The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1895-10-31
THE LEGEND OF
BONNIE FEMME.
A Story of Early Days in
Missouri.
T
BY SIDNEY E. POWELL.
BY SIDNEY E. POWELL
CHAPTER xIII.-A HERO DIES.
No,o First Published.

were hastily taken into the house
where they soon lugged their house
hold stuff they had brought with
them.
Capt. Harmon, unwilling to leave
Annette until he had taken her to
her father, led her through the ex-
cited crowd to the s~ubteraneah hid
ing place he had found for the
women and children.
Mrs. Brown met him at the door.
ooh, Captain" she cried as she
grasped both his hands, 1--WE are so
glad to see you back"
But all were startled by a cry from
the bed where Mrs. Lasella w&s
rlyI6g.~
"My childi my childi she sobbsd
as she pressed her daughter to her
bosom.
Annette hardly realized it was her
mother, SO pale and e%maciated 30
different from the mother she left
standing in front of the log house
only a few weeks ago.
"And my father2" she asked.
"Here," answered Capt. Harmon
as he led Mr.. Laselle into the room.
Turning away as he saw her locked
in her fathers arms, their tears
mingling together, his own eyes ALL
ing too, Capt. Harmon felt paid for
all he had done for her and yet he
said sadly to himself, "She will
never need me any more now"
While the battle ragged without,
these three, Ann cite and her father
and mother, went over all the trials
they had passed through, and now
restored to each other, were perhaps
selfshly happy.
But Mrs. Bernard was not forgot
ten.
"Oh father" Annette said, at is so
strange to me that as good a woman
as Mrs. Bernard should have come
to such an end, for l expect the
Indians murdered her."
She then told them how narrowly
she escaped death before, only
through Haha's influence.
"Father," she added, 81 should not
be here to day if it had not been for
Haha, his belief and trust in the
Great Spirit, by which he gained the
respect and confidence of the Indians
and influenced SO many Of them to
love the right"
"Ah, child, that Great Spirit
raised up that friend for you in the
time OF need. Why is 1t we can NOS
always trust HimT
"Oh, Annette," Mrs. Laselle sob
bed out, 81 should have died il Capt.
Harmon had not found me and
brought me to the fort in his arms.
How kind he was / shall never for
get"
"Nor 1 either" said Annette,
hugging her mother, as she used to
do at home.
"But Ill never walk any more ]
fear, yet l am glad to live to let
your father see I will listen at his
advice hereafter"
Mrs. Laselle said smiling in q very
patient resigned way.
By this time they we're beginning
to bring in the wounded and dying.
sob if Capt. Harmon should be
killed." cried Miss Nellie Wilton
wringing her hands wildly.
at he were only here to dress
these wounds" said Mrs. Brown, tthe
could tell us what to do"
Miss Vinton was trying all she
could to sec the battle. She heard
the yells of the Indians, and the
volleys of musketry which were in.
cessent, but there were no windows IL
the cave, and the suspense and I'M.
easiness became not only intolerablt
to her, but to Annette. The though
that Capt. Harmon and perhaps
Hahs would be killed made her fee
very miserable. Making her way Il
the entrance of the cave, she saw
Mr.. Bernard, who vas ~kneeling by
dying soldier, and asked him II sh,
could not 60 out into the fort to se,
the battle.
"Child, do you want to get killet
now after al they have gone through
to save your" he asked.
Her face flushed and her eye
filed with tears as she answered
"Oh, Mr.. Bernard, If kind, goot
Haha should be among them, an,
wounded or dying. I could never b.
happy II I did not go to him.
must 60 out-Capt. Harmon too
may be hurt" But Mr.. Hess run
ming breathlessly in at this momen
interrupted her. "They are whlppe,
and trying to get off," he exclaime'
exultingly. His head was still Il
bandages from the other conflict
which much to his delight exempte,
him from active service now. Il
great JOY he spread the news, tn
9 Indians were whipped, slaughtere,
by the thousand and the few lei
were on the retreat running like dee
to the forests. Tho troops shoutin
almost as wildly az the savages ha'
! done in the beginning, were pursu
q ing them, but with small prospect
: of capturing them.