Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1899-04-05

All caution was now needl ess, for
every savage was awaken, and snatch
ing up his rifle Dick sprang out into
the forest, followed 10y a war whoop
from the lips of every redskin.
A moment only was required to
show them the situation and 20 shake
of the sleep that hung heavy on their
eyelids. They saw their dead com
rade on the ground, ana caught a
glimpse of their prisoner as he sprang
away. Then, with another fierce war
whoop breaking from their throa;s,
they started in pursuit
Dicks blood ran cold as he heard
he shouts that rang through the
forest; and well he knew that if he
again fell into their hands he need
expect no mercy, for they would
avenge the death Of their comrade
5y the most tiendish of tortures.
With only few PAGES the start.
he knew he had not much chance TO
escape; but. slim as it was. he de.
termlned to make the best possible
use of it.
For half mile about the same
distance was kept between them: and
then in spite of all his efforts. they
gained "pon hiui, aud he knew that
ln "a few minutes more ne would he
IN their power. unless he could man
age to deceive them 10 some manner
and get them ON another track.
The part of the forest he was now
M was very dense, So that ONLY few
struggling moonbeams found their
way through the tree tops. No In
dian was Vet Ia sight; though they
were scattered on every side through
the forest. trusting more 10 the sense
of hearing than TO following the
trail made. \ large tree lav on the
ground before him, and as he passed
he saw there was cavity sufficiently
Large for hlm to force his body into
1t.
This was the hiding place he
sought, and he at once availed him
self OF It Placing his rifle in before
him, he forced his way in for dis
tance of perhaps twenty feet, where
he lay perfectly quiet, though almost
afraid that the beating of his heart
would betray hun to his enemies.
Hardly was he safely ensconced.
when ne heard the footsteps of the
Indians as they hurried by. In
few moments they had died away:
and for the first time since he had
plunged the knife into the breast of
the savage, he experienced a sensa
ton of relief.
Still, he knew that he could re-
main where he was but few mo
mentS, until assured that they had
all passed by, for ere long they would
discover their mistake and return to
look for his trail. He must emerge.
aud by striking ont in AN opposite
direction from that which he had
been pursuing, be hoped to elude
pursuit.
Five. ten minutes passed, and Dick
was on the point of emerging from
his hiding place, when he was start
led by the sound of footstep above
his head. An Indian was walking
Alo2g the trunk. and he could hard
ly fail to find the cavity aud the
signs he had made in forcing AN en-
trance to his hiding place.
The settler gave way to despair.
which was augmented moment af
ter as the savage gave u shrill whoop
10 cali Ills companions. Then be
knew, toe. that his retreat was dis
covered; but he lay perfectly quiet,
hoping against mis- better judgment
that he might yet succeed in escap-
ing.
In few moments he knew, by the
Sound of feet that the savaaeS were
all together; and be heard consul
tation, not one word of which he
could understand; but he was not
long left in suspense as TO what they
agreed upon. lie heard some one
at work at the entrance of the trunk,
while others were heaping dry brush
wood above him, and he knew bv
this that the savageS intended to
h.,.., 1, Il. 4 81,