Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1915-02-24

which the girl who had taken him in
her arms understood-that he was
grateful.
Forbidden fruit is the sweetest. This
girl knew that by encouraging this
white man she was bringing upon her
self the penalty of death, and Ned, too.
was aware Of the fact. While native
men were present both were circum-
Spect; when no one except sailors saw
them they failed to conceal the bonds
that were quickly being bound around
them.
An old adage is Love laughs at
locksmiths." There were no locks and
keys for these lovers, but there were
plenty of persons to note what was
going on between them. How they
managed to secure few moments now
and again without being seen by any of
the natives or whether they were seen
by some who did not betray them is
a matter which does not appear. The
sailors would do anything in their pow
er to protect Ned. and it may be that
who would screen her.
The weather proving at times unpro-
pitious the loading of the ship was de-
layed, and Ned Phillips love affair
had time to grow strong. Either luck
favored him or friends helped the pair
to avoid detection until the ship was
ready to sail: then the storm broke
over the heads of the white sailor and
the Indian girl.
Ned had become so infatuated that
he resolved to attempt to carry his love
away with him. The girl. though loath
to leave those who had been all the
world to her for a new life Of which
she knew nothing, was ready to make
the plunge. though she realized that if
she failed in the attempt her life would
be forfeited. The evening before the
ship was to sail Ned pulled ashore
alone in one of the ships boats. The
Indian girl was concealed in a grove
of cOcoanut trees some fifty yards from
the verge. She had recently been
suspected and was watched by one
who saw her enter the grove. When
this person saw Ned coming he gave
the alarm, but too late to prevent the
girl from getting into the boat.
There was but little sea rolling, and
Ned was pulling from the shore when
a short distance up the beach the girl
saw a party of Indian men hurrying
a canoe to the water A race was at
hand. with two lives at stake. Ned's
muscle was equal to a spirited pull,
| and he gave way at once with all his
| strength. The girl sat in the stern and
covered her face with her hands.
A ships boat is not usually made for
one pair Of oars. Although Ned had
! the smallest one of the lot, it was very
| heavy. But so much depended upon
! the effort that he had strength far
| beyond what was natural to him. His
! distance from the ship was a trife
less than that Of the natives. but they
! could pull much faster than he. They
were gaining on him, and he saw that
despite the marvellous effort he was
| putting forth they would intercept him
when the girl, who faced the ship. took
her hands from her eyes, and a newly
awakened hope shOne in her face. Ned
burned to have a look at what she
saw. but dared not cease rowing long
enough to do so. But by signs she con
trived to tell him that boat was be-
ing lowered from the ship. and in an
other moment it was full of men and
coming toward them.
There were now two points at issue
first, to save their lives the lovers must
meet the ships boat before the In
dams could Overtake them; second, if
they succeeded in this a fight must
occur between the rescue party and
the pursuers. On came the sailors, now
and again some one Of the oarsmen
in his haste striking the water and
sending up the spray. On came the
Indians, padding carefully, but rapid.
~. Ned could see only the latter and
knew that unless his friends were pref
ty near it would be all up with him
and his love.
He saw man in the bow of one OF
the canoes raise a spear and aim II
at the girl While it was coming from
the canoe Ned turned the boat just liz
time to save her. The man took ur
another spear and was about to hur
it when there was a report. and the
spearman dropped. He had been shot
from the ships boat
The three boats now came together
The canoe contained among others
the father of the girl. who was benz
on killing both his daughter and the
man who was carrying her away from
her people. The sailors. not wishing
to kill the Indians. fought with thei
oars. The Indians had had time only
to collect few spears, and they were
soon sinking to the bottom withou
having done any serious damage Ne(
Kept his eye on any one who showed
signs of injuring the girl. and no soon
er was a blow aimed at her than b.
parried it with his oar Finally witt
a blow he sent one of her enemies int
the water and upset the canoe.
This ended the fight. While the In
dams were hanging on to their cano