Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1894-11-08

utter sound. Her first thought was
her boy, and 90 she controlled herself
If only she could keep them from seeing
her child.
White woman cook, we eat, said one
Of them gruffly, and they swung them
selves from their horses.
Pale as her face was she managed to
smile on them; and hastily adding more
wood to the dying fire in the stove, she
set about cooking such simple fare
as she had at hanl. The Indians
watched her silently, and when every
thing was ready they ate with scant
ceremony. The meal over, they gave
a grunt that might have been construed
into thanks, and mounted their horses
again went on their way.
But alas, their way led them past the
spring. In an instant Mrs. Grey was
speeding after them, stealing through
the bushes and trying to keep from be
ing seen, but intent on reaching the boy
first. There he was--she could Just see
him jumping back and forth oyer the
little stream that flowed from the spring
Perhaps they would pass without seeing
him after all.
No, she heard the grunt Of surprise
that caught the CLINT Of the boys curls
and instantly one Of the horses was
turned in that direction. The Indian
had stopped from his saddl" and snatch
ed the boy up.
Mrs. Grey rushed forward with a
scream of fear, but the savage turned
his horse to one side and heftly eluded
her. Then, holding Frank on one arm,
he went careering about, making his
horse leap across bitches and dodge
around trees, while the rider himself
waved his other arm aloft and shouted
till the forests rung.
After that one scream Mrs Grey was
silent. She stood still, with her hands
clasped, her heart in her eyes. She did
not doubt that they intended to kill her
child, or to carry him into captivity.
But even in the midst of her despair a
thrill of pride went through her heart
as the brave little man waved his hand
at her, and cried;
See me ridin, mamma? Amt this
fne:'
Suddenly the Indian paused in hia
wild ride and looked at the white faced
mother.
Little Wolf teach Yellow Head to
SWIM he said, and at once set out in a
sharp trot down the slope, followed by
the others.
Wildly Mrs. Grey ran after them
Her home and everything in it was for
gotten. She WAS crazed with fear.
The river was not more than half a mile
away and they were going straight to-
wards it. What did they intend to dc
with the child?
She ran until her knees seemed to give
way under her. The brambles caught
at ber dress and tore it when she pulled
away from them, and still she ran and
stumbled on. The Indian was out OF
sight and she was following their tracks
on and on-and now the river was neal
and there on the bank were the horses
A~d such scene as met the mother S
eyes. There was Little Wolf standing
on the bank with Frank in his arms,
and he swung the child as easily as
though he had been rabbit, and flung
him far out into the stream.
Then Little Wolf and his companions
leaped in and dyed, and as Frank clme
to the surf zee, struggling and sputter-
ing, the four Indians rose around him.
Merrily as Tritons they sported about
him, sometimes holding hand to him
and keeping just out Of his way when
he reached for it; buc taking care that
he kept his head above the water.
After little while they scrambledout
with him, only to toss him in again,
and diye for him again. and play all
kinds of tricks with him again. Surely
more fantastic sport was never seer.'
The mother watched as though cured to
stone, yet she could not help seeing that
The child was not frightened, and she
heard his laugh ring ont merrlly when
he had really learned to strike out
boldly for himself
Did you see that, mlmml " he cried
when they brought him oat. u swim.
med l sure enough swmmed F. Little
Wolf taught me 7
With prayer of thankfulness in her
heart she took the child in her arms,
while the Indians mounted their horses
again and rode away. She carried the
boy home, crying over him all the way.