CHAPTER IV.
LOST MARION.
“Injuns thar! Come on, boys!” cried Nat, as he dashed away at the top of his speed.
Vic and Kent followed, leaving the quaking Scip behind, and soon arrived at the edge of the wood, in view of the emigrants, who were running hither and thither in the wildest confusion and alarm.
A group of girls stood near, crying hysterically.
“What’s up?” cried Wild Nat, bounding into the center of the confused camp.
“The Indians have carried off Marion!” sobbed one of the girls, while the others huddled together with frightened faces, and fearful glances toward the darkening woods.
“How?” “When?” “Where?” were questions asked, simultaneously, by the excited men, who at length drew from the frightened girls the following facts:
Marion Verne, in company with half a dozen other girls, had been strolling about in the grove, and tempted by the beauty of the scene, and the lovely and varied flowers that constantly met their view, they had wandered further into the woods than they had intended, or thought they were doing.
Noticing at last, that it was growing dusk, they turned to retrace their steps, when a small band of savages sprung from the bushes, and seizing Marion, who was a little in the rear of the others, disappeared in the woods before the poor girl could hardly comprehend her fearful situation. The other girls ran crying in the direction of camp, and had only just arrived there when the men came up.
It was now deep darkness, and for a moment every one stood irresolute, trying to think what to do. Wild Nat was the first to speak: