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"savages burst upon his ears.
ture, he rusbed to the place where he
THE PORTLAND ECLECTIC.
é
in some degree to recover herself. ‘I can keep on
- still farther,”? said the panting sirk—“Tet us not
» wait here; they will pursue us.”
“We will stop but a moment for you to recover
_ breath, Ellen. They will not follow us at present, I
think. Thank God, we have suceeeded thus far so
well???
"Yes, yes, we indeed owe Him our thanks! But,
oh Ilenry, what will become of poor George! They
will surely murder him !””
. “He is safe out of their hands by this time, I
trust, my dear girl,” and in a hasty manner he in-
formed her of his rescue, and of the means they had
- taken to effect her escape.
While they were: thus conversing, they were
startled by a rustling among the bushes in which
they had sought refuge, as if some one were forcing
an entrance. : Springing from the little mound on
‘which he had been sitting, the young man atood
with leveled rifle, prepared to receive the intruder.
A low, Jegfal bark caused him to lower it on the in-
stant,
“Tt is the noble Brave !’? said he, and the faithful
animal broke into the enclosure, and bounding to
> Ellen's side, placed his head on her lap, seemingly
testifying by mute signs his joy at her escape.
Henry and his companion caressed the noble animal,
_ to whose services they probably owed their lives,
Tejoicing heartily at his escape from the struggle
with the savage. |
In that struggle, however, the dog had not run
much risk, When he sprang upon the savage, he
seized him in his huge jaws directly hy the throat
and brought him at once to thé ground. The Indian
was entirely powerless in hia grasp, and in a short
time was completely throttled. Not until his vic-
- tim had ceased to struggle did the dog quit his hold,
when, being apparently satisfied that he was dead,
he shook himself, and ranning awhile to and fro
-until he caught the scent of the fugitives, be bound-
ed rapidly into the forest on their track.
“Had we not better continue on, Henry?" said
Ellen ; ‘+I feel quite rested. Every moment we re-
main in the neighborhood is full of danger.’?
“think we had,”’ replied her companion, ‘and
Braye seems to be of the same opinion, See, he
_ stands ready to lend the way.””
- Cautiously the party made their way out of the
thicket. Ascertaining the position of the moon,
glimpses of which could now be caught through the
trees, Henry followed the direction of the Scout by
getting it over his right shoulder, and then with his
companion moved rapidly forward.
They bad not proceeded far when the report of a
gun came faintly echoing through the forest from
their rear, followed shortly after by a second.
‘The Scout is engaged with them!’ said Ifenry.
**Pray heaven, no harm may befall Lim, for with-
out his aid I fear we shall find it difficult to find our
wa,
When the reports were heard, Brave gave evident
signs of uneasiness, turning his head in the direction
whence they came, and whining repeatedly.
The dog knows that his master is in danger,’’
said Ellen, ‘and evidently wishes to seek him.” |
“Yea, and I think he had better go,’” rejoined
her compaion ; ‘the will be of more use to him
_than to us.‘ Go, Brave, and seek your master!”
The dog jumped joyfully in the air, and then with
the speed « of a deer, dashed toward the Indian camp,
while Henry and his companion continued their toil-
some journey.
As the young couple, doubtless, will have no ob-
jection to being left by themselves, we’ will leave
them to proceed on their way, and go back and see
how it fures with the Scout.
_ When he left Henry to fire the lodges, he crept
along the edge of the forest until he was near the
river. To accomplish his object required the utmost
wariness, for every step was encompassed with dan-
_ ger. Leaving bis gun in the woods, the old man
crept stealthily towards the cluster of lodges, which
were so close together that the bark of which they|-
: were composed came in contact at the base.
Selecting the: eentral lodge, he was not long in
effecting an entrance. He had brought with him a
quantity of dried brush and leaves, which he placed
: against the sides of the tent, and then striking a fire
with a fint and steel, which he always carried with
Lim—for loco-fuca matches were unknown luxuries
in those days—after some. time hegsucceeded in
Kindling a blaze, which soon seized upon the in-
“famable material of which the wigwam was com-
posed. Leaving a package of powder i in the cetiter
of the lodge, he hastily took his departure, closing
every apertare whence the light could be seen, Ile
then started for the woods, but before he reached
them the explosion took place, and the yell of the
Starting from ‘his
stooping pos!
