THE CAPTIVE.

BY JOHN R. MUSICK.

There is no more beautiful and thrilling tale of early pioneer
days than the story of Helen Patterson. She was born in Kentucky;
but while she was still a child her parents removed to St. Louis
County, Missouri, and lived for a time in a settlement called
Cold Water, which is in St. Ferdinand township. About the year
1808 or 1809, her father took his family to the St. Charles
district, and settled only a few miles from the home of the
veteran backwoodsman, Daniel Boone.

At the time of this last removal, Helen was about eighteen years
of age. She was a very religious girl, and had been taught to
believe that whatever she prayed for would be granted.

Shortly after the family had settled in their new home, bands of
prowling savages began to roam about the neighborhood. The
Indians would plunder the cabins of the settlers during their
absence, and drive away their cattle, horses, and hogs.

One day business called all the Patterson family to the village,
except Helen. She was busily engaged in spinning, when the house
was surrounded by nine Indians. Resistance was useless. She did
not attempt to escape or even cry out for help; for one of the
savages who spoke English gave her to understand that she would
be killed if she did so.

She was told that she must follow the Indians. They took such