The Forrest City times., 1890-02-08

with the utmost care and patience, the whole cavity was lined with these sprigs of evergreen, held in place by twigs thrust into the banks on either side.
 This done, the man sprang out. The two surveyed their work for a moment, and then after gazing once more, as if in anxiety, over the route by which they had come, approach ed the wagon Having rolled up the canvas on one side, they lifted out a small mattress, depositing it upon a blanket which they had spread upon the ground.
 This mattress was not without its burden. The beams of the full moon enabled me to see thereon a slight form--that of little girl who had scarcely lived out three years. The pretty white hands were folded over the breast. Long golden curls fell on either side upon the pillow. The face, which could sec with astonish- ing clcarncss, was wonderfully beauti- ful in it's aspect of innocence, and bore life-like smile, as if in answer to the radiant queen of the sky, who seemed to be smiling, too, as she looked steadfastly down upon the living and the dead.
 The mother forthwith proceeded to arrange the spreads upon the child, tucking them and smootbiug them down as if she were only putting her little one to bed, although while heard no sob nor any expression of grief, l could see that her breast was heavino with sorrow and her face was visited by tears.
 The two now knclt on either side. kissing their darling many tunes, and weeping over her, though trying ap- parently to comfort one another in their mutual wrctchedncss, if per chance there might come in their hearts a calm like that with which the moon was still sending down her beams to illumine the fearful scene.
 Then laying hold of the blanket they carried their darling to the grave, and by the aid of the bridle-reius let the precious burden down into the place which they had so carefully prepared. Green boughs were scattered over her, until they covered the beautiful form many inches deep, and then the clods were gently replaced, and little mound was heaped, and the child trans ferred from her mothers bosom was sleeping at last in the bosom of that greater mother-Earth The two sad mourners knelt again beside the grave, and seemed to be engaged in prayer, lifting their faces now and then 10 the sky, as if in its infinite clear depths they saw the future hopes.
 All this-though l still thought it unreal-had awakened in me the keen est interest and sympathy. But my attention was now suddenly diverted to line of figures in the distance, somewhat beyond the spot where l had seen the wagon when l first awoke These were horsemen who came sweep ing on at rapid pace, as if engaged in eager pursuit, From the manner in which they rode l knew they were h. dians. Ah! l saw it all now, and understood why these spectral visitors had Sc often looked back apprehensive- ly in the direction from which they had approached. These pilgrims across the plains had seen signs of savages. and had nsed the night to push on be- yond their reach, if haply they might bury their dead ill peace and find safety for themselves. But the foe had dis
 
 covered their trail and followed them, bent on massacre.
 l laid my hand instinctively on the rifle under the edge of my blanket that l might join in the defence, aad was about to cry out in warning of the danger l saw approaching. but instant ly bethought myself that this was un- reality, a mere vision, calling for no practical action. and l might better let these shadows work out their tragedy to the end. l again restrained the dog who seemed agitated, whether because he saw what l was seeing, or out of sympathy with my emoiion--I know not which.
 The two at the grave seemed uncon- scious of the threatened danger until their enemies were within a hundred yards, when the man sprang up and lifted the woman also to her feet. They turned toward the wagon, as if 10 gain its shelter and secure weapons for defence. It was too late. l saw flashes of fire and also flight of ar rows, still without sound, however, to break the calm of the night
 Both the man and woman staggered AS if wounded. They stopped and turned face to face, throwing their arms about each other as if realizing that this was their last embrace. An other volley, and still clinging to each other in the agony of death, they fell together upon the grave of thoir child.
 The Indians were not long in com pleting their work. Then catching the horses and harnessing them into the wagon they hastened away, as though themselves in fear of pursuit. |