Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1895-01-17
BY6PRIN JACk RAWF0RD.


lhe horse did not seem to feel 1L
weight of his double load, and spe
over the ground at rapid pace.
How noble of you, Ned, to risk you
own precious life for me-" she said, a
they flew along. IAN eternity of lov
and devotion could rot repay you 10
your work of tonight"
zone smile from my darling one, on
vord of love from her lips would amplE
.epay me for any undertaking, n,
natter what dangers it might PR
.ent," he fondly replied. 'Did the n
iians treat you harshly, Alice?"
''No, Ned. but o, | shudder to thin.
of the fate they held in store for n.
and which would have met to-nigh
nad not this storm come on. There is i
the band a young half-breed India
who speaks fairly good English, and h
explained TO me that many OF the II
dians' horses have died lately from
some epidemic, and the medicine MAJ
of the tribe told them that the Grea}
Spirit was angry with the people ano
demanded a sacrifice to appease HI.
wrath He told them that they mus
an open camp must build great circle
of fires. and that in the circle amid dane
ing and rejoicing the maiden must b,
bound and trampled to death b.
horses ridden by those whose animal,
had died. The l. nd which capturec
me were on the w. to the ranch OF =
settler near the base of the San Mate,
mountains west of the fort to carry of
his daughter for the sacrifice wheI
they heard my pony's footsteps COMING
down the gulch, and, concealine
themselves near the trail, they awaite"
my coming. They believed the Grea
spirit had thrown me into their hands
and their rejoicing was great. Th,
wood for the fore circle had all beer
collected when the storm approached
and as the thunders rolled in the di>
5ance the medicine man told them th'
Great Spirit was speaking to thcr
commanding them to take me to I'll
reservation where the entire trii"
could take part in the ceremonies. Z
Ned in their blind, ignorant superst
ion they viii be frantic over my e.
cape, and will use desperate efforts t
recapture me. Do you not fear pur
suit?''
Your absence nay not be disco>
cred until daybreak, my darling, ano
even should you be missed tonight
they could not discover our trail in the
darkness. Even now | am dependinp
entirely on the instinct of the horse t.
keep our direction for not a Landmark
,an be seen in this 1itchy darkness
But they will know that my rescue,
came from the fort Or that if | escapac
unaided would start back toward tn,
fort, and should | be missed in the
light would they not at once come in
his direction in search of mc?"
"You are right, Alice. 1 had not
'hought of that. Then, in a reassur
ng tone, he added; But do not fee
the least fear, dear one, for we are
mounted on magnificent horse, anC
ne is making splendid progress W,
viii surely reach the river by day,
break, and think the Indians would
not go far without some sign to show
them that they were on our trail. Res
assured that we will reach the fort il
safety in time for good breakfast"
81 pray that you may be right, NeU
get have presentiment that peri
awaits US before we reach our home.
will try to Danish the fear, which is NJ
doubt foolish one"
'You will laugh ut your fears, litti,
one, when you are again safe in youl
home. But see, "arling, the rain ha'
tlmost ceased, and It grows lighter"
The clouds w-re indeed passing
away, and soon the stars glimmerec
lilnly through the razy atmosphere.
On and on the, sped across Tia,
desert, every beat of the horses hoof,
making an increased distance betwee'
themselves and their Indian foes.
On through the gloom of night int
the gray dawn of morning they rode
and just as the first streak of sunlight
kissed the damp earth over the eastern
hills they came upon the bluffs over
looking the Rio Grande at the point
where they had crossed it, four mile
below the fort.
Here is the dear old river again.
he joyfully cried. "Now to ford ii
and in an hour you will be safely bacl
IN your fathers arms"
Did father know you started aftei
ne. Ned?' she asked, as the horse