The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1895-08-22

while he held tne pony5 priuio q
warmed himself by the IRE. An
nette looked with pleading eyes to-
wards him. He was old and wrink-
led, and there we're coarse gray
hairs mixed plentifully with the
tawny black ones. Would he not
feel some pity for her and try to
help herr
But no, he did not look at her.
He was thinking only Of his masters
orders. Suddenly he raised his head
and looking at the chief, his red eyes
cleaning like two Goals in the fire.
light, he said slowly and sternly,
"sarafan, pale face sick, she die,
you no mind-she cold, freeze and
de-" "Let her de-" Sarafan an
swered, "pony good for chief like
me-white mans child ought to die
he hunt red man, he shoot him
like deer, he take his hunting
ground, he break up l%njun's homo
and make him hide away in rocks
and woods-white mans child ought
to de-" "Ugh," grunted the old
Indian, "kill her now; no let her
freeze" As he said this Annette
saw his eye upon her and 1t seemed
to CLEAN like a tigers with the blood
thirsty thought. Well might they
call him Wolf, she thought with
those fierce, fiery eyes. But taking,
his greasy blanket frdzf nfs 6yvf
shoulders he put 1t around her.
ooh, have you a child" she ISL
in her agony in a low tone as he ap-
preached her. "Save me for my
poor mother will die-take me home,
and my father will give you the pony
and everything else you want.
Only take me homer"
She could say no more, for there
was no softening in their hard looks.
They did not appear to hear her nor
to understand. Thinking perhaps
they could understand French better
she poured out her e~ntreaties in a
few broken sentences, but with a
like result. Their pride and stoicism
seemed impenetrable and with the
nonchalance Of perfect satisfaction
they proceeded to strap two strong
splits around her binding her to a
small tree within a short distance of
the fire. Taking their seats opposite
to her they lighted their pipes and
smoked themselves to sleep.
Exhaustion soon overcome Annette
and for a few hours her troubles
were forgotten. When she awoke
the Indians were gathered around
the fires preparing the morning
meal. Venison smoked on the Goals
and corn meal cakes they had over
ed in the hot ashes. Some of the
men were again examining the pony.
The chief had mounted him and rid
ing back and forth tested his good
qualities, much to the admiration
and envy of the lockers on.
There seemed to be at least a hun
dred Indians in the camp and il soon
became apparent to Annette that
they were preparing to start on q
march. Trey talked in broken Eng
lish which was mixed with their owl
language and a few words of French.
She heard them call herself the pale
faced squaw as they took council to-
gether how to make her capture
profitable to them in the way of guns,
blankets and other comforts and
luxuries.
"Me no gun," said a half dozen
wild looking half naked creatures 10
the same breath. "Me take pale
face home and get guns"
But the panther like teeth OF the
chief grinned in scorn. He did not
deign a reply to their entreaties but
commanded Wolf, the old Indian, to
lift the girl to the saddle.
"She no eat yet," said Wolf, az
he cut the splints binding her to the
tree.
Annette was very close to the
gray head as he stopped and she
whispered eagerly, go please take
me home" But there was no an
swer and now she was sure he was
not a friend, his heart was as stony
as his eyes.
With the GOODNESS of despair she
suffered him to seat her in the sad
die and as he gave her the coarse
meal cake and boiled venison her
weakened body asserted it's needs
and she ate with a relish that filled
her with surprise.
Their march through the forest by
the pale moonlight was slow and
stealthy. Not a word was spoken.
1t seemed to Annette that even
Glossy's step was lighter and more
n%oiseless. How the dreadful hours
passed she never knew. She was
conscious only of an agony of mind
that seemed uncomfortable.
The gloomy darkness, the drizzling
rain which set In at dawn and her
fatigue and bodily pain were unno-
ticed SO occupied was she with the
fear and dread upon her. What was
to be her fateP To what awful doom
was she fastening?
ITO be Continually
WRAPPED UP.