Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-10-06

Brandon was not dead, Dut prlsoner
Howard Blanchard proposed that they
should turn back and rescue the captain
mt once, and John Clyde seconded the
suggestion with great spirit.
"Not now, )" said the Prophet. 1--WE
must not do anything TO delight the
heart Of the oppressor.
And" asked honest John Clyde,
edo you think they'll be delighted to
see US coming at them?"
II know they would. for though we
might start, we could never reach the
destination we had in view. Let US
watch and pray" Then, turning TO
Louis Kyle, who was standing on rock
near by, looking back, he said:
"Do you see the Philistines?'
"Yes, " replied Louis Then, coming
over, he laid his hand on the Prophets
arm and continued: Neither nor any
Of the men here dreamed Of anything
else but that you should take command
after we We're sure that IL was you APP
preaching. We place ourselves In your
charge, and whatever you command that
shall we do"
Louis speaks for me, " said Howard
Blanchard.
And for me-" added John Clyde,
and the Others joined in unanimously.
And whatever Louis Kyle says or
does that we do, said one Of the herd
ers, who on former occasion showed
his devotion to his young master.
If Captain Brandon were here, said
the Prophet, now as in the past l
would submit rs u child TO his control,
once we were outside the temples where
preside, but now with your consent
will try TO act as he would were he here.
80, my friends, mount your horses and
fall back. The Philistines are in sight.
See the sunlight flashing on their arms!
The men threw themselves on their
horses, and the Prophet and Louis Kyle,
keeping 10 the rear, turned in their sad
dies now and then to look back. They
could see that Bouton had brought the
prisoners 10 the front so as 10 deter re-
sistance.
The sun was setting when the Prophet
and his friends entered the depression
terminating i'll the canyon that led into
the wonderful valley, which seemed TO
be the objective point of the maraudefs
There could b. no better place in which
10 make a stand. The Prophets force
could easily have held it against ten
times BOuton's numbers, and some OF
tho men urged him to make fight
there. He said i'll reply: "You are right
rs to our power TO keep them back The
defense is in our favor, but we are in
their hands, and they know IT, "
How so?" asked John Clyde.
Because in this canyon we cannot
shoot at them or destroy them without
at the same time destroying our friends.
Their prisoners are their shields, and
they know they are safe behind them.
II was quite dark when they emerged
from the canyon, wherein the roar Of
the waters had drowned out their own
voices and the tramping Of the horses.
In the face Of the cliff beyond the lake
they saw dull glow, and they knew 1t
came from the caves where the few men
and the women were watching.
Let them come into the valley
said the Prophet to his men, who. III
their impatience, were anxious 10 make
stand at the entrance TO the canyon.
But our wives and children are over
yonder," said one Of the men.
AYE, and God is everywhere. Let
them come in, / say, said the Prophet
in tones that for the first time had III
them ring Of command.
why, you talk as if you wanted
them 10 come in, said the astonished
immigrant.
Then am not deceiving you Let
them come into the valley. They have
my consent. They will not have my
consent when they want 10 leave.
Far up the canyon they could hear the
shouting Of the men and the tramplng
Of horses blending with the roar Of the
waters and multiplied again and again
by the echoes 50 peculiar TO the wonder
ful chasm. The women heard the tramp
ing Of the horses and snatched up their
children and trembled and crouched
near the entrance of the cave. DR..
Blanchard and Valentine Kyle seized
their rifles and stood ready 10 defend
the entrance. But the Prophet allayed
their fears by shouting out while yet
100 yards Off
Fear not II is /, Daniel, with our
friends.
On hearing this the women sent up
:ry of delight, and the doctor and Val
entine Kyle hastened out TO meet the
horsemen. Louis was hardly out Of the
saddle when the arms Of his parents
were about him, while near by Mary
Clyde was sobbing on her fathers breast
The Prophet stationed guards before the
entrance 10 the cave, 80 as To watch the
horses and the foe. And the people
crowding near the entrance saw fire
flash up by the lake, and they were told
that Bouton and his men were III the
Sacred valley.