The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1895-07-11

uruerance 10 II low wninny on recogni-
ton, and it seemed TO come as token
of cheer to their anxious hearts.
1--WE must use all haste, darling, for
discovery of your absence win lead to
immediate pursuit. 1t is terrible that
you must bear exposure to this storm
and the long fatiguing ride, but you
must be brave"
do not worry about my comfort,
dear" she replied. II am strong, and
the exposure will not harm me in the
least"
Unloosing the horse he assisted the
girl to seat behind the saddle, and
mounting in front of her turned the
animals head toward the fort Throw
ing her arms about him to secure her
self in her position, she said:
"Now, Ned, this is a splendid seat
and you know am an expert rider, so
push ahead as fast as the noble horse
can travel with its double burden"
"Then away to home and liberty"
he said as he touched the animal with
the spurs.
CHAPTER XVIII
The horse did not seem to feel the
weight of his double load, and sped
over the ground at a rapid pace.
''How noble of you, Ned, to risk your
own precious life for me-" she said, as
they few along. IAN eternity of love
and devotion could not repay you for
your work of tonight"
Zone smile from my darling one, one
word of love from her lips would amply
repay me for any undertaking, no
natter what dangers it might pre-
SENT" he fondly replied. Ibid the In
dams treat you harshly, Alice?'
''No, Ned, but o, shudder to think
of the fate they held in store for me
and which would have met tonight
had not this storm come on. There is in
the band young half-breed Indian
who speaks fairly good English, and he
explained to me that many of the In
dians horses have died lately from
some epidemic, and the medicine man
of the tribe told them that the Great
Spirit was angry with the people and
J demanded sacrifice to appease his
wrath. He told them that they must
make captive paleface girl. and out in
! an open camp must bald a great circle
of fires, and that in the circle amid dane.
ing and rejoicing the maiden must be
bound and trampled to death by
horses ridden by those whose animals
had died. The band which captured
me were on the way to the ranch of q
settler near the base of the San Matec
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 awaited
my coming. They believed the Great
Spirit had thrown me into their hands
and their rejoicing WAS great The
wood for the fore-circlc had all beer
collected when the storm approached
and as the thunders rolled in the dis
lance the medicine man told them the
Great Spirit was speaking to then
commanding them to take me to thu
reservation where the entire trib'
could take part in the ceremonies. O
Ned, in their blind, ignorant supersti
ton they will be frantic over my es
cape, and will use desperate efforts t.
recapture me. Do you not fear pur
suit?"
Your absence may not be discov
cred until daybrealS, my darling, an(
even should you be missed tonight
they could not discover our trail in thI
darkness. Even now l am depending
entirely on the instinct of the horse t.
keep our direction, for not q Landmark
can be seen in this pitchy darkness"
But they viii know that my rescue
came from the fort, or that if ESCAPED
unaided would start back toward tn
fort, and should | be missed in tn
night would they not at once come il
this direction in search of nc?"
you are right, Alice. had no
thought of that. Then, in reassu1
ing tone, he added: But do not fee
the least fear, dear one, for we ar
mounted on magnificent horse, an
l he is making splendid progress. w
will surely reach the river by day
, break, and think the Indians woul
, not go far without some sign to shoy
S them that they were on our trail. Res
r assured that we will reach the fort 1
4 safety in time for good breakfast"
! Il pray that you may be right, Net
9 yet have presentiment that per-
l awaits us before we reach our home.
e will try to Danish the fear, which is n
V doubt a foolish one"
: ''You will laugh at your fears, littl
1 one, when you are again safe in you
n home. Bat see. darling, the rain ha
3 almost ceased, and it grows lighter"
e The clouds were indeed passin
G away, and soon the stars glimmere
r dimly through the hazy atmosphere.
r On and on they sped across tn
:, desert, every beat of the horses hoo
4 making an increased distance betwee
S themselves and their Indian foes.
e On through the gloom of night int
the gray dawn of morning they rod
? and just as the first streak Of sunligl
L kissed the damp earth over the easter
:, hills they came upon the bluffs owe
c looking the Rio Grande at the poii
r where they had crossed it, four mil,
e below the fort.
v Here is the dear old river again
he joyfully cried. Now to ford
d and in an hour you will be safely bac
t in your fathers arms"
r did father know you started aft
S me, Ned?" she asked, as the horl