Year: 1874

his rifle, and was upon the point Of firing
at one of the red men, when sudden idea
flashed through his mind, and, loosng his
finger from the trigger, he waited with his
weapon still against his shoulder. The
canoe had just begun to turn its head in
shore again, as the boat changed its course,
and, if it rounded-to enough, the two
standing Indians would be brought within
range Of his rife Anxiously the hunter
awaited the result. Slowly came the canoe
about in her angle, and gradually the space
between the two Indians grew less. At
length the moment came-the line of the
hunters never-failing aim passed through
the neck of the nearest, and struck upon
the head of the furthest Indian. With
a steady hand he pulled the trigger, and
while yet the sharp report was ringing
through the forest the two red men fell


The two remaining negroes heard the
report, and, each believing himself to be
the object of its deathly intent, they both
dropped their oars but the girl who had
comprehended the whole, and who had
seen two of her enemies fall, soon managed
to convince the poor creatures of their
safety, and once more they took up their
oars and pulled for the shore, while the
two surviving Indians, completely terror
struck at this unexpected catastrophe, had
sprung to their feet, and were gazing earn
estly at the spot where the smoke of the
hunters rifle was curling up above the
bushes. With that sagacity which ever
characterizes the red man, they seemed at
once to understand that there could be but
one man on the shore, for had there been
more there would certainly have been an
other shot, and instantly springing forward,
one of them seized the only remaing loaded
ritle-one had fallen into the river when
its owner fell--and turned it's muzzle to-
wards the spot where his eagle eye had
caught the outlines Of the hunters form
through the shrubbery. But the Indian
was too late. Nearly a minute had elapsed
since Chester had fired, and his rifle was
again loaded. The white man caught his
enemy's movement just as he picked up
his fallen brothers. weapon, and as quick
as thought his own trusty rife was on the
aim, and another Indian fell to rise no
more


The single surviving savage saw his COM
panion drop, and on the instant he resorted
to the only means for his salvation. He
seized paddle and quickly bending him
self to the task he shot the pliable canoe
up the river. The tide was in his favor,
and as he shaped his course obliquely to,
wards the opposite bank, he was out of
danger ere his dreaded foe could reload
his rifle.


Just as Orlando Chester had finished re-
loading his rifle, the. bows of the boat
touched upon the shore, and as he hasten
ed down to meet it, the girl sprang out
upon the sand, and fell upon her knees at
the hunters feet.


go, kind sir whoever you be- she ut
tered as she clasped her hands in gratitude,
chow shall repay you for this"


"Lady, you can easily pay me for what
| I have done. have but performed duty
owe the world go you and do the same.
When yOu can assist fcllow-mortal, do it,
and shall be amply repaid"


The girl had expected to have seen the
rough hunter, and to have heard the harsh
tones Of a voice that only answered to the
howl of the wild beast and the yell Of the
red savage but, instead, she saw a coun
tenance of rare beauty and youth, varying
with hundred shades Of noble generosity
and kindness, and the voice struck upon
her ear in tones of rich, melting cadence,
tinged with the plaintiye cast which ever
excites sympathy in the bosom of the
hearer. A light smile fitted across the face
Of the young hunter as he noticed the
maiden's passing emotions, and letting go
the hand which he seep1ed to have forgot
ten he held, he continued


81 know your thoughts, lady You
wonder that poor hunter should have
asked no boon in return for his services,
but should rather have given only piece
of seeming advice"


"And as for your adyicc, as you please
to term it, take it most kindly, though
the being does not live who can say that
assistance within her power was ever asked
Of Ada Wimple, and she refused It," she
replied.


"Ada Wimple r. uttered the hunter.


"Then you are the daughter of Sir Oh
iyer, whose plantation is below here"


Il am, SIR"


A moment young Chester seemed puzzled