Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1900-07-27
An Old-Time Adventure
BY Fred Myron Colby.

La
on the Connecticut, to look for two
horses that had strayed into the
woods.
The missing animals were gray
horse and a black mare, respectively.
The mare had her young colt with her.
They both belonged to Williams ia
ther, and the settler had promised the
boy that If he would find the horses,
and bring them safely home, he would
give him the colt for his labor.
The lads started off about six
o'clock in the morning, taking their
way down the river. William had his
fathers gun; but Charley, who was
younger, had not been allowed to take
one. Guns and ammunition were too
scarce at the fort to be intrusted to a
boy II years old.
1t was really dangerous to go out I'M
armed a great distance from the
block-house, for wildcats and wolves
were numerous in that region, and oc-
cas'onally bear was seen. The boys
themselves thought little of the peril,
but it was not without misgivings that
their mothers had seen them depart.
Charley was the happy possessor of
Jack-knife, and he busted himself in
makingabowand 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, 1t was hardly equal to an
English long-bow, nor was Charley a
Robin Hood; but it was nevertheless
quite dangerous weapon in his hands.
He amused himself shooting at squir-
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 Will
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," 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 d.
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 l 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-
gethcr."
"Well, you go that way and I will
20 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 clump of alders and
look toward the river At that in
slant William reappeared around q
bend OF the stream, where he had
been hidden from the sight OF his
friend.
AS soon as William saw the savages
he turned to run. One of the Indians
at this fred 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
neiphborhood. He hoped the indians
had not seen him. Alone and without
anv suitable weapon, he knew that he
could do nothing toward rescuine
poor william. His plan was to return
10 the settlement as quickly as pos
sible, inform his father of the circum
stance, and have a party START at once
to the rescue.
Tn order to reach there at the short
est notice, he had made up his mint
10 catch the gray horse. He coult
see the animal still. standing hal
within the grove of poplars, and hat
no suspicion that anything was
wrong.
Directing his steps toward the pop
lars. Charley crept up near and near
err looking warily around for fear o.
Indians.
lie walked up to within five feet o
~. oIumn of poplars, and was on thu