Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1899-04-13

shoulder, and | was borne to the
ground.
Before l could perceive my new as
sallant voice whispered in my ear.
Keep down, stranger, or them var
mlnts,ll make daylight shine through
yer brain pan. | reckon you and I'll
be good for them red cusses."
And before [ could recover from
this sudden surprise the newcomer
raised long, double barreIed rifle
and fired twice IN quick succession,
and knew from the mingled yells of
rage and pain that followed that each
shot had taken effect.
The next instant the stranger leapad
past lie up the bank, and was en-
gagged i q l1and-to-h hand struggle with
the remaining two savaoes. He made
short work Of it, for before could
reach the spot he had them at his feet,
and was in the act of stripping their
paint bedaEbed scalps from their
skulls. THIS done, he turned to the
/ wounded savages he had shot from be-
meath the bank and served them in the
same way, and then made q finish OF
them with his knife.
Il reckon, stranger, that ere other
scalp OF right belongs to you," said
he, IS lie pointed his dripping blade
! toward the body Of the savage I had
dispatched before his opportune az
rival.
''Are there any more of the var
mints about?" inquired my rescuer,
as he deliberately proceeded to wipe
out and recharge his rifle. Heres
one, two, three, four, five on EN-; is
! that alIt'
Yes" said r. "there were bnt five
Of them, and now, my friend, I must
thank you for your timely aid, without
which am sure [ should not be among
the living
"Wlat would you thank me for,
stranger? Why, its my bis'ness to
/ Kill the rel varmints I've followed
II ell my life, and | reckon I'd rather
DO it than eat any time Cuss EN-.
they wiped ont my poor father and my
only sister, and [ owes 'em grudge
all their scalps can't satisfy. I seed
the rarmints making dash for the
bottom here, and / knowed they wan t
arter no good. [ reckoned they'd
scented you out-fcr Ia diskivered
yer trail two days aGo-and [ knowel
lone trayeler'd d be sure to draw the
varnint5 out, and 50 | followed arter
yer.
had now leisure to take survey
OF my prcserver He was a singular
looking individual, about middle aged,
with Il tall, muscular person, which
was clothed IN & we'll CREASED and shiny
suit Of buckskin that had evidently
seen much rough service About his
waist was broad lcathern belt, IN
which We're couple Of heavy cavalry
pistols. keen, long handled hatchet,
and the scabbard OF the heavy bowie
knife he had Just been using SO skill
fully. These, with his long two-bar-
relied rifle, constituted very efficient
armament for one person to carry con-
tinual!y about him. To one unaccus-
toned 10 them they would prove q
rather heavy burden. But the stran-
ger appeared not the least incommo-
del by them, and moved with all the
lightIess and grace OF q young Indian
warrior beneath his culver of arrows.
In place Of q hat the stranger wore
on his head a sort Of urban, made
from folds OF piece Of figured calico,
which, confniug his sandy locks upon
tie top of his head, brought his bold
ana rather handsome features into
strong relief But the most attractive
features about his face were a pair OF
large, prominent gray eyes that SCENE d
10 take In every object about him az a
single glance In their calm, yet
penetrating gaze | can compare theln
TO nothing bat the eye Of half-do-
! mesncated eagle. Such was the ap
pearance OF this man, as With one foot
resting apon the breast ot Tie savage
he had last scaIped lie was leisureiy
reclareiug his weapons
- reckon. stranger. commenced
nv new companion a. lie returned TIC
last pisto! to lis belt, 'yetd bettel
gather up yer traps ana 9lne ne Al ny
camp tonight. and in tie morning y,
ear Eide III toasl any that : . say a
! i ';vould be agreeable Il You.
assured Lsm that nothing woG!t
] glvelne greater satisfaction
"Dur. -aid /, ''perhap~ our 'gail'
don ruu Ill the same direction
Where lnoa1Dt Yer be boani:'
,IotAe ~DallI.h i colony, Ian>wer |
AN, that : fortunate, My fnllran
through the same settlement. ;
we.I 2 .tch that rnrav AZ lag Of voura
. a.lel rut oat ;a ny a21-p lis but I
t.t.t ,.,- Il t4~,. II. this same ere