Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-12-23

his poor dogs were to be poisoned, was to cry
out, but q sudden pressure Of the hand of his
brother kept him silent.
Al the end of the boys bed there was dark
window, small square opening, and as it was
directly over the dogs house, Philip resolved
to 60 down and save the dogs. The underta.
king was a dangerous one; for the least noise
would arouse the villains-and the conse-
quence might be fatal. But Philip Slater found
himself strong in heart and determined upon
the trial. His fathers life might be in his hands.
This thought was tower Of strength in ITSELF
Philip opened the window without moving
from the bed, and it swung upon its leather
hinges without noise. Then he drew of the
sheet and tied the corner of it to the staple by
which the window was hooked. The sheet
was then lowered on the outside, and carefully
| the brave boy let himself out upon it. He en-
joined his brother not to move, and then slid
Roislessly down. The hounds had Just found
the meat, and they drew back at their young
masters beck, and Philip gathered the flesh up.
de easily quieted the faithful brutes, and then
he quickly tied the meat up in the sheet There
was ladder standing near the dog.house. and
setting this up against the building, Philip
made bis way back to his little loft, and when
once safely there be pulled the sheet in after
hin. = z.~ s-' " E''' 'aa'4
The strangers had not been aroused, and with
q beating heart the boy thanked God. He had
performed an act simple - it may appear, 1t
which many stout heart would have quailed.
The dogs growled as they went back into ken.
mel, and it the strangers heard them, they tho't
the poor animals were growing over tho re-.
past they had found. ~ s.o.. -, ..- Ia
At length the hounds ceased their noise, and
all was quiet. An hour passed, and 90 did sno.
ther. 1t must have been nearly midnight when
the men moved again, and tho lad Philip saw
the rays of candle fash up through the
cracks Of the floor on which stood his bed
He would have moved TO the crack where he
could peep down, but at that moment he heard
. man on the ladder. He uttered quick whis.
per to his brother, and they lay perfectly still.
The man came to the top Of the ladder, and
held his light up 90 that be could look upon
the boys The fellow seemed to be perfectly
satisfied that they were asleep. for he soon re-.
turned TO the ground floor, and then Philip
crept to the crack. He saw the men take out
their knives, and heard them whispering. s,ss-
sWenl kill the old man and woman first,"
said one of them. "then we'll hunt the money.
If those little bsats up there (pointing 10 the
scaffold) wake up, we can easily take care Of
them"
"But we must kill them al" sid another Of
the villains. -,eE ,..-9 : 81. 81 t..,t .vy
ayes" returned the speaker. "but the youne
ones first; they may make noise and start tho
old man up." RS e es@e7Fz azis
.Down The ladder outside! quick!s he whis.
pered to his brother. sD0wn, and start tho
dogs! Run for the front door aud throw il
open-it isn't fastened! o, do let the dogs in
the house; bs quick a. you can! I'll look out
for fathss whilst you Co." G a q GM
Daniel quickly crawlsd out through the little
window, and Philip seized rife and crept to
the edge Of the scaffold. Two Of the villains
were just approaching the door Of his fathers
room. aais gu e& .4ez 7sfgpea
They had set the candle down on the iloor.
20 that ito light would fall into the bedroom %
the door was opened. Philip drew back the
hammer Of his ride, and rssted The musxle upon
the edge Of the boards. One Of the mes had
his baud upon the latch. The boy hero after.
ed single word Of heartfelt prayer, and then
he pulled the trigger. The villain whose hand
was upon the latch uttered one sharp Quick
cry, and then fell upon the door. The bullet
had passed through his brain. ~ e4se et
For an instant the two remaining villains
were confounded, but they quickly compre-
hended the nature and position Of their enemy
and they sprang for the ladder. They did tot
reach il however, for at that moment the outer
door was flung open and the hounds-four in
into the house With deep,
Wild yen, tie animals leapsd upon the villains,
and they had drawn them upon the floor Just
~ the old hunter came from the room. sI1elp
uL help ua father" cried Philip, - he hurried
down the ladder. srve shot one Of them!
They are murderers! robberI Hold 'em, hold
em!" the bov continued clipping his handato
lhe dogs. Old Slater comprshSndsd 4he b.
lure Of the scene 10 moment and sprang to
he spot where the hounds had the two men
npon the floor. The villains had both lost
heir knives, and ths do9s had % wounded
hem that they were incapable Of rseistapee.
With much dif6snlty ths animals were called,
vas no need Of binding them, for they needed
oms more Sestorativs agent, - the dogs had
made quick work in disabling than. msIz aa
After they bad beeh looked to, the old man
ast die eyes abest III soean. Thsy sssts1
moment npon the boay of him vhe bad been
hot, and then tnsnsd upon the boyA, Philip
old him ali hat had happened i seemed
ONE time bsfors Tho old hunter could crowd
eeming truths Of danger and bsssssy tkrouRh
10 mind; bat - b gradually conpeehendeA
all, q soft grateful, proud light broke over
is features, and hs held bio arms ont 10. liz
ona asl sSsf@Sstsgs 9s4 4oE gasHsa a21a5 Sa9
sSobls, psbls boysl" hs utssssd, = hs elasp.
4 thsmfto his bosom. .God bIsss yoss Tor
his =, ! dreamed net that Jon qhad such
carts" a. sss. - - -
! For long time ths Old nan eassd oa his
'oys 10 silence. while tears Of love and gratis
uds rolled down bis chsskA and his whole
nee was lighted up witht6s most joyous, holy
ride saas SUI o no'ialas q 'l9xs at
" aLeng bslpss layllShe Philip uoantsd his
lorse and alssted fOe, H. neasoeG ssstlemenE
nd early n The aAsneo4t ~ e@esesefj fjsstjse
q the Two xoapdea nep ia ehasgss iyhils