Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-09-18
CHAPTER XII

reached the village Of the White Apple
party of Chickasaws stepped upon the
northern shore Of Lake Pontchartrain.
They were ten in number, and with them
was a prisoner, who now reclined against
a small hickory tree. Her silken gown is
torn and soiled by the thorns and bushes
through which she has been led, and the
thin shoes are worn through till The feet
have become sore and bleeding; for the
way she has come has been a hard one.
and many sharp bramble has bestrewn
the path. But she rests now. The flames
dart up from fire near at hand. Sick
and faint. she sinks down upon the soft
messy bed at the foot OF the tree. and
ere long all her dangers and troubles are
forgotten in sleep.
The fair prisoner ever and anon starts
up with frightfn dreams, until al length,
when the night is far spent, he is arous-
ed by strange sounds near at land, amid
which she can distinguish the clash II
arms and the hum Of angry voices. The
idea of escape breaks upon her mind. A
moment she gazes around, and she sess
uen in conference about her, with wcep-
ons drawn, and voices raised as if In IN
ger, She moves only step, and a hard
ia laid upon her shoulder A stout Chick
asaw holds her fast and tells her she
cannot escape In moment more the
Chickasaw is pushed rudely aside. and
Louise looks up into the moon-lit face Of
Simon Lobois
"Ha"' he cries. with wel-assumed as
constituent. land was my suspicion cor
rect? Have [ found my beloved thus
dragged away by ruthless savages? Early
this morning a runner brought the news
to New lrleans that a white girl was be-
ing carried off BY the Chickasaws, and
that their trail bent towards the great
lake. y mystic voice whispered thy name
in my ear. Why it was | know not; but
| started. and have found thee. Look
up, sweet Louise. for thou art safe. Thou
art rescued
The maiden's first emotion seemed to
be to shrink from the white man, but in
a moment more she gave him her hand.
And am ] free from these sayages 2"
she asked. gazing first into Simon's face
and then upon the motley crew about her.
'Ay, thou art, Louise. Do you not see
that they are all quelled? Heaven must
have directed nae 70 this spot. Fear no
more, for thou shalt be safe with me-
Under any other circumstances, Louise
might have been frantic with joy at such
salutation, but now she was moved by so
many conflicting doubts that the coming
of the rescuers seemed to move her but
little. BY the bright moonlight she could
see the crew about her. and they did not
look like deadly enemies. No one was
wounded nor did any one appear to be
hurt To be sure. there had been the
sound Of strife, but it may have only been
mock battle after all. At any rate, so
ran the maidens thoughts. though she
kept them to herself.
Come" continued Simon. after wait
ing sUue moments for an answer that
h" lid not reCeiye-"come with me now.
fhe saydges will not dare to harm YOU
more. nor will they dare modest u.s.
Louise suffered herself to be led to the
shore OF the lake. and there she found
two bouts in waiting She had been seat
ed in Que Of them when the chief of the
ChickaSaw party came down and called
Simon back. A bitter smile stole over
the maiden's face as she saw this, AID
her suspicious were well confirmed when
she saw Lobois follow the red man up
the bank But the cousin returned in n
few moments. and having seated himself
by the side of Louise, the boats were
manned and showed off.
The RID dog wanted TIE 70 promise
that / would not expose his crime to the
Governor" said Simon. after the boats
had got we'll into the lake Il would
have made them all prisoners. only that
| feared you might be harmed in the
melee You did not notice how we came
IL, Il I
you:" Simon gazed sharply into his
companions face as he thus spoke, as
though he would read any suspicion she
might hold
+, saw nothing until | was grasped by
the shoulder" she truthfully replied for
was sound asleep when you came"
so thought But / will explain: One
~ tbs men who accompanied me knew
the various trails that lead 10 the lake.
and he cu deed lis here We landed and
We found the Indians asleep. all save
one; but they were upon their feet by
the time we were = with them. and /
saw tht; some Of them had guns At
that momeGt | espied YOU asleep upon
tbe ground. In an instant | forbade my
.nen TO fire. for | feared you might be
nit | told the leader Of the Indians that
he was discovered, aud that if be did not
give up his pri. oner. | would have the
( whole French force down upon his peo-
pie before another sun had set And |
Furthermore gold him that ii he would
quietly deliver up the maiden. NE would
( not harm h,in y scutfle eusucd between
/ some Of the red mcn and two Of my com
/ panious, bus we quickly stopped il, and
fta al -, triK N We