The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1870-10-01
Chr Albanp 3r9ister.
The Border Heroine.

~AL n dIlStto " as 81 hCuSCIJ DOpuldtcu ilON,
and when the mails from Little Rock to
to the eastern borders were carried on
horseback, there lived a few miles above
Horschead stout pioneer named Jacob
Burnap. His wife, Polly, and one child
nine years old, made up his family. His
chief business was hunting, and his un~
erTing rifle never failed to supply his
board and something over. His nearest
ncighbor was fifteen miles off, 50 he was
little troubled with prying visitors.
1t was in the early Spring that Jacob
started down the river with boat load OF
furs and skins. lie left Polly in charge
of the premises, and he left with her,
too, light rifle and brace of pistols.
lShe knew how to use the rifle, for never
was she happier than when her husband
patted her on the shoulder and said:
':Nobly done, Polly, my dear, | could
net have made better shot myself.
And he had occasion to say this with
truth, too
Jacob Burnap had been gone four
days. when, toward evening, horse and
man rode up to the hunters door. lie
was n small muscular man, some forty
years of age, and seemed Injured to all
hardships As he sprang from his sad
die, Polly made her appearance.
'.Ah, Polly, once more here, the new
conner said, as he drew we'll filled pair
of saddle bags from the back Of his IA
tigued beast.
.'Yes, and | am glad to see you. Jacob
has been gone four days, and time is
getting heavy"
clown the river with load of furs"
SSfAh UaS NNot1 Sban Il,
company Of Liant Morton for one night at
least; SO for the next twelve hours you'll
be safe"
the woman quickly, "only little lone
some"
Thus speaking, Morton threw his sad
die bags into the cabin and led his horse
around to shed, where he made the
animal fast and fed him.
After this he returned to the dwelling
and entered, aud was soon discussing the
events of time over an ample supper. His
hostess had told him all that had trans
pired in the neighborhood since his last
visit, and the visitor gave her all the
news of the eastern valley. Liant Nor
ton had been mail carrier upon that route
Tor several years, and not once had he
passed to and fro without spending night
in Jacob Burnap's cabin. In fact, he
was about the only regular visitor at the
hunters cabin, and although the inter
walls between his visits were long, yet he
seemed almost fixture to the place
Polly Burnap, just In the bloom of wo-
manhood, knew his gentle, generous,
noble character, so she felt perfectly free
and at home in his presence
is it known on the route that your
load is valuable ~ asked Polly
Il think not, though it may be. Still
/ am well armed, and | fancy it would
be a tough job tor any one to tackle old
Norton
"A man was robbed on the creek few
days ago
And the robbers have fed added
Morton carelessly, as he threw his mail
bags alter him.
Morton went to bed at nine o'clock, as
he was tired from his long ride. Polly
had work TO do, having neglected it while
talking TO her guest, SO when she had
seen him safe at rest in bed, she drew
her basket to little table where the eau
die was and went to work npon some
clothing for the child who was soundly
sleeping In corner.
The old German clock upon the wall,
with its great weight and wind strings
all exposed, had struck ten ere Polly rose
from her work. She had just pushed the
basket beneath the table when the front
door opened and two men entered. They
were in their stockings, their shoes hav-
ing been left outside.
''Hush ~ uttered the foremost intru
der. "Speak but one word above whis
per and you die in a moment"
Polly recovered from her quick terror
and looking up saw two stout, wicked
ugly looking men, one of whom held u
cooked pistol toward her. With a quick
ness of perception natural to her, she knew
the pistol would..be not fired if she held
her peace, as that would make more noise
than she could make, and further-shC
recognized in the foremost notoriou:
villain, who bore the name of Dick
Gallus.
She had never seen him before, but the
minute description her husband had given
of the man, led her to know him and
positively, too, for one big scar on the
left cheek was mark enough.
eWhat do you ask, gentlemen ?'' asked
Polly without betraying cbe least fear.
ave have come to see the mail carri-
err" one replied, in a hoarse whisper
''where is he? Don't speak too loud"
Gle is long since asleep. Would il
not do as well to see him in the morning
We can find you room and lodging"
The fair hostess had said this to gain
time. She knew very we'll that these
men had come to rob the carrier, and was
equally sure that they would murder him
if they could, and would in all probabil
ity put her out of the way as we'll
They had evidently learned of the valua
BILE load he carried, and meant to carry
it in his stead.
''Never mind his being asleep. Show
us where he is at once" roughly replied
Gallus, in answer to Polly's last remark
@But can call him, good sirs," rea.
soned the woman calmly, though there
was alarm in her soul
"Call him ! call J" growled the villain
with fierce oath You call him and