Weekly Trinity journal., 1864-05-14
the corner to the staple by which the window

the corner to the staple by which the window
was hooked. ga
The sheet was then lowered on the outside
and carefully the brave boy let himself out upon
it. He enjoined his brother not to move. and
then he slid noiselessly down. The hounds had
just found their meat, but they drew back at
their masters beck, and Phillip gathered all the
flesh up. He easily quoted the faithful brutes,
and then quickly tied the meat in a sheet There
was light ladder standing near the dog-house,
and standing this up against the building, Phil
lip made his way back to his little loft and when
once safely there, be pulled the sheet in after
him.
The strangers had not been aroused. and with
a beating heart he thanked God. He had per-
formed an act, simple as it may appear, at which
many a stout heart would have ouaiied.- The
dogs growled as they went back into their ken
mel, and if the strangers heard them, they
thought the poor animals were growing over
the repast they had found.
At length the hounds ceased their noise and
all was quiet. An hour passed away, and so did
another. 1t must have been nearly midnight
when they moved again, and the lad Phillip saw
the rays of candle flash up through the cracks
of the floor on which stood the 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 perfectly STILL The fellow
seemed to be perfectly satisfied that they were
asleep, for he soon returned to the ground floor,
and then Phillip crept to the crack. He saw the
men take knives, and he heard them whispering :
"Well kill the old man and woman first, ="
said one of them, g and then We'll hunt the
money. If those little brats up there pointing
to the scaffold) wake up, we can easily take care
of them
" But we must kill them ALL said another of
the villains.
eyes," returned the speaker, 'sbut the old
ones first"
Phillips heart beat with horror.
90 Down the ladder outside quick ~ he whis-
pered to his brother. " Down, and start up the
dogs Run for the front door and throw it open
it isn't fastened. Oh, do let the dogs into the
house quick you can !! I'll look out for
father while you go!'
Daniel quickly crawled out through the little
window and Phillip seized rife and crept to
the head of the scaffold. Two of the villains
were just approaching his fathers room. They
had set the candle on the floor, so that its light
would fall into the bedroom as the door was
opened. Phillip drew the hammer of his rife
back and rested the muzzle on on the edge of the
board. One of the men had his hand upon the
latch. The boy here uttered a single word of
heartfelt prayer, and then he pulled the trigger.
The villain whose hand was on the latch uttered
one sharp quick cry, and then fell upon the floor.
The bullet had passed through his brain.
For an instant the two remaining villains were
COMPOUNDED, but they quickly comprehended the
nature and position of their enemy, and they
sprang for the ladder. They did not reach it.,
however, for at that moment the outer door was
flung open, and the hounds-four in number
sprang into the house. With deep, wild yell,
the animals leaped upon the villains, and they
had drawn them to the floor just the old
hunter came from his room.
81 Help us help us father y cried Phillip,
as he hurried down the ladder. " I've shot
one of them ! They are murderers, robbers !
Hold 'em ~ the boy continued, clapping his
hands to the dogs.
Old Slater comprehended the nature of the
scene in moment, and sprang to the spot where
the hounds had the two men on the floor. The
villains had both lost their knives, and the dogs
had so wounded them that they were incapable
of resistance. With much difficulty the animals
were called off, and then the two men were lifted
to seat. There was no need of binding them,
they needed some more restorative agent, as the
dogs had made quick work in disabling them.
After they had been looked to, the old man
cast his eyes about the room. They rested
moment on the body of him who had been shot,
and turned upon his boys. Phillip told him all
that had transpired. 1t seemed some time before
the old hunter could crowd the whole teeming
truth through his mind but as he comprehended
IL all, sou Brateul llSnt broke over MS features
and he held his arms out to his sons.
" Noble, noble boys p he uttered as he clasp
ed them to his bosom, 20 God bless you for this =?
o, dreamed not that you had such hearts,
For long time the man gazed on his boys in
silence, while the tears of love and gratitude
rolled down his cheeks and his whole face was
lighted with most Joyous holy pride.
Long before daylight Phillip mounted his horse
and started for the nearest settlement, and early
in the day the officers had the two wounded men
in charge, while the body of the third was re-
moved.
They were recognized by the officers as GRIM
inals of notoriety, but this their last adven-
ture for the justice they had so long outraged
fell upon them and stopped them in their career.