Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-07-03
VOL. XXXVI. NEW SERIES. Vol. XV.

have quailed. The dogs growled as they
went back into their kennel; and if the
strangers heard them they thought they 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 near
ly midnight when they moved again. and the
lad, Philip, saw the rays Of the candle flash
up through the cracks of the floor on which
stood his bed. He would have moved to the
cracks, where he could peep down. but at
that moment he heard man upon the lad
der. lie 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 Philip crept to the
crack. lie saw the men take knives and
heard them whispering.
Wen kill the old man and woman first
said one of them, and then well hunt for
the money. If those little brats up there
(Polnting to the seafiold) wake up, we can
easily take care of them
Butwe must kill them all - said another
Of the villains.
Yes returned tine speaker, but the old
ones first
hillp nealt beat with horror.
Down the ladder outside quick he
whispered to his brother. Down and start
up the dogs Run for the front door-it
isn't fastened. Oh, do let the dogs into the
house as quick as you can III look out for
father while You 90
Daniel quickly crawled through the little
window, and Philip seized a rifle and erept
TO the head Of the scaiiuld.-Two Of the VII
lains were Just approaching the door Of bic
fathers room. They had set the candle
down ON the hoor, so that its light would fall
into the room as the door wac opened.
Philip drew the hammer of lis rifle back.
and rested the muzzle on the edge of the
board One Of the men had his hand upon
the latch. The boy here uttered word Of
heartfelt prayer, and pulled the trigger
The villain whose hand was on the latch.
uttered sharp, quick cry and then fell TO
the floor. The bullet had passed through his
brain.
For an instant the two remaining villains
were coniounded, hut they quickly compre-
hendcd the nature and position OF their enc
my and they sTrang for the ladder. They
did not reach 1t. however, for at tia, instant
the outer door was flung oIcn, and the
hounds, four in number, sprang into the
house. With a deep, wild veil. the animals
leaped upon the villains, and they had drawn
them to the floor lust as the old hunter came
from bis room.
Help Us help us, Iathern cried Phillip,
a~ he hurried down the ladder. I've shot one
of EN-! They are rohhcr- murdertrs Hold
'em the boy continued, clapping his hands
o. the dogs. ODD Slater comrrehendcd the ma
ture Of the scene in a 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 We're incapable Of resistance.
With much difficulty the does were called oh
and the two men were lifted to seat Their.
was no need of biudin. them. rthcv nceicl
some restorative agent, as tie dog, had made
quick work of disabling them
After they had been looked 90, the ola man
cast his ewes about the room They rested
moment upon the body Of him who had been
shot and turned upon the boys II was some
time before the old hunter could crowd the
whole seeming truth through his mind but a-
be c1mprchendcd it all, soft. grateful. proud
light broke over his features. and Dee held out
he arms 90 his sons
Noble. noble boys % he uttered as he clasp
them To- hi- bosom. God will bless You for
this Oh dreamed not that You had such
hcart-"
Fora long time the old man gazed on h.-
boys in silence. and the tear, OF love and graf
itude rolled down his whole face which wa-
lighted up with the most joyous holy pride
Long before DAYLIGHT. Phillip l-u-el li-
horse and started for the nearest settlement
and early in the day the officers had the
o D.. . .r.