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

4
ling out of reach of cat or wolf, lie
started for home TO get his horse and
return and take it home that very
night. Taking 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 Transporting there until he
had passed through the wood. Thus
it was that when within a short dis
lance Of his home he heard a 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 loud shout. that his presence
might sooner be known, Cooper
sprang forward like deer, great
fear in his heart, for he had only too
clearly recognized in that scream the
agonized cry of his wife.
1t took but moment for him to
get through the intervening timber
and underground, and as lie dashed
out into 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 precipltoused
cliffs upon which the figure OF the
Indian was struggling.
''My child 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 downward the parents saw in his
hideously painted countenauce the
full purpose that uctuated the
abduction.
"God aid mel" Cooper muttered as
he raised his rifle, glanced through
the sights and touched the trigger.
The Indian started violently at the
shot. He was hit. but not badly, and
with yell of triumph he kept toiling
upward.
"Too low by couple of inches"
said low, calm voice at the settlers
clbfcTtia,
f.. started as though he himself
! IS ttsl.ots
W1ere was this man from! Who
was lie? Neither had seen him APP
pltsScI:. But there was no time for all
explanation. The stranger stepped
quickly forward few PAGES, firmly
planted his left foot III advance and
threw us an unusually long rifle, as
though preparing to fire.
For Gods sake, stranger, be care
full of my child" cried Cooper, while
the agonized mother uttered an audi
Die prayer.
"lt's our only chance. know that
Indian" was the short reply, and the
sharp click click of the hammer as it
was drawn back told that the critical
moment had come.
By this time the Indian had nearly
reached the summit of the cliffs.
That he was badly wounded became
more evident, as upon IL broad ledge
of rock he paused moment. This
opportunity was ezsd by the nm
known.
Although the Indian had taken the
precaulion to hold the child up in
front of him as shield, covering
nearly the whole of his chest, his head
was left uncovered.
For one second, as it gained its po-
silion. the rifle wavercd and then in
stantly became irmoyable, as though
held in wise. With cIasped hands
and staring eyes the parents watched
the figure upon which SO much de-
pended. Suddenly sharp report
rang out, the white smoke drifled
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 10 time in reach
ing the place where his child Law, and
in a few moments more the little one
was in its mothers arms.
Tell 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.