Year: 1869

|


We must return to the city and not,


matters which had transpired there


Young Red Plume, painting for notorie


ty, bad resolved upon the capture Of


Helen Prescott. In his disguise as s


British officer, he had found very little


difficulty in passing around the city un


der cover Of darkness, and he soon as


certained the residence of his intended


victim. Here he watched until the hour


of midnight. Several times during the
evening he had seen Helen through the
parlor windows, and had listened to hel
voice as she sang some lively or plant


i've air. His savage heart was almost
charmed, and he began to wish for just
such bride but ambition arose superior
to passion.


The lights in the front portion of the


building were extinguished. Soon he
heard the voice of Helen coming from q
rear apartment, still warbling her wild
and beautiful notes He quickly scaled
the garden wall, and took his position
beneath the shade of large magnolia
tree, whose branches extended to an up
per window, from whence streamed d
light, while the voice of the singer came
from within


Into this tree he cautiously crept. and
now he had view of the apartment
The maiden had retired, unconscious of
danger, and soon the taper was extin-
guished. The savage waited for an hour,
and then, with cat-likc stealth, passed
through the open window into the room.
He approached the couch where lay the
sleeper. The moon was low in the west,
but its last pale ray fingered upon the
face of the maiden She appeared to be
a very angel, and she smiled sweetly, as
if kindred spirits were whispering tales
of love into her ears.


For some moments the savage stood
irrcsolute Then he drew forth quan
tity of pine-tree gum, ,and formed thick
plaster Of this, which he placed over
Helen's mouth, binding it firmly there
with handkerchief Helen awoke, and
she struggled with all her strength. 1t
was of no avail, however. Her hands
were pinioncd behind her back; and then
lifting her in his arms, the monster ap-
preached the window, caught one Of the
magnolia branches, and swung himself
to the ground.


To leave the city, bearing his victim in
his arms, was not so easy matter as to
enter it alone. But the inhabitants of
Savannah felt secure in their treaty with
Tome Chichi, and the Governor did not
deem it necessary to keep out strong
guard; SO, by using great caution, Red
Plume .managed to avoid each sentinel,
and he was scnn Ieyond danger. He
had left a horse IN conceaiment. He
mounted the animal a;sd, rode swiftly on
ward with his captive;Trtil he had reach
ed the Indian camp His father was de-
lighted at his success, and promised to
heap rewards and honors upon his dar-
ling son. Helen was at once clad as q
forest-queen.


There was great exitement in Savati!'s'1
when it was known that Miss Prescott
had so mysteriously disappeared, and
none partook Of this feeling more strong
ly than did the young English captain,
Henry Waller, her betrothed husband
He believed the savages were connected
with the matter, and he at once commu-
nicated his suspicious to General Oglc-
thorpe, the Governor, and commander
Of the post The general could not think
as did the lover, and he hesitated when
asked for troops. Should they advance
upon the Indian settlement, the treaty
would thus be broken, and 4 bloody war
fare might be the result. He said to the
captain, however:


Take as many men as you require,
and approach within five miles of the
Indian camp. There you must halt until
you yourself have advanced and found
that your suspicious are correct In that
case you have discretionary power; but
actwith prudence"


At the head of fifty dragons, Waller
advanced. Reaching the designated
spot, he halted his men, and then rode
forward with single orderly leading a
third horse. Approaching within half
mile of the camp, he dismounted and adj
vanced alone. Silently he entered the
circle of lodges, and crept to the one
most prominent among the number, be-
lieving it to be occupied by the chief
He listened, and he heard murmur, as
if uttered in sleep. His heart beat
wildly, for he recognized the voice of his
idol.


Before the lodge guard was seated,
but he appeared to be half asleep. 1t
was an easy matter to dispatch him, and
then the captain crawled slowly into the
lodge. His hand was upon Helen, and
she awoke., A whispered word enjoined
silence, the thongs were cut, and they
emerged from the lodge Swiftly, but
cautiously, they passed along, and were
only interrupted by single sewage, who
shared the fate of the guard. The hor-
ses were reached, and soon they joined
the main body, and rapidly rode for Sa-
vannah.


Young Red Plume had been abroad
that night, still wearing his Disguise
he came in sight of the drag
oons where they were waiting. He drew
into place of concealment and watched.
Soon he discovered that the maiden had
been rescued, and as the cavalcade rode
bv he joined them. The darkness and
his disguise was his protection, and he
determined to recapture Helen. Chance
favored him


After a time the light hearted girl ban
tered her companions for race, and
without awaiting reply, darted forward
at furious rate The Indian followed
her, and soon the two had far outstrippcd
the others. A bend in the road shut
them altogether from view. The horse
on which Helen was riding stumbled and
fell, and she was thrown so violently
upon the earth that she was rendered in
sensible. Now was the golden opportu-
nifty, aud Rel Plume was not slow to
take advantage of it. He caught the
maiden in his arms, and carried her into
the woods fianking the roadway, leading
both horses after him In f,w moments
he heard the dragons pass, not one of
them entertaining the least suspicion that