed
as difficult as before the rescue.
Yet the Ranger was not cast down and
the strong hearted pioneers daughter gave
little thought to danger AS in all women
OF her class, excitement only evolved her
energies; and she talked with sort Of
cheerful elation, as if the perils were already
| passed, and homo once moro recaiucd-
Edgar was far from being so much at his
case; but he had never known fear. and.
save on account of the loved one. whose
arms encrcled his waist, he would rotbcr.
have made his dispositions for battle than
| Cor -AiEht. '''".'
His only hope was that the Indians might.
DC delayed in searching the woods around
their encampment until he could gain n
sufficient start; and this hope vanished aI.-
most as soon as formed. They had scarcely
ridden three miles, when tho thunder of
many hoofs came rolling down the ridpe--.
The enemy wcrein full chase, scarcely mile,
behind.
I'VE must try the virtue of speed" said
Edgar dashing his spurs into his horses
TANKS, he sprang away at rate which pnve
promise of soon distancing the pursuers..
Their footsteps soon died away in the dis.
tance and. could he have kept up the paca.
at which he started, the captain honed bc
might reach the river Before being over.
taken. But at the end Of a few minutes.
nc was forced to draw his rein. The ridge,
had grown so narrow, that the ravincs on
either hand intersected each other, and
broke it into steep and dangerous gorges.-
At the first of these his horse came to n dead
halt, and neither voice nor spur could force
him forward. Edgar sprapg to the ground,
and looking over tho precidice, shuddered
at the leap he had been endeavcring to take.
"A hollow, whose bottom he could not see,
cut directly across his path, and extended
both to the right and left farther than his
eye could penetrate.
They are coming, John r' exclaimed
Jane, !springing to the ground and he had
scarcely time to lead his horse few Yards
to the left when twelve or fifteen Indians
dashed furiously up, and, like him, came
to sudden halt. He could plainly see tho
dusky outlines of their forms. riding b.ol.
unu forward, searching for a crossinS 'He
drew Jane, whose white dress might be,ray
them, behind a tree, and breathlessIv avoite3
their motions. At word from the chief
they all turned directly toward him. He
seized Janc by the arm, and droppibp his
horses rein, srrang down the precipiitous
bank. A fearful yell from the pursuers
toid MN that nc was seen and a rush and
scramble, regardless of the crumbline
bank, brought them almost upon him.
"Run, Jane! Down the rayiue-run p,
he exclaimed, and bringing his rifle up, tho
foremost warrior fell to the ground, pierced
through the head. Another veil. moro
fearful than the first, heralded a wild snr;nc
upon him. But the ranger was more agile
than any savage; with one bound he gained
tree, and before they had recovered from
their confusion, his rife was reloaded
Slowly he began to climb the bank-but hi,
hrst movement was observed, and again thew
rushed toward him. He turned and fred
his last shot-another savage rolled groan.
ing down the bank But the odds were
too great. His enemies were to near
TO allow his again charging his gun, and
an attempt to retreat up the steep ascent
would be instant death. He gave him.
self up tor lost-but, drawing his knife,
resolved to die fighting to the hast.
| The click Of rife lock directly behind
him caught his attention, and the next
moment vol)oy of balls whistled over his
head. A rush down the bank Immediately
followed The company Of rangers, led on
by White, had. arrived in time to save their
captain. The savages, taken by surprise.
were unable to make u stand ; for with them
as among all undisciplined met, a panio wa,
erremediable. Edgar Joined his men, and
assumed the command, pushing the charge
directly home unor tho o<oc,,.sl -