Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1893-06-16

AANAAaS ~ So hfo h0A ~ RAAA
return and take it home that very
night. Taking a near cut he reached
the cabin from the western side where
the timber grew heavy up to within a
few yards of the building and so he
could not see the clearing, or what
might be transpiring there until he
had passed through the wood. Thus
1t was that when within short dis
'anee of his home he heard wild,
piercing scream, but he could only
guess that something terrible must
be taking place between the screen of
branches, bushes and leaves. Utter
ing a loud shout, that his presence
might sooner be known, Cooper
sprang forward like a deer, great
fear in his heart, for he had only too
clearly recognized in that scream the
agonizcd cry of his wife.
It took but moment for him to
geI through the intervening timber
and underground, and as lie dashed
outinto the clearing, holding his rifle
ready for instant use, he comprehend
ed IN one swift glance all that had
taken place and what was further to
fear.
Near the end of the cabin, facing
the cliff, stood the mother, her face as
pallid as death, her arms outstretched,
her eyes fixed upon the precipltouscd
cliffs upon which the figure OF the
Indian was struggling.
MY childI My child" was all the
woman said, and Cooper saw that the
bundle in the Indians arms was the
form Of their only child, Jennie.
The Indian was drawing away and
as he occasionally glanced backward
and dowaward the parents saw in his
hidcoVsy painted counlenauce the
full purpose that actuated the
abduction.
"Gd aid mel" Cooper muttered as
he raissd his rifle, glanced through
the siglis and touched the trigger.
The Indian started Violently at the
shot. He was hit, but not badly, and
with hyell of triumph he kept toiling
upwari,
"To low by couple of inches,
said low, calm voice at the settlers
Coo started as though he himself
"a slTsyAiN It,
A->4Eis stms man fromI Who
was,. Neither had seen him ap-
proah. But there was no time for an
exp Hanation. The stranger stepped
quilkly forward few PAGES, firmly
pldted his left foot IN advance and
threw us an unusually long rifle, as
though preparing to fire.
For Gods sake, stranger, be care
flu of my child!" cried Cooper, while
til agonized mother uttered an audi
bl6 prayer.
ats our only chance. l know that
Intian," was the short reply, and the
sharp click click of the hammer as il
was drawn back told that the critical
moment had come.
By this time the Indian had nearly
readied the summit of the cliffs
That he was badly wounded became
moe evident, as upon IL broad ledge
of rock he paused moment. This
opportunity was se'z3d by the mn
known.
Although the Indian had taken the
preeaution TO hold the child up in
froit of him as shield, covering
nearly the whole of his chest, his head
was left uncovered.
For one second. as it gained its po-
sition. the rifle wavercd and then in
stanly became immoyable, as though
held in wise. With clasped hands
and staring eyes the parents watched
the figure upon which SO much de-
pended. Suddenly sharp report
rang out, the white smoke drifDed
slowly away and, as the vision became
clearer, they saw the savage loose his
hold upon the child, reel wildly for an
Instant and then pitch heavily forward
upon the rocks. 1t may be imagined
that the father lost no time in reach
ing the place where his child lay, and
in few moments more the little one
was in its mothers arms.
"rcll us who you are, that we may
know what name to mingle with our
prayers"
"My name is Daniel Boone," he
said, and was gone.-[St. Louis Re-
public.