The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-09-05

W., IN q cohuescenuinB eone, 40 sno"b@ SHo "ofo
addressing child
Lillian shook back stray lock, and smiled a
little anxously.
al could almost conjure up skulking Indians
out Of the shadows among those gnsrled old trees
yonder,n she answered.
appear, child You're scary-not used to being
left without your husband. Now when father
lived up country
She was going on to "wind yarn" as sailors
say, from her own tough experience but the
shresa wss snapped II ~ -ssae' b" tbs old seq
tinel, who just then stepped to the door, calling
~. ....... ......,..,. ,,- .,.-.,..,. -
aMrs. L., here is old Fire-ArrOw, for his to-
bscco again.
Old Flre-Arrow--his unprono1neeAb'e sHdian
name had been thus trsnslsted-was tsustvor-
thy friend 10 the whites, and cherished pecu-
liarly grateful attachment toward Colonel l. the
husband of Lillian.
Lillian laid her nursing carefully into its crib,
stepped to closet above the high mantel shelf,
and taking down sort of horn pouch, carved off
with her delicate hand a huge quid of the pre-
cious weed.
"Don't let him in" added she, as she gave the
parcel into the soldiers hand. Walking along
to the wicker crib, she took her babes tiny hand,
and stood watching its lips, parting to every
breath.
Suddenly Miss w. sprang up from her bench,
dropping her work, with half-suppressed scream
of surprise or terror.
Before she could open her lips again, the door
was burst AIR, aad the old acknowledgement in,
with ar-blanched face. ooh God have
lse,9y nse7 Ss /" be siaculatega, pnsteadily..
An electric shock of terror shot through the
bosom of every timid listener, and all sprang up
pale and quivering-all but Peggy w, who. hav-
ing recovered her momentarily lost self.posses-
sion, stepped before him with arms s-kimbo
"Wellw what are you shaking here for !" she
demanded, flashing her leopard-like glance on his
bleaching countenance.
"The Indiansp
~ know it | spied the dsstardly skukers be-
hind yonder bush clumpl But what said that
cOpper-face outsider"
"We are the victims of deep-laid plot,n re-
turned the old soldier. "Tbe savages have
waited for this opportunity. They have tracked
our men, and they are to attack us tonight! God
best knows our doom or our defence. | must not
stay herep
Sobs and shrieks drowned his departing foot.
steps None needed another in the first moment
Of that confused anguish.
"My God my husband % faltered Lillian. tot
tering to the cradle of her child. She sank to
~ IL l. L..
upon them in a mothers agony and hopelessness
4" Hush! every mothers child of you!n rang
out Miss w g shrill voice; and Lillian looked in
stinctively up to the only undaunted eye in the
room.
"Silence, and up with you You've something
else to do than to sob away your in hyster-
les, to-nightl Mrs l. are you going to sit there
and see pour baby's brains dashed out against
that chimney piece7 pvessiiher ehiAk nor child.
see to-morrow's sun shine, please Coop
"God our only hope is in Him p gasped poor
Lillian.
Our hope Is In the common sense He has
given us, tell you We have not one moment to
lose now. Friends, follow me p
She sprang into the guard-room with an elastic
bound, whose echo seemed to galvanize the whole
throng Of fainting ones behind her This room
was q small apartment stocked with arms, and
tapestried with the regimentals and clothes, new
and old, Of the garrison. great part of its fur
niture had absented itself with it's lawful owners;
still goodly array of garments and guns, such
as they were, remained.
"Throw down the regimentalsw she cried,
suiting the action to the word. All the old
clothes, too--quick ~ They obeyed her mechan-
ically and wonderipgly.
Now, pa them oap she commanded, briefly.
Miss Peggy, what do you mean %
al mean TO save our scalp retorted the daunt-
less woman, whilsshe buttoned the first officers
second best coat over her own broad chest.
"'SlOw enough of understanding, are ye all =
Do you not comprehend, that if these fends in
carnate can be cheated into the belief that part
of our garrison has been left here, they will be
likely to let US alone2 You are to rig up instant
ly and show yourselves in and about the fort
There is light enough yet to make ourselves vis"
bic to watching eyes"
Silently every woman fitted herself TO the
strange garments; it was not an hour for hesita-
ton or for debate, Miss W., who strobe about
In the capacity Of amateur valet, tossed suit Of
sailors @Sunday wearing to Lillian. "They'll
do you"-she commented, with a measuring
glance.
Timid Lilian's fingers trembled too violently
to fasten the brass buttons Of the sea- green jack
ct and an instructive blush bloomed in her white
cheek, as Miss Peggy rudely seized her to assist
Follow me n again spoke the intrepid leader.
The old sentinel started, as the strange troop
emerged from the inner room. He had been lean
ing on his 6relock, in bewildered despair and
now he looked as though new bewilderment
had stricken him dumb.
"Throw your drum over your shoulders, and
throw open the gates! ~ commanded the Colonel
pro. tenn, in short, sharp tone.
"This is folly, madness! !" he CALCULATED.
"You are not-you cannot march out against
| the enemy!o
al am taking my garrison out to parade do you
comprehend, sir and ! am not in a mood to be
triaed withlD
"But Miss Peggy, Miss W., if ] understood
you, why not show yourselves on the battlements
| 1t would be safer and better"
awe will mount them after we have shown
ourselves before the gateway. Lieut.. l.. bring up
| the resr Heads up! hearts firm comrades for
| get that you are women this hour. Now!"
She stepped outside the gate, and Furnishing
| her rusty sword above her head, watched with
| piercing glance her out coming troop. A motley
| assemblsge il was indeed caricature Of n mas
| querade, which, at any other time and place
| might have provoked monk Of La Trappe to
| roar Of merriment. "Tattered aud torn gar
ments,n world to wide,n hung loosely on the
delicate figures they shrouded. Here swordless
scabbard heavsd over q quick beating side, there
trembling hand held up hntless ire-lock
Stuffed soldiers caps shielded straying locks from
betrayal, and slouched old hats dropped over
faces too pale. Lillian l.. stepped last over the
threshold, with glance behind her, and second
to the wood-circe around them. Her lips paled
again, she reeled, and lowered her head.
Fair lady and faint hearth" muttered the
desperate leader in tone of smothered thun-
der; will you betray all our scalps by fainting
NON In with your
Lillian wavered an instant between fear and
shame. The latter conquered; and, with head
proudly raised and steps apparently firm, she fol.
lowed. Yet that desth-like faintness again ebbed