The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1853-09-27
to his bed and laid down.

AT nrst tho boy thought this might be thrown
to the dogs only to attract attention, but when
the man laid down, the idea OF poison flashed
through Philips mind. He whispered his
thoughts to his brother. The fret impulse oI
little Daniel, as he heard that his poor dogs
we're to be poiso cd, was to cry out, but the
sudden pressure from the hand of his brother
kept him silent. saaaE aafta'oJ afi
At the head of the boys bed there was a
dark window--a small square door-and it
was directly over tho dog-house. Philip re-
solved to go down and save the dogs. The
undertaking was dangerous one, for the least
noise would disturb the vilains-and then tho
consequences might be fatal. hllas.t
But Philip Slater found himself strong in
heart; and he determined upon the trial. His
fathers life might be in his hands. The tho't
was tower of strength in itself sr' ail
Philip opened the window without moving
S4% nges ss Without hfh apS i ns drew
sheet and tied one corner of it to the staple by
which tho window was hooked. The sheet
was then lowered upon the outside and care
fully the brave boy lot himself out upon it
He enjoined his brother not to move, and then
he slid noselcssly down. The hounds had just
found the meat, but they drew back at their
young masters beck and Philip gathered the
flesh all up. He easily quoted the faithful
brutes, and then quickly tied the meat up in
the sheet There was light ladder standing
near the dog house. and setting this up against
the building, Philip made his way back to his
little loft, a when once safely thore he pull
ed the sheet in after him.
The strangers had not been aroused, and
with beating heart the boy thanked God
Ho had performed an act, simple as il might
appear at which many stout hearts would havo
.qnailed. The dogs growled as they went
hack to their kennel, and if the strangers
heard them they thought he poor animals
were growing over tho repast thoy had found.
At length tho bounds ceased their noise,
aud all was quiet. An hour passed away,
and SO did another.
Ii must have been nearly midnight when
the men below moved again, and then Philip
saw The rays of candle flash up through the
cracks of the floor on which stood his bed
He wonld nave moved to the crack where he
could peep down, but at that moment he heard
man upon the ladder. He uttered quick
whisper to his brother, and then lay perfectly
still. f ....,t .t. .f
The man came to the top of the ladder and
held his light up so ho could look upon The
boys. The fellow seemed satisfied that they
were asleep, for he soon returned to she ground
floor, and then Philip crcpt to his crack. He
saw tho men taking knives from their packs,
and he heard them whispering.
we II kill the old man and woman first,
said ono of them, and then we'll hunt up the
money. If these little brats up here he poin
ted to tho scaffold) wake up we can easily
take care of them
But we must kill 'em ALL said another of
the villains.
.Yes,' returned the first speaker. but the
old ones first If we touch the young ones
first they'll make noise and start the old
man up
Philips heart beat with horror.
Down the laider-outsidcl quick! he whis-
pered to his brother. Down and start up the
dogs! Run for tho front door and throw it o.
pen--it isn't fastened! o, do let the dogs in
to The house Is quick as you can. Ill Look
out for father while you go.
Daniel quickly crawled out through the
little window, and Philip seized a rifle and
crept to the edge of the scaffnld. Two Of the
villains were just approaching the door of
his fathers room They had set the candle
down on the floor so tiIat is light would fall
into the bed room as soon as the door was o.
pened.
Philip drew the hammer af his rifle back
and rested the muzzle upon the edge Of the
boards.
One of the men had laid his hand upon the
wooden latch. The boy hero uttered single
tie trigger. The villain whose hand was Up
on the door, uttered ono sharp, quick cry, and
then fell upon tho floor. The bullet had pass
ed through his brain.
For an instant the two remaining villains
were confounded, but they quickly compre-
bended the nature and position of their enc
my, and they sprang for the ladder. They
did not reach it, however, for at that moment
the outer door was flung open, and the hounds
-four of them-sprang into the honse. With
a deep wild YELL the animals leaped upon the
Williams, and they had drawn them to the floor
just as the old hunter came from his room.
Help us! Help us, fatherp cried Philip as
he hurried down the ladder. I've shot one of
them! They were murderous robbers: Hold
'em! Hold emf the boy continued, clapping
his hands to the dogs
Old Slater comprchended the nature Of the
scene in moment and he sprang towards the
spot where the hounds had tho two men on
the floor.
Tho villains had both lost their knives, and
the dogs had so maimcd them that they were
incapable Of further resistanceHWi:h much
difficulty the animals were called of, and then
the two men were lifted 10 a seat There
was no need Of binding them, for they needed
more some restorative agent, as the dogs made
quick work in disabling them. 9
After they had been hooked to. the old man
cast his eyes about the room. They rested for
a moment upon the body of him who had been
shot. and then they turned upon the boys. Pail
ip told him all that happened. 1t seemed some
time before The old hunter could crowd the
whole teeming truth through his mind; but
as he gradually comprehended it all, soft,
grateful. proud light broke over his features.
and he held out his arms to his sons.
Noble. noble boys? be uttered, as he clasp
cd them tn his bosom. God bless thee for
this. o. 1 dreamed not that you had such
hearts, Bless thee! Bless thoeY f-,,-,-..
For long time that old old man gazed upon
his boys in silence. Tears of love and graft
tude rolled down his checks, and his whole
face was lighted up with most joyous, holy
pride. ~. -, ..t. t..F - i
Long before daylight Philip mounted the
horse and started cff for tho nearest settle
ment. aud early in tie forenoon the Off ers of
Justice had the two wounded villains in charge,
while the body of the third was also removed.
They were recognized by the officers as Grim.
inals of old notoricty, but this was their last
adventure. for tho justice they had so long
F.II ~ IL