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


Preparations were made for an i'm
mediate departure, and when the
shadows began to creep over the land
all was in readiness. The plan pro-
posed was to proceed down the river
a short distance and then try to make
their way eastward.
At o'clock the silver rim of the
moon appeared above the horizon.
flooding forest and stream with her
soft radiance.
"We must go at once" Gordon de-
cided.
The cabin contained two rooms.
Allowing the candle to burn in one,
as blind to any lurking foe with
out, they entered the other. Here
they noiselessly opened the outer
door and quietly passed out Keep
ing well in the shadows they crossed
the clearing in the direction Of a
clump of underbrush in which their
canoe lay concealed.
Scarcely had they gained cover
when Wade pointed out a number of
shadowy figures stealing from a
thicket to the left in the direction of
the house.
1--WE must make haste" Gordon
whispered. 1.-THE red hounds will
soon be after u.s."
The canoe was quickly drawn from
its cuncealment and launched. 1t was
composed of bark, and constructed in
the manner of those in common use
among the Indians. Everything be-
ing in readiness, they prepared to push
of when an appalling chorus OF yells,
such as could only emanate from the
Threats OF Hurons, caused them to
pause a moment. At the same in
slant a bright flame lighted up the
scene, telling them the house had
been fired.
Amos set his teeth firmly: it was
hard to know that the home in which
he had spent so many happy days was
being destroyed; but there was no
time for vain regrets or thoughts of
revenge, aud in another moment the
boat was gliding down stream, closely
hugging the wooded shore. Wade
Nolance occupied the rear seat, Leota
the center, and her father the bow.
Each was provided with a paddle,
Leota handling hers in manner that
spoke Of long acquaintance with the
of this species Of water
craft
The cries of the savages had ceased,
and silence profound rested upon the
river; only the roaring and cracking
Of the flames, subiued by the rapidly
increasing distance, broke the still
ness At each dip of the paddles the
light canoe shot forward, skimming
over the water like bird in air, with
only ripple now and then to tell of
its passage.
Suddenly loud, vibrating cry, COM
ing directly from the direction of the
burning cabin, then all was silent as
before. The willy Frenchman had
placed sentinel to guard the river.
and cut off all chance of escape!
Each heart beat louder, and each
pair OF arms drove the paddles into
the water with a fiercer energy as the !
fugitives realized that only after a
ong, stern chase could they hope to
escape. Ten, twenty minutes passed,
and Leota was beginning to feel more |
1T ease. There was no sign of pur-
suit; quiet brooGed over the scene. |
Keeping we'll in the shadows cast by |
the trees, they listened to catch some !
sound indicating that they were fol-
owed, but in vain; the almost unen-
durable stiffness remained unbroken. |
"We shall soon know whether or
not we are followed, Leota," Volance |
in the girls ear.
She nodded comprehendinglY Just |
at that point the river made bend |!
and ran almost directly westward;
in short time they were out from
the shadows, and plainly visible in
the moonlight.
"If any Of those devils are about
they'll see us plainly enough now,"
said Amos, grimly.
Leota laid her hand on his arm.
"Father, you will not let me fall !
into their hands alive?" she whis-
pered.
A groan broke from the old mans
lips
MAY God keep me from shedding
the blood of my own child" he said,
and Leota was answered.
Wade had not spoken, but his !
bronzed face had lost its color, and |
the eyes which met Leota's were dim.
One, two minutes passed. Then /
from the ragged boundary line of |
shade from which they had just
dark object swept out 1t
was canoe, and at least SIX dusky |
ldrove it forward in swift |
pursuit.
A thrill of despair ran through the |
hearts of the fugitives; the cruel te- |
nacity with which the Hurons would !
follow trail or pursue an. enemy was !
known to them. Nerved with the |
energy born Of despair, they piled the |
paddles with renewed viQor. But how
could the strength Of three, and one
a woman, contend with that of six? |
This was the question Wade Vo-
lance asked himself. and his quick |
brain began to plan way out of the
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