The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1870-07-29

his spear ready for hurting at the
first who should cross the threshold.
"Get out" exclaimed Samson, re-
covering himself: here have lived
now two years, and only seen a party
or two of the poor wretches begging,
and"
"But they burnt Riley's hut and
butchered his wife and children"
said Tom earnestly.
"Don't believe it." said Samson
sturdily; "only bugbear made up
by some of them pioneering chaps
Ito frighten newcomers from going
up the country and taking claims, so
that they may have the best choice
for themselves"
"Wallace's boys head was batter
ed in,' said Tom.
"Gammon," said Samson, who
however could not help looking un-
easily towards the black.
"Then there was Ellis's poor gal;
you know how they served her,"
"Hold your tongue, will you"
growled Samson; "do you want to
frighten the women to death?" and
as he spoke he clapped his hand
over his convict servants mouth,
and glanced uneasily toward the
door which led into the interior of
the hut-one that was unusually
large, for during Samson's pleasant
sojourn in this smiling wilderness
matters had prospered with him, and
bit by bit he had added to his dwell
ling, and found himself compelled
to make fresh arrangement for his
focks and ever multi plying herds.
"Did you call?'' said a pleasant
voice, and then the door opened, and
Samson's comely wife made her ap-
pearance.
mo, said Samson, Il didn't call,
but
'Here a come" said Teddy, and
all present heard the rapid beat of
feet, audible to the blacks keen
sense some time before. Tom cock
ed and raised his rife; Samson
snatched down a revolver from a
hook over the fireplace, knocking
down and breaking a little china
group of the Children in the Wood,
an ornament brought from the far
off English home.
But the next moment arms were
lowered, and Teddy's spear was not
thrown, for two men, whose faces
were known to all present, dashed
painting into the hut,
"Look out" one of them gasped,
''the blacks are out"
"Now then, masterw cried Tom
triumphantly.
"Don't see nothing about blacker
than your face, neighbor," said Sam
son dryly, as he turned to one Of
his visitors. Saint neither of you
killed, are you|
The man did not answer, but turn
ing up the sieve of his woollen shirt
to the elbow, showed a long. jagged,
but superficial scratch fro he up
per joint to the wrist, Wi bblood
drying fas&, there still ssanding in
| beads upon the lips Of the wounds
Knight have been," said the new
conner firmly, "if the fellow who
threw the spear that made that long
scratch had been truer in his. aim,
The blacks are ont strou yell
armed and in their war paiI if
you don't want th0m in herd Ahson
Harris, you'd better shut that door,"
Halfgspdgingly the squatter made
two st5es, towards the door, then he
lsteppe3 Ay he caught sight of his
| We stan hing with blanched and
| draw faoE, holding tightly her two
children. She did not speak; but
as their eyes met, her lips parted to
form one word which the father
read in an instant. Though after a
thought rushed lightning like
through his brain; all the old colo
nist's tales and their horrors seemed
to force them selves upon him; the
burning Of Riley's hut, and the cruel
butchery of wife and children, and
the other barbarities said to have
been committed; the child of a
squatter named Wallace beaten to
death with clubs: the death of the
blooming daughter of one Ellis.
A mist seemed to swim before his
eyes for an instant; but the next he
had shouted, "Come on such of you
that are men," for he had again en-
countered the agonized face of his
wife-again Interpreted that one
word her lips had parted to form,
and he dashed to the hut door, but
only to be grasped tightly by his
convict servant, Tom.
"Let me go!p' he shouted, "are you
mad?" and he dealt the man heavy
blow in the chest, and sent him
staggering back, shouting
"HoId him, hold himw
'Let me go, Anderson-Jones"
cried Samson, again struggling to
reach the door, but held back by
the new corners. "Are you mad,
are you men, when poor Mary is out
there in the scrubY
The wounded man gave more of a
yell than a cry as Samson Harris ut
tered those words, and loosing his
hold of the father, he made for the
door himself, but only to fall heavi
ly, tripped up by the waddy the black
shepherd had cunningly thrust be-
tween his legs,
The fall was heavy, but as he went
down two spears darted though the
open door, and stuck quivering, one
in the floor, the other in the table.
The next moment the door was dash
ed to by Teddy, and its rough wood
en- bar laid across.
"Better there than through you,
Master Anderson" said Tom, drag
ging the quivering spear out Of tue
table and passing it to Teddy.
The young man did not speak; bu5
his eyes glared, and the curls of his
black beard seemed to move and
writhe as his features worked. Then,
grasping the rifle he held in his hand,
he turned to Samson Harris, saying
in a husky voice
"Are you ready?
Samson forced a bullet down upon
the powder of the rifle he was now
...,,,,,J -, obopUinO ond nOdded his |