As I lay between the rows, the
plants covered me completely. In another minute or two the men's
huts were set fire to, and then I could hear a great tramping, as
of horses and cattle going away in the distance. They had not all
gone, for I could hear voices all night, and Indians were moving
about everywhere, in search of any one who might have escaped. They
came close to me several times, and I feared that they would tread
on me. After a time all became quiet; but I dared not move till
daylight. Then, looking about carefully, I could see no one, and I
jumped up, and never stopped running until you met me."
[Illustration: ETHEL'S CAPTURE BY THE INDIANS.]
Mr. Hardy now went up to the house to break the sad tidings to his
wife. Charley ordered eight peons to saddle horses instantly, and
while they were doing so he wrote on eight leaves of his
pocketbook: "The Mercers' house destroyed last night by Indians;
the Mercers killed or carried off. My sister Ethel with them. For
God's sake, join us to recover them. Meet at Mercer's as soon as
possible. Send this note round to all neighbors."
One of these slips of paper was given to each peon, and they were
told to ride for their lives in different directions, for that Miss
Ethel was carried off by the Indians.
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