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

try between this and Fort James was swarm
ing with Indians. She would carry her life in
her hand; but she did not think of that, she
was only n woman, and her loss would be moth
ing But her loss might entail the death of
the others. She knew as well as the bows that
she must not be discovered. How to elude
these vigilant foes? But She had spent all
her childhood among tribe of Indians, and
was as subtle and as learned in their craft and
stratagems rs themselves. She must go on foot
She would not risk the boys discovering her
plans by taking horse; besides, she could
on foot, conceal herself better Greater safety
would counterbalance the greater speed. She
Woold take little amunition, for not a shot
eculd we'll be spared but, theu--save bullet
for herself II she were caught---she would need
none. She had not to fight, but overmatch
her foes by cunning. She would even take no
food, for those left behind would need every
mouthful.
And now to leave the fort The boys must
not know till she was gone. A great desire to
take one last look at Sorry Carew, who had
just turned in and lay sleeping only twenty
her cool courage. But she conquered Where
was the good? She had given him up for
ever. She was out Of the fort at last; and
now to commence the deadly task
AT the third dawn from that night, about
Iaie straight from Fort james II woman stag
gered and fell at the feet of some of Shaw's
men. it was difficult TO recognize her woman
hood-such dis6gured, dishevelsd, tattered
thing she was, Her face was orusted with
dust and blood, for she had been severely
wounded, her lips were black and parched,
her feet bleeding and torn. They thought rs
they raised her that she was dead. Under the
blazing sun, through the blackness of night;
hunted down by her blocdthisty foes lying
hidden from them for hours in the water, in
holes in the ground; creeping out again TO
staGgeI on, starving, faiting from loss of
blood, pain, and those awful miles upon miles
of march, she had yet brought her message to
Shaw.
1t was marvellous how she had done it.
Nothing but that resolve, which grew as the
hours went on, into almost q madness of de-
sire to save Miriam and Carew, carried her
through it all. At first she could force no
sound from lips and throat; but at last they
understood. Even now'she asked to go with
the relieving party, dreading their ignorance
OF Indian warfare, which might hurry on tho
catastrophe. But She relapsed into uncon
seriousness as she spoke, and was delerious
when she awoke again. She was tenderly
nursed. Slewas the heroine of the hour-a
fact which, when she had recovered little,
she resented with the whole force of her vo-
cabulary.
But the news they gave her one afternoon
made her turn her face to tho wall and lie
silent and still for q long time Her friends
were saved. She insisted upon getting up
and going about tho next day. sNorwould she
wait till the relieved garrison reached Fort
james.
the evening before they were to arrive she
left. The sun was setting across the level
prairie as she rode out of the fort and all the
west was radiant with its glory. She turned
her horses head toward it for moment. with
wistful, rapt gaze in her eyes, looking
straight into the radiance, flooding earth and
sky before her.
3 Then she Turned TO the people who had
aorie to see her staFti
Tell Miriam Gresham and Sorry Carcw ez
how I'm g0iu' toward them golden gates
l,,gI Y
keer fur TO come back
And she rode away into the golden light.
Nor did those who had once known her ever
see her como out Of it again.