Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1900-07-12

DlOCk-hOuSe, Tor WILDCATS anu WOlNcS
were numerous in that region, and &C.
casionally bear was seen. The boys
themselves thought little of the peril,
5ut it was not without misgiyings that
heir mothers had seen them depart.
Charley was the happy possessor of
4 lack knife, and he busted himself in
making bowand arrows as he trudged
along. The bow he fashioned from an
ash limb and the arrows were of oak.
headed with sharp tacks that the boy
happened to have in his pocket. The
bowstring was of stout Irvine. When
completed, it was hardly equal to an
English long-bow, nor was Charley
Robin Hood; but it was nevertheless
quite dangerous weapon in his hands.
He amused himself shooting at SPUR
rels and birds, and was in high spirits
when he hit one.
The only traces of the animals they
were hunting after that they had yet
seen were their tracks, which they
ever and anon came across in the
"opens" or imbedded in the banks OF
the streams.
They listened and listened for the
friendly clinking of the bells, but could
not hear them. Yet they felt assured
that they were on the right course.
They had proceeded about three
miles when Williams quick ear caught
the familiar ling-a-ling of bell. But
it was a great ways off, and seemed to
be growing more indistinct.
Its in the next 'open,'" said Viii
liam. THAT is Sukey's. They can't
be far off. Good luck! Now I'll
have my colt and no trouble"
The boys were then in the thick
forest. The last "open" was half a
mile behind them; the next might be
as far in front of them. They hast
ened forward eagerly, following the
sound of the bell that came tinkling
at intervals through the woods.
They came to the "open," a square
like area of nearly four acres, lying
low and level on the banks of the
Connecticut. All at once the bells
ceased tinkling.
"That is singular. Perhaps they
have gone down to the river to drink
remarked William, looking in that di-
rection.
ooh. no, there's the horses over by
that clump of birches!" cried Charley.
Cant you see the old gray's side?"
That's strange, anyhow" declared
William. "The last time 1 heard the
bell, could swear it was on the other
side of the open"
The bell commenced tinkling again.
It most assuredly was on the opposite
side, near the stream.
"Sukey and her colt must be over
there" said Charley, "but it's strange,
as you say, that they shouldn't be to-
gether."
"Well, you go that way and 1 will
go this. If we can catch them, we can
ride home. I do hope the colt is not
lost or hurt"
William started in the direction to-
ward the river, and of course Charley
walked off in course just opposite.
When the latter was about halfway
across the clearing, he turned around
to look at William. To his surprise,
his companion was not to be seen.
While he was gazing in that direc-
ton. he saw two Indians rise up
from behind a clump of alders and
look toward the river. At that in
slant william reappeared around a
bend of the stream, where he had
been hidden from the sight of his
friend.
As soon as William saw the savagesr
he turned to run. One of the Indians
at this fired after the fleeing boy and
shot him through the wrist
The shot whirled him violently
round. The savages then seized him
and binding him with a deerskin
thong. carried him to their canoe
which was in the river not far distant
Meanwhile, Charley, seeing the
plight of his companion, was moving
slowly away from the dangerous
neighborhood. He hoped the Indians
had not seen him. Alone and without
any suitable weapon, he knew that he
could do nothing toward rescuing
Door William. His plan was to return
to the settlement as quickly as pos
sible. inform his father of the circum
stance, and have party start at once
to the rescue.
In order to reach there at the short
est notice, he had made up his mine
TO catch the gray horse. He coulc
see the animal still standing hal
within the grove of poplars, and hat
no suspicion that anything wa'
wrong.
Directing his steps toward the pop
lars. Charley crept up near and near
er. looking warily around for fear O
Indians.
He walked up to within five feet o
the clump of poplars, and was on th'
point Of placing his hand OH the gra,
horses neck when an Indian warrior
leaped out.
1t is no disparagement TO Charley
to say that when he found himsel
suddenly face to face with the rec
man his mouth opened as wide as di'
his eyes, that the color fed from hi
cheeks, that his heart futtered lik'
bird in cage, and that for a mo
ment he could not stir.
UGH" grunted the savage, white
boy walk the woods with red broth
CIR" meaning he would go with him It
Canada.
But Charley was not quite ready t.
do that. Stepping back quickly h
fitted one of his tack-headed arrow
to the string of his bow and dis
charged it full at the Indian.
The warrior sprang aside; but h
was not quick enough, for the shat
had been we'll aimed. 1t passe'
through his neck, between the ski
and the flesh.
Uttering a cry of anger, he leape'
on the boy and caught him by tn
throat. He hastily felt for his tom