James L. Bowen

“ The prisoners had conversed most of the night, having slept but very little after the departure of Ashbey. A commotion without the door was audible, and each looked with expectation.
“Are they coming?” asked Alfred, apprehensively.
“So it seems,” replied the scout. “I suppose they think I have lived long enough, and if it must come, I know not that it matters how soon.”
“Oh, my friend!” Alfred began, but his emotion choked him, and he could proceed no further.
“Be a man!” the scout returned. “If they are ready for me, I am prepared. ”

“ The two braves returned their weapons and moved moodily from the spot, while the journey was at once resumed.
On they tramped, mile after mile, through the forest, until at length morning broke over the earth. But the dawn brought no relief to the prisoner. As the light increased, the dusky features of her attendants were brought more fully to view, with all their horror of war-paint and inhuman ferocity. ”

“ She heard the heavy breathing of Sally in the other bed, and, satisfied that she slept, Emily arose, and cautiously lifted the bear-skin which separated the apartments. A bright fire blazed in the rough chimney. One of the savages slept, while the second leaned sleepily against the wall. The slight noise made by the raising of the skins startled the guard, and, looking up he saw the face of Emily peering through the aperture. ”

“ For the thought of failure never entered the lover’s heart. Suddenly, from every hut and wigwam, poured forth a host of savages, young, old, and heterogeneous, taking their noisy way toward the lower portion of the village.
As the three whites had approached the village, Alfred Markley had preferred an earnest request that he might be allowed to make the circuit of it, hoping to discover something of advantage to himself and companions. To this request, the scout had granted a ready consent—really supposing but little danger would exist at an hour so early. ”

“ Tall, erect and graceful in every motion, with eyes and ears from which not the slightest sign or sound could escape, David Barring, or “Davy the Scout,” as he was often called, was fitted, both by nature and education, for the rough life which he was called upon to lead. Though taller than the average of men, his compact frame and symmetrical proportions served, in a great measure, to disguise his real height. ”

“ Pretty Emily Hinton! A sweeter girl than she never crossed the path of a mortal man. If I ever hoped to wed, there’s no other woman I ever saw that would take my fancy like her. But that can’t be. I never could give up this kind o’ life, and it’s no life for a woman to share. I always hoped that Charles Markley and Emily would come together. But that is none of my business.”
The scout paused and looked around. The sun had been for some time below the horizon, and darkness had spread itself over the forest depths. David had travelled a long way. ”

“ Furious now past all control, Dark Cloud drew his knife, and prepared to rush upon his foe. Red Wing seized his hatchet, and awaited the onset. Others of the party, seeing they were likely to lose at least one of their most chivalrous braves, interposed to stay the conflict.
“Why will not the red braves learn wisdom?” demanded the chief of the party, with a voice of authority. “Why will they war upon each other? The blood of the pale-faces only should flow at their hands.” ”

“ Here and there she had seen hurrying groups of warriors, as well as of women and children passing toward the river. Only too well she knew that they were hastening on to swell that horde which was already spreading death and desolation through the settlements.
Finally, the party again halted, and most deeply was the poor prisoner rejoiced. Weary, faint and hungry, she longed for rest and repose. She was to be gratified. The Indians had shot a fine buck, and from the savory meat they regaled themselves sumptuously. Emily, after her long fast, partook gladly of the game. ”

“ Another scene opens, upon the same afternoon, in the wide-spread forest, some miles from the cabin of the Hinton family. Around the rude but strong cabin of a settler, several acres of the primitive forest had been felled, allowing the full sunlight to kiss the dark-brown cheek of the sleeping earth. Wild fields were there, into which the seed already had been placed, to germinate and fructify during the coming season.
Upon the borders of this clearing stood a young man, busily engaged in felling one of the forest monarchs. ”

