Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1891-11-06
THE RESCUE.

heavy bur:ieued. Clinging upon the back
of one with her beautiful face marked by
a look of fear and helpless despair, was n
young girl of not more than seventeen
BY her side rode a dark mustached man IF
twenty three. who, by low, encouraging
words, sought TO cheer his companion.
Away in the rear came IA dozen mounted
horsemen, who were evidently in pursuit
of the two fugitives. They were Indians.
For long time this desperate race for
life had continued Edna Fenton and
Jackson Blake belonged to a little wagon
train, bound for the Black Hills 1t wa,
during the time of the first wild rush for
the new FL Dorado, just after the discovery
of gold among the hills was made known
The plains were covered with bloodthrsty
red men, and every trail to the hills was
guarded by the savages. Despite all dan
gers, however hundreds of emigrants took
their lives in their hands and boldly started
for the land of promise. Uncounted mum
bers never reached their destination. The
scalps of many a paleface woman and
child, as well as their protectors hung at
the girdle Of the rapacious Sioux.
Howard Fenton and his beautiful daugh
Ger had joined Deadwood bound wagon
train at Bismarck. At the same place
jackson Blake had also Joined the train
Blake professed to be the agent of certain
capitalists who wished to secure mining
property in the Hills. He soon became a
great favorite with Howard Fenton and,
much to Fcnton's delight, the young man
seemed decidedly smitten by the sweet
face of the vivacious Edna.
The sun was slowly sinking toward the
western horizon when, one day, despite an
ominous warning from the veteran guide
To- lnl, nd -,
advance of the train Side by side they
galloped away over the rolling prairie, lit
tie needing how fast or how far they went
Edna was an excellent horsewoman, and
the rich color upon her cheeks told how
well she enjoyed the pleasure of free
dash across the open prairie. At a chal-
ienge from her companion, the horses We're
put to their utmost speed, and away they
flew, neck and neck.
They knew not how far they had gone
when they drew rein, and, while their
horses regained their wind, looked back
over the course they had come.
An exclamation burst from Bake's lips
for the train was not in sight, but away in
the distance came a dozen dark horsemen
and even as the young man looked back
an eXultant shout came family to his ears
Almost though his cinched teeth Blake
bissed:
Redskins, by Jovel Miss Fenton, we
mnst fly for our lives"
Edna uttered little cry of alarm and
wheeling their horses they dashed away
to escape the red demons in pursuit.
Already We're their horses breathing
heavily from their rapid race "A short time
before, and now they We're fleeing before
the red Bedouins of the plains, every one
Df w u-n m a1
Far away, directly in the path of the
fngitives it seemed hung the sun, huge
round ball Of fire suspended but short
distance above the horizon
"Oh sir, do you think we can escape
those terrible creatures:" anXiously in
quired the frightened maiden.
Before replying, jackson Blake took one
long look back over his shoulder.
Il think we can" lie answered 1--WE
have fair start, and the sun is low II
our horses hold out till it becomes dark we
may succeed in eluding them"
"lleaven grant we may!' was the PRAYER
Lhat Edna softly breathed.
Away across the plain raced pursued and
pursuers, and slowly the sun sank lower.
Every minute seemed an hour to the ia.
Jigned and terrified maiden
CHANGING back occasionally Jackson
Blake could see that the savages were
slowly but surely gaining.
Finally the sun reached the horizon and
gradually sank from view.
1--WE shall elude them, Miss Fenton,"
were the encouraging words that the dark
mustached man uttered. in the dark
ness we can circle and strike back for the
train"
Slowly dusky gloom gathered over the
n6.p1 Iol-
laughed with satisfaction.
There will be no moon during the first
part of the night" he observed "and
therefore, it will be comparatively dark ="
Ills words proved true. Night settled
over the Dakota plains and darkness
yelled the fugtives from the eyes of their
pursuers In the gloom the man and girl
gradually drew to the left, hoping that the
redskins would pass them in the darkness
Finally Blake drew rein.
Listen"
They remained perfectly silent and lis.
tened intently. a faint breeze famed
their faces, and he distant bark of coyote
came family to their ears. Then all was
still
"We have euded Them" declared the
man. "Now we must double back For
time may direct us to the train"
Softly the maiden breathed prayer that
kind father might direct them Alright,
and trusting all to her companion she fol
lowed him through the darkness
Slowly the painting, foam fecked horses
walked onward guided by their riders
ihe poor animals were nearly exhausted,
but it wouldn't do to give them "a breat H.
Ing spell even now. First they must be
sure that they were out of danger
Z hat ff,, I,,,,- I
ward. Edna was completely bewildered;
she could not tell where they were going
However, she began to feel that their pur-
suers were eluded, and was mentally
thanking the All Wise Being who had
allowed them to escape, when suddenly, all
around them, number of dark forms
seemed to spring up out of the very earth
Then through the night rang ont yell
of triumph from the throats of a dozen
Sioux, and ere they could resist both man
and maiden were dragged from their
horses
Then Edna became unconscious She
knew nothing of what happened until her
senses returned and she found herself w.