.| his side.
had left his rifle. Once more under cover, with the
knowledge he possessed ‘of forest life, he had no ap-
prehensions of pursuit. :
Hovering in the skirts of the forest he saw the
savages, four in number, after they had made an
attempt to secure their skins and stores, suddenly
tush to the rear of the encampment, where they
gathered in a great state of excitement. One of|
them hastily entered the lodge in which Ellen bad
been confined, and as hastily emerged, gesticalating}
Presently |*
and speaking in a most excited. manner,
a wild outcry burst from one of the number, who
had gone toward the forest, which drew the rest to
To the Scout's, surprise, he saw them
stoop down and lift up what appeared to be a dead
body. ‘Could it be that the captive or the young
man had fullen? This was the first’ thought that
darted into his mind. ‘The mystery was shortly
solved, for the savages soon bore the corpse into the
center of the camp, and placed it on a mat in front
of one of the lodges. ~ As they Jaid the body down,
the Scout saw by the glare of the burning wigwams
the torn and ghastly throat.
** That is some of Brave’s doings!” the clas man
chuckled to himself. .‘¢ The varmint was on their
track, no doubt, and the dog seized upon him. That
pup is worth his weight in gold!2
The attention of the Scout was soon attracted to
the movement of the savages. ° He saw them looking
around diligently as if in search of the trail of the
fugitives, and presently he knew by their actions
that they had discovered it. Two of the party were
evidently about to follow it up. This the old man
determined to prevent, even at the risk of his own
life.
Stepping out into the clearing, he leveled ‘his
piece at the foremost Indian. Was he ever known
to miss a shot? The woods echoed with the report,
and the Indian bounded in the air and fell headlong
to the earth. During the confusion that ensued,
j the old man deliberately reloaded his rifle, and then
started off ina direction contrary to that taken by
the fugitives.
With a yell of rage the savages rushed in pursuit,
one of whom discharged his gun at him, but with-
out effect, although the ball split a sapling close by
his side.”
“A good shot,” muttered the Scout to himself—
-}**a capital shot, if aimed atthe sapling! ‘ But you
can’t expect much from such a breed!”
The old man led the chase some distance in the
woods, until coming to a large fallen tree, he dropped
suddenly to the ground, and crept under its trunk,
where the branches grew the thickest. His pur-
suers soon arrived at the epot, and two of them kept
on, while one of them sat down on the butt of the
fallen tree, evidently to rest himself.’ The Scout
could hear him breathing heavily, as if exhausted
with the pursuit.
' Itwas a critical moment with the old hunter.
The least moyement on his part would betray his
hiding place. In case he should be discovered, he
deemed it best to be prepared for the struggle; he|’
therefore can‘iously felt for his bunting knife. In
drawing it from its sbeath, he accidentally struck
his arm against a small dry limb, which broke with
alight noise. This at once attracted the attention
of the savage, who sprang to his feet and threw
suspicious glances around him.
The Scout had no fears of coping with the savage
single-handed, and would have made the venture,
did he not know that the whoop of the Indian would
recall his companions, thus making the odds too
much for him. He therefore kept quiet, and for-
tunately for him, as the Indian was creeping warily
towards him, and was on the point of reaching out
his hand to remove some of the branches that shel-
tered him, a partridge, or some other bird, broke
from among the limbs, seemingly frightened from
its nest, and took refuge in some underbrush in the
vicinity. ‘ The sight of the bird at once allayed the
buspicion of the savage, and after a short halt, to
the Scout's great relief, he started in the direction
taken by the others.
Waiting until the sound of his retiring footsteps
was lost, the Scout crept softly from his covert, and
with a light step retraced his way to the encamp-
ment. Taet before he reached the open’ space, he
heard a quick movement behind him) and he irome-
diately sprang behind a tree fora cover. Ie might
have succeeded in concealing himself from an enemy,
but he could not from the faithful Brave, who rushed
toward and leaped upon Lim with the most lively
manifestations of joy.
“Ha, pup! you come in good time!” said his
master, patting him heartily.
reptyles on a wrong scent, Brave, and you must
put me on the right one.
the Scout followed around the edge of the forest,
until be arrived in the vicinity of the lodge recently
occupied by Ellen
‘The embers of ‘the burnt lodges etill ‘emitted ¢ a
pens, . om
e
rte
Elle
“T'ye started the)
Come, old fellow!” and!*
lurid light, and a heavy smoke still hung over the
ground, and curled among the trees. Occasionally
the cinders would flame up, throwing a momentary
light upon the surrounding objects, then die away,
leaving the place enveloped in a ten-fold gloom. A
grim emile played over the old man’s face as he
gazed upon the scene of desolation.
