The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-10-10
slashrille aluiua.
FRIDAY MORNING, OCT. 10. 1852.
THE BOY HEROES

When Kontuoky was an infant Slate.
and before the foot of Civilization had
troddon her giant forests, there lived ap-
on a branch of the Green River an old
hunter by the name of Slater. His hut
was upon the southern bank Of the
stream, and had a small patch Of some
dozen acres that had been cleared by his
own axe, he was shutup by dense forests.
Slater had two children az home with
him--two sons, Philip and Daniel-the
former fourteen and the latter twelve
years Of age. His elder children had
gone South His wife was with him,
but she had been for several years an al
most helpless cripple from the effects of
severe rheumatism. 1t was early in the
spring, and the old hunter had Just re-
turned from Columbia, where he had
been TO carry the produce Of his winters
labor, which consisted mostly Of furs.
He had received quito q sum Of moneys and
he brought il home with him. The old
man had for several years been accumu-
lating money, for civilization was rapidly
approaching him, and he meant that his
children should start on lair terms with
the world.
One evening, Just as the family were
sitting down TO the frugal supper, they
werc attracted by the sudden bowling of
the dogs, and as Slater went to the door
to see what was the matter he saw three
men approaching,
He quickly quietod the dogs, and the
strangers approached the door They
asked for something to eat, and also for
lodgings for the night, John Slater was
not man to refuse request of that
kind, and lac asked the strangers in.
They set their rifles behind the door, un-
slung their pack, and room was made for
them al The supper table. They repre-
sonted themselves as travellers bound for
tho west, intending TO cross the Missis-
sipp in search Of q settlement.
The new oomera were far from being
agreeable or prepossessing in their looks,
bat Slater took no notice Of the circum-
stance, for he was not one TO doubt any
man. The boys, however did not like
their appearance at all, and quick glaucea
which they gave ateach other told their
feelings. The hunters wife was not at
the table, but she sat in her great easy
chair by the Gre.
slatsA-ensered tita soaror -sien ial-
the guests, bat fnoy were not very free
and after a liiile while the talk dwindled
ints occasional questions. Phillip, the
older of the two, noticed that the men
cast uneasy glancs about the room, and
| no watched them narrowly. His fears
had become excited and he could not rest
He know 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 rable and then went on
/ Of doors. IL had become dark, or rather
the night had fairly set in, for thero wa,
/ moon two-thrds full shining down
1 upon the forest
"Daniel," said Philip, in q low Whis
per, at the samo time casting a look owe
his shoulder, "what do you think Of thes
ere men,"
"Pm afraid they are bad ones, return
ed the younger one.
$50 am /. believe they mean to stca
fathers money. Didn't You notice hoy
they looked round?
"Tes."
So did /. If we should tell father wha
VIC think, he would only laugh at II.
and tell rs we were perfect scare crows.
"But vpe can watch EN-"
''Yes we will watch 'em, but don't lie
them know IT,"
The boys then held some further con
sultstion, and then going to the dog hous'
they set the small door back, so that th
hounds might spring forward il thel
wanted. II they had desired 10 speak &
their father about their suspicious, thel
had no chance, for the strangers sat clos
by him all the evening.
AT length, however, the old man signi
fed his intention of retiring, arose to 6
ont of doors, 10 see the state of affair
without The three followed him, bu
they did not take their weapons Th
old lady was asleep in her chair.
'NoW," whispered Phillip, "lets TAX
two Of fathers rifles up TO our bed-W
may want them, We arc rs good ne me
with the rife
Daniel sprang TO obey, and quickly {
possibly the boys slipped two rifles fro
their closets behind the great stove chin
ney, and then fastened back and empt
ed tho priming from the strangers rifle
aud when their father and the strange
returned they had resumed their seat
The hunters cabin was divided into "
) apartments on the ground floor, one
, them in tho end Of the building, bcil
the old mans sleeping room, aud q
other in which the present company III
Overhead there was a sort Of scaiioldin
reaching only half way over the roc
p below IT, and in the opposite end Of I
building. A rough ladder led up to 1
p. scahold, and on it, close up 10 the boy
bed, There was no partition NJ the ed
Of the scaloldine but IL was All open
& tho room below.
- Sparo bedding was spread upon I
floor Of The kitchen for the travellers, al
after everything had been arranged
their comfort, tho boys went up DO IN,
beds, and the old man retired to his lit
{ FOOm.
e. Tho boys thought not OF sleep or,
q they did, ID WAS only 10 avoid H. III
an hour passed away, and then th
could hear their father snOrc. Thou th
heard movement from those belo
Philip craWlsd silently to where
could peep down through, and saw o