New National Fourth Reader Part 13

stunned_, made senseless by a blow on the head_.

meek'ly, _in a gentle manner_.

his'to ry, _what is told of the past; a story_.

tot'ter, _shake as if about to fall_.

THE STORY OF INDIAN SPRING.

PART II.

"It was as I had feared; we were in danger of an attack from the Indians.

"Something had happened at the trading-post to provoke them, and rouse their thirst for blood. But a quiet night pa.s.sed by and the sun shone again over the hills in wonderful beauty.

"Suddenly, there sounded from the forest a scream. I had never heard it before, but I knew it. It was the terrible war-whoop. Then all was confusion and horror.

"I saw Nanito, an Indian that I knew, who had eaten at our table. I saw him strike down our father, while Lizzie fought to save him.

"But it was no use, there was no mercy in the heart of the Indian. They carried Lizzie away from us, and we never saw her again.

"Poor little frightened Mary and I were tied together, our hands fastened behind us, and we were given, to--whom do you think, Robbie?--to Red Feather. Then I hated him, and resolved that I would kill him if I could.

"After a while he took us out of the house, and then I saw that most of the houses in the little village were burning. The women and children were saved alive, but nearly all the men were killed.

"I was very quiet, for I wanted my hands untied, and I thought perhaps Red Feather would pity me and unfasten them.

"Little Mary was frightened nearly to death. She had not spoken since she saw the Indian strike father down,--when she screamed and fell senseless.

"For a good while I thought she was dead. She had revived a great deal, but had not spoken.

"About sundown Red Feather led us down past the spring, out into the woods, but not far away. We could still see the smoke rising from the burning houses. The Indians had gone some distance farther and camped with the white prisoners.

"Red Feather could speak English, so I told him if he would untie my hands, I would make his fire, and bake his corn cake for him.

"He was old and feeble, and had lost much of his natural cunning. He knew me, and trusted me; so without speaking, he took his hunting knife from his belt, cut the cords, and I was free.

"I took the hatchet that he gave me to cut some branches for a fire, and went to work very meekly, with my head down.

"I dared not speak to Mary, for fear he might see me, for his eyes were fixed on me every moment. I baked his corn cake in the ashes, and gave it to him. By this time it was dark, but the light from our fire shone far out into the woods.

"I noticed Red Feather did not watch me so closely, and his eyes would now and then shut, for he was very tired.

"He leaned forward to light his pipe in the ashes, when instantly, almost without thinking, I seized the hatchet, and struck him with all my might.

"With a loud scream, I plunged into the woods toward home. Turning an instant, I saw Mary spring up, totter, and fall. With another sharp report came a twinge of pain in my side. Suddenly I fell, and in the darkness of the woods, they pa.s.sed on, leaving me stunned and nearly dead.

"I will not tell you now, my dear Robbie, how I was cared for, and who brought home little Mary and laid her to rest under the elm, beside mother--but the bullet that struck me then, I still carry in my side, and shall as long as I live.

"Many years have pa.s.sed since that terrible day, but I can never forget it. As long as the history of this country lasts, Indian Spring will be remembered, and other boys will listen, with eyes as wide open as yours, to the tale it has to tell."

Directions for Reading.--Should the second or third paragraph of the lesson be read the faster?

When do we speak more rapidly--in telling an exciting story, or in common conversation?

Do our feelings guide us when we speak slowly or rapidly?--when, we speak quietly or forcibly?

Point out three paragraphs in the lesson that you would read as slowly as Lesson XIII.; three that you would read more rapidly.

In reading rapidly, be careful not to omit syllables, and not to run words together. (See Directions for Reading, page 42.)[05]

[05] See Lesson VII.

LESSON XV.

aft, _near the stern of a ship_.

anch'or, _a large iron for holding a ship_.

aimed, _directed or pointed at, as a gun_.

car'tridge, _a small case containing powder and ball_.

mood, _state of mind; temper_.

sul'try, _very hot_.

cleav'ing, _cutting through; dividing_.

dis cov'ered, _found out; seen clearly_.