West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-03-17
over the ground at a ronld naec.

over the ground ut n rapid pace.
"liow noble cf you. Ned. To- risk Your
own precious lifo for me-" she said, as
they flew along. IAN eternity Of loyo
and devotion could not repay you for
your work of tonight"
"one smile from my darling one, one
voIh of love from her lips would amply
-cpay mc for any undertaking, no
natter what dangers IL might pre-
sent, he fondly replied. "Did tho In
dians treat you harshly. Alicc?"
No, Ned. but q, ! shuddcr To think
OF the fate they held In store for mo
and which would have met tonight
hat not this storm como on. There iS in
the band young half-brccd Indian
who speaks fairly good English. and ho
explained tp me that many of the In
dams horses have died lately from
some cpidcniic, and the mcdicino man
of the tribe told thcm that the Great
Spirit was angry with the people and
demanded sacrifice To nppcasc his
wruth. lie told them that they iaust
make captive n palcfncc girl, and ont in
an open camp must huild great circle
oi fires, and that I'm the circle amid dane
INK and rejoicing tho maiden raust TO
bound and trampled To death by
horses ridden 10y utosc whose animals
hnd died. The bnnd which captured
me were on the way to the ranch OF
settler near the base OF the san Matco
mountains west OF tho fort to carry Off
his daughter for the sacrifice when
they heard my pony's footsteps coming
down the gulch. and, conccaling
themselves near the trail, they awaited
my coming. They believed tho Great
Spirit had thrown me into their hands,
and their rejoicing was grcnt. The
wood for the fore circle had all been
collected when the storm approached,
and as the thundcrs rolled I'm the dis
tancc the medicine man told them the
Great spirit was speaking to them
commanding them To take me- To the
reservation where the entire tribe
could take part I'm the ceremonies. O.
Ned, in their blind, ignorant suporsti-
ton they will bc frantic over my cs-
cnpc. and will use desperate efforts to
recapturo me. Do you not fear pur-
suit?"
Your absence may not be discov-
cred until dnybrcalS. my darling, aud
even should you DO missed tonight,
they conld not discover our trnil In the
entirely on the instinct OF the horse TO
keep our direction, for not q landmark
can bc seen In this pitchy darkness"
But they will know that my rcscuor
came from the fort, or that II escaped
unaidcd would start back toward the
fort. and should | be missed In the
night would they not at once come In
this direction in search OF mc?"
thought Of That. Then. I'm n rcnssur-
ing tone, ho added: "But do not feel
tho least fear, dear one. for we are
mounted on magnificent horse, and
he Is making splendid progress. Wo
will surely reach the river by day
brcnk, and think the Indians would
not go FIR without some sign to show
them that they were ON our trail. Rest
assured that we will reach the fort In
safety In time FOR good breakfast"
II pray that you may bc right, Ned.
yet have prcscnt.mcnt that peril
awnits us before we reach our home.
will try to Danish the fear, which Is no
doubt foolish one"
You will laugh ut your fcars. little
one. when You arc again snfe In your
home. But see. darling. the rain has
Utmost ceased, and IL grows lighter"
Tho clouds wcrc indeed passing
away. and soon the stars glimmcred
| dinlly through the hazy atmosphere.
On and on they sped across the
desert, every beat of tho horac's hoofs
making an Increased distance between
themselves and their Indian foes.
ON through the gloom OF night into
the gray dawn of morning they rode,
and just ns the first strcals Of sunlight
kissed the damp earth over the eastern
hills they came upon the bluffs over
looking the Rio Grandc nt the point
where they had crossed II. four miles
below the fort.
"IIcrc Is tho dear old river ngain,"
/ he joyfully cried. Now to ford n.
aud In an hour you will bc safely back
! In your fathers arms"
did father know you started after
me, NcdY' she asked, as the horse