Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1882-06-15

cealed, while its owner, Tocsin, was
not far distant.
1t was quite dark, and promised
to be still darker. The stars were
forth and twlnkling with
all their modest gaiety, but in the
a black and ominous
looking cloud was mcying swiftly
toward them. The stiffness was
oppressive.
Suddenly Tocsin heard a sound
as Of scuff1e toward the village /;
then there was light thud and
muffied groan. He listened for
farther noise, but heard none.
He rose up, and was just on the
point of going to investigate what
it was he heard-for strange fore
bodlngs IN his heart told hin that
Laughing Eyes had met with some
tronble-when light form glided
into view, and lie folded her in his
arms.
Clouds overspread the sky, 40
that motions were indiscert.iblc,
but the pressure Of small hand
on his youth was sufficient warn
ing to keep silence, and, quickly
embarking, they pushed out into
the river.
But they had scarcely more than
started, before the alarm was Civ
en-, and torches were seen moving
in every direction. They finally
centered around some object, and
then a great cry arose, that echoed
back and forth across the river.
Tocsin was in the stern Of the
canoe and could not see the ex-
preston on his companions face,
as she was in the center, with her
back toward him.
Looking back toward the shore,
he saw a fame shoot up, which
grew brighter and larger, until fl
nally it formed great bonfire,
lighting up the river tar and wide,
and in its glare canoes tnll of dus-
ky savages started in pursuit, the
:ugltives being plainly discernible.
Tocsin seized his paddle With
firmer grip, ard pointed the canoe
toward the head Of Polk Island
almost directly down stream. A
burst of thunder, followed by flash
of lightning, told, of the nearness
of a storm, while heavy gust of
wind sweeping by began the work
Of lashing the waters into foam and
billows.
Tocsin felt sure he could reach
the island before his pnrsuers, and
in such storm as that which would
be upon them tonight, he felt con-
fident of eluding them. Let the
rain quench his pnrsuers' fires, and
his hopes would rise.
By large additions to the bonfire
on shore, the flames now leapcd far
heavcnward, and threw bright REQ
rays past the pursued, and brought
into view a returnlng party of Kos
kokce's band, coming up the chute
on the island side.
The pursuers gave war-whooT
: at this discovery, and the returning
party gave an answering yell, while
part of them discmbarked to NEE
, the fngitives when they shoult
land, the rest remaining in the ca
/ Loe to prevent an escape down thu
chute. SEEING this, several canoes
} Of pursuers started straight dow
the river to head off the fugitive
should they attempt to pass the Is
! land on the other side. Tocsln wa
! rapidly being surrounded and bem
s med In. The island was abou
: twenty yards distant when grea
r sheet of water vas discharged frcr
the vaper charged clouds above
d that wrapped the river in a robe {
: darkness, only penetrated by rapi
d and intense flashes Of lightning.
Q At the head of the island larg
willow tree was bent ont almoI
r, horizontally over the water, an
r, but a little above it's surface. .
s flash of lightning revealed it
Tocsin, when almost on it, ant
n turning the boat little, he glide
1t IN among the branches and bcsie
g the great trunk of the tree, whi
! the waves dashed against and ov'
them.
e, tie had no plan of action in vie'
y only to get on this tree long enous
to to think. Taking his fair partn
OF in his arms. he helped her |
"a among the branches, followl1
III himself.
They found plenty of strong su
ot port to hold to and lean again
Vn and, clasping one arm around
n charge and limb at the same til
is. to prevent being carried away
on the storm, Tocsin leaned back
h moment to take breath.
he A flash of lightning revealed
'sy him his fair partners face 1t '
the first time he had seen her f
vas during the evening, and he CO