Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1891-08-07

2fter which began those scenes OF horror
and devastation in the outlying settle
ments with which all who are familiar
with the .country's history will well re-
member, but with which it is not the III
tention in this brief sketch to deal with,
save thus to mention.
Dorr on the night in question had left
his canoe half a mile above, screened by
overhanging bushes, and with true hunt
er's instinct entered the woods deep enough
to screen himself from any canoe prowler
on the river, but near, enough to catch the
simmer of tie starlit stream to serve as
his guide to the well known spot. Cau-
tiously advancing, now creeping where the
trees were thinly set, now stepping quickly
from tree to tree and now pauslng to catch
the least sound. All was still as death.i
But at point near to his haven OF love-
and while creeping cautiously over star
lit space, his ears were saluted with the
frightful yells of the war dance, appalling
to ears far more accustomed to the demon
ism than those of Dorr.
Coming in the midst of profound 81
lence, startled and terrified, Dorr arose and
uttered an involuntary exclamation. In
stantly realizing his error, he dropped to
the ground again and attempted to reach
VIC Af1A n SLdAC VI cuC luucIs51OHOu. ~
was too late. Two stalwart Sioux scouts
g1fded forward. threw themselves upon
him, and in moment he was pinioned
prisoner. There was but little struggle,
but SO close to the trysting place did the
scene occur that the cry reached White
Fawn's quick ears, and knowing from the
sounds of the struggle that her lover was
captured she vanished to the camp.
The war dance was interrupted by the
entrance of the prisoner and his captors
and Dorr was led into the circle of the fire
before the chief Gray Otter looked up
quietly at Dorr and then glanced inquir
ingly at one of his captors. The latter with
some natural savage exaggeration related
the facts of DORIS capture. The other
scout corroborated the statement.
Itwas evident that here was a spy caught
in the act of crawling in upon the camp
with no explanation to make, for Dorr had
hung his head when the chief, with the JUS
tice that always characterized his dealings
with the whites, asked the question, "What
were you doing there?" Grunts of salts
faction went the rapid round of the paint
ed warriors as they reveled in imagination
over the prospect of foe roasted by slow
fire and tortured with savage ingenuity
before they took the conquering war path.
1t was an omen sent by the Manitou. But
the end was not yet. White Fawn listened
in the shadow unable to control her terror
until the chiefs question was asked, and
seeing DORIS head bowed to his own death
sentence, leaped into the circle of light and
confronted her father. Love had tri-
umphed.
With an unmoved face Gray Otter heard
his question to Dorr answered by his
daughter, who looked unfinchingly into
his face. In the Sioux tongue she said, II
asked him to come" 1t was loves sacri.
flee, for White Fawn had pleaded guilty.
The old chief glanced keenly into the faces
of his warriors as his hand sought the
buckhorn handle of the heavy knife at his
side, but the faces showed no traces of
sheer. only an expression of wonderment.
Then his eyes sought his daughters face
and settled on it with a deathly look. He
rose with his hand still on the buckhorn
handle and took a step toward her, and she
did not stir. But before the chief could
take another step Dorr sprang before the
chief with pinioned arms and yelled: sThe
girl lies. came here as a spy"
Gray Otter paused, irresolute, as with a
purpose unfulflled, and his face changed
as he said slowly after the pause, s'Unbind
him and see him safe to the settlement"
Quick as the cords were cut, Dorr was
quicker in his leap to the side of White
Fawn. Selling her hand he turned to the
chief and wondering warriors and said:
''This is my wife. I will stay with her
people,"
1t was a simple ceremony, but valid in
the tribe, and Gray Otter extended his
hand. w. W. in Detroit News.