The Newtown bee., 1900-03-23

all, Rivipgton have been mistaken as to
the threatened advance? 1t was natural
that on seeing the Creeks in force, he
should suppose them about to move to
battle. But what less likely? Their sue
cesses had not been so conscious as TO
hold out much inducement to them to at
tack strong position. Most likely they
were but marauding party moving on.
Moving onl Moving awayI And bear
ing Agnes with them. The thought un-
manned him, and he sank to the ground,
covering his face with his hands.
The brook babbled on to join some
mighty river, the breeze follow ed the ad-
vent of midnight began to stir among the
trees here and there the notes OF q
night-bird broke upon the stiffness
sharply; the stars looked down upon
him in their calm, pitilegs fashion, and
still Amos sat there, neither returning TO
his post nor moving forward to the sue
cor of his love-sat there inert, helpless,
unnerved. struggling weakly between the
! calling voices of love and duty.
But the balance was all on the side of
love; and, at last, as out OF the darkness,
came suggestion. He sprang to his
feet once more, frightened the belt Of his
tunic, and, casting his duty to the winds
fastened with swift though stealthy feet
In the direction Of the Creek encamp-
ment.
For beam Of light had i1lumined the
darkness of desolatiea that sat upon his
soul, and in spite he asked himself,
"Why not do both? The Indians will
not attack before dawn in any case, for
the difficulties In their way are too great.
Long ere that [ can reach their camp,
perhaps save Agnes, and be back In
ample time to give the alarm. can say
hot SSS y h.
news l bring will be my excuse for 1eav-
ing my post. After all, I am not leaving
it: am but extending it. It is better
for every one that I should go forward"
He clutched at the thought with the
desperation of man drowning inB o sea
Of indecision; and, stopping no more to
argue with himself, went on rs rapidly
as the darkness would allow.
Well for him that he knew the country.
There were landmarks visible to him,
deep night though ts was, that few white
men besides himself could have reeog-
nized. There was tine brook upon the
right; the great bald mountain, amidst
whose crags he had 80 often hunted, upon
his left; the very stars of whose names
ne was Ignorant, we're as signal lamps to
guide him on his way. And 80 he
pushed on and on through the miry
swamp, In and out of the deep pine
woods, over the brook, acrose the sinuoua
river by lords known TO few, until he
came to the edge of q fringe Of forest.
beyond which he could see q multitude OF
that biz enemies and he should soon be
face to face.
He had judged Alright, il seemed. No
movement was visible In the hostile
camp, and 1t was evident TO him that, If
an attack were contemplated, some hours
must elspse ere it could be made. But,
so far, all was quiet; and slowly, eau
tiously, 90 one who takes his life in his
hands, he craWled on, keeping wary
eye for seminal or picket as he went.
But he saw no one, heardanothing, and
as he moved along great wonder filled
him. For the fires were burning low,
and none came TO tend them. What was
the meeting Of this utter silence, this
lack Of life? The Indians were not used
to be SO careless as to sleep unguarded. |
liz was not their wont to court surprise. |
And then he knew-remembered GER
tain strange, weird sounds in the forest |
to which in his frenzied excitement ne
had paid no need; remembered, and in /
that bitter mement recognized their
meaning. While he was absorbed in his
OWN sad thoughts, the Creeks had broken
camp, and even now had taken up their
position in front Of Floyd.
His face sank between his hands as he
there, and q wave Of great
shame overwhelmed him. So 1t was forf
ibis result that he had turned his back
1pon his post; 1t was for this that he
had persistently refused TO hear the clear
7oicsd call OF duty; it was for this that
ne had sacrificed his honor, lost his right
,or all timeato hold up fais head In the
light OF brave-and honest men. He had
betrayed his trust but to find his journey
die after all. He lashed himself with
bitter upbraidiDgs. For him TO be 30
AIKEN in ! Was it likely that war party
ntenf upon battle, would burden them
elves with prisoners? He ought 60 have L
snown better. Whispering Pines was no
loubf In ashes; Agnes, too, surely dead,
lot only her--that was already accom-
'lished but all that hereafter might
make his life sweet SIS well.
He flung himself face aownwarsjs upon
he damp ground, not striving To stay
he harsh dry Eobg that shook his body.
lie was q strong man In despair, and 80,
weaker than the weakest woman. He
ould not get back. he knew, though Ii i
aight be the Indians would not attack
ef0re dawn, and dawn was vet far dis
ant. But even so, how could he break |
trough the Gordon OF red men, even now
surrounding the devoted Floyd? That
1as impossible. To make long circuit
1aa equally impossible in point of time
lot all was fost-Agnes, his honor, his
Omrades, his General. He alone would
smain TO tell the story OF that shameful
light. Should he? No, never. at least
9 could die, even as those he had
rought TO their death. The thought
H.