The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1859-10-14

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Slater entered into conversation with the
guests, but they were not very free, and after
little while The talk dwInded to occasional
questions. Philip, the older of the two, no.
ticed that the men cast uneasy glances about the
room and he watched them narrowly. His
fear 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 supper was over, the boys quickly
cleared of the sable, and then went out of doors.
| 1t had become dark, or rather the night had
fairly set in, for there was moon two-thirds full
| shining down upon the forest.
/ ''Danie." said Pb;lip IN a low whisper, al.
the same time casting a look over his shoulder,
'.what do YOU think OF these men ?"
81 am afraid they are bad ones" returned the
younger boy.
$50 am 7. I believe they mean to steal
fathers money. Didnt you notice how they
! looked around %
eyes
$50 did !. II we should tell father what
we think, be would only laugh at US, and tell
us we were perfect scarecrows."
awe will watch 'em, but do not let them
know it."
The boys then held some further consuIta-
! ton, and going to the doZ-horse, they set
the small door back, 50 that the hounds might
spring forth If they were wanted. II they had
desired to speak to their father about their sus-
picions, they had no chance, for the strangers
sat close by him all evening.
| Al length, however, the old man sgnlfed
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 her
! chair.
'Now," whispered Philip, '.let's take two
Of fathers rifles up to our bed-we may want
| them. We are as good as mon, with the ri
! hes''
Daniel sPrang to obey, and quickly as possi-
bic the boys slipped two rifles from their Pock-
cts behind the great stove chimney, and then
FASTENED back and emptied the priming from
| the strangers rifles and when their father and
| the strangers returned they had resumed their
| seats.
| The hunters cabin was divided into two a.
Partments on the g,ound floor, one Of them. IN
the end OF the building, being the old mans
sleeping room, and the other room in which the
present company sat. Overhead there was a
! sort OF scaiio!dlng reaching only halt way over
! the room below it, and in the opposite end OF
the building from The little sleeping apartment
Of the hunter. A rough ladder led u2 10 the
scaiIod and on it, close up TO the boys bed.
There was no partition at the edge OF the scat
folding, but 1t was all open to the room be-
| low
Spare bedding was spread upon the floor OF
the kitchen ior the three travellers, and after
everything had been arranged for their comfort,
the boys went up to their bed and the old man
retired to his little room.
The boys thought not of sleep, or if they did
it was only TO avoid it. Half an hour had pas
sed away, and then they could hear their faith
er snore. Then they heard movement from
those below. Philip crawled silently 10 where
he could peep down through, and saw one OF
the men open his pack, from which he took Sc
veral pieces ofraw meat, by the rays of the
moon, and moving towards the window, he
showed the sash back and threw the pieces OF
flesh TO the dogs. Then he went back to his
bed and laid down.
AT first the boy thought ;hIs might be thrown
to the dogs, TO distract their attention but when
the man laid down, the idea flashed through
Phillips mind Of poison. He whispered his
! thoughts TO his brother. The first impulse OF
little Daniel, as he heard that his poor dogs
were 10 be poisoned, was TO cry out, but a sud-
den pressure from the hand of ms brother kept
him silent.
Al the end Of the boys bed was dark win
dow, small square door, and as it was directly
over the dogs house, Philip resolved to 90
down and save the dogs. The undertaking was
a dangerous one for the least noise would a
rouse the villains, and the consequence might
be fatal. But Philip Slater found himself
strong IN heart, aud he determined upon the
trial. His fathers life might be in hle hands!
This thought was tower Of strength in it.
self
Philip opened the window without moving
from his bed, and it swung on IFS hinges with
out noise. Then be threw off the sheets and
tied the corner of ii to the staple by which the
| window was hooked The sheet was then low