Year: 1872




closed shutters into the room, where sat
my victim and his accomplice. Had
my dagger been a pistol, should have
shot him as he sat, but perhaps it was
best that it was otherwise, for by this
means l heard of the loss and destina-
ton of your daughter and servant. For
long time they conversed in whispers,
till Norman in his daring braggadocio
exclaimed:


"'Why do we speak as though we
were afraid to trust our own ears ?
There is no fear in this lonely haunt,
disguised as we are.'


"'Well, when do you intend to start
for your bride elect?' Claude asked in a
louder tone.


in the course of eight or ten days
was the reply. Il shall start for Louis
lana, where have no doubt Miss Hew-
lit will be anxiously awaiting the ap-
pearanee of her liege lord. This is why
1 appointed meeting this afternoon,
/ that we might enjoy an evening unin-
terrupted. You know it will be neces-
sary for me to keep within doors during
the rest of my stay in the city. Keep a
sharp lookout when am gone and
keep me well posted with all the partic-
ulars, and in my turn will keep you
well supplied with cash.


You may be sure l shall look with
eagerness for that. But suppose your
intended falls sick and ''pegs out" on
the way, for you know it is a toilsome
journey for one unaccustomed to hard
ship said Claude, anXiously.


We'll, if such a thing should hap
pen, it will make no difference; will
do as 1 have agreed TO, but think there
/ is no danger, for Hard Heart is well
skilled in herbs and such stuff, and will
manage to keep her up for the sake of
the gold he will forfeit if he is in any
way unkind to either her or the niger.
The latter want kept safe and sound,
for she will bring a good price at the
South, answered Norman with as much
Indifference as though he were talking
about cattle.


" she is as lively rs my own country
women and most as smart. She will
bring a good thousand was the cold re-
joinder, when, hearing the wind whistle
or n mouse squeak, they became fright
ened, and jumping up from table,
which they were leaning upon, they
opened a small door which had not be-
fore observed and disappeared from my
gaze.


'Quickly getting down from my ele-
walton, crept noiselessly away, well
satisfied that their captives were your
own fair daughter and her attendant.
That they have arrived, or are on their
way to Louisiana to join the tribe of
Natchitoches, of whom Hard Heart is
chief, there is no doubt; but that which
we are all anxious to know is how to
overtake them before it is too late"


"ATerciful God! My childl Our dar-
ling child compelled to endure all man.
ner of hardships under the eye of
watchful savage, who perhaps at any
moment may see fit to scalp her and
leave her body a prey to the beasts of
the forest! Oh, God! this is more than
I can bearp' screamed Mrs. Hewitt,
while the Colonel, with a groan, sank
back in his chair, utterly unable to
speak.


"Bear up, my friends, under this great
affiiction," said Clarence. ''Nothing
shall be left undone that can be accom-
plished. Trust in God, for feel that
He will restore her to your arms. We
will start Immediately" continued he,
turning to Harry, who neither moved
nor spoke, while sorrow and deep grief
were depicted upon his couutenance.
"Let us go at once to New York and
take the next steamer for where we can
probably overtake the rascal before he
proceeds farther"


"Come, Harry, keep up good heart,
since we know our route. We can easi-
ly follow and be in time to meet him
face to face before he is aware that we
even know his object. Nothing would
suit me better than to see him down on
: his marrow bones begging for mercy
which 1 would not grant, for if ever l
meet the scoundrel am determined to
give him the full benefit of round
leaden ball, or my name is not Robert
: Hewitt"


'Do nothing rash, my young friend
If we can but overtake him and rescue
= our dearly loved ones, God will surely


bring him to feel the full force Of his
a avenging WRATH" replied the young di-


vine.


"Go on, my brave boys" said the
Colonel, now regaining his composure
y only bring me back my child, my
n lost Sonora, and all that l have is al
d your disposal, together with the thanks
d the never-dying thanks, of an aImost
v disconsolate father. Willingly would
I set out this very night and traverse tb,
It world over were it possible to regain m,
: darling, but the present state Of my
e wife's health compels me to relinquisl
II my place to you, my boys. will b,
v resigned to the will of God, under thi
d affiicting dispensation, and await will
E. hopeful expectation for your return"
/ "Oh, that my pure child may returl
Is to me before she becomes linked for lif


to that wretehed man, whose attention
Y from the first may be attributed solel.
Re to me, for had L but discountenanee
h instead of encouraging him, thing