Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-12-23
q Gtrtst,11a9 Storp.
THE BOY HEROES,
"A Sketch NJ E0puv VVaarnpv> Y IRo

giant forests there lived upon branch of tn,
Green river an old hunter by the name of Johl
Slater. His hut was upon the Southern banl
OF the stream, and save patch of some dozel
acres that had been cleared by bis own axe, h,
was shut up by dense forests. Slater had two
children at home with him-two sons, Phil,
and Daniel, the former fourteen and the latte
twelve years Of age. The elder children hal
gone South. His wife was with him, but sht
had been 70: several years an almost cripple
from the effect OF severe rheumatism.
1t was happy Christmas Day, and the old hun
ter had just returned from Columbus, where he
had been to carry the produce of the winters
labor, which consistnd mostly of furs. He had
| received quite sum of money. and had bro'l
it home with him. The old man had several
years been accumulating money; 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 attract
ed by the sudden bowling of dogs, and as Sla.
ter went to the door to see what was the matt
ter, be saw three men approaching his hut.
He quickly quieted the dogs and the stran.
gers approached the door. They asked for
something to eat and also for lodgings for the
night. John Slater was not the man to refuse
q request of that kind, and he asked the stran-
gers ia. They sat their rifles behind the door,
unslung their packs, and room was made for
them at the supper table. They represented
them selves as travellers bound further west,
intending to cross the Mississippi in search of
a settlement. s &C, .t....-.....
The new comers were far from being agree.
able or proposing in their looks, but Slater
took no notice Of the circumstance, for he was
not one to doubt any man. The boys, howev.
er, did not like their appearance at all, and the
quick glances which they gave each other told
their feelings. The hunters wife was not at
the table, but she sat in her great easy chair
by the FIRE. s ssa@ "a
guests, but they were not very free, and after
awhile the talk dwindled into occasional ques.
tons. Philip, the eldest Of the two, noticed
that the men cast uneasy glances about the
room, and he watched them narrowly His
fears had become excited, and he could not
rest. He knew that his father had large sum
Of money in the house, and his first thought
was that these men were there for the purpose
Of robbery. fs., ezss s.,
After the supper was over, the boys quickly
cleared off the table. aud then they went out
Of doors. It had become dark, or rather the
night had fairly set in, for there was bright
moon, two. thirds full, shining down upon the
forest z,.s. NJ. ...-....-
"Daniel," said Philip in low whisper at the
same time casting a look over his shoulder,
"wIlat do you think of these ere mcn!"
"Pm afraid they are bad ones" returned the
younger boy. ... s--
$50 am ]. believe they mean to steal IA.
theirs money: Didn't you notice how they
looked round!' as.,
"Yes." s
$50 did I. If we should tell father Whist we
think, he wonld only laugh at Us, and tell %
we were perfect scarecrows" -
But We can watch them" 2fi ss@s g
@Yes, We will watch 'em, but do not let them
know it. @ ----z ..s t..ss
The boys held some further consultation,
and then going to the dog g-house, they set the
small door back, 30 that the hounds might
spring from it if they were wanted. II they
had desired to speak with their father about
their suspicious, they had no chance, for the
strangers sat close BY him all the evening.
At length, however, the old man signi6ed
his intention Of retiring, and arose to 20 out
Of doors, to see to the state of affairs without
The three followed him, but they did not take
their weapons. The old lady was asleep in tie
chair. a au ~
aNow," whispered Philip, .let's take two Of
Father's rifles up to our bed-we may want
hem. We are good as men with the ride"
Daniel spran9 to obey, and quickly a. posi-.
bic the boys slipped two rifles from their pock.
IT. behind the great stove chimney, and then
fastened back and emp,ied the priming from
he strangers rifles. and when their father and |
he strangers returned, they had resumed their !
Ieats. zaN bg 4
The hunters cabin was divided into two |
lpartments on the ground floor, one of them |
0 the end Of the building being the old mans |
leeping room, and the other the room in which, |
be company At present sat. - 81 81
Overhead there was sort Of scafIolding,
eaching only half way over the large room
elow it, and in the opposite end of the build
ng from the little sleeping apartment Of the
untef, rough ladder led up to the scafFold,
I'D on Il, close up to the gable end, was the
oys bed.a There was no partition at the edge
+ this scafolding, but it was all open 10 the
oom below.
Spare bedding was spread upon the floor Of
he kitchen for the three travellers, and altee
had been arranged for their com
ort the boys went upto their bed, and the old II
IAN retired to his little room. .,..,
The two boys thought not Of sleep. OF II
hey did II Was only to avoid il. Halt "a hour
I'd passed awsy, and they eosld hear their O.
her snoras Thes they heard movement from 1
bose below. Philip crawlsd silently to vhers
q cOu6 nAen d0svn thP0uOf 4 cPack anA kv