Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-09-29
CHAPTER ky.

Kushat was not mistaken. She did
hear firing and see the smoke Of rifles,
and Henry Kyle was right in thinking
that Brandon had been attacked. Far
down the rift the clatter Of hoofs and
the Jingle Of arms told that Bouton was
through the pass and in possession If
the trail leading TO the Prophet valley.
The captain saw that minutes delay
would place him between two fires.
Keep cool, my men," he shouted.
I'VE must get III Bouton's advance !
Press on and Twill cover. " He checked
back his horse, and the others, intent
on getting down the trail before Bouton,
urged their horses into wild gallop,
locking neither To the right nor left.
Robb and his men were on foot, and
they attempted 10 head off the horse
men. They would, without doubt, have
succeeded in their object had not the
captain flung himself from his horse
and brought them 10 sudden halt by
sending down the man who was IN the
advance. Still on kept the captains
party. They We're 200 yards ahead OF
him when he remounted 10 follow. But
in his efforts 10 save his men he had
placed himself in deadly peril.
From the valley Bouton saw and rec
ognized him, and shouting TO his men
Take him alivel Take him alive" he
led the charge to head Captain Brandon
off. Close pressed though the captain
was, he might have gone through haG
not Bouton. who had been in the ad-
vance, flung himself from his horse and
fired. He was fine ritieman. he should
be-, for firearms had been his toys in
childhood and his constant companions
in manhood The captains horse gave
three quick. short bounds The knees
suddenly doubled up, and the daring
rider was dashed 10 the ground, where
he lay bleeding and senseless "Ho,
hor' shouted BOutOn, running over and
laying his foot on the captains slow
moving breast. I'VE have you, eh? ]
want you To know it! Curse you, want
you % know that you are in my power
before you die! Here, boys, carry this
fellow TO the spring. Bathe him and
restore him | shall let him know he
crossed my path once too often!'
The outlaws picked up the uncon-
scious man, and the whole gang would
have followed had not Bouton, now
savagely exultant after his late depres-
sion. shouted 10 them:
Pursue! Those men must not escape
usr'
Captain Brandon was carried 10 the
spring. near which Alice Blanchard and
Nora Kyle were sitting, weary, pale and
downhearted. Nora had heard Of the
gallant captain, but had never seen him
before. She did not even know who he
was when he was placed on the ground
beside her, with the blood flowing from
cut i'll his head and the scar from
brow to chin looking Us if 1t had just
been made Ii did not need second
glance for Alice to know who it was.
With a cry of agony she sprang, 10 her
feet, and hurrying over knolt beside
him and placed her ear to his broad
breast.
Thank God, he still lives Bring
water, Nora! Help me, help me! This
is Captain Brandon-Captain Brandon,
our protector and friendf'
Nora at the call fastened 10 Alice's
side, and one of the men brought wa
ter from the spring Alice loosened his
collar, poured water between his lips,
bathed the cash on his head, and even
satisfied herself that the wound was not
fatal by feeling the skull. In 20 minutes
the captain looked into her face, smiled
and whispered;
"You, Alice?"'
"Yes, /, my friend Oh, why has this
misfortune befallen you Of all men!
You, our guide and protector! You, on
whom all depended for advice and d.
rectionp
"Where am To- he asked, rising onhis
elbow and gazing about.
"You are prisoner, sobbed Alice.
"a prisoner" he repeated, and he
stroked his forehead as if to clear away
the mists still clouding his brain.
"Yes," she said, ."you are prisoner
in Bonton's power.
"And Howard and the other menT'
he asked eagerly.
"They seem to have eluded pursuit.
"And Louis Kyle-where is Louis
Kyle?"
"They say he escaped last night
"Escaped?"
"Yes, so ! heard some OF the men
say. We have not seen him since we at
tempted to enter the pass. p"
"If he has escaped, he will join my
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