Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1900-06-23

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William Wheeler, were sent out from
the block-housc, at Charlestown, N. H.,
on the Connecticut, to look for two
horses that had strayed into the
woods.
The missing animals were a gray
horse and a black mare, respectively.
The mare had her young colt with her
They both belonged to Williams ia
Their. 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
boy II years old.
1t was really dangerous to 60 out UNI
armed a great distance from the
block-house, for wildcats and wolves
were numerous in that region, and oc-
casionally bear was seen. The boys
themselves thought little Of the peril,
but it was not without misgiyings that
their mothers had seen them depart,
Whistling merrily, the boys went
away from the settlement into the for
est. All along the river there were
many natural "opens" in the woods.
They passed one and another Of these,
searching lleenly for every sign of the
missing animals, and listening for the
bells. In the early times Of the col
onies the settlers usually put a bell
on each horse as well as on their COWS,
In one of these "opens they scared
up a flock of cartridges. William at
once proposed that they should set
some snares in the bushes on either
side OF the path, and perhaps they
might catch game enough for din
ner by their return. Accordingly they
went to work to set the snares, each
setting about dozen. Then they went
forward again.
Charley was the happy possessor of
a jacl-knife, and he busted himself in
makinga 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
bowstrng was of stout Irvine. When
completed, it was hardly equal to an
English long-bow, nor was Charley a
Robin Hood; but it was nevertheless
quite a 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 Sulley'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 tinllling
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 di.
| rection,
"Oh, no, there's the horses over by
that clump of birches!" cried Charley
Cant you see the old gray's side?'
'Thats 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 tinklng again
1t 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 | will
go this. If we can catch them, we car
ride home, | do hope the colt is moi
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 III
from behind clump of alders anc
look toward the river, At that in
slant William reappeared around
bend of the stream, where he hat
been hidden from the sight of hi
! friend.
AS soon as William saw the savages
he turned to run. One of the Indian
: at this fired after the fleeing boy anc
shot him through the wrist.
The shot whirled him violentl,
round. The savages then seized him
and binding him with deerskil
thong carried him to their canoe
which was in the river not far distant
Meanwhile, Charley, seeing tn,
plight of his companion, was movin,
slowly away from the dangerou
neighborhood. He hoped the Indian
had not seen him. Alone and withou
any suitable weapon, he knew that h,
could do nothing toward rescuinf
poor William. His plan was to return