“It was very cleverly managed,” Alfred returned. “No sooner was David led forth, than a knife was slipped into my prison, with which I soon severed my bonds. To work my way through the roof during the excitement elsewhere was but a short task—when I at once took my way to the forest. There I was provided with a rifle, taken from the Indians. We saw the party which started in pursuit of you, and even gathered from their conversation their object. We followed them, and here we are.”
“Oh! my dear friends!” the maiden sobbed; “how can I ever, ever repay you?”
“Don’t talk of that, my girl,” broke in David. “Thar’s not one of us but would be glad tew die for yer sake, and as fer reward, ye kin fix the matter with Charley, here, when we git tew the settlements.”
Emily blushed at the honestly meant insinuation, while the brothers turned to the body of Ashbey. He was dead, the bullet having passed directly through his heart. So sudden, indeed, had been his transit, that the expression of his features still remained unchanged.
They turned from the spectacle with a shudder of horror.
“Let us leave this place,” said Emily, placing a hand upon the arm of Charles. “This is too dreadful!”
They moved from the spot, and slowly took their way through the forest, toward the distant river.
Days passed. The Mississippi was reached, the boat hidden by the scout was drawn forth, and the party launched upon the wide waters. Rowing by night, hiding and sleeping by day, their weary journey was continued.
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. Happiness and love reigned there, and only the remembrance of one fearful chain of events in the past, ever called a tear to the eye of the young and happy wife.