Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-11-13


stumbling over the body of one of their enc
mics, he fell amongst the bushes with SO loud
a crash that he was glad to retreat. and stand
watching once more at his post
An inspection after the afternoons s struggle
had proved that. beyond few scratches. the
defenders Of the hut had escaped unharmed
and but for the fearful anxiety which oppress-
ed sll present, they would hopefully have
looked for the morning, ready to meet their
enemy again with renewed courage Provis-
ions they had in plenty, if needs were, for
weeks. Ammunition, too. showed no sign
OF running short, till Samson opened a small
keg, to find that the powder it should have
contained was powder no more, but one hard
mass, into which it had been turned by the
dripping from the roof The bad news was
conveyed from one TO the other, and in grim
silence the men examined their powder TASKS
to find that he who was most wealthy poss-
essed but two charges beyond the one in his
rifle.
VIII they attack us tomorrow ?'i was the
oft-repeated question. One thought they
would for revenge, and never rest content un-
til all within the hut were DESTROYED another
was Of opinion that they would be too demor-
allied and that the morning light would find
them all miles away; but this last supposi-
ton was too full of hope TO believe in. And
erson and Harris rarely spoke. bat while the
others, fearless in the knowledge that the ma
tives never attack by night, slept heavily,
they watched on, repeating to themselves, as
they pictured the solemn silence of the vast
woods around, the camp Of the natives. and
their savage cruelties, the same words over
and over again. Where was Mary ?''
III.
Watching the long night through. with
staining eyes constantly directed at ever,
spot that seemed never 50 little darker than
the night itself Bush, tree. farming imple-
ment, all in their turn were magniied into
enemies, performing the same duty as the
inmates OF the hut, and waiting to spy out
their weakness and the best place for the
morr1w's assault. But as the night Wore
on, and the watchful stars still shed then
peaceful light. q change came over the wake
tul ones. and objects that had before been
looked upon as enemies were taken for the
figure of her whose absence had created such
q void in more then one heart But though
Andcr- u started hopefully again and again
and reused the sleeping black hy his side.
there was no rustling, gliding step. u1 eager
light form Of the fair young girl. who, With
beating heart. had threaded her way amidst
her sleeping enemies, and now bounded To-
wards the hut for shelter
Anderson groancd, aud could have torn bic
hair, as. disappointed, ieverish and restless
he once more |alAea round ihe hut listen
ing altchL'eit lor some 7ouho Where an was
SUN ID me vast region around even ~ s'-
lemnliy. But ln 'ain' ana could De have
done 80. De- n'Sa5 have sought ln sleep that
resi- ana refreshing his laled body needed.
Morning at last ir7t' the pale peariy gray
iAeh iHe ldI-up ilnk unSe then the blush
M. glowing clouds then the = .i-e'us gold
co arr.Ws dartln- through the zenith; ana last
v as ii with bound, came the glorious sun
hn-eil' 70 beam upon the earth with smiles.
as though all were peace. and SORROW thing
unSu1wn. But there was neither rest nlr
peace, for with a series oi frantic yc..s ,ae
BLACKS again showed tlem- Ives, crying. leap
ing. dancing. shouting partly To- alarm their
enemies. partly o. work themselves up To the
tghung-piteh- Their faces We're streaked
with a kind ol red-ochre ami pipe clay. while
.IieIv-biie1us human faces were dari.rej. ID
intimidate those whom therarrackei. Nude.
.aye c,r the 7,,,ssi,,,- .-rir. i.,o--sI I.-,-
Iv r,rnl tbeir l,ins thav onca r,.r,. ,a,r.
L.II.y IN +, their attack ulau the bn- h9rl-
ino smear and b,5mernr those .in-,lar
,rs,r.-p. which f,ilinr ~ .-riLs -io 6lis..-
AIMED az. returned 90 iAe Jiro"er hand
inmate. were concerned brr -5 fire I'm tIe
Inst h,Ilet and ,,,,in of r,,,rier sballl Is c,--