The Kanzas news., 1858-08-07

OF the old StunpS, WHICH supplied the place
of more convenient seats. and striving to
diyest his mind of untimely fear, and de-
bated within himself the propriety of at
tempting to elude the willy savages who
were in the immediate vicinity. But the
more he thought of it the more impracti-
cable it appeared. To run the gauntlet
through an unknown number of enemies
was almost certain death On the other
hand, to remain quiescent presented only the
prospect of prolonging torture and final de-
struction. However, there was no help for
it at present, and unable to form any deci-
sive plan of escape, Jim did the very best
thing he could: be made his little fortress
as secure as possible, and awaited the
result.
The hut was built in the ordinary bush
fashion, of huge, upright posts of timber
the lower end being inserted in the earth,
and the upper end nailed to strong beams.
The interstices were filed with the fbrous
coating of the stringy bark tree, daubed
over with clay to render It wind proof
The roof consisted of large sheets of bark;
and the only window was an aperture about
a foot square This Jim filled with an old
sack, which the natives had probably over
side of the hut, and was built of sods, sup
ported by closely stabbed wall to the hight
of six feet; the upper portion closing in on
all sides to the top. was composed of rough
palings, or slips of bush timber, split to a
moderate thickness.
The interior formed only one room, about
twelve feet long and ten feet wide, which
suficed its inmates for all purposes.
Night speedily closed in, and in silence and
darkness sat Jim, with the mangled corpse
of the hut keeper in one of the sleeping
berths wherein he had laid it, and the dog
crouching uneasjly at his feet. The poor
brute was with difficulty kept from howling
aloud, and once or twice he ran to the door
and moaned uneasily. He evidently knew
that danger was near.
How long Jim remained in this state of
suspense he could never be positive. 1t
seemed like half life time he said. After
weary interval Sandie growled sullenly
and sat erect, his ears thrown back and his
eyes glistening in the darkness like balls of
fire. Listening attentively Jim heard
faint noise as of some one treading on dry
twigs. Then Jim knew the savages were
coming.
The next moment the latch of the door
was cautiously lifted, and a gentle pressure
made against the fastenings. With beat
ing heart Jim held the dog, and by ges-
lures forbade him to move or bark. The
wonderful instinct of the animal enabled
him to understand these mute commands,
and he lay down quietly on the floor.
Soon the sack which Jim had placed in
the aperture was noiselessly Withdrawn,
and dark visage appeared in its place
And now Jim could scarcely hold the ex-
cited dog, who would fain have sprung at
the intruder. But the hole was too small
to permit the entrance of lis foes, and feel
ing that every grain of powder in his scant-
lily furnished flask would be required, he
even refrained from firing; and on the with
drawal of the intrusive head, reflled the
aperture with block of wood.
Whilst so engaged the natives uttered a
yell so unearthly that Jim shook with ter
ror; indeed, he aflerward acknowledged
that he was near swooning. Almost stimuli
taneously rush was made at the crazy old
door, which nearly gave way, and it ap
peared certain that another such shock
would burst it in. To lie still and be wor-
ried like badger was not Jim's nature =
With his sheath-knife he cleared space
between the slabs sufficiently large to ad
nit the muzzle of his gun, and in such a
position AS to command the approaches to
the door. By the clear starlight he per-
ceived some ten or twelve naked savages
grouped in front. Again yelling hideous-
ly, they rushed forward for another assault
AS they came on Jim leEeled his piece and
fired both barrels. In all probability this
saved the door, for two of the assailants
fell screeching to the ground, and the shock
was but slight. Sufficient damage, howev
er. was inflicted to break the upper hinges,
and force the door from its proper position.
Sandie, more valorous than prudent,
sprang into the breach thus formed, and
was thrust down by his master, just in time
to escape shower of spears which the en-
ragged blacks hurled at the opening. The
jeopardy from these weapons was now i'm
minent; but by vigorous effort, Jim push
ed The door into an erect position, and re-
secured it with poles hastily torn from the
rough hunks, or sleeping berths of the hut
Then, re-ioading his gun, he repaired to
his impromptu loop-hole.
lie had done mischief to his wild ene-
mics. Their wounded had been carried in-
to the scrub. and a small party came wari-
iy out to reeonnoiter. Creeping round the
side of the hut. they came on again, but
this time no yell preceded the assault. Be-
fore they reached the door Jim fred in
amongat them. and again they retreated,
howling like wild beasts.
After Ithis,-all was quiet for nearly an
hour, and Jim even began to hope that he
was rid of his prosecutors. To make all
sures however, he closed the little aperture
more securely. shored up the door with ev-
cry available piece of timber. and placed an
old flour barrel in the fireplace, to give due
notice OF any attempt at ingress by way of
the chimney.
Insensibly. sleep overpowered him, and
he was druwsily nodding. when the loud
and angry barking of the dor Indicated the