Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-11-01
*NORTHERN %LIGHTS+
FROM The ROMANTIC AMERICAN DRAMA.
THE NOvELIzATION BY A. D. HALL.
CHAPTER XVII.
Redeemed.

his party had taken refuge, was GER
tainly provided with excellent naturai
defenses. 1t was a broad plateau
backed by a lofty wall Of rock, and
having in front precipitous, unscalaole
cliffs. On one side the descent was
almost equally sheer save for narrow
path with room for only one person 10
advance at a time.
The fourth side, however, sloped
gently down to the plain below, and
this was where danger was to be
feared.
Still. the place could probably have
been held for some time against the
force Of attacking Indians, had 1t not
been for the fatal lack Of water Under
the circumstances the exhausted gar
rison could not hold out for only few
hours longer. Their only hope was
that Horton might be able to reach
General Crook and bring aid.
He had been gone now nearly twen-
ty-four hours. 1t was nine o'clock In
the evening, a beautiful, clear moon
light night. every shrub, rock and tree
tinged with silver The beauty Of the
heavens was enhanced by the lumi-
nous lines Of the Northern Lights,
which shifted and trembled in threads
OF ever varying color. But superb as
the spectacle was. it brought only hor-
ror to the hearts Of those upon the
plateau for each knew that this prob
ably meant another attack before day
break.
Colonel Gray was propped up against
a rock where he could view every
movement in the little camp. The
brave old man was suffering greatly
from his wound, but not a word OF
complaint passed his lips. Not FAR
away, in front Of rudely-improvised
shelter, lay Florence asleep upon a pile
of blankets, and near by were Dorothy
Helen and the other women. the wives
and sisters of the soldiers. Dare and
Higgs were also there, and to their
credit be it said, that in the presence
of this real danger, the manliness In
both of them asserted itself and they
were quite ready to fight, or do any
duty that might be assigned to them.
Water! water!" gasped Florence,
moving uneasily and half awaking.
Helen Dare bent over her.
Have patience" she said. gently.
starlight will soon be here"
Murmuring the Indian girls name,
Florence again sank into a troubled
slumber.
Starlight" asked Colonel Gray,
questioningly. of Helen.
The latter came to his side.
THE child stole into camp an hour
ago, while you were asleep" she said,
in a low voice, and heard Florence
begging for water. She picked up an
empty can. and. saying she would save
the broken lily, climbed over the rocks
and disappeared"
The colonel looked troubled.
IF she is discovered" he said,
"those inhuman wretches will look up
OF her act Of mercy as treason to
themselves, and take her life.
And II she fails to return" added
Helen, sadly. cor II water is not pro-
cured, Florence will never see the sun
rise again"
ooh, must see her die here before
my eyes!" murmured the colonel, in
powerless grief.
Suddenly Florence started up, crying
wildly:
Wallace! Wallace! Uncle. don't
send him away"
Instantly Dorothy and Helen were
at her side. soothing her as best they
could.
Thanks to Swiftwinds knowledge
and skill, the poor woman. who had
suffered so much, had recovered from
the cholera, and by some wonderful
dispensation of Providence. no one else
had been infected. but she was still
very weak, and Helen was not far
wrong in what she had said.
Colonel"
It was Charlie Sherwood who had
Just returned from a tour OF inspection
and now advanced to the colonels side.
Colonel. one more is gone. He was
badly wounded, but a few drops of
water might have saved his life. How
ever. it is perhaps as WELL
What do you mean?"
Charlie pointed to the shimmering
sky.
That means that the attack will not
long be delayed. And" lowering his
voice so as not to be heard by the wo-
men, when it comes, colonel,God help
US. for we've scarcely two rounds OF
ammunition left"
Two rounds" repeated the colonel
shocked and astounded.
Yes. and have given orders to fire
only in defense of the women"
That was right" with a deep sigh
I'VE must protect them to the last
Now our only hope is Horton"
Charlie hesitated for a moment and
then decided that this was no time tc
keep anything back. He therefore
spoke out just what was in his mind.
Colonel, have you stopped to think
that it Is but fifteen miles up this
stream to Crooks camp? Horton
should have been back here by day
break this morning"
Don't don't" said the colonel. pite-
ously. glancing toward the group o
women. Don't take away the las
hope Crook may have broken camp
At any rate. I'll never give up Hortor
Until see proofs Of his death"
What's that?" cried Dare. suddenly
who was peering out from behind &
rock in the valley. The exclamation
startled the colonel and Charlie. ant
the latter at once went forward to SCI
what was the matter.
Keep down. lieutenant" exclaimed
Dare. eXcitedly.
Charlie crouched down. and crawleC
forward until he was at the judge:
side.
What is it?" he asked.