Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1888-05-03

1
solved to accept the truth of the axiom
that discretion is the better part of val
or, and withhold hostiltes.
1t was we'll did. for II moment af-
terward one of the painted warriors
stepped out from ambush and intimat-
cd that if / would put aside my gun,
my life would be spared.
l cannot say L was particularly
cheered by the prospect of captivity
among that villainous band of savages
or, perhaps. some barbarous death at
| their hands, but | looked at the matter
philosophically and accepted the terms
npOn the ground that live man might
escape whereas dead man could not.
Two minutes after l had sgnified
my acceptance. the hideous faced horde
had taken possession of my weapons.
bound my hands upon my back, and
were ready to start toward their village
with me.
For the next hour was dragged
along at II rapid pace over the rough
country until, ut last, large aggrega-
ton of tents and huts appeared before
me, making it evident that my destina-
ton had been reached.
| Our approach to the village was hail
ed by ceaseless barking of number
less half-starved dogs urged on by the
wells and ki-yi of about as many half
dressed pappooses of both sexes, who
made II mad rush toward us the
moment VIC were sighted entering the
gorge.
With this yelling addition to the
party comprising my escort l was
marched into tho village, and secured
in central location when l would
serve us the cynosure of all eyes; then
a long pow-wow was held between the
warriors. doubtless to determine what
disposition should be made OF their
| hated captive.
While the council was still in session,
l was approached by trim. olive-hued
maiden. whose shv manner and grace
full form quite captivated me from the
moment saw her.
| was also impressed with the beaut-
full cast of her round face, and tho
color and texture OF her long. flowing
! hair. 1t was of fine texture and in
stead of the raven blackness common
! TO the Indians locks. was Il beautiful
wavy chestnut hue. But for her dusky
hue she m ght have passed anywhere
for other than an Indian maiden.
She came up closely. cast quick
glance toward the council-lodge to see
if her actions were observed, and then
in soft, musical voice said:
enc white mans friend Iniun
want to kill you; me save pale face
sure"
She turned about quickly and trip
ped back among the other swarthy
| Inf I nj
tunity to speak to her.
The incident made II profound inn
press on upon my mind-so much so
in fact, that when the council d spers-
ed, showing by their exuberant
spirits that some tortur.nQ death had
been decided upon rs my portion, was
but little disconnected by the threaten
ing clamor around me.
was taken into small hut-thc on
| " one in the vllage-and with two
armed savages guarding the doorway.
my bonds were cut and l was left to
m: meditations.
1t was now nearly dark. and soon
after / had been domicled IN the cab
in, an old Indian woman brought in
my supper.
From that time until toward mid
night, hour after hour dragged by
YEARLY without Il single incident to re-
lieve the tiresome monotony.
Then l began to feel less secure. l
had, for some vague reason or other,
put almost implicit confidence in what
the Indian girl had told me. but when
midnight came and no S gns OF my pro-
fessed friend had been apparent,
began to lose heart and regard the
| girls words N but the mere declara-
ton of one who was willing but pow
erless to renter me aid.
From what had been able to CLEAN
from the excited jargcn of the savages,
the next morning at sunrise had been
the time set for my death-and that
death was Mt the stake; so. as might
be imagined. / was not in very cheer
full mood when realized that but six
hours interviewed between the present
and tho hour of my dssolutlon-or
rather of my cremation.
/ looked about me for some means Of
escape. There were none. A solid
bank of rock earth formed the rear
WALL solid oak logs served as the 9TH
er three walls. and two armed men sat
or stood at the doorway, eager 10 per-
| IOrdIe lne WIFI DullctS NJ LHc slightest
attempt 10 make my exit.
l sank down upon the earthen floor,
utterly detected and hopeless, and was
deeply absorbed in my despairing
thoughts when l became aware of q
slight movement behind me.
turned, half-frlghtened when to my
infinite surprise one of the boulders
comprising the rear wall was gone, and
l could look out upon the star-lit scene
without
What did it mean-escapeP or was it
some fiendish device to assassinate me
before my appointed TIM?
All doubt was removed tho next in
slant when the pretty face of my duskv
friend appeared Mt the opening. and
a reckoning nod enjo.ned me to follow
her.
Making sure that the guards had not
observed what had occurred, l lost
little time in slipping through the aper-
ture.