The new enterprise. (Madison, Fla.) 1901-1908, 1905-09-21


He thought Of those at home. an
of the danger TO which they wosld b
lexposed, but there was 10 help for II
He must 20 with them or die.
He was powerless now to help him
self. There was but one way. ant
that was to bide his time, and II TIN
opportunity occurred, to make his es
cape.
All that afternoon they kept on vi
the valley. and. with every step tho
settler put between himself and his
cabin, his heart seemed to sink still
lower In his breast.
Night came oil at last, and a thick
gloom filled the valley. But still the
savages kept on.
The way was familiar to them, for IL
was along the trail their race had used
for centuries OH their way through the
Notch.
The night deepened, and with it
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 hast.
ened onward. but the cries of the
wolves came nearer and nearer, while
each moment added to the volume of
the cry.
They must seek place of safety
soon or the bloodthlrsty brutes would
be upon them.
The savages were aware of this, and
also that place of refuge was close
at hand.
The rock of which we have spoken
lowered before them. !
Reuben knew it at n glance, for he
had seen it several times when on his
hunting trips IN the forest.
Once upon 1t lie 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
notched stick was hastily prepared,
and. leaning this against the rock one
of the savages hastily clambered there-
on.
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 hast
ily 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 lie 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.
or 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 CRASHED their
teeth in impotent fury.
Suddenly an idea presented itself TO
Reuben-a thought that seemed to give
him promise Of escape.
1t might not succeed, but IL 1t failed
his situation could hardly be worse.
He watched his opportunity. and
all the strength he had for
The attempt he was to make. 1t was
his only chance, and a desperate one
It that.
Selecting the moment when the gaze
If both the savages was turned from
lin he suddenly sprang upon the near
EST and gave him blow anG push.
Taken by surprise it was impossible
'or the savage to resist the impetus
given him, and, with wild cry he
went down over the rock into the
midst of the bloodthirsty creatures be-
low.
Quick as thought Reuben turned
upon the remaining savage who stood
rs though COMPOUNDED by the fate Of
his comraje. and gave him vigorous
blow. With cry that almost drowned
the snarling of the wolves he also went
down among them to add to tn, ir her
rid feast.
Thankful for his escape Reuben re-
NAMED upon the rock till daylight sent
the wolves back to heir deris, when he
descended and reache, home in safe
ty-New York Weekly.
NTafr I'm In