The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-09-23

elm tree stood in front of the house, whose
trunk was surrounded with underbrush.-
Creeping stealthiIy into his coucealment, the
young nlnn waited in painful anxiety, 10 de-
lect some signs oflhc foe. Sight could not
avail him, and his enr wns bent IN every d.
recIion; dentl-like Stiffness prevaiIed.--
There was not the rustic of q lenf 10 disturb
the deep silluess.
Alter waiting some time md herring moth
ing 10 awaken suspicion, he began to breathe
more ileely--hoping that Adela had been
falsely alarmed. lie hardly admitted this
consoling idea, when there came n low sound
-indIslincI, almost imperceptibe. Was it
light breath OF air that stirred the forest P
George--ior that was The young mans nunle
held his breath, the sound ceased. In II
moment niler it was heard again, more dis
timely, followed by n slight rustic. Present.
Iy the quick ear Of George detected Il snnlie-
like movement on his righ,in the bushes that
grow in the neghburhood. Shorty lie was
startled by tue quick, suppressed breathing
of some one passing the clump of underwood
where nc had taken shelter-then the dim
outline OLA figure, moving almost within his
rcueh, that convinced him OF the the truth of
Adelu's suspicious.
What should nc do ? lie could easily des-
patch the person before him-but would not
such course bring sure destruction upon
himself without aiding those for whose safe
~ he was equally concerned. His finger
played convuIsively with the trigger of his
gun, which was aimed, point blauk, at the
figure that was slowly advancing towards the
house. The foe were evidently surrounding
il, as movements were detected in other di-
rcctions. How should he warn the inmates?
Every moment he expected TO hear The
crash Of the door, which opposed but slight
barrier TO Il strong arm. The lives of his
friends aud of one denrer than Il iriGnd-tor
now, when danger threatened. he felt how
strong were The ties thar bound him TO AIDE
lu--depended much on his movements. I'm
mediate aclio was necessary 10 resolve
and 10 execute, must be the work of mo-
ment. His plan was mAtured ut once.
Leaving his gun among the bushes, with q
stealthy step, lac crept around to the back
of the house.
lie remembered n small window, or loop
hole here, aud he judged that some one would
be stationed ut it, on the lookout. lie bad Ia
make his advances towards it with caution
Tor he knew not hut he might receive the bull
let intended for less friendly bosom. llav-
ing reached the back of the house, he creep
along the side ofthc bulding,out oflhe range
Of n shot, should one come from the loophulc
After listening intently and CHANGING round
to see that none of the enemy were within
his immediate ncighborlood, BE gave utter
ance to II low serpcnt-IikG hiss. This was Il
note of warning the young meu frequently
used, when limiting together, To Indicate the
presence Of game. He listened unXiously for
moment \ Slight movement was heard
within, and then came n soft answering hiss
like an echo to his own. Knowing ho was
understood, he raised himself cautiously to
the window and found his friend there, hrsti-
" INFORMING linn IF f
and advising with him as to the best course
to pursue, he left the window and uguin
sought his cover.
On his way hack, it was only hy the great
est self possession that lie escaped betruyuC
himself As lie was creeping through tie
grdss,he encountered one ofthc savagcs COM
ing from the opposite direction in the same
steadily manner. Their bodies nearly came
in contact before their mutual discovery of
each other. A deep, guttoral Ughn from
the indian was the only token of surprise,
and with a. palpirating heart Humphrey
crawIed off from The deceived savage, WHO
nistook the skuikcr for one of his own blood
thirsty companions.
The savuges had not usually been so cau-
tIous IN their movements. They generally
made known their presence by their fearful
war whoop and a Simultaneous rush upon
their victims But of late they had not al
ways found the objects ofattacks unprepprcG.
In suddenly sIorning n house they frequent
~ met with u reception that had taught them
II lesson. On the present occasion, the un-
broken silence that reigned, and the absence
of any movement or light in the house, " ere
not sufficient proofto them of the unguurded
state Of the inmates. There might he an
armed force within, and the defcnceiess up
peRranCc mighI he a mask for the purpose
ofdeceiVng them INTO a rasl and precpitate
assault. Hence the crafty maueuvCriug Of
the willy foe. Notwithstanding the darkness
George could see their dusky forms occasion.
ally crouched around the house, as cndravor-
ing by all means to ascertain the actual con.
diion of those within. ....
In the short conference held hy tho young
men it bad been agreed that when George
heard shot from the back Of the house, he
was to bring downthe first savage within his
reach. That lie might lie better prepared
for what might ensuo after The discharge Of
his piece, he was provided with Il pistol,
Which ho was TO use rs the emergency of
the case demanded. TWAS proposed that he
should 20 and alarm the rest of the settle
meni; Int fearing the attack might he made
during his absence, this iden was given up.
Arrived at his Station, George waited in
fearful suspense FOR the signal of attack
w hat was to he the result Of the action he
knew not. If the attaching party were few
in number the death oftwo or three of them
might deter them from their dcsigns--on the
contrary, us every appearance indicated, if
they We're numerous, it might only infuriale
them, and if the hesiegetl were ovcrpowcrcd
excite them to more deadly veugeance-
Knowing this, young Humphrey nervcd him
self for the worst, determined TO sell his life
as dearly rs possible. ..--............. .-.
IN order 10 be more sure of his shot and
better prepared to act on the defensive if dis
covered, he crept from his cover and con
cealcd himself in underbr3ish nearer the