“ David Barring was foremost, and, with a sweep of his ponderous weapon one unlucky Indian measured his length upon the earth. The remainder flew with fear-given speed over the ground, and Charles and Alfred soon returned from the pursuit.
We need not describe the fond meeting between the lovers. No pen could do justice to the emotions of those happy hearts. After the first fond greeting was given, the maiden turned to Alfred. ”

“ After all, it’s a wondrous pity that Davy Barring has been outwitted and outtramped by a lot o’ these confounded human tigers.”
A few rods more brought the party into the little clearing surrounding the cabin of the Hintons. If David had before felt a hope that the invaders would pass the cabin, it was doomed now to an utter extinguishment. Favoured by the darkness, the hostile warriors glided into the clearing, and in a moment the devoted habitation was surrounded by hundreds of the red fiends, eager for the blood of innocence.
The pain and anxiety of the scout can be well imagined. ”

“ It is not our purpose to follow them through the many trials and adventures which it was their lot to encounter. After many days and nights, they reached a place of safety, where the father and mother of the Markleys were anxiously awaiting them.
The subsequent history of the war is well known. At its conclusion our adventurers returned to their former possessions. Desolate, indeed, seemed the lone ruins of the Hinton cabin, but, under the energetic efforts of Charles, now the husband of Emily, the place soon resumed its pleasant aspect. ”

“ At the first mention of that—to him—horrible word, his thoughts ran back to the little cabin which contained Emily Hinton, and a feeling of dismay fell upon him. A host of questions were being showered upon the scout, but he raised his hand, and all paused before his voice sounded.
“Stop, don’t interrupt me; there’s no time to lose,” he vociferated. “Several hundred Injins have crossed the river, and are on their way to murder and destroy. They are sworn to gain possession of all this State. It’s pretty sure they’ll have things their own way for a time. You have horses?” ”

“ No eye, save that above—saw the dark, tall figure which glided within a yard of some of the savages, and plunged rapidly into the forest. Could Wild Bill have seen that figure he might have felt less at ease. As the renegade disappeared, the party acting under his command moved cautiously from the spot, carrying the suffering Emily to a fate ten thousand times worse than death. ”

“ As early morning broke over the earth, two persons stood upon an eminence which overlooked the Indian village where Ashbey had taken up his residence. So close were they, that scarce two hundred yards separated them from the very cabin which contained Emily. These persons were none other than David Barring and his ally, Charles Markley. The former was pointing out to his companion the cabin of the renegade, and they were anxiously watching for any sign which should assure them that the one they sought was a prisoner within. ”

“ Maybe, arter all, the reds will strike another way, and give these folks a chance to take the back track. But it does come hard to give up all a man’s done for six or ten years, and leave it to such ornery villains. It’s a consolation there isn’t as many o’ the redskins as there would have been if Davy Barring hadn’t been born; and it’s sure there’ll be less yet, if nothin’ happens to Mister Davy, and his old rifle don’t miss fire. ”

“ Stealing cautiously along, with a tread as light as that of a shade, was one of that famed and daring class, met nowhere save on the advance of American settlements—the border scouts, who, born to danger and inured to hardship, become, as a race, the very embodiment of bravery, endurance, strategy and recklessness. ”

“ He paused to note the effect of his words, but the scout calmly replied:
“It may be Davy Barring dies to-morrow; thar’s certain about life but death,30 and maybe my time has come. I do not fear death, Bill Ashbey; I kin meet it if necessary; can you say the same?”
“You’d better tell that to someone else,” returned the renegade, endeavouring to assume a careless tone. “You needn’t tell Bill Ashbey you ain’t afraid to die, for I know better.”
“You kin only judge me by yourself,” said David, in a calm voice. ”

“ The scout spoke with an air which showed his sincerity and determination. Indeed,2 the mission upon which he was engaged was one of no ordinary moment. Scouting upon the western shore of the Mississippi, then unsettled by white men, he had learned the intent of the savages, who, under Black Hawk, their renowned chief, had determined to repossess themselves on the soil from which they had been driven. Justly concerned for the fate of his friends, David at once had set out to warn them. ”

