Grass Valley telegraph., 1854-07-13
THE ROY HEROES
A SKETCH OF EARLY WESTERN Ii

When Kentucky was an infant State, and
before the foot of civilization had trodden
her giant forests, there lived upon a branch
of the Green River. an old hunter by the
name of John Slater. His hut was upon the
Southern bank of the stream. and save
small patch of some dozen acres that had been
cleared by bis own axe. he was shut up by
dense forests-Slater had two children at
home with him-two sons, Philip and Daniel
the former fourteen and the latter twelve
years of age. His elder children had gone
South. His wife was with him. but she had
been for several years an almost helpless Grip
pie from the effects Of severe rheumatism.
1t was early in the spring. and the old hun
ter had just returned from Columbia, where
he had been to carry produce of the winters
labor. which consisted mostly of furs. He
had received quite asslln of money, and had
brought it home with him. The old man had
for several years been accumulating money,
for civilization was gradually approaching
him. AMI he meant that his children should
start on fair terms with the world.
One evening. just as the family were sit
ting down to their frugal supper, they were
attracted by @ sudden bowling of the dogs
and as Slater went to the door to see what
was the matter, he saw three men approach
ing 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 request Of that kind, and he asked
the strangers in. They set their rifles behind
the door, unslung their packs. and room was
made for them at supper table. They repre-
sented themselves as travellers bound farther
West, int nding to cross the Mississippi in
search of a settlement.
The new comers were far from being agree
| able or prep0ssessing in their looks. but Sla-
ter took no notice Of the circumstance. for he
was not one to doubt any man. The boys
however. did not Ike their appearance at all
and 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.
Slater entered into conversation with the
guests. but they were not very free, and after
a while the talk dwindled to occasional ques-
! tiOns. Philip, the elder 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 a large
sum Of money in the house, and his first
thought was that these men were there for
the purpose of robbery.
After the supper was over, the boys quick
ly cleared off the table. and then they went
out Of doors. 1t had become dark. or rather
the night had fairly set in. for there was a
bright moon, two-thirds full, shining down
upon the forest.
Daniel" said Philip. in low whisper. at
the same time casting a look over his shOul-
! 4 ,bo4 10
I'm afraid they're bad ones," returned
the young boy.
$50 am I. l believe they mean to steal IA
theirs money. Didn't you notice how they
! looked round?"
eyes"
so did l. If we should tell father what
we think, he would only laugh at us, and tell
us we were perfect scare-crows."
"But we can watch 'em."
eyes. we will watch 'em, but do not lei
them know it,"
The boys held some further consultation
and then going to the dog house. they set the
small door back. so that the hounds might
spring forth if they were wanted. If 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 signifed
his intention of retiring, and arose to go out
of doors. to see the state of affairs without
The three followed him. but they did not take
their weapons! The old lady was asleep in
the chair.
Now" whispered Philip. "let's take two
of fathers rifles up to our bed may
want them. We are as good as men with the
rife"
Daniel sprang to obey. and quickly as pos
| pockets behind the great stove chimney, and