The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-03-11

ney, and then FASTENED back and emptied
the pr'mng from the strangers rifles; and
when the father and the strangers returned,
'hcy had resumed their seats.
Ihe hunters cabin was divided into two
apartments on the ground floor, one of
them III the end Of the building, being the
old mans sleeping room, and the other
room in which the company at present sat.
Over head there was a sort of scatfold
reaching only half way over the room below
1t, and in the opposite end Of the building
from the little sleeping apartment of the
hunter. A rough ladder led up to the scat
fold close up to the boys bed. There was
no partition at the edge Of the scafroldno,
but 1t was all open to the room below.
Spare bedding was spread upon the floor
OF the Kitchen for the travellers, and after
everything had been arranged for their com
tort, the boys went to their beG, 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 passed away, and then they could hear
their father snore Then they heard a
movement from those below. Philip
crawlc'l silently to where he could peep
down through and saw one of the men
open his pack, from which he took several
pieces Of raw meat. by the rays of the moon,
and moving towards the window, he shovel
the sash back and threw the pieces of flesh
TO the dogs.--Ihcn he went to his bed aud
laid down.
AT first, the boy thought this might be
| thrown to the dogs TO attract tn cir attention ::
but when the man laid down, the idea of
poison flashed through Phillips mind.-He
whispered his Thoughts TO his brother The
first impulse of little Daniel, as he heard
that his poor dogs were to be poisoned, was
to cry ont, but sudden pressure from the
hand Of his brother kept him silent.
AT the end Of the boys bed, was dark
window, small square door and as it was
directly over the dogs house, Phillip rcsolv-
ed to 90 down AMI save the dogs. The
undertaking was dangerous one; for the
consequence might be fatal. But Phillip
Slater found himself strong in heart, and he
determined upon the trial His fathers life
might be in his hands! This thought. was
a tower of strength in itself
Phillip opened the window without NOV
ing from his bed, and it swung on its hinges
without noise. Then he threw off the
sheet and tied the corner of it to the sta.
pie by which the window was hooked. The
sheet was then lowered on the outside, and
carefully the brave boy let himself out up
on it. lie enjoincd his brother not to move
and then he slid noiselessly down. The
hounds had just found the meat, but they
drew back at their young masters beck
and Phillip gathered the flesh all up. He
easily quieted the faithful brutes, and then
quickly tied the meat in the sheet. There
was light ladder standing near the dog
house, and setting this up against the build
ing, Phillip made his way back to his little
loft, and when once safely there, he pulled
the sheet in after him.
The strangers had not been aroused, and
with beating heart the boy thanked God.
lie had performed an act, simple as it may
appear, at which many stout heart would
have quailcd. The dogs growled as they
went back into their kennel, and if the
strangers heard them, they thought the
poor animals we're growing over the repast
they had found.
At length the hounds ceased their noise.
and all was quiet. An bonr passed away
and so did another. 1t must have been
nearly midnight, when the men moved
again, and the lad Philip saw the rays of a
candle flash up through the cracks of the
floor on which stood his bed. He would
have moved to the crack where he could
peep down, but at that moment he heard a
man upon the ladder. He uttered Quick
whisper to his brother, and they lay per-
fectIy still. The fellow seemed to be per-
fectly satisfied that they were asleep, for be
soon returned TO the ground floor, and then
Phillip crept to tile crack. He saw the
men take knives, and he heard them wbis-
pering: Il
"We'll killthe old man and woman first,
said one Of them, "and then we'ii bunt the
money. If thoselittle bra,s up there (point.
ing to the scaffold) wake up, We, can easily
take care Of them"
2.,But we nussskill them ALL" said another
lof the9yiltsins. 5s.:.,Ss..
{ Yes rstutasd the speaker. 4but the old
ones. frst.p :. * ~
Phi'lip'sbeart beat with%horror. y;
:4Down The ladder ontside! quiek!s he
whispered 70 his brotfRs !. Down, and is star.
Eup the dogsl Run for the front door 81 rsand