‘* The varmints have had their bonfire,” he mut.
tered to himself, “ but ’taint such a one as they cal-
kerlated on, Lreckon! Jf ’twant for the youngster
and gal, now, I'd wait here jest to enjoy the rage of
the sarpents who have gone down the river, when
they come back and find what's been done.”
The Scout was gratified, for as he turned to leave
the spot, he heard the quick dip of paddles, and
_Presently two canoes shot into the cove, from which
some’ seven or eight savages leaped to the land.
They were met on landing by two or three squaws.
There was a noisy jabbering and violent gesticula-
-tions on both sides, followed by a howl of rage that
made the forest ring again. In their frenzy some
- of them leaped around the ruined lodges like maniacs
—twisting their faces into the most diabolical con-
tortions—gnashing their teeth like famished wolves
—and brandishing their tomahawks fiercely in the
air, as if in the presence of their hated foe.
«Come, Pup, let’s be off!’ said the hunter.
“ “That now is something worth hearing and seeing!
To call them critturs human beings! » Why, a pack
of starved catermounts wouldn’t cut up such awfal
freaks !””.° >
With these remarks the old fellow followed the
dog, who had caught the seent of the fugitives, into
the woods. -
Henry and Ellen had continued making their way
through the mazes of the forest. At the first he was
‘particular in ‘following the direction given him in
regard to keeping the moon over his right shoulder.
Had he not paid attention to this, he would probably
have made bat little progress. There is no place
where one can be so easily lost as in a forest, and
in the night time, without something especial to
guide you, one cannot take ten paces without being
completely bewildered in regard to the proper direc-
tion to be followed.
As our young couple journeyed on, their conver-
sation was naturally directed to the exciting inci-
dents connected with the circumstances in which
they were placed. But gradually the topie was
changed—Ellen whispered of gratitude, which her
companion responded to as any young man would in
such @ situation, until at length, insensibly as’ it
were, IJenry found himself breathing in ‘the ear of
the blushing maiden that tale, which the poet tells
3, ~ -
2
. Must be told by the moonlight alone!”
‘Tt was a very pleasant mode of whiling away the
tedium of a night tramp, and from our heart we
cannot’ blame the young man; who no doubt. was
prompted to it by a desire to make his companion
forget for awhile the dangers that surrounded them.
And most admirably did he succeed. - We doubt that
if a savage had started up by their elbows, they
would have given him more than a careless glance—
perbaps a reproving one for his intrusion.
They-were wandering along in that happy revery,
in which it ia said young lovera are apt fo indulge
when taking a walk by moonlight, when Henry was
startled out of his elysian dream by feeling a heavy
hand Jaid on bis left shoulder.
“Ha, youngster!” and the voice of the Scout was
toned with good-humored irony, ‘is this your right
shoulder? ‘The moon up yonder seems to be peep-
ing over it at any rate! Wal, wal, it isn’t strange
when one’s head and heart get turned, that the body
should turn with them! It’s risky business, Miss,
for young folks to be roving abroad in the forest at
night—they're mighty apt to mistake their way. . I
was young once myself,” and the old man chuckled
over his remarks.
“But the night is fast waning,’’ he continued;
“we have a long tramp yet before us, and had be
ter hurry on.’ It’s lucky the Injuns haven't their
dogs with them to follow up our trail. I make no
doubt, as soon as there is suficient light they will
be upon it.’”
‘We heard the report of guns, and was fearful
ve something might have happened to you,” said
“ ‘Yes, Thad a bit of a scrimmage—not much to
speak of. You will be glad to hear that the party
which went down the river have returned without
bringing the boy—soI consate he’s eafe:’ They were
awfully riled when they found the lodges were des-
troyed. I hope, Miss, you'll be able to go along a
piece farther, for the varmints have got their blood
up, and will surely be on our heels.”
