Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-01-25

| the intervening distance.
L cannot continue this much longer"
| said Kenton. My strength is failing
| fast. Go on; you may yet escape; but
| if you try to save me, both will perish.
l will await here the coming of the In
! dians. Ny rifle and pistols are loaded,
and I shall kill the first that appears.
/ Yes, | shall have the pleasure of three
| good shots before l die
Without making any reply, Allan plac-
| ed his ear to the earth, and listened
| with breathless interest. He heard ap-
preaching steps, and knew the elastic
bounding tread of the red men. He
| grasped his rife firmly, stood a moment
| in thought, and looked earnestly at his
| friend.
| my dear Kentonr' exclaimed Allan,
| Il would not desert so bold and heroic
a comrade for a thousand worlds; no,
not to save my life. Trust to me, and
we will both escape, or fall side by side.
My plan is formed; proceed as fast as
| you are able, and l will soon overtake
| you"
| But this generosity is madness; by
giving your life to yonder yelling de-
mons, you will not prolong mine FIVE
enthusiastically as many seconds!'
cried Kenton.
| 81 do not value existence so lightly
that l am willing to throw it away
without a chance of success. So go for
ward in heavens name" said Allan.
Il WILL" replied Kenton, sorrowfully.
I'VE may never meet again; FAREWELL
With fearful eyes, and heart melted
| and subdued, the forester arose to his
| feet, and making q desperate effort, stag
| gcTed on with a speed that surprised
| Norwood. The latter threw himself
| upon the ground among the rank shrub
| berry. He laid his rifle beside him, and
| drew his hunting knife from his belt.
| The light, bounding footsteps which he
| had heard, came more distinctly to his
anxious ears.
By the sounds which he had heard, he
| judged that one of the pursuers was far
| in advance of all the rest. If that con-
| clusiOn was just, he could wait for the
| foremost savage to come up, and then
Stay him on the spot. In the event thar
there should prove to be more than one,
| it would only remain for him to do the
| best he could, and leave all to the Great
| Disposer of events.
| Allan's eyes were turned with. intense
| interest toward the spot where a painted
| face, or faces, were expected to appear.
| One moment more of breathless expecta-
ton, and a gigantic Indian sprang into
view He was darting onward like a
| bloodhound, painting with exertion. In
| his right hand he held his gun, and his
| eyes were fixed with fearful eagerness
| hn
and sweeping glances into the forest be-
| yOnd.
He came on; he was flying past the
| spot where the bold hunter lay. The
latter bounded up, leaping upon the saw
age like a young lion-the hunting knife
| flashed in the first faint beams of the
morning, and then sank deep in the red
| mans breast. \ hollow grUan was Civ
en- to the gentle winds and the pursuer
| had run his race. The athletic limbs
| quivered an instant, and all was still.
Allan thrust his crimson blade into its
sheath cast one look at the quiet out
lines of the body, and then left the spot
with hasty tread. He overlook Ken
ton, who was dragging his exhausted
frame along. When he heard steps be-
| lind him he turned about and cooked
his rifle. thinking the savages were upon
him; but saw instead the resolute face
of our hero.
| My dear Norwood he cried, while
| large tears rolled down his sunburnt
| cheeks, Il never expected to see you
again on earth. What have you done?'
| L have slain the leader of the pur-
| suit; | have sent him on the eternal
| trail that no warrior ever retraced."
You have done well; the next half
hour will decide this question of life
or DEATH returned KentOn.
| 81 know it; now lean on me, and we
| will battle them yet. Here is q brook;
| we will walk in tit may break the
trail"
| By Norwood's help Kenton was able
| to proceed. They doubled on their own
tracks; they changed their direction
many times; and when the sun was an
hour high, no sound of pursuit could
be heard, and they began to hope that
the savages were at fault, or had aban-
| doned the enterprise altogether.
1t was now imperativeIy necessary
that Kenton should rest. While looking
for a place suitable to that object, they
| discovered an Indian lodge, which proved
|
| diately took possession. To the sur
| prise of both parties they perceived that
a fire had recently been kindled there,
and several articles of comfort were left,
among which were pieces of venison,
mats, few undressed deerskins, etc.
Allan hailed this discovery as a sin
| gular piece of good fortune, and instant
| ly set himself ut work to minister prop
n-1y 70 tlA g g. Il
| dressed his wound as we'll as he could,
searched for a spring, brought him cool
and refreshing water, and then arranged
the mats and deerskins, and prevailed
upon him to lie down and recruit his ex-
| hauSted energies.
Kenton complied, making efforts dur
ing the time to induce Norwood to leave
him there, and put safer distance be-
! tween himself and the Indians, who
might possibly be on their trail.
Our hero was of course deaf to these
suggestions; and in a short time had
the pleasure of seeing his comrade sink
into a deep and tranquil sleep. He then
klndled fire and moving about softly.
commenced cooking as we'll as the case
would admit, some of the venison so
providentially provided.
| w mic -NIIdL WIS engaged IN I0lS man
ner, human figure darkened the lodge
door. The unexpected visitor was an
Indian maiden. When she beheld our
hero, she drew back with an exclama-
ton of surprise.
Come in,' said Allan, perceiving she
was in doubt
What does the pale face seek here?'
she asked, with dignifed air
I don't know that it would be proper
to make you my coaidante," replied
Allan, with a smile
Confidence sometimes makes friends
added the Indian girl. in excellent Eng
lish. though somewhat loftily.
I know it, daughter of the red man,
answered Norwood. Are any of your
people with you?'
i am alone; are you afraid?' replied
the maiden.
Not of you, certainly" said Norwood
with a smile.
why are you so near our village?'
inquired Starlight
| "A yOuDr rOai1an hoe 5;SoDDaoref