“ Human ears could scarce have detected the presence of the man, but brute instinct was to achieve what human faculties could not accomplish. The project of the scout came very near being summarily defeated, in an unforeseen manner.
He had passed the first hut, and reached the rear of the second, when a lean, half-starved Indian dog came yelping and bounding furiously from some unknown covert. He paused when he came near the scout, and stopped his barking.
David recoiled and sunk close to the earth, awaiting with anxiety the result. ”

“ If I can help to git back an angel like Emily, that’s enough.”
“She is an angel, David, you may well say that,” remarked the youth, impulsively. “But why may we not away at once?”
“No occasion for a hurry,” coolly replied the scout. “We must stay an’ see the old folks on their way, for they will have hot work, most likely. Then we will take the trail.”
“Then you are quite sure Mr. Hinton and George were both killed?” asked Charles, with a tear in his eye.
“Yes,” the scout returned. “They were both killed. ”

“ Women and children were abroad hurrying about in the greatest excitement. What could it mean? Emily’s first thought was that the renegade had returned, but a moment’s reflection convinced her this could not be the case. She looked around for her companion. Sally had gone, and as she was probably in the outer room, our heroine took her way thither.
Just outside the door, she was met by one of the Indian braves, who, taking her quickly by the arm, led her into the apartment she had just left. ”

“ The scout shook his head.
“If fight war’ possible, Davy is the last one what would say ‘run.’ But it isn’t. In half-an-hour at most, hundreds of ’em will be here, with old Black Hawk and that devil’s own pup, Wild Bill Ashbey, at their head. ”

“ The first thing the Injins did was to burn out the Hintons. They set fire to the cabin, an’ when the poor men rushed out, shot ’em down like dogs. Emily was saved, an’ is a prisoner now.”
“My Emily a prisoner among the Indians! Oh, God!”
“She’s among them, but not in their power. Wild Bill, that most ornery villain, has her in his own power, and sent her off under a lot of his imps to his nest, over there.”
“Bill Ashbey? Impossible! Do you speak truly?”
The manner of Charles was excited, and he grasped the scout by the arm with a force which would have caused most men to writhe with pain. ”

“ We’re runnin’ square into a nest of the human hornets. Paddle lively; fer, if the moon rises, we’re goners—that’s all!”
The brothers comprehended only too well their peril to hesitate for a moment. The canoe was turned in the required direction; but, ere this was accomplished, they could distinctly hear the rapid approach of the Indian flotilla. So soon as the new direction was taken, they laboured with a determination which almost threw the craft from the water at each successive stroke; but a cruel fate was against them.
“It’s no use,” the scout at length whispered ”

“ She was awakened by a hand upon her shoulder, and a guttural voice in her ear, speaking in incomprehensible tones. The savage spoke no English, but pointed to his comrades, now about to resume their journey. He unbound the thongs and raised her to her feet. ”

“ Davy stood watching it until lost to view.
“Now, boys,” he said, in a cautious voice, “we’re in for it in earnest. There’s no back down now. The first thing we’ve got to do is to git behind the Injins. Then there’ll be but little danger, unless we have to go clear back to Wild Bill’s settlement. Now, before we start, there’s one or two things ye want to always observe. Never fire a gun when ye can help it, unless yer in a safe place or in a mighty tight one. Then be careful of the trail. ”

“ One vigorous push and it was afloat upon the dark waters.
“Lay her straight acrost the river,” exclaimed David, the Markleys having taken the oars to allow the taxed muscles of the scout to relax.
“Seems I didn’t git much start on ’em,” he added, “for they set up a yellin’ an’ started arter me with another boat. They gi’n me a race down the river, but that don’t matter—they can’t overhaul us!”
Bending his head over the side of the canoe, he listened intently. Suddenly he started up with energy.
“We don’t gain any,” he said, “but are holdin’ our own, good. ”