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

Acting uuon hurrieoly formed plan, he
snrnng from his couch and took two rifles
from pins fastened in the chimney above the
6,anlacs. Then he seated himself upon q
vooden stool and examined the printing
His movements did not disturb the dogs
they lay as blocks OF stone.
By and by Sebastian bacame drovsy, and
so gently did sleep steal upon him that be
did not resist, but LAID the rifles on the
floor at his side, and entered the land O.
dreams.
As the moments fitted over the head o
masters feet and go to sleep
But, while brother and sister slept tn,
rough men in the other room were widt
awake.
II tell you she's ell fred good looking,
said one, in low, nasal tone. 81 saw he'
at Fort Shandy with her father a year ago
She must be purifier nov than she was then
| wonder what old Carlos will say when he
comes home. Won't thar be be wsilin' an
gnashin' of teeth"
"Bnt what are we goin' to do with the
boy?" asked the other. Owe don't want "
take him along go,
aOf ooprse we don't Why well JUST
..;ok kn;ea into him, and let out some OF
his cursed Cromer blood.
n'a .I,u ,onS to him." ssid the one called
D.n in proceeding paragraph. my knife
hasn't done anything worth speaking OF
.;nce it let out Mslden's blood
"Old Maiden was the name of 9 man who
had been sreacherously assassinated four
months prior to the opening of our story.
He was trapper, and the object Of the
murder was his many valuable pelts
II think it time to begin work" said the
night hawk who had spoken about lnez
The dogs are dead by this time. Every
thing is quiet and expect they are dream
ing about their wolf hunter parent. 1t is 9
good shake for us that the boy didn't rebs
the door.
One of the outlaws crAwled to the door
and applied his ear to the crevice.
He listened moment, and then returned
to his companion, assuring him that tn
inmates Of the other room were buried II
deep slumber.
"Come. Rube, let's make the break" sal
Dan. impatlently 81 am itching to get tn
girl. and to bear her to the night hawk
nest You manage the boy, and III take car
of the girl"
They noislessly advanced to the door. an
listened before they troubled it. Dan wa
nov unarmed, but Rube clutched the hor
handle of knife in bis right hand.
Satisfied that the doves were sleeping, tn
night-hawks opened the door by degrees an
stepped into the room.
The first object that met their gsze wa
Sebastian asleep on the stool
The dogs are dead" said Rube, in II
lowest Of whispers Il viii finish the DO
before he wakes"
He had pu, bis right foot forward, whe
one of the dogs uttered allow growi. and tn
next instant the boy WAS awake. He stsrte
at seeing the two night hawks before hin
and they in turn, were thunderstruck 4
beholding the cogs alive.
| Instlnctively they shrunk from the shsr
teeth and fierce looks of the hounds, walc
dared them 10 approach.
1t took Sebastian bnt a single moment
| fsthom the designs of the outlaws, and quIo
as thought he grasped one OF the rifles an
sprang to his feet.
The hounds crouehed like panthers tor
spring, and awaited their masters con
msnd
Desperate and hardened as the men wer
they quailed before tina flashing eyes of Il
| trspper's son.
"Your mission is one of the murder, sa
| Sebastian, firmly. 81 did not think that OF
roof would ever shelter vipers, especial
such despicable once as / see before m
/ Shame be upon you for venturing to astat
| with murderous intent, children WI ose faith
| is not near to protect them. l grant &c
two minutes in which to depart
| For near q minute the baffled nigh:hswi
| elared ven pefully at the boy, when Rus
put forth his clenched bands to give empb
STA to coming words He was about 10 spea
when, with a growl. Tiger leaped forwa
and buried his teath in the unprote'
throat. The brave dog though the outis
was going to attack Ssbestinn.
Rube tried to kill Tiger, and at last
succeeded in driving his knife into vi
spot. The dog fell to the floor, end the OF
law followed him, his blood gushing fro
r his horrible wounds in streams. I
attack and hustle occupied scarcely nj
ute. but awakened Tnez. who was territl
at the exciting drama that Was being e
T acted.
l. Dan saw her. and the desire to poss
. her overcome all prudent actions. He v
:, suddenly seized with the belief TINT he co
Il vanish both Sebastian aud Lion
Instantly maturing his plans he dar
forward His rashnes was his doom.
Lion sprung at his throat, and ball TT
= Sehastian's rife entered his brain.
:. The battle was over The swoop Of
night hawks upon the dnvecote had result
r. fatally TO them. Their bodies were dragG
! into the front room, and the next day Sch
- tian buried them beneath the ice that cor
ed the river.
= When old Carlos returned his child
told him ahout the night hawks. and. kne
! ing upon the snow, he thanked God that
| was not childless.
The trio stiIl live in the rrfat northwf
hut since the occurrence Of the scenes re
), ed above have not been attacked BY nj
;, hawks.