The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1895-07-04


In PRAYER TO Heaven for aid. as he
moved along like dark specter amid
the lodges. anon he would pause and
listen intcntly, hoping TO hear cough
or a sigh or a spoken word TO tell him
of the presence of his loved one.
AS he cautiously mosed onward a
vivid flash of lightning revealed to his
eyes an object like n crouching form
near lodge in the center of the viii
lage. Dropping PROSTATE upon the
wet ground he peered through the
darkness toward the object, and eager
ly awaited the next flash. II came, and
seated upon the ground near the door
of lodge he saw the form of an Indian,
his blanket thrown over his head to
protect him from the storm. The heart
Of the young soldier beat with renewed
hope as the truth burst upon him that
the Indian was guard, and that the
object of his search must be in that
lodge.
The guard must be disposed OK.
Much rs he dreaded the shedding of
human blood except in the line of duty
on the field of battle, he felt that he
must allow nothing TO stand between
himself and the success of his mission.
Making detour in order to approach
the crouching sentinel from the rear,
he grasped his hunting knife firmly in
! his hand and stole toward the unsus-
! pecting savage. In the darkness he
| could see the silent form but few
| feet distant, and gliding noiselessly as
n serpent he in a moment stood over
! his intended victim. Not sound, not
| groan escaped the red man as he passed
| from sleep into death, and raising the
! flap over the entrance Brown entered
the lodge. He could see nothing in the
! inky darkness, and crouching low
upon the ground he waited for light
| ming fash. When it came il revealed
TO him several forms lying wrapped in
| blankets about the lodge. Moving
softly toward where three forms were
| lying under the same blanket, he
again crouched down and waited for
the fitful torches of heaven to further
| guide him. The rain beat with low,
sullen roar on the lodge of skins, and
the ground trembled as the thunders
beloved their way through the
heavens overhead.
II seemed an age ere the lightning
again lit up the rain-soaked earth and
created siclSly glare within the lodge,
but by the dim light he saw the pale
face of his love. She had raised her
head from its pillow of skins, and the
soft blue eyes were gazing directly
upon him.
In an instant he was beside her, and
as he bent his head TO assure her that
it was himself and to caution her
against making any noise, her arms
glided about his neck and she softly
whispered:
Ned, darling, knew you would
come. While praying to Heaven that
you might come TO my rescue a great
peace filed my soul, and felt that my
prayer had been heard and would be
answe, ed, and when the lightning
came saw your dear face in the gloom
of the lodge"
He pressed kiss on her lips and
whispered:
1--WE must not lose a moment, darl-
ing. Arise softly that you may not
wake those who sleep near you, and
1T MS away"
81 am secured here, Ned. A rope i,
passed about my body and the squaw
who lies next to me is lying upon it."
With his hunting knife he severed
the rope and they passed from the
+, lodge. Moving silent as specters they
traversed the village and soon reached
t the horse in its place of concealment
| AS they approached the animal gav,
, utterance to a low whinny of recogni
: ton, and it seemed to come as a tokeI
, of cheer to their anxious hearts.
, 1--WE must use all haste, darling, fo
discovery of your absence will lead t,
immediate pursuit. 1t is terrible tina
: you must bear exposure to this storm
t and the long fatiguing ride, but yol
Y must be brave"
: 'Do not worry about my comfort
S dear" she replied. ~ am strong, an,
the exposure will not harm me in tn
least"
Unloosing the horse he assisted tn
girl to n seat behind the saddle, an,
mounting in front of her turned tn
animals head toward the fort. Throw
ing her arms about him to secure hei
self in her position, she said:
NOW, Ned, this is splendid sea
and you know am an expert rider, S
push ahead as fast as the noble hors
can travel with its double burden"
I Then away to home and liberty,
he said, as he touched the animal wit
the spurs.