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


to the light, all doubt vanished-it was the
Captive Bride, seated apart from ber captors,
with her face buried in her hands. Could
she have known whose eyes were at that
moment straining their gaze upon her, how
different must have been her emotions.
Edgar grasped his rifo and knife with
fierce energy, which threatened the suicide
of an immediate attack. But he coon re.
covered his calmness, and set coolly about
making thorough examination of the po-
sltion, and calculating the chances of res
cue.
The place had been well chosen for con-
cealment. 1t was circular AREA, inclosed
ssoass e q s'ssa ssa n sss
more than an acre in extent. 1t was; in
deed, sort of basin among the hills; and
it was the volume of water, collected here
into ono stream, that had cut out the ravine
along which Edgar was advancing. 1t was
dry now, however, and the grass, which in
this country everywhere follows the rains of,
spring, was growing luxuriantly beneath
the shelter of large oak and hickory trees.
Of these there was little clump or grove
in the northern arm Of the area; and it was
just within the edge of this that the fire
was kindled. From that side an experienced
scout might have approached within few
PAGES unobserved but what could one man
do against twenty? All that ha could now
effect, Edgar thought, was to watch the
movements Of his enemies, and take advan-
tage OF whatever opportunity might offer
or, it none should present itself, as was
most probable. patiently To auai. tho arri-
val OF his men.
Aud now harassing reflection occurred:
What if White should not meet them, or
they should miss the way? He would lose
the benefit of all the diligence he had used,
aud having success and rescue almost with.
In his grasp, would have the misfortune to
see them glide out of his power Here,
within few rods of him-buried, perhaps,
in thought of him-sat the captive, snatched
almost literally from his side at the altar
and, though she might have heard his voice,
he dared not raise it-though he might
reach her side in one minute, he dared not
advance! His rife might do him service
for, even at that distance, his unerring skill
would have disabled an en- envy at every shot;
but he knew that, at the first discharge, the
pursued would become .pursuers, and all.
chance Of rescue would be at an end /! He
was sure, besides, that tho first motion of
the savages upon an attack would be the
murder Of their prisoner; and. bravo as he
was, he shuddered and shrank from the
thought. ~
While he stood in the shadow of tree.
harasscd by these reflections, a sudden
movement took place in the circle of sava-
ges. One, who seemed the chief, rose to
his feet, and the council broke up. The
warrior turned toward the captive, and, tax.
ing large blanket from the ground, spread
it at the foot of a tree, and beckoned her
to take it. He did this with so much more
courtesy than was usually displayed by In.
dians to their female prisoners, that Edgar's
blood tingled to the very ends Of his fn-
gers.
"The rcdskin dog designs her for his
wife, hs pgttafbbH pgttafbb ''
Jane rose quietly from her scat, and,
wrapping the blanket about her, lay down
upon the ground. The chief aud two
other warriors then placed themselves
near her, to prevent escape; the re-
mainder of the party spread their blan.
kets around the fire and, within few min
utes, all was as still within the family light
ed space, as if not living being breathed
between the rivers. The fire gradually
burnt down to bed of Goals as the fame
went out the shadows crept closer and clos
er to the dusky group; and so still was the
night that, on stealing little nearer, Ed
gar could plainly hear the heavy breathing
OF the tired sleepers.
Still hearer and nearer he slowly crept,
though with no definite design or plan of
action. The bride who had been snatched
almost from his arms, was within that cir.
cie-and this gave it a fascination not to
be resisted. He was now upon the bank,
which sloped gently down to the level of the
ot0ondc; and here narrow, sandy path
wound round the jutting points, and led di.
rectly toward the smouldering fire. Almost
without an effort of the Withdrawn by the
charm of her presence--he stepped upon
the nolselcss sand. He commenced the de.
scent-issued from the shadow of a little
ridGe-was, for moment, in full view of
the whole party-passed on again into the
shadows, and stood within twenty feet of
the object Of his search.
The light from the dying fire PLAYED fit.
fully upon James face, and smile, serene
as in her bappiest moments, gave meaning
to the fitting shadows. Beside her. mo.
tionless as fallen statutes, lay the stern, i'm
passive forms Of her oaptors; but Edgar
tnn kNA Ali La -