BEAUTIFUL CAPTIVE OF THE REBEL CAMP.
CHAPTER I.
The Rebel General Price—Determination to Fight—The Sleeping Indian—Price Suspects him—He is Bound—Surprise—Escape.
Let those who fear the spray the torrent flings
Retrace their steps—I'll cross the stream, howe'er
Its brawlings may disturb me.—Mrs. Hale.
"By my soul, it shall be done! Yes, safety, honor, fame, fortune, all require it!"
It was a wild spot. The towering rocks reached to the height of several hundred feet above the valley below, where rolled the rapid waters of the Osage. Upon one of these jutting turrets, stood the speaker. His large form rose above the mountain oaks, standing as he was upon its most elevated point. But a close observer could not fail to notice that he was ill at ease. His eyes were restless, and as they wandered from mountain crag to the valley below, and thence to the far-reaching prairie in the distance, his frame trembled, and his fingers convulsively clutched his long iron-gray locks, as they were streaming in the morning wind.
There was nothing remarkable in his dress, except that at such a time and place he should have worn an elegant sword, which could be seen beneath a large, dark cloak, thrown carelessly over his shoulders. In other respects he was without uniform, or any mark indicating the military chieftain.