The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-04-11
thought was tower of strength in itself.
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it to the staple by which the window was
hooked. The sheet was then lowered on
the outside, and carefully the brave boy let
himself out upon it. He enjoined his
brother not to move, and then slid noise
lessly down. The hounds had just found
the meat, and they drew back at their
young masters beck, and Philip gathered
the flesh all up. He easily quoted the
faithful brutes, and then he quickly tied
the meat up in the sheet. There was a
light ladder standing near the dog house,
and setting this up against the building,
Philip made his way back to his little loft,
and when once safely there he pulled the
sheet in after him.
The strangers had not been aroused, and
with beating heart the boy thanked God.
He had performed an act, simple as it may
appear, at which many stout heart would
have quailed. The dogs growled as they
went back into their kennel, and if the
strangers heard them, they thought the
poor animals were growing over the repast
they had found.
At length the hounds ceased their noise,
and all was quiet. An hour passed away,
and so did another. 1t must have been
nearly midnight when the men moved
again, and the lad, Philip, saw the rays of
a candle flash up through the cracks of
the floor on which stood his bed. He would
have moved to the crack where he could
peep down, but at that moment he heard
+ho1 oII II l.
whisper to his brother, and they lay per-
fectly still. The man came to the top of
the ladder, and held his light up so he
could look upon the boys. The fellow
seemed to be perfectly satisfied that they
were asleep, for he soon returned to the
ground floor, and then Philip crept to the
crack. He saw the men take knives, and
he head them Whispering
Well kill the old man and woman
first said one of them, &" then we'll hunt
the money. If those little brats up there
(pointing to the scaffold) wake up, we can
easily take care of them
I" But we must kill them ALL said
another of the villains.
EYES," returned the speaker, "but not
the young ones first; they'd make noise,
and start the old man up.''
Philips heart beat with terror.
Down the ladder outside quick % he
whispered to his brother. "Down, and
start up the dogs Run for the front door
and throw it open-it isn't fastened o,
do let the dogs in the house, be quick as
|
you 60"
Daniel quickly crawled out through the
little window, and Philip seized rifle and
crept to the head of the scaffold. Two of
the villains were just approaching the door
of his fathers room. They had Sc. the
candle down on the floor, so that it's light
would fall into the bedroom as the door was
opened. Philip drew the hammer of his
rifle back, and rested the muzzle upon the
edge of the boards. One of the men had
his hand upon the latch The boy hero
uttered single word of heartfelt prayer,
and then lie pulled the trigger. The vii
lain whose hand was upon the LATCH utter
ed one sharp, quick cry, and then fell upon
the floor. The bullet had passed through
his brain.
For an instant the two remaining villains
were cenfounded, but they quickly CON-
pretended the nature of their enemy, and
they sprang for the ladder. They did not
reach it, however, for at that instant the
outer door was flung open and the hounds
-four in number-sprang into the house.
With deep, wild yell, the animals leaped
upon the villains, and they had drawn
them upon the floor just as the old hunter
came from his room. "Help US help US
father" cried Philip, as he hurried down
the ladder. "I've shot one of them =
They are murderers robbers Hold em
hold EN- ~ the boy continued, clapping
his hands to the dogs Old Slater compre-
hended the nature of the scene in mo-
ment, and sprang to the spot where the
hounds had the two men upon the floor.
The villains had both lost their knives,
and the dogs had so wounded them that
they were incapable of resistance. With
much difficulty the animals were called off,
and the two men were lifted to seat.
There was no need of binding them, for
they needed some more restorative agent,
as the dogs had made quick work in disa-
bling them.
After they had been looked to, the old
man cast his eyes about the room. They
rested a moment upon the body of him
who had been shot, and then turned upon
the boys. Philip told him all that had
happened. 1t seemed some time before
the old hunter could crowd the whole tenn
ing truth through his mind; but as he
gradually comprehended it all, soft, CRATE
full, proud light broke over his features,
and he held his arms out TO his sons.
"Noble, noble boys ~ he uttered, as he
clasped them to his bosom. "God bless
you for this. o, dreamed not that you
had such hearts,"
For long time the old man gazed on
his boys in silence; while tears of love and
gratitude rolled down his cheeks, and his
whole face was lighted up with the most
joyous, holy pride.
Long before daylight, Philip mounted
the horse and started for the nearest settle
ment, and early in the forenoon the officers
of justice had the two wounded men in
charge, while the body of the third was
removed. They were recognized by the
officers as criminals of notorety; but this
was their last adventure, for the justice
they had so long outraged fell upon them
and stopped them in their career.
Should any of our readers chance to pass
down the Ohio, l beg they would take
noticelof large white mansion that stands
upon the Southern bank, with wide for
ess park in front of it, and situated some
eight miles West of Greensboro. Ask your
steamboat captain who lives there, and he
will tell you, Philip Slater & Brother,
retired flour merchants. They are the
Boy Heroes of whom l have been writing.
sS-A wicked boy caught fire fly one
day and stuck it with muciage on the GEN.
ire of the largest lens of the telescope in