Ned in the Block-House

ssom Brown lent wings to their flight; instead of coming to a standstill, as they did a

d with the negro, for he was much more fleet of foot, and, as a c

ssom; "dat aint de fair ti

this fashion, though it would not help

father led him to reproach himself for leaving him even f

som; every m

ed Blossom, struggling forward; "but

arrior was in close pursuit, though the intervening vegetation for the moment prevented the young pioneer from se

me!" shouted the terrified Blossom; "g

tion, as a matter of course, but the boy was d

ndistinct; but it was enough to make the aim certain, and the youth felt that one red man wa

he Indian disappeared as suddenly as if he had dropped through the m

, as if he doubted his own senses. At the same moment a suppressed whoop was heard, and the warrior stepped to

n again, when he almost let it fall

erf

re of a young Indian of singular grace and beauty, who, without re

ing with

length of lower limbs and a suppleness of frame which betokened great natural abilities as a runner: when we add that these capabilities had been cul

Deerfoot roamed through the forests south, and the exploits of the youth in running were told in t

that his mother was shot by settlers, and his father was killed in the famous Crawford expedit

en the prize at the annual archery tournaments, even though he used a hickory bow instead of the double-backed yew or lancewood, and hi

y contests in these times; but those same shafts of the dusky American, with the keen flint or iron heads, had been driven by h

but clung to the bow, whose use he began st

ppened now and then, he disclosed two rows of teeth as white, even, and beautiful, and free from decay, as ever existed. The nose was slightly aquiline, the eyes as black and piercing as those

, that were stained several brilliant hues; his hunting-shirt encased his sinewy arms, chest and waist, the ornamented skirt descending to his knees. The whole garment, made of buckskin obtained from the traders, was of a yellow color, the fringe being a deep crimson. Deerfo

y contrast to the pale yellow of the hunting-shirt, and, a short distance off, would

ck, the missiles themselves resting behind the shoulder, the feathered points plainly seen by any one as they projected upward in front. In this place they were so accessible that Deerfoot, in di

rt, except the skirt, so that arm, chest and neck were covered only by the rude figures which the mother had tattooed there by a most painful process during the days when Pa-wa-oo-pa, or Deerfoot, was a stoical papoose, tied to a

ting position; in short, the young Shawanoe violated more than one fundamental regulation in archery, but the fact remained that he could spit the gray squirrel on the top of the tallest oak; he could bring down the b

le, with nearly a score of other Shawanoes, they were surprised and almost annihilated by a party of whites led by Macaiah Preston, father of Ned. Deerfoot was wounde

rmit it. He took him to his own home, and carefu

d this friendship, the sentiment of gratitude being the most characteristic trait in his nature. He became henceforth the unfaltering ally and friend of the white ra

the pioneers. He even took part in several expeditions against them, but all proved disastrous failures to the a

s should be concealed from his people; for whenever the truth should become known t

ance sooner or later; but he was none the less faithful to the settlers. He simply resolved that he would never submi

angerous part; but he had played it so well that not until to-day had he

him with their secret. It was the first time anything of the kind had

befriend Ned Preston and Wildblossom Brown, and it was his purpose to apprise Col

astily toward him and extending his hand; "I

white teeth between the dusky lips, and he took the hand of Ned and

stood, was scrambling rapidly forward to greet the young warrior, whom he knew

e was ambidextrous, and he could draw the bow, hurl the tomahawk or w

language. When several years younger he was able to hold a conversation with the traders; and during the short time he remained

d Wildblossom, as he caught the hand of Deerfoot

here seemed to be such a distaste on the part of Deerfoot, but he concealed it so well that Blossom Brown never suspected i

added Blossom, with the purpose of teasing their d

sked Deerfoot, smiling a

se you war so

han did his white brother, who

hastened to explain; "if it was not for tha

said the Shawanoe, holding u

at," remarked Blossom, reaching out a

ht, walk a long ways in the wood and let

for Blossom to accept. The negro himself did not notice the full significance of the question, but Ned Preston did, and he trembled over

n lad fortunately took the very best course to a

stand up afore him a hundred yards off, and let him draw bead on me