The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1871-06-14

over and over again her gaze went
iout through the windowf to watch for
he. husband, and it was as much as
she could do to bring her mind to the
task befure her. AT last she managed
to finish it, and hung it upon the peg
from which she had taken it. Then
with glance at the blood stain, which
still remained on her hand, she went
to the door of the cabin, and gazed
long and earnestly in the direction Of
the forest and disappeared, in hope of
seeing him returning. s-, ~
The sun was going down. 1t had
reached the tops of. the forest trees to
the eastward, and, already its rays had
1uitted the earth, and were for mo-
sment resting on the summit of the
cabin. Oh, that her husband would
but return before the darkness should
come down filed with unknown dan
gers! -n .... . ... .,-a -.r
But perhaps it was not in his power
TO do So If the blood stain be indeed
awarning, it might be that be had al
ready fallen. The horror of the
thought sent back the blood from her
heart, and made her face as pallid as
death
Suddenly her gaze was attracted by
m object moving in the edge of the
forest. AT first she thought it was
her husband. returning but another
glance showed her that she was mis-
taken, and a feeling of almost utter
despair took possession of her heart
when she saw that it was a redskin,
prowling along the edge of the clear
ing, and as if for the purpose Of OBJ
serving what was going on about the
cabin. The. thought Of the three
drops of blood had not left her mind
for Il moment and at the sight of the
savage, that, and the stories the old
dame had told, came back with re-.
doubled force. Surely terrible fate
WAS impending oyer them +; and most
likely ker husband was no more. With
another glance apprehension towa ard
the forest, she closed and barred the
door, and then turned to her children
who were lying on the bed.
The old dame saw the movement,
she Immediately exclaimed: What
is it, Susan? Are the redskins COM
ing?'
! saw one in the edge Of the for
est she answered hesitatingly.
4 told you so!' she cried, triumph
antly, as though she was rather glad
than otherwise to think that dang l.
was at hand, so that er words might
come true.
But they may mean no harm, after
all, said Susan, hopefully 'and Silas
may still be safc.''
The old dame shook her head sage
lY from side to side.
You may depend upon it that
them three drops of blood was a warn
ing. What else could they be? But
make all safe you can, Susan The
cabin is strong, and may be We can
keep 'em out. l wish we had Silas' |
rife to defend ourselves with
And he be left defenceless,' said |
Susan, with energy. No, l am glad
he has his rifle, and may it protect /
him from any danger that threatens
The young wife turned away, and
examined the fasfenings of
the oaken shutters to their two small |
wind then, seeing that everything
was secure as it couNd be made in this
direction and returned to the side of |
her children, whor1 She proceeded to |
hush to sleep, while the dusky shad
ows gathered within the cabin thick |
and fast, |
Nearly an hour had gone past, and
Lha night had fairly set in. Eagerly |
had tile young wife listened Tor the
sound Of her husbands footsteps but |
they had rot as yet echoed without
Neither vas there the stealthy tread |
of the savages which she feared. All
was as stilfas death, aud between hope
and fear she listened.
Five, ten minutes more passed. and
then the savage gave 4. sudden start.
] he sound OF 4 iootstep came to her
ear nom withoUt 1t was so low and !
stealthv, and unlike that OF her hus- |
band, which she knew so well. Near
cr aud nearer it came, and at last ap-
preached the door; and she held her
breath with apprehension, for she
knew we'll enough now thnt IL was
savage with whom they ha | to deal
The footstep ceased for q moment a
perfect silence reigred Without Then
it was broken by a rap upon the door
followed by the voice of a savage dc
admittance.
What do you want?' asked Susan
in voice tremulous with the fear she
telt.
White sguaw open door; ME wants
to conc in, replied the voice of the
savage, whom She recognized as one,
whom they had often entertained at
the cabin. 81 si.5
'Silas is gone, and he bade me ad-
nit no onc,' she replied.
White squaw open door, or Injin
break it down, cried the savage in
nenacing tone; and he followed up
his words by dealing it violent blow
with what appeared to be a billet Of
wood which he had picked up.
Is not my word coming true?
croaked the old woman, who seemed
possessed of no fear except that the
warming should not be literally inter
Dreted by her words.
More footsteps now sounded about
he cabin, and Susan knew that the
savage had been joined by others. For
. few minutes they seemed to hold a
and then came another
,i6lent blow upon the door.
God help us!' cried Susan; they
ire really in earnest I
Once more they made demand for
.dmiLtance hut perfect. silence was
III the answer they obtaineds Past
md furious the blows fell upon the
loor, and it trembled and slrook as
l.ough it was aboutlt to fall from its
,Joca RaeiIo. har children SusaIl 4