The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-05-29
81
THE BORDER HEROINE.

kansas was 50 densely populated as now
and when the mail from Little Rock to tn,
borders was carried on horseback, ther,
lived few miles above Horse Head, a stou
pioneer named Jacob Burnap. His wife
Polly and one child-a girl-only nine year
old-made up his family. His chief busi
ness was hunting, and his unerring rifle neve
failed to supply his board, and something
over. His nearest neighbor was tifteer
miles of, so he was little troubled with pry
ing visitors.
1t was in early spring that they startet
with load of furs and Skins. He left Pol
iy in charge of the premises, and left with
her, light rifle and brace of pistols
She knew how to use that rifle, for never
was she happier than when her husband pat
ted her on the shoulder, and said-'Nobly
done; Pol, my dear! could not have made
better shot myself. And he often had
occasion to say this, and with truth, too.
Jacob Burnap had been gone four days
when towards evening, a horseman rode uE
to the hunters door. He was small
muscular man, some forty years of age, and
seemed Injured to all sorts of hardships. Al
he sprang from his saddle, Polly made he,
appearance.
'Ah, Polly-once more here,' the new
conner said, as he drew pair of we'll filleC
saddle bags from the back of his breast.
Yes--and am glad to see you Morton
Jacob has been gone four days and the time
is growing heavy.'
Jacob gone where?'
'Down the river with load of furs.'
sOh-ah-yes. Well you shall have the
company of Liant Morton for one night-at
least, so for the next twelve hours you'll
feel safe.'
'Oh, l feel safe enough returned the
woman quickly, only, 'only lonesomc.'
SWELL, then for this evening you shan't be
lonesome.'
Thu. Speaking, Morton threw his saddle
and saddle bags into the cabin and then led
his horse around to shed, where he made
the animal fast and fed him. After this he
returned to the dwelling and entered, and
was soon discussing the events of the times
over an ample supper. His hostess told
him all that transpired in her neighborhood
since his last visit, and her visitor gave hel
news from the eastern valley.
Liant Morton had been a mail carrier on
that route for several years, and not once
had he passed through without spending a
night at Jacob Burnap's. In fact he was the
only visitor at the hunters cabin, and though
the intervals between his visits were long,
yet he seemed fixture of the place. Polly
Burnap still in the bloom Of young woman.
hood-knew his generous noble character
so she felt free at home IN his presence.
'These are heavy bags for this route,
said the carrier, as he put away his pipe and
prepared to retire, 'and,' he added, in an
under tone, 'they contain some valuable
letters-some fat ones-going to the fort.
is j: known on the route that your load
is so valuable; asked Polly. l.
'I think not, though it may be. Still, |
am we'll armed, and fancy it would be a
tough job for any one to tackle old Lant.'
a man was robbed on the creek few
days ago."
'And the robbers have fed added Nor
ton carelessly, as he drew his mail bags af
ter him.
There were three apartments in the lower
cabin-the main room where the family liv-
ed, then small pantry and provision room
in one corner, and bed room in the corner
opposite. Beneath was deep cellar where
the provisions were kept in the summer and
where they could be equally we'll kept in the
winter, for frost had never entered the deer
hole the hunter had dug. Besides there was
! the loft, with a tightly boarded floor, which
was reached by ladder from the pantry
and in this latter place the mail carrier slept
He had dragged the mail bags up aftel
him not caring to leave so precious Il chargt
beyond his reach.
Morton went to bed at nine O'Clock. as ht
was tired and sleepy from his hard ride
Polly had work to do, having neglected il
while talking with her guest, SO when sh'
had seen him safely at rest, in the loft, sht
drew her basket up to the table where ths
candle was and went to work on something
for her child, who was sleeping very sound,
in the bed room in the corner.
The old German clock, which hung upor
the wall, with its great weights and winding
strings all exposed, had just struck ten err
Polly arose from her work. She had jus
pushed her basket beneath the table and hat
taken up the candle, when the front doc
was opened and two men entered. The,
were in their stockings, their shoes havin!
| been left outside SO as not to make an,
noise.
ship uttered the foremost of the intru
ders. Speak but one word above whispe
and you die on the instantn
Polly recovered from her quick terror
and gazed up. She saw two stout, wlcke'
looking men ,one of whom presented a cocke
pistol towards her. With that quickness o
perception natural to her, she knew that tn
pistol would not be fred if she held her peace
and that would make greater noise than sh
could. And further she recognized in tn
foremost of the men. a notorious villain
who bore the name of Dick Gallus. Sh
had never seen him before, but the mlnut
descriptions her husband had given her o
the man, led her at once to know him-an
positively, too; for one big scar on his lei
check was mark enough.
'What seek We, gentlemen?' asked Poll
without betraying the least fear.
sWe have come to see Morton, the ma
carrier returned Gallus, in course whis
per. sWhere is he p Don't speak too loud
sHe is long since asleep. Would it nc
do as we'll to see him in the morning? ca
| find you no room for lodging
The fair hostess said this for the purpos
of time. She knew very well that these me
had come to rob the carrier, and she wa
equally sure that they would murder him
they could and, in all probability, put he
out of the way as well. They evidentl
heard of the valuable load he carried, an
meant to carry it in his stead. In shor
she not only knew of the bold rufhans, bu
also knew their business. Their very warr
ing and threat to her were positive proof.
Never mind his being asleep. Show u
where he is at once,' roughly responde
Galus, in answer to Polly's last remark.
'But can call him, good sirs,' reasone
the woman calmly, there was alarm in he
soul.
Call him? Cal'--!, growled the vi
lain with a fierce oath. 'You call him IN
you'll be called to another world. Show U
the way
The mild eve that could aim an unerrin
bullet ut the forest beast did not betray tn
thoughts of that woman's soul, nor did
look tell her meaning. She was pale bt
did not tremble.
'This way, sirs,' she whispered.
And as she spoke she turned towards
door which was situated directly between til
doors of the little bed room and the pantr,
She did not open it until both the men ha
got up close behind her.
Don't you hear him breathing, she whis