The Iola register., 1901-08-16

he noted that each bound of the animal
increased the distance between them
selves and the savages.
1--WE gained on them. Courage, my
beloved, courage, and we will yet es-
cape them. If we can but reach the
other side and gain the high ground,
they may abandon the chase before
getting too near the fort"
God grant that they mayl Oh,
those frightful, unearthly yells! They
seem to chill my blood" she said,
clinging yet more closely to her lover.
without slackening his pace the
horse dashed into the stream, but the
water impeded his progress and the
Indians gained rapidly upon them.
Nobly the strong beast plunged against
the swift waters which rose to his
breast in the center of the stream, but
the current was strong and his progress
was slow. At last he reached the other
side and dashed up the bank as the In
dians were urging their ponies into the
water on the opposite side.
Across the wooded bottom which in
tervened between the river and the
western bluff they flew, and began the
mesa. The steepness of the hill again
impeded the horses speed, and when
they reached the summit the Indians
could be seen flying across the bottom,
still in mad pursuit
Courage, my darlingv he again
cried in an assuring tone. "Do not
despair, for we may yet escape them.
The fort can now almost be seen"
God will aid us, Ned, my beloved"
she responded. my lips are moving
in constant prayer for our deliver
ance."
Up from the gulch came the Indians,
but half mile behind, and again their
blood-curdling yells rang out upon the
air. On they flew, pursued and pursu-
ers, and Browns heart sank within him
when he noted that the Indians were
rapidly closing the gap between them
| Squirting his horse to its greatest ex-
ertions groan escaped from the sol
/ dier's now bloodless lips, for the ami
nal began to perceptibly slaclIen it's
/ speed. His powers of endurance were
almost exhausted. and it was evident
that he could go but little further.
The fort was yet two miles distant, and
escape now seemed impossible.
Zip! Zip Zip" The bullets from
the rifles of the Indians began to hy
by them.
Pulling the iadcd horse behind a bar
ricadc of rocks which rose by the trail
Brown sprung to the ground and crird:
Get into the saddle, Alice, and push
on toward the fort. For the love OF
God hasten, and may be able to hold
them at bay until you escape. Fly, my
darling, fly, for not an instant must be
lost"
To his utter amazement the brave
girl slid from the horses back and
with pale but determined face, replied
mo. Ned, will not leave you. You
rislScd your precious life for me! and il
would be cowardly for me to desert you
now. If you must die here / will die
with YOU"
There was no time for further urg
ing, for the yells of the Indians now
came to them with startling distinct
ness as they rapidly came on. Gaining
position from which he could see
over the rocks, the soldier leveled his
repeating rifle and began to discharge
it with deadly effect.
SO unexpected was the fire that the
Indians recoiled, and, springing from
their ponies in confusion, sought foi
shelter behind the rocks which dotted
The mesa. From their cover they KEEP
up n scattering fire, but their bullet
flew hurmlessly overhead, or were fiat
tened against the rocky breastworl
which natured had provided.
Peering cautiously over the barricad,
the brave soldier watched his foes will
eagle eyes, firing whenever feathere,
head came into view
There came n cessation in the firing
OF the Indians, and he heard them call
ing out 20 each other from their sepa
rated positions behind the rocks, anC
surmised that they were planning
sudden dash upon their hiding-place
His heart became as lead in his breast
for he well knew that. although hi
rifle might do deadly work as they ad
vanced, they would certainly over
power him and death would speedil.
follow.
CONTINUED