Year: 1874

1huS II was that. when WlthlA out .
very short distance of his home. he heard
a wild. piercing shrek; he could only
guess that something terrible must be
taking place beyond the screen of bush
es and leaves.


Uttering loud shout, that his pres
enee might sooner be known, BransOn
sprang forward with the leaps of
wounded buck, 3 great fear at his heart,
for he had only too clearly recognized in
that scream the agonizing voice of his
wife.


1t took but moment for him to clear
the intervening timber and underground.


As he dashed out into the clearing.
holding his rife ready for instant use.
he eompreheRded in one swift glance all
that had taken place. and what was fur
ther to fear.


Near the end of the cabin facing the
cliffs, of which have spoken, stood the
mother, her face pallid as the dead, her
arms outstretehed. and her staring eyes
fixed upon the preeipitous heights up
which the figure of an Indian warrior
was struggling.


My child my child p was all the
woman said, and then Rufe Branson saw
that the bundle borne in the Indians
arms was the form of their only child,
little Maggie.


Firm Of heart, and with nerve as
steady as the rocks around, the father
for q moment actually quailed and cow
cred under what his quick sense told
him, the deadly peril Of the little one.


But he was quick to recover.


The Indian was drawing away: step
by step he was increasing the distance,
and as he occasionally glanced backward
and downward. the parents saw in his
hideously painted eountenanee the full
purpose that actuated the abductor.


God aid me-" Branson muttered, as
he raised his rifle, glanced through the
sights. and touched the trigger.


The Indian started violently at the
shot


He was hit, but not badly, and with
yell of devilish triumph. he passed up
ward.


Too low by a couple of inches. - said
low, calm voice at the settlers elbow


Branson started as though he himself
had been shot


Where has this man come from Who
was he?


Neither had seen him approach


But there was no time for explanation.


The stranger, a man rather below
than above the ordinary height, whose
fine, athletic form was fully displayed
by his elosely-ftting buek-skin garments.
stepped quickly forward a few PAGES,
and firmly planted his left foot in ad-
vance, threw up an unusually long rifle,
as though preparing to fire


.sFor Gods sake, stranger, be careful
of my child :" cried Branson. while the
agonized mother muttered an audible
prayer.


Its our only chance. / know that
Indian, - was the quick reply. and the
sharp click click of the hammer as
it was drawn back told that the critical
moment had come.
By this time the Indian had nearly
reached the summit Of the steep. That
he was wounded now became evident. as
upon broad ledge of rock he paused a
moment


This opportunity was seized by the
unknown


Although the savage had taken the
preeaution to hold the child up in from
of himself as a shield, covering nearly
the whole of his brawny chest, but leav
ing his head uncovered, the stranger die
not hesitate in making the shot


Fer one second. as it gained its posi-
ton. the rife Eavered. and then instant
II become as immovable as though helt
in vice


With clasped hands and strainin,
eyes the parents watched that statue-lik
form upon whose skill so much depended


Suddenly a sharp report rung out
the white smoke drifted away, and a
the vision became clear. they saw tn
savage loose his bold upon the child
reel wildly for an instant, and then pitel
forward upon the rocks.


1t may be imagined that the fathe
was not long IN reaching the place Wher
his child lay, and in a few moment
more the little one was in It's mother
arms


TELL Us who you are. that We ma
know what name to mingle with ou
prayers, . said the mother. as the stran
ger prepared to depart
My name Is Daniel Boone, be saic
, and was gone