At every flash of lightning she strained her eyes, hoping to
catch sight of them. At last moving forms were seen in the
distance, but they were too far away for her to determine whether
they were white men or Indians. Crouching down at the root of a
tree by the path, she waited until they were within a few rods of
her, and then cried in a low voice,"Father! Father!"

"That is Helen," said Mr. Patterson.

She bounded to her feet, and in a moment was at his side, telling
him how she had escaped. The rescuing party was composed of her
father and two brothers, a neighbor named Shultz, and Nathan and
Daniel M. Boone, sons of the great pioneer, Daniel Boone.

She told them where the Indians were lying in ambush, and the
frontiersmen decided to surprise them. They crossed the creek on
a log, and stole down to the ford, but the Indians were gone. No
doubt the savages had discovered the escape of the prisoner, and,
knowing that their plan to surprise the white men had failed,
became frightened and fled.

Helen Patterson always believed it was her prayers that saved her
father, her brothers, and herself in that trying hour.
--From "Stories of Missouri."


DEFINITIONS:--Thrilling, exciting. Veteran, long experienced.
Shrewd, artful, cunning. Interceded, stepped in between,
prevented. Trail, pathway.