The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-06-04
By DIR. j. w. p. SMITHWICK.
S and Early Settlers.

Helen's wigwam was guarded by a
warrior night and day. Her grief was
so great that she would notice none
of them because she believed that
Frank was killed, and she felt that
her life was not worth living She
cried the greater part of the time,
though the hideous old squaws would
visit and try TO console her by telling
her to marry one of the braves and
she would be the priettiest squaw in
the village. This was rephlsive 70
Helen and the possibility of being
compelled to do so only made her lot
less endurable.
Several days later the warriors I'M
der the chief who had continued the
journey and who was followed by
Colonel Martin and his men. arrived,
having travelled by a circuitous route
TO throw their pursuers off as much
as possible, as they felt that they
had been suspected and were being
followed. Old Saura was much re-
lieved when he found both prisoners
safe in camp and that no white people
had been there since his departure.
and satisfied himself with the thought
that he was covering up his work
pretty we'll.
old Saura visited Frank and ex-
pressed his sympathy and regretted
cuIlOSl-
ty had got him into trouble. He told
him, with a savage grimace, that after
holding a council with his warriors,
they had decided that the only way
for him and Helen to secure their
liberty was for them to marry in the
tribe and join them, otherwise they
would never be liberated and would
have to be disposed of in time.
This was the first Frank knew of
Helen's captivity. The chiefs propo-
sition at first Infatuated him. but he
managed to say nothing, knowing that
he was a prisoners and at the mercy
of his eaptor. A condition as fearful
in consequence as that proposed by
old Saura was more than he could
we'll stand. but with a few minutes
thought he formulated a plan we'll
worth trying. He asked the chief if
he could see Helen. He replied that
he could not, but after a good deal of
reasoning and persuasion on the part
of Frank that the proposition had bet
ter be considered by the two mostly
concerned, that he thought conclu-
sion could be reached and an answer
given quicker, he consented to the
meeting asked for.
When Frank walked into the wig
wan where Helen was confined she
was Overjoyed at seeing him alive.
Frank, Frank she cried, as she
threw out her arms to greet him as
he entered.
The only answer he gave was to
motion her back, which she did not
understand and hid her face and be-
gan to weep. Frank stifled all emo
! lions as he knew it would require a
great deal of caution to carry out his
plans. He spoke a few tender words
TO her in a whisper and when she
dried her eyes and looked into his she
read his love for her as before. He
| explained tolher how they were pris-
onrs of the Indians. and told her of
old Saura's proposition, which neith-
er thought of accepting. They pre-
ferred to die true to each other.
This meeting was long one,
though the time passed fast enough
for the young lovers, who had been
so cruelty separated Frank told
Helen of his plans for their escape
and enjoined her to keep absolute 81
lence and appear more cheerful to-
ward the warriors so as to avoid sus-
picion and put the Indians off their
guard and he would conduct himself
in tho same manner toward the
squaws.
On the next day the chief wanted to
know what his decision was. Frank