The Worthington advance., 1879-04-03
depths below,

An Indian encampment with q num-
Der of warriors departing upon some ex-
epedition was revealed to his impatient
gaze, and AZ they disappeared, brandish-
ing their long lahces ID the air, Paul de-
termined to have q nearer look at the
lodges. -. 80, = ~, .,..
Bringing into rreqdisition his some
what limited knowledge of woodcraft,
Paul cautiously wormed his way throug gh
the tall grass until he reached the spring
on the outskirts of the camp. It was
surrounded by thick growth of bushes,
from the midst of which he could OBJ
serve everything that trarspireds before
him. 49, .
"A number of warriors left tc guard the
camp lounged carelessly about, and Paul
was on the point of withdrawing to the
heights above, when he perceived a figure,
evidently that Of a woman, approaching
in his direction. :.
She carried calabash in her hand
walking slowly and deliberately, the
heart of the army officer beating with in
creased rapidity and excitement as Re
perceived that her costume was not that
Of Sioux squaw. !!
Looking over her shoulder, the woman
quickened her movements as she per-
ceived that number of warriors were
watching her. A shout, yell Of rage,
and the braves started in pursuit.
The fugitive, for euch she undoubtedly
was, Immediately dropped the calabash,
and sprang away with the switness. of an
antelope.
Paul noted the pale golden hair, beau
fugitive, who he made up his mind
could be no less than Rose, the 1arfamed
daughter IF the slaughtered miner.
There was little time to think, as the
fair fugitive sped rapidly along, her long
hair streaming in the wind, and the war
riors in close pursuit.
Swift though she was, the foremost
warrior had all but overtaken her rs she
reached the opposite side of the spring,
and he was in the act of hurting his lance
as Paul leveled his revolver and fred.
The brave passed to the happy hunt
ing-grounds Of his people without a cry
but the shot had alarmed the camp, and
for few moments all was confusion.
Rose had uttered faint CRY as she
caught glimpse of Paul, but never re-
laxed her speed, while the army officer,
as he beheld the Indians mounting and
preparing tor fight, rapidly retreated
in hopes to find more advantageous
position where stand could be made.
He had but little hopes of saving his
life; the odds we're far too great; but if
he could cover the retreat of the girl who
evidently knew the country better than
he did, and enable her to reach q place
of safety, he would die satisfied.
His saber flashed in his right hand, Sc
curely fastened to his wrist by leather
strap, upon which he should depend after
exhausting the contents of the revolver.
He had reached one Of the ridges along
which ran fringe of bushes, when a low
familiar voice reached his ear:
"Kecp on, leftinint; don't turn your
head. We are here, sergeant and
all. The gal is safe. so--herc they
come."
On swooped the Sioux IN all the glory
OF their war paint AMI feathers. With
lances in rest, utteriDg shrill cries, they
rapidly closed in on Paul, when a sharp
word Of command, the flash of rifles, fol-
lowed by the riderlcss horses galloping
wildly to and fro, and all was over.
Charging upon the lodges, the soldiers
encountered the body of braves who had
turned back alarmed by the noise that
they had heard. A short, but sharp en-
gagement followed; the band was CON-
pletely broken up, lodges burned, after
which the troops prepared to bivouac
themselves and rest awhile on their
laurels.
Dick assumed full charge of Rose, who
the loss Of her father, and to
whose care Paul delivered the sealed
packet containing the secret Of the old
mirer.
By the titful blaze of the camp fire,
amid the solitude of the frowning Black
hills, Roger Clavering's true history was
at last revealed.
He had once been a wealthy and re-
spected merchant of Chicago, but
younger brother forged large amounts in
his name and fed, leaving him to face
the storm alone. The younger brother
had been his mothers pet, and on her
deathbcd Roger had promised to protect
and shield him. Nobly he redeemed the
word he had given. The brother came
out of the trial broken in fortune and
reputation, his wife dead, with naught
left him but the little wait of daughter.
With her he had removed to the far
West, beyond the pale of civilization,
pursuing the occupation of hunter and
Indian trader, peacefully gliding down
the stream Of life, watching his daughter
blooming into handsome, and bV no
means uncultivated woman. Then the
excitement of the Black Hills spread far
and wide, he followed in the tracks of
others and the sad finale has already
been told.
Dick then related how he had been
from the lieutenant, and know
ing the danger he incurred by scouting
over the prairie alone, he rejoined the
soldiers, starting on the trail of his su-
perior.
Everything was plain up to the very
verge Of the precipice, when it was evil
dent Paul had made the desperate leap.
Then Dick was in doubt whether his su-
perior was alive or not. But following
the course Of the river as forlorn hope,
they had fortunately reached the ambush
in time to save both Rose and Paul's
life.
Nothing now remained but to find the
treasure which C'avering had obtained at
such sacrifice, and many IN hour of
anxious thought had Paul expended on
the subject. There was but little to
guide him-a vague hint that might
mean nothing-still, for the sake of the
orphan, he persevered. "Great rock
cross-full moon-shadow--dig."
Rose was consulted, but she knew moth.
ing OF the Eaunts of her father, and abso-
lutely nothing of great rock or cross.
Accompanied by the entire force of
under the direction of Dick,
q thorough search was instituted the in vi
clnity of the old miners last rcsting-pIace.
In small gully running into the side
OF q. precipltous hill, hugh rock was
finally found surmounted by hugh rep
of cross.
At the full of the moon Paul and Dick