Year: 1863

the efforts still expected from him. forbade
tho idea OF rapid travelling. Yet the blood
hounds were upon his track and at the
dawn of day, now scarcely an hour distant.
Edgar knew they would sweep down upon
him like the wind. Escape seemed as diif-
cult as before the rescue.


Yet the Ranger was not cast down, and
the ng-hearted pioneers daughter gave
little thought TO danger. As in all women
OF her class, excitement only evolved her
energies and she talked with sort of
cheerful elation, as if the peril were passed,
and home wore rogained. Edgar was far
from being so much at ease but he had
never known fear, and, save on account of
tho loved one whose arms encircled his
waist he would rather have made his dis
tpostions for battle than for flight.


His only hope was that the Indians might
be delayed i'll searching the woods around,
their cncampment until they could gain suC.
hcicnt start and this hope vanished al.
most us soon rs formed. They had scarcely
| ridden three miles when the thunder of
many hoofs came rolling down the ridge.
The enemy were in full chase scarcely a
mile behind


I'VE must try the virtue of speed ," said
Edgar dashing his spurs into his horses
TANKS, he sprang away at a rate which gave
promise of soon distancing the pursuers
Their footsteps soon died away in the dis
tance and. could he have kept up the pace
at which he started, the Captain hoped he
might reach the river before being overta-
ken. But at the end of few minutes, he
was forced to draw his rein. The ridge
had grown SO narrow that the ravines on
either hand intcrsected each other, and
broke it into steep and dangerous gorges
~


dead halt, and neither voice nor spur could
push him forward Edgar sprang to the
ground and looking over the precipice,
shuddered at the leap he was endeav oring
to take. A hollow, whose bottom he could
not see, cut directly across his path, and
extended both to the right and left, farther
than his eye could penetrate.


"They are coming, Johnw exclaimed
Jane, springing to the ground and he had
scarcely time to lead his horse littlo to
tho left, when twelve or fifteen Indians
dashed furiously up, and, like him, came
to a sudden halt. He could plainly see the
dusky outlines of their forms, rising back
and forward. searching for u crossing. He
drew Jane, whose white dress might betray
them, behind tree, and breathlcssly
awaited their motions. At word from the
chief they all turned directly toward him
lie sei2ed Jane by the arm, and dropping
his horses rein, sprang down the precipit-
GUS bank. A fearful yell from the pursuers
told him that he was seen aud II rush and
n scramble, regardless of the crumbling
bank brought them almost upon him.


Run, Jane! Down the ravine-run! ~
he exclaimed, and bringing his rifle up the
foremost warrior fell to the ground pierced
through the head Another yell more fear
| Sal ll., l,1
upon him. But the Ranger was more agile
than any savage with one bound he gained
tree and before they had recovered from
their confusion, his rifle was reloaded.
Slowly he began to climb the bank-but
his first movement was observed, and again
they rushed toward him. He turned and
fired his last shot--another savage rolled
groaning down tho bank. But the odds
were too great. His enemies were too
near to allow his again clurginS his gun,
and an attempt to escape up the steep as
cent would be instant death. He gave
himself up for lost-but, drawing his knife,
he resolved to die fighting to the last.


The click of II rihe-lock directly behind
him caught his attention, and the next mo-
ment voley of balls whistled over his
head. A rush down the bank Immediately
followed, The company of rangers, led on
by White, had arrived in time to save their
Captain. The savages, taken by surprise,
were unable to make stand for with
them, AS with all other undisciplined men,
a panic was irremediable. Edgar joined
his men, and assumed the command, push
ing the charge directly home upon the con-
fused and scattered party But such as
were not disabled by wounds sprang nc
lively up the ascent, and gaining their
horses, took to flight. They left seven of
their warriors among whom was their tall
chief, lying dead at the bottom of the ra-
vine.


Edgar called his men back from the pur-
suit, and mustered them within the gorge.
Not one of them had received wound


1--WE are all safe" said George Fielding ;
but where is Jane?'


Here | am" Jane answered from the
ridge above. Instead of flying down the
ravine, rs Edgar had directed she had
climbed the bank behind him ; and, unwill-
ing to leave him i'll peril 80 fearful, had de-
termined there to await the issue. Had
she been armed, he would not have been
alone in the fight


Day had dawned on the conflict and now
the shadows of the forest were fast melting
away Leaving their enemies to be re-
covered by their companions, who would
soon return for them, the rangers re-
mounted and set out toward home. Ed
gar lifted Jane into his saddle, and with
little difficulty, catching one of the Indian
horses, rode, happy as if already her hus-
band, by her side. On the morning of the
third day they once more reached her
iather's house, where the rejoicings at her
rescue were shared by the re-assembled
guests, at her wedding with tho Ranger