The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1875-12-17

|
the under side from that of Barton, which
sent the weapon flying over his head, and
! 1T fell some rods distant.
| The act was done so dcXtcrously that
there was a shout of admiration in favor
of Barton, followed by dersive laughter at
the expense Of Gibben. The temper Of the
| latter was not improved by the occurrence,
and he ran and picked up his rifle, which
had not been discharged, and in his blind
rage seemed about to level it on Barton
himself; but the latter cooled him down
with quiet movement of his own rifle,
and the warning words:
eyes, just try that ~
VERY WE'LL" said Gibben, shouldering
his rifle, and assuming calmness he did
not feel "I'll have no more to do with the
matter. I'm not supported in my efforts
for the good of the community; now they
may steal all you have, burn your houses
and scalp you in the bargain, for what /
care"
SO saying, he walked away in the di-
rection of his home, and was soon out of
sight.
II will speak now," said Deerfoot, grave
ly; "ior see that my white neighbors are
not all unreasonable. / will say what ]
have thought l had no right to speak. l
have lived among you and you have been
my friends. have not forgotten that you
made me welcome in your midst, when |
said that | wanted to spend the rest of my
days here by the river; and snch has been
my love for you that | lave long since
ceased to yeam for my departed people.
Now | am accused of being in league with
those who are making secret war upon
you; so come with me and | will show
you their hiding place. have known it
long"
"Ah, l thought So" Interrupted one of
the young farmers.
Eyes; but | have been silent because |
thought it did not belong to me to reveal
what should cause the bloodshed | had
hoped to see no more
"Oh, the red rascals :" exclaimed one of
the settlers. "Show us where they are"
"Comc with me, and you will know why
l have held my peace
He walked quietly away down the river,
accompanied by Barton and followed by
the whole party, who began to examine
their weapons i'll anticipation of an en-
counter with proving Indians. A walk
of fifteen minutes brought the party to the
edge of n dense forest of trees and under
brush, through which Cats Run flowed
and Deerfoot, with gesture to enioin 81
lence, moved stealthily on through the
bushes, the rest following in Indian
file, till he reached the bank Of the creek,
which lay deep in q little valley, and was
so arbored with the foliage of great trees
that the sunlight was shut out from its
quiet waters.
Following their guide, the party pro-
ceeded Eoiseessly down the stream, and
in another minute found themselves under
an immense sycamore probably the largest
tree that ever grew in that part of the
country. 1t was about fifteen feet in di-
ameter, and its great boughs extended out
so far in every direction that its foliage
overshadowed fully a quarter of an acre.
Not one of the party, except Deerfoot, had
ever seen this giant tree before and as he
made sign to them to halt, they stood re-
gulding it with admiration and wonder.
They were within a few steps of the
trunk, and for the moment were so absorb
ed in their admiration of the kingly syca-
more that they forgot both their GRAND
and their guide. 1t was only for mo-
ment, however, for a sudden crash recalled
the roots of the tree, and near him Il dark
aperture in the trunk, neatly as large as
a door, which he had just disclosed by
tumbling from its place a large mass, which
had been nicely fitted into the opening
The tree was hollow-a mere shetland "A
dozen people might have lived within it.
But new surprise awaited the settlers.
Scarcely had the opening appeared, when
a man darted from it like a projec,ile, and
disappeared among the bushes.
"Why, that was Gibben" exclaimed one
Of the farmers.
81 thought so, too" said another.
"And know it," said Deerfoot. "He it
is that has been dwelling among you as a
spy, and his companions are in this tree.
They are white men, and none ofmy peo
pie. Some Of them are strangers to you.
He has come to warn them to flee, for he
suspected that knew of their den, and
might be persuaded to reveal it, as have
now DONE"
At that moment rifle barrel was thrust
from the opening, tho muzzle almost in
the face of the Indian, discharged, aud
quickly withdrawn. The bullet passed his
ear and lodged in the arm of one of the
farmers, whose rifle fell from his hands.
"The wolves are in here and must be
smoked out" said Dccrloot
Help me away, boys; my arms broke"
said the wounded farmer,
He was carried away, fuinting, out Of
the range of bullets.
Barton called out to the unseen robbers,
demanding their surrender, but they only
replied with several ritle-shots, which did
no damage.
In obedience to gesture from Decrfoot,
the whole party collected on the southern
side of the tree, where he gave them to
understand they would be out of range.
There was then 10 more firing from with
in, and Barton called out
"You had better come forth and surrln-
der. We know who you are, and if we
have to take you by force you need expect
no mercy"
'You won't find it so easy to take u.s."
came from within--the voice having
strange, hollow sound. 1--WE have provi-
sions and ammunition enough to last us
year. Besides, FIVE want to, we can kill
every one of you in fifteen minutes by fir
ing through loop-holes. You'd better 90
away and let us alone"
"We're not very likely to-" rctorted Bar
ton. Nov, boys, some dry twigs and
brush"
A mass of rubbish was quickly piled up
at the aperture and set on fire, and the tree
began to fill with smoke. Handfus of
gunpowder thrown upon the fire greatly
aided this object. Coughing and gasping
were heard within, and one said, with
bitter imprecation:
sob, | can't stand this Z"
"Then come out into the air. said Bar
ton.
"Ntver! Well died in here first"
Die, then ~
Another minute passed. The fire was
cracking and roaring while flash after
flash ofpowder sent fresh volumes of smoke
in To thn frnn Snllnnlu fhnrn WINS n nnnn.