Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-07-28
ALTAMAHA'S REWARD.

lHc CdptlNc WAS d pcdutilui young.
girl bound with green thongs, and as she
gazed upon these her lips curled in very
scorn, and she gave utterance to words
indicative of impatience.
DO you fancy you will ever tame
me-"
I'VE hope to do So"
Then you hope in vain. Inever can
tolerate you or your barbarous customs"
You will feel differently after time.
You will find many charms in our wild,
free life, and when you become my
wife,
Your wifei' shrieked the girl, some
thing like siIudder passing over her
frame.
Yes, my wife. You must forget this
Capt. Henry Waller. for by the Great
Spirit l have sworn that you shall be
mine
Tomo Chici spoke fiercely, and turn
ing from him the captive became silent.
When the morning dawnei a savage
yell aroused the camp and the chief
sprans to his feet. A glance betrayed
the fact that his captive had disappeared,
Darling from his lodge he found one of
his guard lying cold in death before it.
1t was the discovery Of the body which
had raised the alarm.
AT the rear of the lodge the second
guard, whose name was Altamaha, was
soundly sleeping. At first the chief
thought that he, too. had been slain but
the confusion aroused the savage. and
springing to his feet he gazed wildly
around him He knew the penalty of
his negligence, and he trembled when
he contemplated his position. He had
reason to do so, for at the command of
Tomo Chici he was instantly seized and
firmly bound.
\ savage was found without the cir
Gle of lodges in dying condition. He
could speak with difficulty, and he
stated that he had been aroused during
the night by low whisperings and the
sounds Of footsteps. He left his lodge
only to receive knife in his breast, and
fell senselcss. The avenger wore n scar
let coat, and Helen Prescott. the captive.
was in his company. A search was
made around the camp. and half u mile
distant there were the marks where
three horses had been tied to trees
They had evidently come from Savau-
nah, and had taken their departure in
that direction. The chief knew that
pursuit was useless. and he returned TO
his lodge foaming with rage and bent
upon vengeance. For year he had
been engaged in plot for the capture
| Of Helen Prescott. for he had seen her
/ in Savannah, and becoming enamored
of her had resolved to abduct the maid
en- and make her his queen. All his
/ plans had failed, however; but at length
/ his son, n Young chief. called Red Plume,
/ had penetrated the city in the disguise
Of n British officer and succeeded IN
/ bringing the maiden away captive.
/ She had been but two DAYS among the
! Indians when she made her escape.
| As soon rs Tomo Chico returned to his
camp he ordered Altamaha to be bound
to stake. and brushwood was heaped
I around him preparatory to burning
/ The savage had recovered his self pos
session. He was brave fellow, and had
always stood high in the estimation of
1 his leader.
Turning TO his chief he said; II know
I that deserve death for sleeping. but if
my chief will spare me | will bring back
/ the captive maiden
| For moment the chief remained 81
4 lent, and then replied: "You shall do
more. Bring me the maiden and tell
me that her lover, Capt. Henry Waller,
is dead. Bring me, as an evidence Of
the fact. his scalp and his scarlet coat.
( Do this and your life shall be spared"
/ Altamaha promised that it should be
| done, and he was released. He started
/ Immediately in the direction Of Savan-
| nah
| There was great excitement in Savan-
nah when it was known that Miss Pres
colt had so mysteriously disappeared.
and none partook Of this feeling more
strongly than did the young English
captain. Henry Waller. her betrothed
husband. He believed the savages were
connected with the matter, and he at
once communicated his suspicious 70
Gen. Oglethorpe, the governor and com
mander Of the post. The general could
not think as did the lover, and he hest
tated when asked for troops. Should
they advance upon the Indian settle
ment the treaty would thus be broken.
and a bloody warfare might be the re-
suit
He said to the captain, however, Take
as many men as you require, and ap-
proach within five miles Of the Indian
camp. There you must halt until you
yourself have advanced and found that
your suspicious are correct In that
case you have discretionary power; but
act with prudence"
At the head of fifty Dragons Waller
advanced Reaching the designated spot
he halted his men and then rode forward
with single orderly leading a third
horse. Approaching within half a mile
of the camp he dismounted and advanced
alone. Silently he entered the circle Of
lodges and crept TO the one most promi-
nent among the number, believing it to
be occupied by the chief. He listened
and heard murmur as If uttered in
sleep. His heart beat wildly. for he rec
ognized the voice Of his idol.
Before the lodge guard was seated,
but he appeared half asleep. 1t was an
easy matter 10 dispatch him, and then
the captain crawled slowly into the
lodge. Swiftly but cautiously they
passed along, and were only interrupted
by single savage. who shared the fate
of the guard. The horses were reached
and soon they joined the main body and
rapidly rode for Savannah.
Young Red Plume had been abroad
that night, still wearing his Disguise.
Suddenly he came in sight Of the dra-
goons where they were waiting. Soon
he discovered that the maiden had been
rescued. and as the cavalcade rode by he
joined them The darkness and his dis.
guise were his protection and he deter
mined to recapture Helen. Chance ia
vored him.
After a tine the light hearted girl
bantered her companions for a race, and
without awaiting reply darted forward
at furious rate. The Indian followed
her, and soon the two had far outstripred
Gs -.l--. bod in The rad sl=s