The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-11-19
and kisses, entirely rested them, and they
lived to be trRe and noble women.
THE TWO LITTLE PRISONERS.


THE TWO LITTLE PRISONERS.
On q beautiful April morning in the mem
orable year of 1776, two little boys, the
sons of q Mr.. johnson, one aged twelve
! and the other nine years old, were PLAYING
on the banks of the Short Creek, near the
mouth of the Muskingum.
1t was q holiday which had been given
started of very joy fully for day of fun.
They were going some miles off to get some
of their companions to 60 fishing with them.
They had stopped to play on the banks of
the creek, and were skipping stones across
the pretty, smooth surface of the water. At
ing towards them they were dressed like
| the ordinary settlers. in hats and coats, and
| the children took little notice of them.
AT length, when within one hundred
yards of Johnny and Tommy, these men
threw aside their masks, and running upon
them, took both the boys prisoners These
Innocent bookings strangers were Indians of
the Delaware tribe. Taking the children in
their arms, they ran hastily to the woods,
and after travelling Elk miles, stopped and
camped for the night.
First these cruel savages kindled great
fire, and laid their rifles and tomahawks
against an adjoining tree; then they lay
down to rest, each with one of the poor
frightened littHe boys held tight in his arms.
The little fellows, of course, could not
sleep; they were thinking of their papa
and mamma, aud little brothers and sisters,
and wondering how strange it was that
they had not been more thankful when they
were safe at home, and how naughty it was
to quarrel with their little brothers and
sisters.
These little boys thought now that they
would be very good if they ever lived to
get home again. The big brother Johnny,
began to move about, and soon found that
the ugly Indian who held him was asleep.
His little heart beat with delight, and he
would have liked so much to have spoken
to poor little Tommy, but these boys were
children of the forest, and from mere babies
had been taught great caution; SO he said
nothing, but very quietly got up, and stood
by the fire not knowing what to do. He
could run away now, but poor Tommy
would be left. This he would not do if he
could not take his little brother he would
stay by his side. Then he watched, and
found the other Indian fast asleep too he
motioned to his brother to get up as he had
done. The little fellow obeyed, and both
now stood, not knowing what to do.
At last john, who was boy of great
irmness, whispered softly to Tommy to
help him kill the sleeping Indians, and then
they could run away home. He placed a
gun in his trembling little hand, and told
him if he would only pull the trigger after
he placed it on the rest, he would take care
of the other Indian.
The child promised by a nod, to do what
his older brother directed. The rifle was
levelled with the muzzle resting upon log
which lay near but the little fellow was so
frightened that he touched the trigger too
soon, and the report of his gun awakened
the other Indian, whom Johnny intended
to kill with a tomahawk. Still the brave
boy struck the blow with irmness; and, al
though it only wounded, still it stunned
the ugly red man. Little Tommy became
frightened at the sound of his own gun,
and took to his heels and ran away as fast
as he could. Remember, my little readers,
this little fellow was only nine years old,
and was his mothers pet and darling; SO
it was not strange he was afraid of the
Indians, and the sound of his gun. He ran
80 fast, Johnny could scarcely find him
when he went in search of him. When the
two little brothers got together, and rested
awhile, they started for home. The older
one hung bis hat on a bush to mark the
spot, and by daylight they reached their
home.
OF course their good papa had been very
much frightened, and their mamma was in
tears over the absence of hor darlings.
When they missed the children, who had
been last seen at the creek, they concluded
they had fallen in and were drowned.
The story the boys told was listened to
with astonishment; and some of tie set
tiers laughed, and did not believe them.
So little Johnny, who was too brave aud
manly to want to be called "story teller
begged that some of the men would go with
him, and be would find the very spot, and
show it to them. So they agreed to go. 1t |
was very hard for the boys to find the
place f; but at last Johuny's hat was disco
vered hanging on the bush, and when they
went little farther, they saw tho toma-
hawked Indian ly ing, all covered with
blood but the one little Tommy had shot
was not OF be found. A broad trail OF
blood, however, showed them the way he
had gone, and they followed him. His ap-
pearance was ghastly; His under jaw was
shot away still he kept his pursueIs at
bay and faced them with great determine
tion: The settlers feared to follow BIN,
more Indians were about.
1t may seem very cruel to cur youug |
readers of The Crusader TO think of two |
little boys like themselves killing two men;
but they must understand that in those |
times the cruelty of the Indians, in muir |
der,ng women and children, was SO great,
hln,t . tlxr,