The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-04-30
A TALE OF THE WEST.

carefully that his life was saved Then
he went on to the Golden Hill settlement
One morning soon after, while riding
through one the streets, he drew rein 10
speak to a group Of friends. While thus
engaged there came sudden interruption
to the conversation IN the shape Of horss-
man riding up the street at full speed and
waving his hat to attract attention The
news be brought was appalling Sandy
Guloh had lately been the scene Of an In
dian massacre. Few had escaped
Delaney pushed his way to tho side Of
the messenger and piled him with ques-
lions in regard to the fate of Amy Max
well. He learned that she was a prisoner
In tho hands Of the savages.
A moment the young man remained
awestruok Then, with flaming eyes, he
shouted. TO horse. boysl That girl saved
my life. viii rescue her or diel''
~ I, Ii'' yelled his friends in chorus.
Soon all was hustle and confusion in the
little mining town Of Gold Hill.
Delaney and his companions first visited
the scene of the slaughter, and from the
blackened ruins of the huts of Sandy Gulch
took up the well defined trial Of the ma
rauders.
They had little difficulty in keeping on
the track of the savages until they reached
a mountainous part Of the country.
"a few hours hard travel through rocky
def1les and dense 6hickets led them to a
Gp06 W08EE 6lG DAEAA AAeaA 4AN44DQ- G5AAAauJ
was loath to split up his company, but as
he was anxious TO effect the girls rescue
as soon as possible there seemed no alter
native Calling his men about him, he
proceeded to announce to them his plans.
Scarcely had he begun when one of the
party, who had been accommodating along
one Of the trails returned in haste. an
nounoing the find Of a small white hand
kerchief with the initial letters q A. NJ. D."
in one corner. This settled at once the
Inooted question, for Delaney knew the
deiicately embroidered article to be the
property Of the captive girl.
Late in the afternoon they reached very
wild and uneven ground, and the oondi-
ton Of the trail cautioned them to extrelno
carefulness, since it was beyond doubt
that their enemies were not far in advance.
Finally bidding his mon to halt, Delaney
assembled a commanding eninenee with
two or three comrades.
A slight curl of smoke was discernible
arising from small open space about a
mile distant.
To the north of them could lie seen a
macs of towering rocks, with perpendicu-
lar ascent; On the west a considerable
stream OF water ooursed placidly by, while
the two remaining points of the compass
allowed an approach to their retreat
through dense thioket.
Delaney returned to his companions.
Plans Of attack we're discussed, and all
were found to be in favor Of attacking a5
once, while there was just Light enough to
guide their movements
As soon as the decision was reached tho
hand was divided, and orders were given
for a sim ultaneous attack from the south
and east.
When a sufficient time had elapsed to
warrant Delaney in the belief that both
bands were ready for the attack, the word
was passed for a quick charge. Delaney
~
the first to break cover. Tho savagss, sur
prised and panic stricken, sought to escape
in what appeared the only safe direction
remaining.
After the first onslaught the fight had
resolved itself into q combat with knives.
Delaney had already singled out the rene
gade 0hiGftain and was lighting hand to
hand. Dupont, however, "a giant in strength
and thoroughly familiar with such bloody
conflicts, was proving too much for the
young miner and would no doubt have
soon overcome tbs impetuOus youth had
not Two of his men, seeing his danger,
sprung to his assistance.
The renegade seeing his disadvantage,
turned to fec. In the course of his fight,
which was toward the river, he reached q
rudely constructed Wigwam. A moment
be disappeared within. There was cry Of
alarm, and he reappeared bearing in his
arms the slender form of the captive girl
Will 6eUaitlo you g1t4 Alb 6uOubl4 W
Delaney as with laugh of triumph he
sprang with his burden from the over
hanging bank to the stream below. There
was q splash as the outlaw and his captive
struck the water, which was followed i'm
mediately by a second as Delaney initiated
his example.
Delaney was the better swimmer and
had q decided advantage in being unin-
cum bered. He was fast nearing the rens-
9ade who, seeing he could not escape,
raised his knife and shouted de6antly:
She shall die. Jack Dupont never yet
met defeat at the hands Of an enemyl'
The knife seemed about to descend into
the heart of his captive. A moment it
remained poised The nurderous steel
quivered in that powerful arm, but it was
destined never to descend upon its intend
ed victim A sharp tWang Of a bovstring
from the opposite bank, the swift flight
Of an arrow, and Jack Dupont, shot
through the heart, had given up his pris-
oner forever.
Delaney caught the maiden from the
relaxing hold of the dying man and swan
with her TO the bank. As he stepped from
the water with his now unconscious bur
den he was met by Wauneeta, the Indian
girl. She &c was who had thus rendered
such timely aid and thereby paid the debt
of gratitude she showed her white dsllv-
erer.
The unequal combat was soon over.
On the return Delaney learned from
Amy that her parents had both been slain
by the attack on Sandy Gulch and that
now she was entirely alone ia the world.
With characteristic kindness the young
man secured for her temporary home
with the family of one Of the Gold Hill
miners and persuaded Waunoeta to remain
in the settlement as her companion.
Before the flowers Of the next springtiIIs
had faded from the woodland slopes the
whole village was ringing with the merri-
ment Of happy voices. 1t was the occasion
of the marriage festivities Of our two
young friends whose acquaintance, formed
amid such aEolsing ovens. had rlnanod