The Gonzales inquirer. [volume] (Gonzales, Tex.) 1853-current, 1854-02-11
The Boy Heroes.
. ssrrcu OF WESTERN LIFE.

SkiTCU or WESTERN LIFE.
When Kentucky was an infant State, and
before the foot Of civilization had troddcn her
giant forests, there lived upon branch Of
Green River, in the western part Of that State
nm old hunter by the name Of John Slater.
Ills hut was upon the South bank Of the
stream, and save n small patch of some dozen
acres that had been cleared by his axe he was
shut in by dense forests. Slater had but two
children Mt homo with him--two sons, Philip
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 several years an almost helpless
cripple from the effects Of severe rheumatism.
Ii was early in the spring, aud tho old hum
ter had just returned from Columbia, where
he had been 10 carry the product Of his win.
tcr's labor, which consisted mostly Of furs.--
He had received quito a sum Of money, and
lac had brought IL homo with him. The old
man for several years had been accommodating
money for civilization was gradually approach.
ing him, and he meant that his children should
start on fair terms with the world.
One evening just as tho family were sitting
down to their frugal supper. they were attract
ed by sudden bowling Of the dogs, and as
Slater went to the door to See what was the,
matter, Inc saw three ilseh approaching his hut
He quickly quietcd the degS, and The stran.
gers approached the door hey asked 5or
something TO cat, and also lodgings for the
night. John Slater was not the man toSrcfhse
u request Of that kind, and kindly asked the
strangers in. They set their rifles behind tho
door, and unslung their packs, and room was
made at the table They represented them.
selves us travellers bound further west, intend
ing 10 cross the Mississippi river In search of
a settlement
The new comers were far from being agree
able or prepossessing in their looks, but Slater
took no notice Of tho circumstance for il was
not his nature to doubt any man. The boys,
however, did not like their appearance at all,
and the quick gances which they gave each
other told Of their feelings. Tho hunters
wife was not at the table, but she sat in ber
great easy chair by tho fire.
Slater entered into conversation with tho
guests, but they were not very free, and after
while the talk dwindled away TO mere occa.
sional questions. Philip, the elder Of the boys,
noticed that the men cast uneasy glances
about the room, and no watched them narrow
ly. His fears had become excited, and he
could not rest He know that his father had
large sum Of money In the house, and his
first thought was that the men were there for
the purpose OF robbery.
After the supper was finished, the two boys
quickly cleared of tho table, aud then they
went out Of doors. II had become dark, or
rather, night had fairly set in. for there was
bright moon, "twothirtls fun, " shining down
upon the forest.
Daniel" said Philip, in low whisper, at
tho snmo time casting look over his shoul-
der, "shat do you think OF those three meni"
lin afraid they're bad oncs," returned the
younger boy.
$50 am |. believe they mean to steal ia.
thor's money. Didn't you notice how they
looked around 2"
"YoA"s
$50 did l. If we should tell father what
we think, he would only laugh at us, and tell
us we were scarc.crows."
"liut we can watch 'cm"
eyes" returned tho other; "and we will
watch EN-; but don't let them know H."
The boys held somo further consultation
and then going TO the dog house, they set the
small back door 50 that the hounds might
spring, II they worc wanted. Soon afserward
they rc.entefed the house. II they had de.
Sifcd 20 apcak with their father about their
suspicious, they had no chance, for the stran.
gers sat close by him all The evening
At length, however, the I'D man anulslsa
his in,entien Of feiising and he arcse TO 80
out OF toers Co sec the state of affairs without
The three iacn followed him, hus they did not
take their weapons Tbs old lady was asleep
ia h,r chair.
sSoN, said Philip. lets take two Of IA.
,hes's rifles up to our bed We may want
'cm. We are a. good as men with the ssae. >
psnlcl sprang 70 obey, and quickly a. Pea.
ible ,hc boys slipped tNe rilisa fsom si.s;F
besksis hehiSe. the great asve ellimnsy, and
carried thesa 10 tkesF slse,sng piave, end then
ihcy hasssnsd hack ana smpiissi she pri,alue
from the Strangers rifles. and slva llssss &,
,l,sF and the ssssagsss RETURNED. they had Sc
snsasd their seals
The hunters cabin was divided into two
aEAgstasais en The gseassj tsSof. csc et thstn
ia slse esd 81 tbs basaliae, telng tbs sla psaas
s1seplag rcets. whlss tbs ether was the lasxs
llys0s foasa ia wlseh the cosRpAay Al present
seN ntvsheAa is,sre Vas sost al ssatsshing
seaeaias eaIy leslI way ssss she large Fcusa
ssts3 ~ ssa sa ltss ut4ce&ie ead ~ tlss t4iilds
iaz tosa she htsse sieefsnE sYsstsssas ~ tbs!
haniss A feegh ladder led ag - she ss3f
sssts MI oss 4, eloNe ur - the sshie end. vAs
sle aegs - Thsis ssa ~ rstslssea At shs