The Van Buren press., 1897-10-16

tired of this kind of archery, so they
proceeded to something more ianger-
Gus and exciting.
Each in turn, eXerting all mis-
strength, flung a tomahawk at the lit
tie prisoner. Oh, it was piteous 10 see
the child, with bright blue eyes, and
yellow eurls floating on the wind, stand
ing there a helpless target for that
crowd of young sayages. Yes, his hair
was golden as the sunlight-look, my
children, how mine is gray!"
YES, yes, grandpa! Please go on!
Tell as what happened next!" the lis
teners cried, impatiently.
well" the old man continued, "Geor-
gle was in a terrible state of excite
ment, while, one by one, five boys
stepped to the front, and five shining
weapons barely skinned by his head
"The sixth young savage was the
same whc had made the good shot
few minutes before with bow and ar
row.
He now poised his sharp tomahawk
in the air, took long, deliberate aim,
bent his supple body forward, threw
all his force into the effort, then sent
the weapon flashing through the sun
light!
at grazed the little eaptive's head,
and sank into the stake to which he
| was bound.
This was too much for Georges
proud spirit.
He would not stand to be killed so
shamefully! He would fight for his
life, as he had seen his father do!
with all his strength, he tugged al
the leather strips which held him, and
oh, joy of joys-found one arm free.
He uttered a cry Of triumph.
'Grasping the tomahawk above his
head, he wrenched it out of the wood
then quickly liberating his other hand,
he stood armed ready to die like man.
"Brandishing the weapon above his
head, George rushed toward the as
tonished band of young sayages.
"They had not expected this. They
were not prepared for such an action on
the part of their captive. They were
umfounded-terrifed So they turned
and ran.
with a shout of triumph, the white
child pursued them. On, on they fled,
and Georgie after them! A crowd of
braves intercepted the boy. He would
have been speedily killed, but for the
intercession of a squaw, who had witt
J messed the whole affair. As the wife of
the head chief, she had great influence
with the tribe. She had lost her own
child during the preceding week, and
now, as special favor, begged TO be
allowed to adopt George. Her prayer
was granted.
"And thus the boy hero was saved y
"What became of him nfterward?'
Ralph asked, as grandpa concluded his
story.
until he was is years of age, George
! lived with the tribe. He learned their
language and gradually forgot his own.
He could ride his mustang, fling the
lasso and kill the great bufaloes of the
praires as well as the most experienced
] warriors.
"He acquired such influence over his
red brethren that, when the chief died,
he was elected TO the vacant place.
AT last it happened that a party of
his warriors, against his strict orders,
attacked frontier village and bore
away as captive a beautiful white girl.
"Georgie, as l call him still, rescued
her from danger, became ardently at
| tached to her, and she returned his af-
fection. By her efforts she brought him
back to civilized life. They were mar
ried, and, as stories say, everything
went merry as marriage bell My
dear children, that is all"
"No-not quite all"
Sadie and Ralph and all the children
started, for the voice was that of their
| father.
Boys and girls" he said, "do you
know where George is now?"
NO" they answered, in chorus
"Where is her?"
There, in that armchair! He told
you his own story"
What" they cried, in amazement
Grandpa, are you Georgie?"
And grandpa answered them. He
said:
Eyes. 1 am George" ""-Golden
Days.