Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-09-15
" \ prlsoner! GOD PITY you.
"a nri.nnnr- and 80 IL Louis. y
CHAPTER XXI

Throughout all the trouble Captain
Brandon had shown himself 10 be tire
less and patient. If he ever felt fatigue,
he never spoke of it, nor did he show 1t
by any lesscning of his amazing energy.
II he ever lost heart, as he might well
do in the face Of the continued and ev-
er increasing troubles, he succeeded IN
keeping his depression to himself. From
the first he was hopeful, and when 9th
ers got low spirited he cheered them
up and strengthened them with assur-
ances Of final success. When he pushed
his way 70 the place where he had seen
Alice and Clara from the opposite side
Of the canyon and found them missing,
he gave no sign of impatience.
To the doctor, who was nearly dis
consulate, the captain said:
There is good reason for their ieav-
ing. Let US try TO find their trail.
They were engaged i'll this work when
they discovered Black Eagles Indians
and at the same time caught sight OF
the two girls between the two lines.
They charged down and met Clara
fying toward them. She was caught In
the captains arms, and Howard Blanch-
ard was for pressing ON, but the cap
tain, seeing that the Indians outnum-
bered them three to one, called halt
and prudently got his men under cover
Of the rocks. They saw Alice being car
ried off, but they did not dare to fire on
the men surrounding her for fear Of do
ing her harm. AS soon as it was dark
CAPTAIN Brandon cautioned his little
band to remain where they were while
he crept down to ascertain the position
and force of the enemy.
Clara was so much unnerved and IA
tigued that it was found impossible to
90 ON with her that night, and so, max
ing virtue a necessity, it was agreed to
remain where they were till morning.
Soon after dark, to the surprise and JOY
of all, the Prophet entered the camp,
and in reply to John Clyde's question
as to where he came from he replied:
Il have come up again from the val
lev of the shadow Of death with no fac
ulty impaired. have been in the fiery
furnace and come out unscorched- Yes,
| have even been in the den Of lions
and heard them roaring, but they cow
cred before my glance and did not dare
to strike their hungry teeth into my
flesh. l did not fear, for I relied not on
my own strength. Nay, courted the
danger, and, 10! am here. What harm
has befallen our people?"
The captain gave verbal report OF
everything that happened. Then the
Prophet, with more directness and much
less ambiguity than was his habit, re-
lated his own adventures, to the great
amazement Of his friends.
"And how did you come to escapeT'
asked the captain when the Prophet
told of his capture.
II left in the darkness. Though the
guards saw me as plainly as you do
now, they dared not to raise their rifles
against the Mountain Prophet. / held
them as with spell, but the spell would
have been broken had / attempted to
carry off Louis Kyle. Trust me, his res
cue will come in good time, said the
Prophet.
''Now, in truth" I" said the delighted
captain, II feel strong, and unless Bou-
ton gets all his force together ] will not
shrink from giving him battle"
"Ah, my friends. cried honest John