Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1875-03-10

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in, that the two trontiers men propo
sed to repulse their assailants. Eph'
mouth was drawn into grim hare
line, but there was 4 kind Of glow
about his fine dark eyes. He felt
wild joy he could but half conceal, fo1
his opportunity had come to defenc
the girl he loved with the whole force
of his impetuons, half-tamed nature
AT least he could die with her, anc
to a being like Eph that. alternative
was far better than living withou
her.
Ianny had been busy on her Owl
line of defense, She was supple anC
spry as cat. Flushed with excite
ment, the child's dark tacc was almost
handsome.
"What be eyou about, Iianny?" asked
Eben.
"Getting my gun ready" said Han,
ny, cody. She had rummaged out an
old lowling piece from some corner Of
the cabin. "You know You said
Yourself, father, | could make a first
rate shot. You have always been
wishing for a boy. Iii be your boy,
father, ard stand close beside YOU,
and we'll show the redskins some tall
shooting"
"Youre trump, IIanny regular
little brick choked Eben, feeling a
lump in his throat; and he passed his
hand softly over the girls thick hair
but that old gun is no good. You
shall be my other hand, and help me
load. Only, child, when the firing
begins, you must get behind my
back"
"Hist Y said Eph, listening with
his head bent low. Il hear them
coming through the woods.
Bessie, in the obsouity of the cabin,
flung herself down at Eph's feet.
ooh, Eph," she moaned, ''you told
me the other night you loved me, that
you had never loved woman before,
If you love me still, promise that you
will kill me before / fall into the hands
of those savages-befo1e they do to
me what they did to poor Mary Tut
tie. Oh, don't let them scalp me,
Eph Put your rifle to my head and
blow my brains out. am coward,
or I could do it myself, for there is a
sharp knife hidden here in the bosom
of my dress. Promise me, Eph,
and I'll reward you if God spares
u.s."
Eph's face was portentuously pale,
He gave her an indescribable look,
and said, curly, 81 promise.
A dark living stream came flowing
out of the bushes and underground.
All that could be seen were waving
plumes, and the glow Of war-paint,
and cleaning murderous eyes, and
the shining gun-barrels held before
them ready for deadly spring.
"The bloody cusses have drove
along all the COWS and horses they
could gobble," muttered Eben, land
hoppled them on the edge Of the
woods. They expect to find only wo-
men and children and the old man at
home. They don't dream Of the warm
welcome we've got ready for them,
Eph. There, now they begin to smell
mischief the shanty locks too quiet
Who's that big brawny fellow crawl
ing ahead p
big Prne-Tree,' whispered Eph,
with his eye to the opening. "He
and his braves killed every settler in
Slocum Valley last year. Don't fire
yet; lay low. Let 'em creep upI
closer. We must pick our men every
time
There was a blaze, sharp report, a
cloud Of smoke; then a yell went up
rom the savages, as tEey sprang to
heir feet, that shook the tassled corn
ike great wind.
"Iow many bit the dust that time,
Eph ?"
Eph held up two fingers,
''Let me load for you,' whispered
Hanny. Tm your other arm. Take
the old gun it won't kick this time"
Eben looked over his shoulder, and
was Bessie crouching on the floor be-
mind him.
''Go comfort your grandfather"
said he sternly.
The old man sat gazing with pale
vacant face and bewildered eyes at the
scene before him. A low monoton.
BUS moan, like the cry Of some animal
II