Year: 1859

was the best thing that could be DONE and they &C
cordingly followed it. Dividing into equal parties
Of twelve each, they separated Sie's party taking
the northeast trail thinking that would be the one
most likely for the Indians to take the little girl over
as 1t was the one that led nearest to their lands.
Our friends kept steadily on the trail, until near
dark, when one Of the men picked from low bush
piece Of calico, and which as soon as Henry had
examined, he pronounced to be piece from his
daughters dress. This circumstance infused much
spirit into the atgued party and they pressed hope
fully on, with renewed vigOr, Sile assuring them
that they were rapidly approaching the Indians, %
the trail grew fresher and more distinct every mo-
ment.


Thus they proceeded, when they were suddenly
startled by hearing from Sile that he had lost the
trail. Here was difficulty that no one had anti
cipated Sle could sec nor think Of any place
where they had broke it" But going on some
one hundred yards, he was heard to exclaim, joy
fully, II thought 90; look here, boys, the cussed
skunls have, guess, got up one Of these ar trees
crawled along like squirrel, and then drapped
down this ar crock. But II or too dark now to
find out so wait till mornin, an il amt right
well try something else, for the copper head never
wur yet that could fool red Sile"


AS he concluded, he told the party to build up
fre-wait for him, when throwing his rife over
his shoulder he started of through the forest alone
He moved directly for the creek alluded to, and
going up stream short distance, he found dam Of
loose sticks and stones, in such manner that It d
yerted the water from its original channel causing
It to flow into small gully, running ct right an
giles with the Aforesaid stream He then as it had
become quite dark, departed for the camp to pa
tiently await the morning.


He reached the camp in safety, merely saying


in answer to the inquiries as to where he had been
l al A.l.. H.
precautiOn in camp was preserved as on the pFevi-
Gus evening. At length daylight came, and Sile
was the first To reach the stream. On arriving there
he shouted; I've found em, boys, I've found 'em
come out hyar" In compliance with the request
they hastened forward. Soon reaching the place,
they found the bed Of the creek quite dry but bear


ing on its hce the imprint Of the footsteps Of one
man only.


"Great God" groaned Henry, g here we've been
taken fur out Of the way by one miscreant only,
and perhaps even now my daughter Is in their camp
and lost to me forever"


"Hold hard thar, Car, jest bet my bar agin
pigs ear that the hull Of the tree toads went this
way, one steppin' in the tracks 0v the other let's
60 down little further ai0re we give It up" Say
| ing which, he started down the stream ut rapid
pace, followed by the entire party. After jour
ney Of about half mile, they came TO place
where the trail led off from the creek, taking o
course due north. Il was now very plain, the In
dians thinking themselves safe from pursuit. had tn
ken no precauton to hide 80 that the hunters could
proceed twice as inst as they had been tracking
and about noon they came In sight Of the Indians,
eating their dinner in small gully.


"Now boys" exclaimed Sile, we've got to be
careful fur il we don't, the yaller bellies will dis
kiver US, and spile all our fun. You jest go back
an lay low, and III keep track Of these devils, an
find the rest Of our boys too"


The main body now fell back, leaving Sile to
complete his operations. After be had seen them
well secreted in some adjoining trees Sie returned,
and, making o wide detOur, commenced searching
for the other party Of his friends, whom heexpected
to find in the vicinity. As he made his way
through the heavy underbrush, he imagined that
he saw dusky form approaching. Dropping to
the earth, he patiently awaited the coming one.
he drew nearer Sie could plainly see the painted
features Of On Indian warrior, and close upon his
heels followed three more. They paused moment,
and then one, who seemed to be their chief giving
| grunt Of satisfaction, moved forward, accompa-
MED by the Others. Thus they proceeded some
sixty rods; then the chief again stopped. and turn
ing to the Others, seemed to hold sort Of council
with them frequently pointing TO the ground ahead
Of them. As soon as be finished, they oil com
menced searching In the bushes; and 90 cautiously
did they act, dOdging behind every tree they came
to, Sile had no difficulty in discerning that they
had discovered his trail, and knowing by its fresh
ness that the one leaving Il was not far distant were
now diligently in search Of him. As soon as Sile
made up his mind to this, he commenced crawling
away as fast ashe could from so dangerous locality
He thus proceeded snake fashion" until be came
to large tree, when he arose and moved of in such
o manner as to keep the Aforesaid tree between
himself and his pursuers.


He had thus proceeded about Eve hundred yards,
when he was discovered by one Of the Indians,
who was standing directly over the place where
Sile had but few moments before lain. Giving
a wild whoOp, the redskins dashed forward In
pursuit Sile now ran for "dear life" taking care
to keep on the trail the Indians had just passed
over, Supposing that his friends had also found the
track and were following in pursuit Of the savages.
On, on, he sped, with the Indians gradually clos.
| ing on him, when on turning the foot Of q small
hill, he came full upon the wishedfor friends. Sile
on seeing them, shouted jOyfully, Single out the
varmints as they conc round, and be sure and
not leave one Of EN- to tell the rest whose comm
for EN-" As he finished, dozen rifles sounded
forth as one, and before the awakened echoes had
ceased reverberating through the narrow valley
the four vigorous forms that had bounded madly


forward, flushed with hope and thoughts Of victory,
now were numbered among the beings that were.


The sharp reports brought the party Sile had
hidden instantly 10 the spot, and the party, now
Joined as when they started, dashed hopefully on.
But little more remains to be told The settlers
soon reached the childstealers, when the conflict
was short and decisive The Indians were oil slain,
and little Jane now tells to four brghteyed wonder
ing children the story Of her wonderful escape nom
the sayages.