Clarksville evening chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn) 1886-1890, 1888-11-03

4
mere within, no Glanced TO tie about his
forehead, letting the hashy tassels dangle
over his back and shoulders as he passed
round the rancheria. he had not made
! more than two or three perambulatio ions
in this way when he was approached by
an old bag of a squaw, who begged him
| to give her the scarf. Ranstien saw at
once his chance, and entered into con-
versation with the squaw, for he was
able to speak many words in the Co
manche dialect. He told her that if she
would show him where the captive girl
was kept, he would give her the scarf.
She replied that she herself had the girl
in charge, but dared not show her to
him for fear that the old chief might
kill her. ~
As reward for this piece of informa-
ton Ramstien gave her the gaudy scarf,
and as she went away With the coveted
article hidden under her skirts he
watched her till he saw her enter n tepee
at the farthest end of the rancheria; then
he carelessly wandered back to the old
chefs quarters.
Ranstien now felt sure of final
Next day he again met the
old squaw, and asked her permission to
speak to the captive, but was Indignantly
refused. To quiet her apprehensions, he
offered her dozen silver dimes, articles
very highly priced by the Comanches.
She took them, and then offered to show
him the tepee in which the girl lodged,
but repeated that he could not see the
girl herself, as she was kept closely con-
| fined by orders from the old chief. Ram
stems heart nearly leaped into his mouth
as be followed the old Indian bag to the
miserable hut in which the captive was
confined. He could not get sight of the
object of his search, however, and at
once withdrew.
An anxious week had now passed since
ne entered the Comanche rancheria, and
from certain gruff words dropped by the
old chief, Ramstien grew nervous, and
fearing that that august parsonage had
grown suspicious of his long delay amon~
them, he determined to act at once, anu
trust to fortune for results. To plan III
interview with the captive was q more
easy matter by far than to carry it out, and
after dark, hoping its friendly shelter
would favor his plans When the moon
had just begun TO shine over the plains,
and the shadows began to stalk forth, he
cautiously made his way to the old hag's
topce, and concealed himself in clump
Of live oaks near by. Heaven help
meI' he breathed, as he crouched in the
shades Of the friendly thicket awaiting
developments. Ramstien's knowledge of
human nature led him naturally to think
that the poor captive, instead of going
early to sleep, was lying awake thinking
over her terrible condition and of the
fate that awaited her. "Can it be pos
sible that the poor girl thinks of escape
or Of being rescued2'' he asked himself.
In the course of couple Of hours,
when all was still, he cautiously crept
from his place of concealment up to tae
tcpee, but could discern nothing as to
what was going on within. The gloomy
stiffness that pervaded the camp now
thoroughly aroused him to the danger of
his position should he be discovered by
lookouts who might perchance be prowl-
ing round the camp; the result would
doubtless be his death by torture, and
perhaps worse fate for the girl, the
very thought Of which made him SILVER
and rccoil from his own shadow, which
seemed to menace him; and just how to
proceed he for the moment knew not.
lie stood motionless by the side of the
tepee. Lapse Of moments lent courage
to his resolve, and he determined to do
at once or die.
Feeling almost certain that the girl was
awake on would be easily aroused by the
slightest noise from without, he resolved
TO speak, hoping that she might recog-
nizc the sounds as coming from friend;
so in good German he distinctly but
softly said "a friend-to aid you to cs-
cape. Come out to the live oaks"
by the timo the words were spoken
Eamstein'S heart seemed to fill his mouth.
Never before had his own voice sounded
so strange to him; but he waited. Pres
emily he heard slight rustling on the
inside of the tepee and then softly the
words: Yes, if l CAM" then all was
silent as death.
Your life depends upon it," he re-
Piled i'll undcrtoncs, and crept softly
back to tho live oaks.
Minutes now dragged into hours as he
sat awaiting the appearance of the cap
tive. just as lie was about to give up
all as lost, he saw form by the side of
tho tcpec, and presently an object
CrouoLIIS in tho deep shadow, that
slowly moved round opposite to where
Ramsticn sat concealed Directly, as if
gaining strength under desperate re-
5olvo to escape if possible, the object
Ctood erect, and By the moonlight Ram
gtie:l recognized the form of woman,
though SO disfigured by tattoos, paint,
coct and rags, that he was still in doubt.
Tho figure stood motionless, as if rooted
70 the spot--poised between hope and
terror, and to relieve her mind CT any
suspicious Of treachery, Ranlsticn stood
Up i'll plain view, and said: "Now is your
chance for escape"
In an instant the trembling girl was
ny his side, and Selling her unresisting,
cmaciated body in his strong arms, he
dartcd toward thick chaparral sew
eral hundred yards away, and de-
posting his precious prize in secure
place, babe her remain quiet till he
could come with his horse, when they