The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-31

But TO reach the gully it wa.
necessary for her to cross small
clearing" where the logs used in the
cured. While crossing the clearing
she would be exposed to the view OF
any savages who might have their eyes
directed that way.
The rocky gully opened the only way
ST escape. Every moment was pre-
cious.
Hoping the Indians might be too
greatly diverted by the burning cabin
and rifing its contents to observe her,
Alice ran with all her speed toward
the hollow.
She had just reached the brow of the
gully, when fendish yell from the
wood announced the discovery of her
fight.
She darted one swift glance over her
shoulder and counted six ugly warriors
dash out of the woods in pursuit, then
she sped, like hunted fawn, down the
rocky hollow.
Escape now seemed hopeless. But
Alice Rogers was brave girl, and de-
termined not to give up before she was
forced to do So
Her face was white with wild appre-
hension, and her heart beat fercely,
| but she ran on, the yells of the red
skins ringing hideously in her ears.
Her presence of mind did not once
! desert her, and her excitement only
| served to render her speed more rapid.
Great rocks DISTRACTED her path here
and there, but she surmounted them
all and gained the river well ahead of
her pursuers.
She did not hesitate long as to her
method of escape. Indeed, the Indians
gave her little time for contemplation.
Fastened to saplng on the shore
was an old log dugout which Mr.. Rog-
ers had used for a boat.
The dugout was deep and wide, hav-
ing been followed out of large log.
1t was the work of second for Alice
to unite the rope from the sapling and
spring into the dugout
The river was high, and as the girl
sank exhausted to the bottom of the
strange craft a strong current caught
it, carrying it from shore with dizzy
swiftness.
When the Indians came rushing
down the river bank their surprise was
most overwhelming. The girl they
had thought to capture SO easily was
nowhere, in sight.
Explanations of wonder and disap-
pointment broke from the redskins
and they began hunting among the
bushes in hopes of finding their victim
there
The floating log down the river few
rods did not suggest to them the least
hint of Alice's place of concealment
and refuge.
The dugout was borne rapidly along |
on the swift current At first Alice |
could hear the Indians voices distinct |
ly as they made thorough search for |
her along the river bank, and she |
feared they would follow on down the |
stream and discover her at last. |
But gradually the savage tones be- |
came more indistinct, and finally in
audible, and she knew they had turned |
another way.
How long she 6rifted on the current |
of the river she did not know. She |
was afraid to raise her head to look |
about her lest some savage lurking |
near might discover her retreat
She lay in the bottom of the dupout
with the hot sun pouring down upon
her In pitiless power. She was a prev
to torturing thoughts.
She thought of the destruction of
thelr pioneer home, where they had all
worked SO hard; then she wondered
If her parents were alive, and tried to
pray that they might be spared. Last,
she thought of the settlers beyond
them, and her mind drew a horrible
picture of an attack in which she saw
Bruce Rowelrs manly form fall under
the blow of tOmahawk.
The hideous Imagination stupefied
her and she drifted on, not realizing
any danger to herself
Suddenly great log. sweeping down
the river, flung itself with tremendous
force against the dugout, and before
Alice could comprehend her peril, she
was struggling in the water
At last she managed to grasp the
edge OF the dugout and cling wildly to
it while trying to draw herself up.
But her heavy skirts dragged her
back, and the turbulent water gurgled
about her as if seeking to draw her
forcibly from her frau hold
Hold on, Alicer'
II was Bruce Howelrs voice that
called clearly to her from the wooded
shore.
Could she cling there till he reached
her?
She felt strangely weak, but the wa
Ter kept her from losing consciousness
Just as she felt her hands slipping
away from the edge of the dugout
bruee's strong arms caught her aud
bore ner carefully 10 land.
As she sat. wet and exhausted. on
he woody bluff where Bruce had
placed her, he said:
Thank God, Alice, was in tiEae 70
ave YOU"
How did You happen to D. here,
3rnee?" she asked
Providence nCst Rave guided me {
his way. he returned News a {
Black Hawks raids has just reached
ne settlement, and / was hurrying ~ j
our fathers cabin 70 warn ron when !