Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-08-21

tries to escape the req man VIII strike him to the earth"
 Startled by the unexpected presence of the savage and the words he ut tered. Reuben rose up, only to see that he was completely at their mercy
 A savage stood beside him with up- lifted tomahawk, while another had got possession of his rife, and stood with it pointed at his breast.
 For moment he was speechless at this sudden danger that threatened him. but at last he found his voice.
 What do you want of me?" he said
 White man go with Injin," was the answer of the savage. while at the some moment he produced some stout thongs, and. signaling to his compan- ion, he proceeded to bind Reuben's arms behind him in such manner that he would be powerless to use them.
 There was nothing he could do but submit. To resist would only be to lose his life at once.
 Seeing their prisoner secure, the savages fell to and devoured the nice. ly roasted rabbit, without so much as giving him a taste. This done, they eignified to him that he was to go with them
 He thought of those at home, and of the danger to which they would be exposed, but there was no help for 1t. He must go with them or die.
 He was powerless now to help him. self. There was but one way, and that was to bide his time, and if the opportunity occurred to make his es- cape.
 All that afternoon they kept on up the valley, and, with every step the settler put between himself and his cabin, his heart seemed to sink still lower in his breast.
 Night came at last, and thick gloom filled the valley. But still the sav- ages kept on.
 The way was familiar to them, for 1t was along the trail their race had used for centuries on their way through the Notch.
 The night deepened, and with 1t came a cry that thrilled them all each time 1t was repeated.
 The hordes of fierce wolves were gathering upon their trail from out the dark ravines on either side. The Indians and their captive has, tened onward, but the cries of the wolves came nearer and nearer, while each moment added to the volume of the cry.
 They must seek a place of safety soon or the bloodthirsty brutes would be upon them.
 The savages were aware of this, and also that a place of refuge was close | at hand.
 The rock of which we have spoken lowered before them. Reuben knew it at glance for he had seen it several times when on his hunting trips in the forest. Once upon it he knew that they would be out of the way of the wolves. But how were they to get there? This question was soon solved. With the aid of their tomahawks a notched stick was hastily prepared, and, leaning this against the rock, one of the savages hastily clambered thereon. .-..1.,..,., | Then Reuben was told to do the same. He made the attempt, but it was soon evident that he could not get up without the aid of his hands. Convinced of this, the savages has, tily unbound them, and he scrambled up.
 The other savage followed close be- hind him, and not moment too soon. The foremost wolf sprang at his legs as he drew them up. Casting the stick down among them, they felt themselves safe. The wolves snarled about the rock springing up against its sides, only to fall back again in impotent rage. Reuben threw himself down upon the summit, apparently without hope or thought of escape.
 Of course there was no chance then, and the savages seemed to know it At least they did not again bind his hands, as he had feared they would do.
 The minutes went on. and below them the wolves snarled and gnashed their teeth in impotent rage.
 Suddenly an idea presented itself tc Reuben-a thought that seemed to give him a promise of escape.
 It might not succeed, but if it failed | his situation could hardly be worse.
 He watched his opportunity, and summoned all the strength he had fol the attempt he was to make. It was his only chance, and desperate one at that
 Selecting the moment when the gaze of both the savages was turned from him. he suddenly sprang upon tht nearest, and gave him blow and 2 push. Taken by surprise, it was i'm possible for the savage to resist tht impetus given him. and, with wilt cry. he went down over the rock into the midst of the bloodthirsty creature: below.
 Quick as thought. Reuben turned upon the remaining savage, who stood as though confounded by the fate o his comrade. and gave him vigorou: blow. With a cry that almost drowned the snarling of the wolves. he alsc | vent dovn among them to add to theil