The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-12-13

'SeN~ down. They were nearly
of the same age, and IN
the very prime of life.
Their garments were of similar
make, such as are worn by the early
settlers of the country.
: Each was, armed with "a long rifle
and a knife.
Upon their faces "a a mingled
i look of sorrow, and stern determina-
dion, which plainly showed that some
i'll fortune had come to them, and that
their minds were made up to avenge
st if possible.
And, indeed, i'll luck had come to
one of. them. All that he possessed
in this world which was dear to him
had fallen beneath the hand of ther red
destroyer.
His wife and children had that very
morning been slain by the savages,
and the cabin which had been their
happy home given to the flames.
He had been hunting in the forest
at the time, and knew nothing Of the
terrible misfortune which had befallen
him until he stood upon the edge of
the clearing. and saw the work of de-
:vastation which the red hands had
done.
The friend who now stood by his
= side had been with him, and as soOn as
they had recovered from the. spell
which the sight cast upon them. they
hurried to the spot where the ashes
of the cabin %smoldered, only to find
their worst fears confirmed.
Wife and children were gone, slain
by the red fiends, or perhaps cast into
the flames Of the cabin while yet
alive.
Simon Hart looked upon the scene, and
his brain turned rs though his reason
was about to forsake him. One thing
alone seemed, to prevent it, and that
yves thought of vengeance. He would
live and work for that while life and
strength lasted.
Dick White, his friend, stood by and
eheered him as well as he could in
his. his hour of need. He seemed to
Divine what was passing: in Harris
mind. and he said:
eve cannot help them. They are
past our aid now. But there is one
hing, Simon, that we can do. We can
i've and work for vengeance. Let IS
follow the murderers, and not give
Ryer the search until they are wiped
rom the earth, or we have fired our
asst shot"
"You are right, Dick" answered the
ettler, grasping him by the hand. 81
Fill live for vengeance. When that
as been had. there will be time enough
or me to think what my fate will be.
moment ago l | had more than half q
lind to end my days on this spot iy
y W hand. Oh, my wife! my chill
rem! shall I never see you again."
For the space of a minute he gave
Fay to his anguish, then he exclaimed,
lddenly:
"Come, the trail is plain before us.
ct us take it and follow on at once.
never before thirsted for the blood
a redskin. Now ] would wipe out
e whole acGursed race at oSe blow if
but had the power TO do it,"
They lost no more time about the
ins of the cabin, but started off at
pee. The trail was easy TO follow.
hd they had gone on until they had
ached the point where we see them
anding in the heart Of the great silent
rest. with he u going down be-
RE them.
For a few minutes they had been
hnding motiOnless, without q word
ssirg between them; but now Dick
bite broke the silence by 'eXclaim-
::
Simon. We are almost upon them"
What makes you think So, Dick?"
FLook. Do you not see how fresh
trail is? 1t cannot have been made
half hour ago. There! Did you see
1T twig spring up there? 1t would
t have done SO had it not just been
essed down. They are not a mile
Fay now, and Pm bet they're going
camp about the Hollow Oak. It is
Of their camping grounds, you
NV"
I hope that you may be right. 1
6 to be dealing blows IF vengeance
bn them. 1t does seen. rs though I
Id not content myself much longer"
But you must be patient, Simon.
e hour of vengeance will surely
Re. 1t cannot now be long delayed.
E savages are rear at hand. Be
e midnight comes we will be strik-
blows for your dead mes. Come
and let rs get as near to them as