Ellen assured him that she felt perfectly ablo to
keep on, and urged their doing so, Striking into an
Indian file, the Scout taking the lead and Henry
bringing up the rear, while Brave acted as a sort of
an escort, they proceeded rapidly on their way. The
. . ~ 4 .
utmost caution was exercised by the Scout to pre-
vent, as much as possible, leaving any marks to in-
dicate the route they had taken. Every artifice was
resorted to in order to perplex th those who might fol-
low them.
CHAPTER XI.
After the return of George, the whole interest of
the inmates of the Block-house was concentrated on °
Ellen and those who were seeking her rescue. The
fears of her parents were in some degree allayed,
and they hardly entertained a doubt but that her
deliverance would he effected. All eyes were now
pent on the bridge in expectation of the appearance
of the party. Henry’s message to Mrs. Millet, that
Ellen would not be long behind Geotge, had greatly
‘excited the hopes of all,'and she was confidently
looked for before breakfast, which had been put off
to a late hour on her account.
But hour after hour passed by, and still there were
no signs of her coming. Slowly the time crept on
until noon, and with every passing hour the anxiety
of the inmates increased.’ Doubts began to fill their
minds of the most painful nature. Had the “at-
tempted rescue failed? And if so, would not the
savages, to prevent any further trouble, as well es
to avenge their disappointment by reason of George’s
flight, murder Ellen at once? These were the ques-
tions they asked of each other, with a fearful appre-
hension of the worst. *
‘A watch had been stationed in the tower to give
notice of the approach cf the absent party, and as
the recently excited hopes were giving away to de-
spair, it was announced that a report of a gun was
heard afar off in the woods. All assembled to listen,
and again a report.was heard, followed by still
others...A hasty consultation was instantly held.
The party were evidently rear at hand, but had been
followed and were now attacked by the Indians.
Six young men immediately volunteered their ser-
vices to hasten to their assistance, and led off by
Eveleth, they started at a rapid pace in the direction
whence the reports came. As they crossed the
bridge and struck off through the woods, repeated
shots told them that the party were hotly engaged,
and guided their steps to the scene of action. They
pressed on at great speed, nerved with excitement,
which was not a little heightened by hearing a wild
outcry that sounded to their ears 8 like the triumph-
ant yell of the savages. .
‘* Press on! préss‘on!?? shouted Eveleth, as he
dashed ahead with renewed speed. ‘We may be
too late to save them—that shout spoke of some ad-
vantage on the part of the Indians !”?
It_was not long before they reached the seene of
action, and their arrival was not a. moment too goon,
for they found the Scout and Henry engaged with
some eight or ten savages in a desperate tree fight.
The fugitives had been forced to take a devious
course in order to blind pursuit. “Fortunately they
had arrived nearly within gunsbut sound of the fort,
before the Indians came up with them. Finding
that they could not escape them, they had slowly
retreated, keeping the enemy at bay until they
reached a heavy growth of timber, where they came
a halt." Through. this dense wood, fortunately _
fee them, there run a windrow of trees, caused by
one of those tornadoes which often pass through a
forest, like some huge monster, treading down the
tallest trees in its path.
This windrow served admirably as a barricade, °
and stationing themselves behind this defence, they’
kept the foe in check, trusting that the report of -
their guna would be heard at the Block-house, and
bring a party to their relief. Elen in the mean-
while was concealed in a deep grassy hollow, where,
by crouching down, she would be protected from
any chance shot. Henry urged her to proceed on
alone, but she persisted in remaining.
“*T cannot leave you here in danger,’’ she replied
to his emonstrances ; “if you lose your dite, T do
not wish mine to be saved !””
As the supply of ammunition was getting low, the
party had to be sparing of its use, and only fired
when they were sure their shots would be effective.
The savages, who were on aslightly rising ground,
took advantage of the trees, skulking from one to
another, gradually drawing near to the fallen tim-
ber, on which it was their evident intention to make
a rush, when they could succeed in drawing the fire
of the little party.
+ We must resarve our shots,” said the Scout,
coolly taking ® piece of dried meat from hia pouch
and eating it. ‘©The yarmints are mighty trickey. +
Here now is a trick of theirs when “they want to
waste the powder of their foe.”
So saying the old man raised his cap 4 few inches
above the logs by means of a stick. No sooner was
it up, than there was a discharge from the Indiana,
and a ball went humming through it.
‘There, you see, youngster, is 80 much powder
burnt for nothing,” said the hunter as he picked up
e.
‘
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