The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-04-02
ROSE CLAVERING.
Or a Leap For Life.

"And where does this fair lily of the
Black Hills resides Dick?"
'About an hours gallop from our camp
here, leftinint. Shs is with her father
queer old stick by the name of Claver-
ing. He keeps by himself, and am
Altered he will yet come to harm. The
cursed Sioux are about, and Rose would
be fine prize for some daring brave. 1t
is said that the old man has dug piles of
gold. He may have made his pile, or
may not, but his darter-she's purifier
than prairie flower bending afore the
mornin' breeze when sparklin' with dew
"Bravo, my old scout! You have poetry
and the love Of the beautiful in your
soul if you have never seen the inside of
a schoolhouse.'
''It's leetle book larnin' have picked
up, leftinint But the works of nature
and the handiwork Of God I love-" and
the old man removed his SLOUGH hat for
moment, exposing his gray locks, as he
allowed the light breeze to fan his broad
brow.
'Dick, what do you say if we gallop
down to the camping spot of your friend.
You have excited my curiosity regarding
this mysterious beauty. will tell the
sergeant to look out during my absence,
and he is fully competent to manage
fifty men. We have been stationed here
in The hills for over six weeks. am
tired, and must have a little recreation"
"You may git more than you bargain
for. There's Injun signs about, and
there's no tellin' what moment you NAV
run into Sioux camp among these infer
pal hills"
swell, We'll take our chances. We are
both we'll armed"
A sharp gallop of an hour brought the
army officer and his companion to the
banks of small stream, and riding up to
a group of stately trees, the scout reined
up with sharp cry of establishment and
alarm.
The tent of the solitary miner had dis.
appeared. NaSght remained but smok-
ing ruins, and the unmistakable evidence
of a desperate struggle having taken
place.
Dismounting, the scout carefully went
over the ground, while the officer watched
him with al face expressive of sternness
and desire for vengence. ..
''There's only nine of 'em. But bark,
there was groan. lift should be Rose?'
and rushing toward ciump OF grass, the
scout beheld the tall, gaunt form of a
miner, from whose gaping wounds the
life blood was rapidly oozing. "Claver-
ing, poor fellow! has it come to this? ]
was Altered of it, and my words have
come true"
my time is short. l would speak Of
my daughter. The Sioux have captured
her. The young chief of war party
tore her from my arms and dealt me my
death blow. But who is that with you
my eyes are growing dlm2"
1T is Lieutenant Paul WEIGH, of thu
cavalry" -
"Your hand, sir. Men of your profes
sion are gentlemen. once occupied tn
position of one myself. I have pack
age in my breast pocket that will explain
all. If you recover my daughter give
to her, otherwise burn it as it is. It Cal
interest no third party"
He was rapidly growing weaker, tn
eve was fixed, and the hoarse voice fa]
tered:
'sChase the Sioux, recover poor Ros'
She is lady, he muttered, then with a
effort he reused himself. II have gol
for her--look--great rock, cross, flu
moon, shadow-dig" -and with rattl
a terrible gasp, and the stout hea
ceased to beat. IL
Possessing himself of the package, Il
officer briefly penciled the vague and III
satisfactory words Of the dying man o
the back. It might have been the wa
derings Of mind unsettled by the ne
approach of death, but he was determi
ed to investigate the matter whenever {
opportunity should occur.
'Now for work, Dick. Well bury pc
Clavering, then follow on the trail
these red fends, and Rose shall eth
be rescued or avenged"
Mounting their horses the two sad
turned away, sallying forth upon t
dark and silent prairie. ~ vi .
Suddenly the scout halted, and
hand pressed the arm OF his superior wi
a nervous clutch.
"Look there, lieutenant. Do you KIN,
what that means?"
Just under the horizon faint glow
light was perceptible, above which hu
black threatening cloud, which rap
ly spread over the heavens. Gradua
the stars disappeared, while herds
wild mustangs, bufaloes and deer sw
furiously by.
Then it was the lieutenant realized
the danger he was in. The Sioux !
fred the dry grass from three differ
points, and with gigantic leaps the
lowy flames were rolling, Kissing /,
roaring toward them.
But old Dick had not been idle.
was too old and experienced an Inc
fighter to be outdone in this pecu
warfare Of the frontier.
Leaping from his horse, he strut
light and set fire to the prairie in
turn. Rapidly the flames spread, q
ing onward, sweeping everything il
path. Leading their horses forward
two men followed close upon the +
of the counter fire, while every mon
the number of half frantic animals
creased. ... .la@.
Stretching far awav in front anC