The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-10-23
CHAPTER IL.

little fort, so splendidy held for so long nearer
Daring, GOODNESS, endurance, the simple SELF
sacrifice and unselfshness of these dozen men,
who had become SO many heroes, were to be
all of no avail.
The same night another council of war was
held. The Indians would not stay in
active much longer; the only wonder was that
they had kept quiet so long. il they had con-
tinued the active attack first made the ammu-
milton of the fort would long ago have been ex-
pended. But their inaction gave nc case. 1t
would only be a prelude to
worse deviltries Some OF the
men there worn out with the ceaseiess
watching, the intoerable heat, the insufficient
food, and the terrible anxiety, would have
preferred the rush and shock of a desperate
charge, and then have had it all over, meeting
death as an honorable friend. But there were
the women TO be thought of. Already gloomy
shadows darkened the mems eyes as they
looked at the beautiful girl. BY what dread
full means must she be delivered from the
hands of those devils? But the girl had al
ready decided for herself.
~ on will know what to do for me, father,
when the time comes,' she said to him quietly
one night, as she babe him "Good-ni@ht' in
the starlight He caught her close to him,
and kissed her without word but she knew
that he undeisto The men sat late dis
GUESSING the situation.
II Only Co!oif shaH, who mast lsage
reached by this time Fort James. could hear
of their position he would hasten 10 their as
sistance. Provisions would hold out--dividing
them into the smallest portions sufficient to
keep them alive-for another four days; am
munition, if the Indians proved troublesome,
half that time. But who was TO go anu hasten
Shaw's advance?
1t was certain death to leave the fort. Not
that any Of the boys troubled about that, as he,
personally, was concerned. But tho loss OF
each life made the chance Of the rest less. And
"the rest" always now meant the women, in
the mems thoughts. Besides, the discovery Of
g.. ~. 4 4O,
certainty, precipitate the plans of the Indians.
Shaw would surely soon hear of the enomies
force concentrated at Fort Buff, and advance
rapidly to their rescue. There was nothing to
do but wait for him. Not that even this hope
of his arrival Frightened their prospects. Each
man knew-though he did not say it-that it
was far more than probable that tie instant
the Indian scouts discovered the approach oil
the soldiers, their doom would be sealed. The
Indians would fire the fort and massacre its
defenders long before Shaw could reach them
Fothing but the most subtle tactics on Shaw's
side, to disguise his movements, could prevent
the catastrophe. Ii only messenger could
reach him to acquaint him with all the diff
culties OF the situation!
The men separated, some to sleep, some TO
keep up tho ceaseless, harassing watch, with
out having been able to decide upon anything
better than TO wait.
The next day dawned. There were signs of
activity once more among the Indians. They
rode out singly, OF in bodies, from their places
ofshelter, pointing and gesticulating in enraged
derisicn, toward the fort, breaking out into
wild war whoops, which curded the blood in
the girls veins. Shots were fired, too, which
the men in the fort, though burning to avenge
each one with a dozen. dared not return. for
not bullet could be wasted. They would
need them all for the last struggle. The
women-or rather Miriam, for The Lady Betty
had secuted, in savage moekeTy, the idea-had
been kept inside the building TO be ont OF The
way of the shots. The long, weary day passed,
the afternoon waned. Miriam, rebelling
against her captivity, ventured TO di5obey
orders AS she stepped outside She caught
sight of The Lady Betty disappearing into 2
other end of the stockade. She looked about
her; none OF the boys were near. a sudden
impulse-for which the girl could never ac-
count, unless it were a simple womanly desire
for the sympathy of her own sex at this
supreme moment Of peril--made her run across
the space between the building she occupied
and the shanty. She reached the door, which
The Lady Betty had left ajar. The girl called
her softly. There was no answer, and pushing
the door open, Miriam looked in. There was
square opening for a window at the end OF
the room, and through this opening poured
the golden light Of the western sun. 1t rolled
in waves Of dazzling radiance into the room,
and in the midst of it, bathing her as in a sea
OF fiery light, stood, rigid STILL gazing through
the opening, The Lady Betty. She seemed to
be seeing vision, so pale was her face, 50
staring and fixed her eyes.
The girl spoke again gently, but the woman
did not stir, and Miriam. stepping half fear
fully, for she did not know how she wonld be
received, went up 10 her. But as she reached
the woman's side, and instinctvey followed
the gaze Of her rapt eyes, and exclamation OF
awed delight and wonder broke from Ler lips.
Through break OF tho wOod-iined hills,
facing the window, the sun was setting in n
perfect glory Of red and gold. The whole
horizon, narrowed to them by those hills,
seemed sea Of fire, which stretched on in
liquid, quivering waves Of light from heaven
10 them as they stood on tho earth. And as
tho girl looked she forgot tho hidcous cries,
and the whizzing shot, aud the horiulS'rhat, 30
them, must wait on death and great peace
fell on her.
1T is like tile golden gates Of heaven :" she
cried under her breath. "And wo shall pass
through them, and then tho sorrow aud tho
signing will seem 50 short, for they will b. no
m0rei'
She was not conscious IL speaking aloud.
The Lady Betty started o shulGer-was 10 81
hate and rage, or Of spiritual dread Of tic
mystery OF death shook her from head TO
foot.
sho turned sharply. staring stupidity for