The Portland daily press., 1892-12-15

W0Iib SIG Gould otill near tLC Wy, SAP "
her eneny,s paddles as they came stead
lily onward after her. :.
The moon was dimly visible now be-
hind mass of flmy clouds and objects
were becoming family discernible.
Lois glanced back to ascertain 1t pos
sible how near her pursuers were.
She could just make out the dull out
line of the long canoe and its dusky oc-
cupants as they swept around the bend.
She could not, however, estimate the
distance between herself and them,
though fear made it seem less than it
actually was.
The sharp eyes of the Cheyennes saw
the skiff with its solitary occupant far
ahead of them, and uttering chorus OF
savage whoops, which echoed wildly
from bank to bank, they showed the
canoe forward at an impetuous rate.
Lois realized that it must be race
for life with her there on the Arkansas,
where she had spent several careless
afternoons in the very craft now pursu-
ing her.
Even in that time OF peril she could
not help thinking Of one particular at
ternoon in June when Lee Hutchins,
mounted on his pony, had ridden along
the bank. as she idly 'foated, not far
away, in the old canoe. They had con-
versed little, but it had left an indelible
impression on her mind.
But the yells of the pursuing Indians
drove her happy memory away. Shut
ting her lips firmly, she strove to force
the skiff along with all the vigor which
she was able to command.
Work as she did to keep ahead, she
began to see that her foes were surely,
if slowly, gaining on her.
Presently the arrows began darting
after her, confirming her greatest fears
that with every dip of their paddles the
enemy was drawing nearer
"Ill not Give up till have to-" Lois
observed to herself. eff the moon
would only stay hid!'
But it showed no disposition to do so,
and two or three times she was obliged
to dodge the arrows of her exulting
foes.
: She dared not relinquish the oars q
second to risk shot from the revolver
at her side. 1t might do no good, and
would doubtless give the Indians dam
gerous advance.
It was very toilsome, as well as terri
flying. Great drops of sweat stood on
her forehead, and the muscles of her
arms ached from the unnatural strain
placed upon them.
She was beginning to feel strangely
weak and nerveless. And she was two
miles from Jordan's; she could never
reach it now. Despair seemed suddenly
to have swallowed all her courage.
But she did not relax her hold upon
the oars, and the race continued little
longer.
sWhiz!" an arrow came kissing
through the air. It pierced fold Of
her dress, but left her untouched.
The canoe was almost upon the skiff;
and as the Cheyennes beheld the success
of their last arrow they set up a tri
umphant shout.
"A moment more and Lois believed her
doom would be sealed.
sPang! Pang!" came two reports in
rapid succession from among the bushes
on the right bank of the river.
Instantly two sharp cries Of mortal
agony arose from the canoe, and two of
the braves with heavy plash fell head
long into the water and were swept from
view.
The remaining Cheyenne began pad
ding frantically for the other bank,
when another broadside from the cotton
wood bushes caused the canoe to cap
size and left him struggling in the swift
current in the middle of the stream.
Another quick report put an end to
the Indians struggles, and he found a
grave with his companions.
Lois had watched this tragic play
from the skiff, where she sat as one sud
denly changed to stone.
Who could her deliverer be? Doubt
less Silas Jordan or one of the settlers
from the blockhouse, she thought.
She was soon, however, allowed to see
her mistake as a manly form arose
from concealment among the bushes
hl10 pUOON lCFCdiCo LII LILO ouO0StOo AAOSAA
light on the bank of the Arkansas.
Lee! Lee!'' she cried, unable to con-
troll herself.
'sLois, my darlingr' and he stretched
out his strong arms toward her.
She pushed the skiff toward him,
obeying force which she could not re
sist.
In another moment the young ranch
man held her half fainting form to his
breast and pressed his lips to her brow.
One moment Of this bliss, then Lois
released herself and told her lover what
had brought her out on such a perilous
mission.
..You are dear, brave girl, Lois" be
said tenderly as he started the skiff to-
ward 4,Jordan's.
s.Tell me. Lee, how you happened to
be here?" she asked, her face glowing
from the gentle fervor of his praise.
II warned the Plum Creek settlers
and helped them fortify themselves in a
large dugout. Then started over to
Jordan's." he returned.
sob, Leel What made you venture
aloDs again out on the prairies?' she