Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1891-11-27
A DAKOTA ADVENTURE.

Side by side down across the Dakota
| plains raced two horses, foam-f1ecked
and heavy burdened. Clinging upon
the back of one, with her beautiful face
marked by look of fear and helpless
than seventeen. But by her side rode
a dark mustached man of twenty
three who by low. encouraging words
sought to cheer his companion.
Away in the rear came a dozen
horsemen, who were evidently In pur-
suit OF the fugitives. They were In
| dams
For "a long time this desperate race
| for life had continued. Edna Fenton
and jackson Blake belonged to little
| wagon train, bound for the Black Hills
1t was during the time of the first wild
rush for the New Eldorado. just after
the discovery of the gold among the
| Hills was made known. The plains
were covered with bloodthirsty red
men. and every trail to the Hill was
| guarded by the savages. Despite all
dangers. however hundreds of emf
| grants took their lives in their hands,
and boldly started for the land of
| promise. Uncounted numbers, never
reached their destination. The scalps
of many pale face woman and child,
as well as their protectors. hung at the
| girdle Of the rapacious Sioux.
Howard Fenton and his beautiful
daughter 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 great
favorite with Howard Fenton, and
much to Fenton'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, jackson Blake and Ed
ma Fenton rode in advance of the
train. Side by side they galloped
away over the rolling prairie, little
needing how fast or how far they went.
Away across the plains raced pur-
sued and pursuers, and slowly the sun
sank lower. Every minute seemed an
hour to the fatigued and terrified
maiden.
CHANGING back occasionally jackson
Blake could see that the savages were
slowly but surely gaining.
Finally the sun reached the horizon
anu gradually sank from view.
I'VE shall elude them, Miss Fen
ton, were the encouraging words that
the dark mustached man uttered. "In
the darkness we can circle and strike
back for the train"
Slowly dusky gloom gathered over
the plains. Looking upward. jack
son Blake laughed with satisfaction.
There will be no moon during the
first OF the night" he observed. and
therefore it will be comparatively
dark"
His words proved true. Night set
tied over the Dakota plains. and dark
ness yelled the fugitives 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!" he whispered.
They remained perfectly silent and
listened intently. A faint breeze
famed their faces and the distant
bark of coyote came family to their
cars. Then all was still
1--WE have eluded them" declared
the man. Now we must double
back. Fortune may direct us to the
train"
1t seemed that for hours they passed
onward Edna was completely be.
wildered; she could not tell where
they were going. However. she began
to feel that their pursuers were eluded,
and was mentally thanking the All
wise Being who had allowed them to
escape, when suddenly, all around
them, a number OF dark forms seemed
to spring up out of the very earth.
Then through the night rang out a
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 lying upon the ground with
both her hands tightly bound. Near
at hand campfire was feebly burning,
and by its light she saw that she was
surrounded by the forms of many
sleeping Indians. They were In a lit
tie cottonwood grove upon the bank
OF a stream.
A realizing sense Of the full horror
OF her position caused a sickening
sensation to creep over her, and for
moment she came near fainting again.
She was a captive in the hands Of the
bloodthirsty red skins. II !,
By the tiaring light OF the campfire
she saw that beneath the rude rawhide
thongs that held her wrists together a
silk handkerchief had been placed,
evidently to keep the bands from cut
ting and chatting her tender flesh.
The handkerchief. she thought had
been taken from the body of her COM
panion. but such care for her feelings
upon the part OF redman was a
great surprise.
The Indians were all sleeping
soundly, evidently little fearing the
approach of foes, or the escape of their
captive. Edna struggled to break her
bonds. but one attempt was sufficient.
for it showed her that such thing
was impossible. Then she thought
Ii Vt she might arise and steal away.
but be became aware that laniat
WAS IL. toned around her waist and at