Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1890-03-14

use. I'm the Only old Injun fighter in
camp I've growed gray at it. I've got
ter take the lead. -
Janet went quickly to her wagon. BY
the light Of fckcriug candle sh<
printed, in round, childish hand, on
bit Of paper these few words
"Mr Chase, | am goin 70 find Rose an
take Nance. apt no good IN fightln lujuus,
ar | heard you say my folks was deal.
Don't yo;; come for me cause theg need you.
They don me that Is only Maverick.
JANET
She pinned this note to his blanket,
then went softly ont in the starlight to
the conner where Nance stood. Fear
leSSly she blankctcd the animal, fastened
the surcinglc. then led her quietly out to
an open space between two wagons
She looked back at the dying camp
fires, the groups of men sleeping in the
hight Of them, their guns 10y their sides,
the silhoucttcs Of the women against the
wagon curtains, Miss Reeds prim and
queer with the funny curls. How safe
it was here, how lonely and dreadful
outside. She climbed on the pony and
turned her head toward the east; the
animal, thinking of her home, struck into
a run The seminal saw Nance disap-
pear N the darkness, hut did not note
the little rider.
THAT oncry gray pony as Amt becn
worked all the way hey got loose an
gone, " he said to the crowd Of excited
men who ran ont At the noise.
Every unusual rattling of gravel under
Nance hoots quickcncd the beating of
Janct's heart every dark object was to
her beast of prey; every sound, the
coming of the red men. She thought of
the old,timc stories of Indian warfare
and cruelty her grandmother had told
her; Of the horrors OF the plains the men
spoke Of by the camp-irc>.
But I'm the only ono in all that train
as hasn't anybody to care for me, she
said, bravely. There was only me to
be spared. -
When the moon rose it showed her no
living object on the grea, plains. The
camp was far out of vision, and not even
spark from its fires glimmcrcd on the
still air. Absolute quiet and solitude :;
the world seemed asleep
A the top OF a little rise in the road
Janet halted to rest her tired horse, and
once more to look around the lonely
land. The quivcring Of Nance startled
her, and pcering ahead, Janet saw a sight
she never aftcrward forgot
There in the moonlit road stood baby
Rose, her yellow curls dishevelled, her
face tear-stained and dirty, her gown
torn, her little feet bare and bleeding.
She still clung to her flowers tina; had led
her astray long hours before,
Near the child II lean gray wolf sat on
his launches, regarding her with pro,
found and melancholy stare.
At the sight of the pony the wolf gave
weird howl, turned and trottcd swiftly
across the plains. The child, with wild
] cry ran forward,
~ knew you'd tum, jamie, lost al
day an hungy an the doggie coined an
singcd. had doggie once, Bounce
where mamma was, Oh, | want my
mamma"
Janet held her close, kissed her tear
away, aud then she gave her the food she
had brought-hcr own supper, Sht
lifted her to the ponys back, led Nance
/ to some low hills that might give then
shelter, and there waited for daylight.
~ never knew nights was so long be
fore.' sighed Janet, holding Rose in he
arms. Nance is laid down an asleep
Only me awake, an | must keep p'atci
for wolves an Injuns. Now the moon
goin', too, an it gets lon6somer, II
say all the hymns | know to keep nj
awake an brave
Try as she would her head woulC
droop, the words grow confused ant
weary AS the moon sank and the chill
increased, The shivcring child coverc,
Rose with her own skirt, and then t.
keep warm and awake walked up aut
down beside her
What was it, that low, tramplin,
sound, coming louder and nearer SO fast
Janet caught up Rose and ran back to tn
hill; the horc followed, trembling i
every limb, Just beyond the hill in
furious gallop came mass of horses, an
dimly amid the fog of dust about thcr
Janet saw the forms of their India
riders.
"Joo said Injuus was wuss'n wolves
sobbcd Janet. "Dcar Lord, LET them g
on an not find us
Tae Indians passed on their. uath