The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1895-07-18

blood-curdling yells rang out upon the
air. On they few, pursued and pursu-
ers, and Browns heart sank within him
when he noted that the Indians were
rapidly closing the gap between them.
Squirting his horse to it's greatest ex-
ertions groan escaped from the sol
dier's now bloodless lips, for the ami
NAL began to perceptibly slacken its
speed. His powers of endurance were
almost exhausted, and it was evident
that he could go but little further
The fort was yet two miles distant, and
escape now seemed impossible.
Zip. Zip! Zip" The bullets from
the rifles of the Indians began. to fly
by them.
Pulling the jaded horse behind bar
ricadc of rocks which rose by the trail
Brown sprung to the ground and cried;
''Get into the saddle, Alice, and push
on toward the fort. For the love Of
God hasten, and | may be able to hold
them at bay until you escape. Fly, my
darling, fly, for not an instant must be
lost"
To his utter amazcment the brave
girl slid from the horses back and,
with pale bat determined face. replied:
mo, Ned, will not leave you. You
rislsed your precious life for me! and it
would be cowardly for me to desert you
now If you must die here, will die
with you"
There was no time for further urg-
ing, for the yells of the Indians now
came to them with startling distinct
ness as they rapidly came on. Gaining
position from which he could see
over the rocks, the soldier leveled his
repeating rifle and began to discharge
it with deadly effect.
So unexpected was the fire that the
Indians recoiled, and, springing from
their ponies in confusion, sought for
shelter behind the rocks which dotted
the mesa. From their cover they kept
up scattering fire, but their bullets
flew harmlessly overhead, or were fat
tened against the rocky breastwork
which natured had provided.
Peering cautiously.over the barricade
the brave soldier watched his foes with
eagle eyes, firing whenever feathered
head came into view.
There came cessation in the firing
Of the Indians, and he heard them call
ing out to each other from their sepa-
rated positions behind the rocks, and
surmised that they were planning a
sudden dash upon their hiding place.
His heart became as lead in his breast,
for he well knew that. although his
rifle might do deadly work as they ad-
vanced, they would certainly over
power him and death would speedily
follow.
In his eagerness to get good shot
and thus still further intimidate the
savages, he raised himself yet higher
above the rocks, and the next instant
fell backward into the arms of his be-
trothed, the warm blood squirting from
bullet wound in his breast.
"Oh, Ned, Ned, you are hit! You are
killed!'' she cried, in agony. "Oh! my
God, my God, what shall do? Father
in Heaven, save him. save him.
With great effort he said:
''Be brave. Alice, my love, be brave.
IT'S not much | am only-only stunned
little. will re-recover in ain a
moment"
His face grew deathly pale, and
blood oozed forth from his pallid
!, lips. Alice almost screamed with
fright, and her voice trembled with
agony as she said
"Oh, Ned, my poor darling you are
dying. They have cruclly murdered
you! Father in Heaven take me with
him.
With an almost superhuman effort he
seemed to rally his fast departing
strength and said:
81 am not so badly hurt as you think,
Alice, and can yet protect you The
shock of the shot made me feel faint