The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1890-08-01
ALTAMAHA'S REWARD.

was the chief, Tomo Chici, his eye,
fixed with peculiar meaning upon Q
captive who was seated near him.
The captive was beautiful young
girl bound with green thongs, and a,
she gazed upon these her lips curlet
in very scorn, and she gave utteranct
to words indicative of impatience.
"Do you fancy you will ever tam,
met"
1--WE hope to do So"
"Then you hope in vain. | neve
can tolerate you or your barbarouI
CUSTOMS
"You will feel differently after q
time. You will find many charms in
our wild, free life, and when you be
come my wife'-
"Your wifel" shrieked the girl some
thing like shudder passing over hel
Frame
"Yes my wife. You must forget
this Capt. Herry Waller, for by the
great Spirit | have sworn that you
shall be mine"
Tomo Chlci spoke fiercely, and turn
ing from him the captive became 81.
lent.
When the morning dawned a savage
yell aroused the camp and the chief
sprang to his feet. A gl Ince betrayed
the fact that his captive had disappear
ed. 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 about him. He knew
the penalty of negligence, and he
trembled when he cortemplate,. his
position. He had reason to do !, for
at the command of Tomo Chici he was
instantly seized and firmly bound
A savage was fourd without the
circle 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 had left his
lodge only to receive a knife in his
breast, and fell senseless. The avenger
wore scarlet coat, and Helen Pres
colt, the captive, was in his company.
A search was made around the camp,
and half mile distant there were the
marks where three horses had been
tied to the trees. They had evidently
come from Savannah, 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 a
plot for the capture of Helen Prescott
for he had seen her in Savannah, and
becoming enamored of her had re.
solved to abduct the maiden and
make her his queen. All his plans
had failed, however; but az length his
son, young chief called Red Plume
had penetrated the city in the disguise
of British officer and succeeded il
bringing the maiden away captive
She had been but two days among the
Indians when she made her escape.
| As soon as Tomo Chici returned tc
his camp he ordered AlSamaha to bt
bound to stake, and brushwood wa'
heaped around him preparatory t.
burning. The savage had recovered
his self possession. He was brav'
fellow, and had always stood high il
the estimation of his leader
Turning to his chief he said: Z"
know that deserve death for sleeping
but if my chief will spare me l vii
bring the captive maiden"
For moment the chief RENAME,
silent, and then replied: "You sha
do more. Bring ne the maiden an,
tell me that her lover, Capt. Her
Waller is dead. Bring me, as an evl
dence of the fact, his scalp and h
(, scarlet coat. Do this and your lif
shall be spared"
Altamaha promised that 1t shoul
be done, and he was released. II
started Immediately in the direction G
Savannah.
There was great excitement in 81
vanah when it was known that Mis-
. Prescott had 30 mysteriously disaI
peared, and none partook of this fee
ing more strongly than did the youn
English Captain Henry Waller, he
betrothed husband. He believed tn
savages were connected with the maj
ter, aud he at once communicated hi
suspicious to Gen. Oglethorpe, tn
governor and commander of the pos
The general could not think as did th
lover, and he hesitated when asked fo
troops. Should they advance upo
the Indian settlement the treaty woul
, thus be broken, and bloody warfar
! might be the result.
lie said to the captain, however
7 "Take as many men as you require
3 and approach within five miles of th
Q Indian camp. There you must ha
? until you yourself have advanced an
found that your suspicious are correc
!, In that case you have discretionar
power; but act with prudence"
i At the head of fifty dragons Wallt
advanced. Reaching the designate
spot he halted his men and then rod
forward with single orderly leadin
a third horse. Approaching with
half mile of the camp he dismounte
and advanced alone. Silently h
ertered the circle of lodges and creI
to the one most prominent among ii
number, believing it to be occupied b
q the chief He listened and heard
. murmur as if uttered in sleep. II
] heart beat wildly, for he recognize
? the voice of his idol.
Before the lodge guard was seat
but he appeared half asleep. 1t vi
an easy matter to dispatch him, al
then the captain crawled slowly I'M