The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-09-10
TIE NIGHT HAWKS SWOOP.

Near the right bank of one of our trap
ping rivers OF the great northwest, stood the
cabin home Of Carlos Cromer He was
middle aged and ironwilled man, and in
every way suited to his precsrious occupa-
tion-srspping river animals aud hunting
the wolf.
He usually went out upon bis hunts
unattended, leaving his cabin aud contents
TO the care of his son, Sebastian, who was
assisted by his sister lnez and two huge
dogs.
Though the country was infested with
desperate outlaws, Carlos home had escaped
piILspe In consequence of his escape he
grew careless, and remained away longer
than had been his want.
at is useless tor you to remain up so late,
children" he said one day, as he WIS about
10 depart upon wolf hunt. The night
hawks have not attacked US, and l do not
think thew ever will. They don't know when
I'm absent, and they dread my old rifle.
Therefore. darliugs, build good fire, at
dark and go to sleep, leaving Tiger and
Lion TO guard you
Then be kissed bis children, and they
saw him disappear among the trees
By and by the deeper shades gathered
upou the snow. and, in p short time, the
cabin was was wrapped In almost pslpsble
gloom.
The trspper's children, ever ready to
obey their parent, buils good FIRE on the
rude hearth, and sought their couches ID
one corner OF the apartment
They were young. Sebastian was entering
his seventeenth year, with beardless face
and girlish features, and Inez. with her
faultless form and golden hair, WAS one
year her brothers. junior. Their mother
had left them to the sole of their
father. when they were vet babes, and
mad taken her departure TO the home OF the
blest.
Their first recollec.ous were OF the
building of their present home, near a
stream, the howl of the ferocious wolf by
dsv, the ominous hoot Of the great gray
evil by night Thus, in that wild spot
they grew to mature years, loved by 1
kind but adventurous father, and loving
him.
The apartment in which the trspper'
children were was Immediately in the rear O
another. into which opened the front doc
of the cabin. This front room containe
but few articles of furniture, for 1t WA
used for drying skins of the animals slai
by Carlos. Here slept the dogs, and til
strong door was held shut by bars of iro,
Almost Immediately after touching h
hard pillow, the night of which we wri.
Ssbestian fell into sound sleep, from whiC
he was awakened about midnight by gro'
from the dogs.
He arose to a sitting posture. and was "
rubbing his eyes, when he hard rap on Il
front door. Rising. he grssped rife, al
unboted the inner door Joined the somewhi
excited hounds.
BE quiet Lion, Tiger he said in q 10
voice, and immed lately the bru:es crouche
at his feet
For minute he remained silent, wher
hearing footstep outside, he asked:
Who's there?"
"They have heard US, DAM" he hear
some one say, IS though addressing cou
paniou. 81 shall die if they don't open ii
door"
4 prominent trait in Sebastian : charaCt'
was pity, and when he thought that huma
being might be dying, he sprang to the do
and laid his hands on the bars. He did D
think what might come OF admitting stranE
men in the absense of his father.
WHO talks of dying 2" he asked as
began to remove the irons.
me Rube Holden, an honest trapper
was the reply. I'VE missed the path in tb
accursed show, and we happened to II
against your shanty Say won't you let
in? We will lay on the floor and sleep t
morning"
The speakers imploring voice hastene
the removal of the bars, aud presently tv
men stepped into the room.
The next moment Sebastian half regre
ted his hospitable actions, tor the men we
were the toughest looking specimens of tt
Caucasian race ne had ever seen fht
were armed and dressed in faded and .ol
hunting suits.
Tiger, the largest of the hounds, wou
undoubtedly have sprung upon the me
who looked like night hawks-as the on
laws of the north are generally cslied-sn
struck him and bade him be quiet.
You We got q pair Of good dogs sa
of the men, invoiuntariiy shrinking fro
Tiger.
"Yes." answered Sebastian, they do n
like strangers"
THAT is because they do not see the
often. But where you going to let
sleep bow"
'.In this room. You can build fire c
the hearth here, and pass the night qui
comfortably"
The Young mans answer did not pleas
the men, for they darted covctous loob
through the door bevond. which WIS lighte
up by hickerlng fire on the hearth
Anything will suit us boy" said on
ave will soon be sleeping ike posts. b.
first we would trouble you for firebrau
from your hearth "
As Sebastian turned to comply with Il
request CT the men drew two pieces
meat from his bosom and tossed them
the dogs.
Presently Sebastian returned with
brand which he handed to one of the me-
and then reentered the sleeping apartme,
followed by the hounds He closed the do
after him, bat forgot to bar it, and stepp.
10 his sisters couch.
The hounds, which had lain down {
the hearth, suddenly arose; and to Seba,
tiau's enlistment, walked across Il
room to an iron basin, and Tapped up
contents. ...=
"What is the matter with the dogs
mu.tered the youngster. "Sureiy they CT
not be snake bitten
The contents of the basin was an antidt
for poisons. and it had been placed there
the trapper that the hounds could have i
mediate access to it when bitten BY poso
GUS reptiles.
Sebastian noticed that the animals Lamp
- up . great deal of the decoction. and he |
gan 70 shlps that oil wa no, right.