Year: 1860

was lost there could be no doubt; and that
afternoon for miles around the woods rang
with the name Of Marion.


All through that long afternoon till the
sun was gliding the tops of the forest trees,
was the search kept up; butno success at
tended their labors, and the dusky mantle
of twilight was settling down. and the gray
mists Of evening we're rising from the river
when all save Casper had gathered at the
block house, and well nigh frantic with
agony, was securing the forest in all direc-
tions, calling upon the name of his bride,
but naught save the wild wood echoes was
the answer.


The evening repast that the women had
prepared was scarcely tasted, and prepara-
tions wero Immediately made for the renew
al of the search which was to be carried
on through the night and after prepar-
ing themselves with torches, they were
about to set forth amidst the entreaties of
the female portion of the garrison not to
return until some clue could be found
that would throw some light on her fate,
when boat containing but single war
rior of the tribe that dwelt near, who had
been a great friend to Boone the season
before, was seen approaching the shore.


He landed near the other boats, and
saw the pioneers in body advance to
bid him welcome he stepped on shore, and
proceeding towards Boone, he held out his
hand and bid him welcome back again,
then drawing himself up to his stateliest
height he said


care you seeking for the White Fawn
that went out into the forest to gather Aow-
ers in the early dawn?'


eyes" answered Boone eagerly, "know
you ought OF her?"


eyes, and Orienico has come hither to
tell his pale faced brothers where they may
find her"


'Speak thcn," returned Boone, rather
quickly.


"Yesterday," began the chief, "when the
sun was half way home to the sunset, a
pale face sought my wigwam, received
him kindly, and begged him to make known
his errand to our village. Then be told
me that he loved the White Fawn that was
to come that night to your strong wigwam,
and he wished me and my braves to steal
the pale faces BRIDE and give her to his
keeping. But Orienico would not do so
base thing to offend his white brothers,
and so he told him and he departed in
anger from our village.


81 wished to do my pale face brother
Kindness, so | followed him to the camp
of the Pampbieves, and heard them engage
to do his bidding. l followed them and
saw them surprise the young Fawn, and
then swiftly bear her up the river, and all
day long | followed them"


"Bring hither my bugle," exclaimed
Boone, when the chief had concluded; "lct
us call in the almost distracted Casper from
his fruitless search; and then we'll soon bo
on our way to punish the miscreant, Roy
al Morton, for his villanies, for surely it
must be him."


Blast after blast awoke the echoes of
the forest, and the water echoes caught up
the shrill notes and repeated them over
and over again, until the whole valley
seemed speaking as with one loud wild
voice.


AS this was to be the signal that some
clue to the lost one was found, it soon
brought the weary Casper to them, and
soon he knew all.


The look of despair he had worn through
the afternoon had been succeeded by that
of Joy when he heard the bugle's notes,
but now look Of fierce determination, in
termingled with despair settled on his brow
as he exclaimed


"Bettcr that Marion be alone in the for
est this night, than in that Villains power;
but if Royal Morton dare lay hands on my
angel wife, his blood shall pay the forfeit.
Come, men, let us be on our way.


They needed no second invitation but
followed the chief and Casper, and soon
they were treading the forest that skirted
the river, guided on their way by the full
moon, that was rising, in all its splendor,
rendering their way almost as light as
midday.


On, on, over many weary mile, midst
giant trees, now by the shining water, now
in the deep forest far from its banks, did
the hardy pioneers pursue their way and
not till the moon had reached the centre
of the crystal arch did their guide bid them
be weary.


They had now reached the spot where
gigantic rocks lay around in the greatest
profusion, and where huge trees intervene
their branches above the rocky ledge at
the edge of this wild spot Orienico bade
them look forward, aud amid tho thick
underbrush they saw the dying embers of
camp fire.


Here their guide bid them noisclessly to
remain, while he crept forward, to recon
noitre and it seemed an age ere he re.
turned.


But he came at last, gliding along in the
shadow of the giant trees with all the eau
ton of the Indian race, and in moment
stood beside Casper and Boone.


"Did you see Marion2" sis she in safe
typ" were the first words of the husband,
spoken ere the Indian could speak


"The White Fawn is unharmed,' re-
piled the chief, sand lies beneath the shell
ter of huge rock, bound with the soft,
white bands of wampum. The pale face
Il nlsn slnnninrr hnt a short distnnca from