Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-09-09
THE FUGITIVES.

burgh, there stood, in the year 1854,
a small log cabin, the property and
home of Amos Gordon. A trapper
by occupation, he sought to add to
his table those luxuries which the
poetic ruralist now terms garden
sass" For the carrying out Of this
ambition he had cleared off about
three acres Of land and planted it
with the limited variety and amount
of seed procurable.
His daughter and only child, named
Leota in honor of a noted Indian
chieftainess, proved an admirable
housekeeper, and, all things consid-
cred, Amos would have been tolerably
we'll contented had it not been for
the hostilitieS which were being car
ried on with increasing warmth be-
tween the French and:their red allies
and the English colOnists.
Up to the time of which write
he had been unmolested, being on
friendly terms with the neighboring
tribes Of Indians; but how long this
state of things would continue was
merely matter Of conjecture.
Of course Leota had a lover; and
one evening, as she and Wade Vo-
lance strolled under row Of syca-
mores, the young man thought that
life was almost precious enough to
make coward of him.
as it not beautiful here?" Leota
asked, as they paused on the brink of
the river and gaZed across to where
the CLASSY surface reflected the bril-
liant-hued trees upon the island.
ut is indeed" he declared fer
vently, studying the dreamy look in
her eyes as if he could better COM
prehend beauty when mirrored there.
Suddenly she started and thrill
Of alarm drove the color from her
face. Quickly following her glance,
he saw canoe containing half dozen
Indians glide out from under the
trees on the opposite bank and drop
quietly down the stream.
Il don't like that" he said gravely.
"There is no telling what deviltry-
ment they may be up to-"
LCOld lOOACu dIAlOuSs
"Of late the very forest whispers
warnings of danger" she said tremu-
lousy
''Still there may be no occasion for
ALARM" Wade FASTENED to reassure
her. ''The French will not cause
any trouble unless interfered with"
"'Be not deceived, my brother"
The words, spoken in the low, thick
utterance peculiar to the red man,
startled them both; but their alarm
quickly vanished as an old Indian
advanced from behind one of the
trees.
''Daonta! What do you mean?"
Wade asked.
II have lived long," he replied, his
eyes resting upon the slow moving
water. "a have seen many winters
when the brooks stood still in their
course and the deer sought in vain
to drink. l have seen the trees turn
to blood until can no more number
the times. / have learned much"
Turning, he fixed his piercing gaze
upon Leota. 1.-THE daughter of Keen
Eye is fair" he said. "More eyes
than Daonta's have seen this"
The young pioneer started.
What do you mean?"
'eThe little chief Of the French,
where yon smoke goes heavenward,
has seen it,. my brother" he replied,
gravely pointing to where a column
of vapor was ascending from the
fort.
Jacques lie Siebertw
Leota started as her lover uttered
the name. This Frenchman had, in
his half arrogant half persuasive
way, been paying attentions to her
which he well knew were disagree
able, ending at last in a proposal
which met prompt refusal. She
knew instinctively that he was a bad
man, caring little for the means used
as long as his ends were attained.
Daonta drew nearer, and lowering
his voice said impressively,-
Listen, my children! The toma-
hawk OF the red man is in his hand;
it is bloody with the life of the pale
face. Go! Fly from land that will
soon be red as the leaves of yon trees
Already, the young men lie hid like
snakes in the forest"
'"They will not attack us, Amos
Gordon has only friends here"
The eyes of the aged Indian glinted
as he replied,
''The little chief of the French and
five red warriors will burn the cabin
of Keen Eye over his head. When
darkness hides the earth they will
come"
Turning quickly, he disappeared
before the young man could ask more
Amos Gordon had once saved the life
of Daonta, and the savage had now
risked it to warn him of danger.
Returning to the cabin, the young
people related their story to the
trapper. he listened calmly, and re-
NAMED time in deep thought be-
fore he spoke.
There's no help for it, they are
too many We must leave our home
to the tender mercies of these cut
Threats and seek place of safety"
Taking his rife he went out to re-
connoitre, and in about an hour re-
9Th Hha fntol1iDaA~n