Litchfield enquirer., 1853-10-27
THE BOY HEROES.

When Kentucky was an infant state, and before the foot of civilization had trodden down her giant forests, there lived upon branch of Green River, in the western part of that State. an old hunter by the name of John Slster.- His hut was upon ihe southern bend ol the stream. and save a small patel of some dozen acres thst had been cleared by his axe. he was shut in by the dense forest. Slater had but two children at home with him-Ph Philip snd Bahiel- -the former fourteen and the latter twelve years of age. His older children had gone South. His wife was with him, but she had been for several years a helpless cripple from the effects of se- were rheumatism.
 lt was early in the spring, ard the old hunter had just returned from Columbia, where he had been to carry the products of his winters labor, which consisted mostly of furs. He had received quite a sum of money, and had brought it home with him. The old man had for several years been accommodating money. for civilization was gradually approach ing him. and he meant that his children should start on fair terms with the world.
 One evening, just as the family were sitting down to their frugal supper, they were attracted by the sudden bowling of the dogs. and as Slater went to the door to see what was the matter. he saw three men approaching his hut. He quickly quieted the dsgs, and the strangers ap> preached the door. They asked for something to eat. and also for lodgings for the night. John Slater was not tie man to refuse request of that kind, and be kindly asked the strangers in. They set their rifles behind the door, and un> slung their packs, and room was made for them at the table. They represented themselves as travellers bound farther west, intending to cross the Mississippi in search of settlement.
 The new corners were far from being agreeable or prcpossessing in their ap- pearance. but Slater took DO notice of the circumstances, for it was not his nature to doubt any man. The boys. however. did not like sheir appearance at all, and the quick glances which they gave each other told their feelings. The hunters wife was not at the table. but sst in hel great easy chair by the fife.
 Slater entered into conversation with bis guests, but they were not very free, and after while the talk dwindled away to mere occasional questions. Philip, the elder of the boys, noticed that the men cast uneasy glances about the room, and he watched them narrowly. His fears had become excited and he knew that his father had large gum of money iD tho house, and his fi,st thought was that these men were there for the parpose of rob- bery.
 After the supper was finished the two boys quickly cleared off the table, and then went out of doors. IL had become darker, or, rather, night had fairly set in. for there was bright moon. two thirds full.' shining down upon the forest.
 'Dauiel.' said Philip. in low whisper. at the same lime casting look back over his shoulder. what do you think of those three men 2
 'I'm afraid they're bad ones,' replied the younger boy.
 'So am I. believe tl.ey mean to steal fathers money. Didn't you notice how they looked around 2
 'Yes.'
 50 did I. If we should tell. father what we think he would only lapgh nt us, and tell US we were scare crows
 But we can watch 'em.'
 'Yes,' returned tie other, 'and we will watch them but we musn't let them know it.
 The boys held some further consulta. ton and then going to the dog house they set the small door back so that the dogs might sp,ing forth when wanted. Soon afterwards they re-cntered the l house. IL they had desired to speak to their father about their suspicions. they he'd no chance, for the strangers sat clcse by him all the evening.
 Al length; however. the old man sig ni6ed his intention of retiring. and rose to go out of doors to see the state Of af- fairs without. The three men followed him. but they did not lake their weap- ons. The old lady was asleep in her chair. r
 Now whispered Philip, let's take two of fathers rifles up to our bed. -- Wen want 'em. We are as good as men with the Iifie.s Daniel sprapg to obey, and as quickly as possible the boys slipped two rifles from their beckeis behind the great stove chimney. and carried them up to theil sleeping place. and then they hastened back and emptied the priming from the strangers, and when their father and tEe strangers returned they bad tesumed ither seats.
 The hunters cabin was divided inic 1.-two apartmengs on the ground floor. onl