The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-01-09
The Boy Heroes.

Anc welcome slXly-lo9r
Mr.. PLEASANT iowa.
The Boy Heroes.
When Kentucky was an infant State, and
before the foot OF civilization had trodden
her giant forests, there lived upon a branch
of the Green River an old hunter by the
name of Slater, His nut was upon the
southern bank Of the stream, and save q
small patch Of some dozen acres that had
! been cleared by his own axe, he was shut
| up by dense forests. Slater had two chill
dren at home with him-two sons, Philip
and Daniei-the former fourteen and the
latter twelve years Of age. His eldef chill
dren had gone South. His wife was with
| him, but she had been for several years an
| almost helpless cripple from the effects Of
severe rheumatism.
/, 1t was early in the spring. and the old
hunter had just returned from Columbia
| where he had been to carry the produce OF
| his winters labor which consisted mostly
OF furs. He had received quite sum OF
| money and had brought il home with him.
| The old man had for several wears been
| accommodating money, for civilization was
| rapidly approaching him, and he meant
| that his children should start on fair terms
with the world.
One evening, just as the family were Sit
| ting down to the frugal supper, they were
y
dogs, and as Slater went to the door tosee
what was the matter, he saw three men APP
preaching.
He quickly Quoted the dogs, and the
strangers approached the Gcor. They ask
ed for something to eat, and also for lodg-
ings for the night. john Slater was not a
man to refuse a request Of that kind, and
he asked the strangers in. They set their
rifles behind the door. unslung their pack
and room was made for them at the supper
table. They represented themselves as
| travellers bound further west. intending to
cross the Mississippi in search Of Il settle
ment.
The new corners We're far from being
agreeable or prepossessing in their looks,
but 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 glances which
they gave at each other told their feelings.
The hunters wife was not at the table, but
She sat i'll her great easy chair by the tire.
Slater entered into conversation with the
guests, but they were not very free, and af-
ter little while the talk dwndled into oc-
casional questions. Philip, the older Of the
two, noticed that the men cast uneasy CLAN
ces about the room, and he watched them
narrowly. His fears had become excited.
and he could not rest. He knew his father
had large sum of money in the house and
HIS llTSt tuCuSnt WAS tutat tUeSe men were
there for the purpose Of robbery.
After supper was over the boys quickly
cleared of the table, and then went out of
doors. 1t had become dark, or rather the
night had fairly set in, for there was a
moon two-thirds full shining down upon
the forest.
Daniel" said Phillip, in low whisper,
shoulder, ''what do you think Of these ere
menu
"I'm afraid they are bad Ones" returned
the younger one.
$50 am /. / believe they mean to steal
fathers money. Didn't you notice how they
looked round?"
Eyes,
80 did !. If We should tell father what
we think, he would only laugh at us, and
tell us we were perfect scare-crows."
"But we can watch en-
Eyes, we will watch 'em, but don't let
them know it,"
The boys then held some further consul
tation, and then going to the dog house,
they set the small door back, so that the
wanted. ii they had desired TO speak to
their father about their suspicious, they
had no chance, for the strangers sat close
by him all the evening.
At length however, the Old man signified
his intention Of retiring. 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 taketwo
of fathers rifles up to our bed-we NAV
want them. We are as good as men with
the rifle"
Daniel sprang to obey, and quickly as
possible the boys slipped two rifles from
their closets behind the great stove CHM
ney, and then fastened back and emptied
the printing from the strangers rifles; and
when their father and the strangers return
ed, they had resumed their seats.
The hunters cabin was divided into two
apartments on the ground floor. one of
them in the end Of the building, being the
old mans sleeping room. and the other ia
which the present company sat. Overhead
there was a sort Of scaffOlding, reaching
only half 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 up to the scatfOld, and
on it, close up to the boys bed. There
was no partition at the edge of the scaftold,
but it 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
comfort, the boys went up to their beds,
and the old man retired to his little room.
The boys thought not Of sleep, or, if they
did, it was only to avoidit. Half an hour
had passed away, and then they could
hear their father snore. Then they heard
o movement from those below. Philip