Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-08-24
Sci LECT MISCELLANY.
$3.50 From the Flag OF our Union.
THE ROY HEROES.
Sketch of Early western K.ife.
) NJ sVLvANUs COBB, JR.

When Kentucky was an infant State, and be
fore the foot of civilization had trodden down hel
giant fores Is, there lived upon branch of Greer
River, in the western part of that State, an ole
hunter, by the name of John Slater. His hui
was upon the southern bank of the stream, and
save small patch of some dozen acres that had
been cleared by his axe, he was shut in by the
dense forest. Slater had but two children at
home with him--two sons. Phillip and Daniel
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 sew
eral years an almost helpless cripple from the eff
fects of severe rheumatism.
1t was early in the spring, and the old hunter
had Just returned from Columbia, where he had
been to carry the product of his winters labor,
which consisted mostly of furs. He had received
quite SUM of money, and he had brought it home
with him. The old man had for several years
been accumulating money, for civilization was
gradually approaching him, and he meant that
his children should start on fair terms with the
world. ~3@ st- .H.,s
One evening, just as the family were sitting
down to their frugal shipper, they were attracted
by d sudden bowling of the dogs, and as Slater
went to the door to what was the matter, he
saw three men approaching his hut. He quickly
quieted the dogs, and the strangers approached
the door. They asked for something to eat, and
also for lodgings for the night. John Slater was
not the man to refuse request of that kind, and
he kindly asked the strangers in. They set
their rifles behind the door, and unslung their
backs, and room was made for them at the table.
They represented themselves as travellers bound
further west, intending to cross the Mississippi
In search of settlement. 3
The new comers were far from being agreeable
or prepossessing in their looks, but Slater took
no notice Of the circumstance, for it not his
nature to doubt any man. The boys however,
did not like their appearance at all, and the quick
glances which they gave each other told of their
feelings. The hunters wife was not at the
table, but she sat in her great easy chair by the
fire. ~ - a-
Slater eptered into conversation with his
guests, but they were not very free, and after 9
while the talk dwindled away to mere occasional
questions. Phillip the elder of the boys, noticed
thatthe men cast uneasy giances about the room
and he watched them narrowly. His fears ha5
become excited, and he could not rest. He
knew that his father had a large some of money
in the house, and his first thought that these
men were there for the purpose Of robbery.
After the supper was finished, the two boys
quickly cleared off the table, and then they went
out Of doors. It had become dark-or, rather
night had set in, for there was bright moon
''two thirds fuH,'' shining down upon the forest
"Daniel,' said Phillip, in low whisper, at th
same time casting look back over his shoulder
sswhat do you think ofthese three menu
.4al'm afraid they're bad ones,'' returned tn
younger boy.
!. $50 do I. believe they mean to steal ia
ther's money. Didn'tyou notice how they lo1k
ed aroundl'' .,
"Yes.'' zs
$50 did +. If we. should tell father what W
think hewould only laugh at us, and tell US w
were scare crows
ssBut we can watch 'em.''
.Yes,'' returned the other; "and we will watr
sem; but don't letthem know it, -
The boys held some further consultation, al
then going to the dog-house they set the sma
door back 90 that the hounds might spring for