Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1901-12-19
A PLAN
FRUSTRATED
The Story of Whites and
Indians In Former Days.
N39%%S~3%~@H%%@@A%@3~%33A

OulUOus warning from the veteran GUIDE
Jackson Blake ard Edna Fenton rode II
advance of the train. Side by side they
galloped away over the rolling prairie, lit
tie needing how fast or how far they
went
Edna was an excellent horsewoman
and the rich color upon her cheeks told
how we'll she enjoyed the pleasure of a
free dash across the open prairie. At a
challenge from her companion the horses
were put TO their utmost speed, and away
they flew, neck and neck.
They knew not how far they had gone
when they drew rein and, while their
horses regained their wind, looked back
over the course they had come.
An exclamation burst from Blake's lips
for the train was not in sight, but away
in the distance came a dozen dark horse
men, and even as the young man looked
back an eXultant shout came family to
his ears. Almost through his clinched
teeth Blake hissed:
Redskins. by Jove! Miss Fenton, we
must fly for our lives"
Edna uttered little cry OF alarm, and,
wheeling their horses, they dashed away
TO escape the red demons in pursuit.
Already We're their horses breathing
heavily from their rapid race short time
before, aud now they were fleeing before
the red Bedouins Of the plains, every one
of whom was mounted upon a feet horse.
Far away, directly in the path of the
fugitives. it seemed. hung the sun, huge
round ball Of fire suspended but a short
distance above the horizon.
"Oh, sir do you think we can escape
fhNca +nrribla rraot,,raS ~ opyipuslv in
Quired the frightened maiden.
Before replying Jackson Blake took one
long look back over his shoulder.
81 think we can" he answered. 1--WE
have fair start, and the sun is low. II
our horses hold out till it becomes dark,
we may succeed in eludng them"
Heaven grant we may." was the
prayer that Edna softly repeated.
Away across the plain raced pursued
and pursuers, and slowly the sun sank.
Every minute seemed an hour TO the IA
tigued and terrified maiden.
Glancing back occasionally, Jackson
Blake could see that the sayages were
slowly but surely gaining.
Finally the sun reached the horizon and
gradually sank from view.
I'VE shall elude them. Miss Fenton,"
were the encouraging words that the dark
mustached man uttered. "In the dark
ness we can circle and strike back for the
train"
Slowly a dusky gloom gathered over
the plains. Looking upward, Jackson
Blake laughed with satisfaction.
There will be no moon during the first
part of the night" he observed, "and
therefore it will be comparatively dark"
His words proved true. Night settled
over the Dakota plains, and darkness
veiled the fugitives from the eyes Of their
pursuers. In the gloom the man and girl
gradually drew to the left, hoping that
the redskins would pass them in the dark
ness.
Finally Blake drew rein.
Listen"
They remained perfectly silent and lis
tened intently. A faint breeze famed
their faces. and the distant bark Of
coyote came family to their ears. Then
all was still.
"We have eluded them" declared the
man. "Now we must double back. For
tune may direct us to the train"
Softly the maiden breathed a prayer
that the kind Father might direct them
Alright, and, trusting all TO her companion,
she followed him through the darkness.
Slowly the painting. foam aecked horses
walked onward, guided by their riders.
The poor animals were nearly exhausted,
but it wouldn't do to give them a breath |
ing spell even now. First they must be
sure that they were out of danger.
1t seemed that for hours they passed |
onward Edna was completely bewildered; |
She could not tell where she was going. !
However, she began to feel that their |
pursuers were eluded and was mentally
thanking the all wise Being who had
allowed them to escape when suddenly,
all around them. number Of dark forms
seemed to spring up out of the very earth. !
Then through the night rang out a yell
of triumph from the throats Of a dozen
Sioux, and ere they could resist both man
and maiden were dragged from their
horses
Then Edna became unconscious. She
knew nothing of what happened until her
senses returned, and she found herself
lying upon the ground with both her
hands tightly bound. Near at hand q
campfire was feebly burning, and by its
light she saw that she was surrounded by
the forms OF many sleeping Indians. They
were in a little cottonwood grove upon
the bank of a stream.
A realizing sense Of the full horror OF
her position caused a sickening sensation
to creep over her, and for a moment she
came near fainting again. She was
captive in the hands of the bloodthirsty
redskins.
But where was her companion, Jackson
Blake? She asked herself the question, |
and then shuddered with horror as an an |
swer arose in her mind. He had been |
murdered! As she looked upon the sleep |
ing forms she half expected to see Jackson |
Blake's scalp attached to a sayage's gir- |
die. But although no sight met her gaze. |
she still felt sure that her companion had |
been slain.
BY the faring light OF the campfire she |
saw that beneath the rude rawhide |
thongs that held her wrists together q |
silk handkerchief had been placed, evil |
dently to keep the bands from cutting |
aud chafng her tender flesh. The hand |
kerchef, she thought, had been taken |
from the body of her companion. but such |
care for her feelings upon the part of
red man was a great surprise.
The Indians were all sleeping soundly, |
evidently little fearing the approach of
foes or the escape Of their captive. Edna
struggled to break her bonds, but one at
tempt was sufficient. for it showed her
that such thing was impossible. Then
she thought that she might arise and steal
away. but she became aware that a lariat |
was fastened around her waist and at
tached to the wrist Of an Indian near by.
AS she lay there, trying to think Of
some means OF escape, she fancied she
heard a faint sound in the darkness near
at hand. She strained her eyes in that di-
rection, but for a time could see nothing
The fire sank lower, till dull red glow
given out by the embers was about all the
light visible. Then, near at hand, she
heard warning hiss, and among the
other shadows, seeming one Of them, she
saw what appeared to be human form.
The next moment the dark form slowly
and silently advanced.
With her heart pounding heavily in her
breast Edna watched this shadow With
out the least noise it drew near Finally
the trembling, excited girl was enabled to
make out that il was n white man
Without disturbing the sleeping In
dians, the daring intruder reached the
Captives side. The dull light from the