The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-04-14

whence 1t proceeded.
There, stretched on the damp ground,
was the form of a young man, whose face
was pale and haggard, whose clothes were
torn and travel-stained
"Oh, Nicholas p cried Elsie, falling on
her knees besides him and pressing her
lips to his brow, chow came you here?
All, you are wounded y as she saw blood
stains on his garments.
'Don't be frightened, sweetheart; really,
it's nothing serious. 1t is only slight
wound, though, to be sure, it has caused
me much inconvenience"
But how did it happen, and why are
you here? I thought you were twenty
miles down the valley"
II was, yesterday morning. But, never
mind now I'll tell you all about it as soou
as l get to the house. Call your father"
"Father inst there.
An expression of dismay overspread
Nicholas face ff- s-f.f-..stE
"What Are yon indeed alone?'
'There are only the children. Father
will be home tonight, though" p"
Her lover groaned.
Sand then it will be too late. Those
red fiends were to be here at sunset. Even
now they may be within stones throw of
US
'Oh, Nicholas Do you mean In
dams 2" and Elsies face grew white.
"Then we must get to the house as soon
as we can. Here, take my hand and LII
help you.
With great effort Nicholas struggled to
his feet-or rather one foot, for the other
was wholly disabled-and partly hobbling
and partly crawling, he worked his way
along the path.
How long the distance seemed to Elsie's
beating heart Every instant she expect
ed to hear the yells of the enemy.
At last-oh, heavens be thanked they
reached the house, but when scarcely inside
the door, Nicholas tainted from pain and
exhaustion.
Peterkin and Hans uttered shrill cries
of terror at his pale face, PROSTATE form
and bloodstained garments. But Elsie had
no time to give way to her emotions. Tel
ling Pcterkin to place pillow under Mich
olas head, she Immediately set to work to
secure the house in case of an attack by
the Indians. The two thick open doors
were bolted and barred, the shutters drawn
to and fastened, and then her fathers two
muskets taken down and the printing ex-
amined.
Then after one peep through the loop
hole to see that there was no enemy in
sight, she brought basin of water, soft
towel and flask of spirits, and, kneeling
down beside her lover, tried to restore him
to consciousness again.
In few minutes he revived and was
able to speak.
'Now tell me your adventures" said
Elsie, anxiously.
Briefly, then, for we must be thinking
of the danger that threatens us; the soldiers
at the lower fort received orders yesterday
to 90 out and drive away a small party Of
Indians who were prowling about, destroy
ing cattle and trying to capture stray per-
sons Captain Brown, with a dozen men,
myself among the number, started out
We anticipated an easy victory, for our
SCOuG udu Sdlu UlltiO IllcIC WClC hOt lIolC
than six or eight of the enemy. But when
he tracked them we found double that num-
Der. Still, we would have conquered them,
had it not been for an accident. While
crossing, single file, small stream spanned
by huge fallen log, the latter gave way;
for, unknown to us, the branches fastening
it to the other bank had been cut by the
enemy, and we were suddenly prccipitated
into the water. This occasioned only mer-
riment, until we discovered that our enc
my, hidden in the bushes, were pouring a
deadly fire in our midst. Struggling in
the water, vainly striving to keep our am
munition dry, and at the same time help
our wounded companions, our position was
not very pleasant 1t was everybody for
himself then. [ scrambled up the bank,
and just then stray shot struck my leg,
and [ fell backward into the water. |
caught at the roots of the tree, and as |
drew myself up | saw deep hollow in its
trunk Wounded as [ was and unable to
help my companions the best that could
do was to crawl into this hole, and thus |
escaped But oh, Elsie !';-and Nicholas
voice quiverod-''it was horrible to hear
the red fends butchering my friends and
neighbors After it was all over, they
staid there few minutes talking over their
plans They did not wish to linger long
in the vicinity of the fort, and so concluded
to move in a northwesterly direction-up
this way, you know-and plunder and kill
all they could The Tory who led them
spoke about your father, Elsie, and what
fine booty they would find here, Their
words put new life into me. determined
to hasten here and warn you. Fortunate
ly, the Indians were to take roundabout
route, otherwise my attempt would have
been useless. As soon as they were out
of sight | started, and nearly all these ten
miles | have crawled on my hands and
knees. A hundred times | sank down ex-
hausted; then the thought of you nerved
me to start again. Had there been hot
sun [ would have been overpowered by it;
but the rain cooled and refreshed me,
though the dampness made my limbs stiff.
When reached the spring | think [ must
have tainted, for
'Elsle ! Elsie interrupted Peterkln,
"when I was upstairs just now, looking out
of the loophole, | saw two or three dark
figures steal around the barn p
just then loud knock resounded on the
front door,
They've come" gasped Elsie, grasping
her lovers arm.
He stopped and kissed her.
"Be brave, sweetheart" he whispered
"God has helped me so far to-day, and 1
do not believe He will desert us now.
Courage, my Elsie, and we will make as
brave defense as we can. Help me up
stairs, for if 1 am placed by loophole and
have one of your fathers muskets I can
make some of the redskins bite the dust! 1!
Hurry"
Again the loud knock resounded at the
door,
"1llanswer," whispered Nicholas. ''They
NAV think that there is no man in the