The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1858-04-28

nearly midnight whom the men below
moved again, and then Philip saw the
rays of a candle flash up through the
cracks of the floor on which stood bis bed
He would have moved to the crack where
he could peep down, but at that moment
he heard man upon the ladder. He
uttered a quick whisper to his brother,
and then lay perfectly still. The man
came to the top of the ladder and held
his light up SO he could look upon the
boys. The fellow seemed to be satisfied
that they were asleep, for be soon return
ed to the ground floor, and then Philip
crept to his crack. He saw the men ia
king knives from their packs, and he
heard them whispering.
"We'll Kill the old man and woman
first" said one of them, sand then We'll
hunt up the money. If those little brats
up there, Che pointed to the scafolding,)
wake up, wecan easily take care of them"
"But we must kill 'em ALL" said anc-
Their of the williams.
eyes" returned the first speaker "but
the old one first. If we touch the young
ones first, they will make noise, and
start the old man up"
Philips heart beat with horror.
"Down the ladder--outside quick p
he whispered, to bis brother. "Down,
and start up the dogs! Run for the
front door and throw it open-it isn't
fastened! o, do let the dog' into the
house as quick as you can. I'll look out
for father while you go"
Daniel quickly crawled out through
the little window, and Philip seized q
rifle and crept to the edge of the scaffold.
Two of the Williams were just approaching
the door of his fathers room. They had
set the candle down on the floor SO that
its light would fall into the bedroom al
most MS soon as the door was opened.
Philip drew the hammer of his rifle back
and rested the muzzle upon the edge of
the boards.
One of the men had laid his hand upon
the wooden latch. The boy hero uttered
single word of heart sent prayer, and
then he pulled the trigger. Tho villain
whose hand was upon the door, uttered
one sharp, quick cry, and then fell upon
the floor. The bullet had passed through
bis brain.
For an instant the two remaining vii
lians were COMPOUNDED, but they quickly
comprehended the nature and position OF
their enemy, and they sprang for the lad
der. They did not reach it however, for
at that moment the outer door was thrown
open, and the hounds-four of them
sprang into the house. With a deep,
wild yell, the animals leaped upon the
williams, and they had drawn them to the
floor Just as the hunter came from his
room
"Help us! Help us, father" cried
Philip, as he hurried down the ladder.
Give shot one of them! They are
murderous robbers! Hold 'em! hold
emp tho boy continued, clapping his
hands to the dogs.
Old Slater e,2nprehended the nature OF
the scene in moment, when he sprapg
to the spot where the hounds had the two
men on the floor. The Williams had both
lost their knives, and the dogs had 50
manned them that they were incapable Of
further resistance. With much difficulty
the animals were called off, and then the
two men were lifted to a seat. There
was no need of binding them, for they
needed some more restorative agent, as
the dogs had made quick work in disa-
bling them.
After they had been looked to, the old
man cast his eyes about the room. They
rested moment upon the body of him
who had been shot, and then they turned
upon the two boys. Philip told him all
that had happened. 1t seemed some time
before the old hunter could crowd the
whole teeming truth into his mind; but
as he gradually comprehended it all, a
soft, grateful, proud light, broke over his
features, and he held out bis arms to his
sons.
"Noble, noble boysr' he uttered, as
be clasped them both to his bosom. God
bless YOU for this. o, Idreamed not that
you had such hearts. Bless you! bless
you!"
For long time that old man gazed
upon his boys in silence. Tears of love
and gratitude rolled down his checks, and
his whole face was lighted up with most
Joyous, holy pride.
Long before daylight, Philip mounted
the horse and started eff for the nearest
settlement and early in the forenoon the