Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-06-29
The $turg Tellet.
THE BORDER HEROINE.

IHE BUhDLh HEhUlNE.
Some years ago, before the State of Arkan.
sas was so densely populated as now, and
when the mails from Little Rock to the west
ern borders we're carried on horseback, there
lived few miles above Horsehead, stout
pioneer, named Jacob Burnap. His wife,
Polly, and one child nine years old, made up
his family. His chief business was hunting,
and his unerring rifle never failed to supply
his board and something over. His nearest
neighbor was fifteen miles of, 50 be was little
troubled with prying visitors.
1t was early in the spring that Jacob started
down the river with boat load of furs and
skins. He left Polly in charge of the premi.
ses, and he left with her, too, light rifle, and
brace of pistols. She knew how to use the
rifle, for never was she happier than when he
patted her on the shoulder and said:
"Nobly done, Polly, my dear; could not
have made bettkr shot, myself"
And he had occasion to say this with truth,
too.
Jacob had been gone four days, when to-
ward evening horseman rode up to the hunt
er's door. he was small, muscular man,
some forty years of age, and seemed Injured
to all hardships As he sprang from the sad
dle Polly made her appearance.
"Ah! Polly, once more here," the new
conner said, as he drew we'll filled pair of
saddle-bags from the back of his fatigued
beast.
"Yes, and I am glad to see you. Jacob
has been gone four days, and time is getting
heavy"
Jacob gone? Where"
"Down the river with load of furs."
"Oh! yes. Well, you shall have the COM
pany of Liant Morton for one night, at least; ;
so, for the next twelve hours, you will be
safe"
"Oh! I feel safe enough" returned the wo-
man quickly, "only little lonesome.
Thus speaking, Morton threw his saddle:
bags into the cabin, and led his horse around
to low shed, where he made the animal fast
and fed him.
After this he returned to the dwelling and
entered, and was soon discussing the events of
the times over an ample supper. His hostess
had told him all that had transpired in the
neighborhood since his last visit, and the Wis.,
itor gave her all the news of the eastern val.
ley. Liant Morton had been mail carrier on
that route for years, and not once had he
passed to and fro without spending night at
Jacob Burnap's. In fact, he was the only
regular visitor at the hunters cabin ; and, al
though the intervals between his visits we're
long, yet he seemed almost fixture to the
place. Polly Burnap, just in the bloom of
womanhood, knew his gentle, generous, noble
character; so she felt perfectly free and at
home in his presence.
"Is it not known, on the route, that your
load is valuable?" asked Polly.
II think not-though it may be. Still I
am we'll armed, and l fancy it would be
very tough job for any one to tackle old
Morton"
"A man was robbed on the creek, a few
days ago. -.--..,s..g-.-..-.,--.-..- -..-
"And the robbers have hed," added Nor
ton, carelessly, as he threw bis mail bags after
him.
Morton went to bed at nine o'clock, as he
was tired from his long ride. Polly had work
to do, having neglected it while talking to her
guest 80, when she had seen him safe at rest,
candle was, and went to work upon some
clothing for her child, who was soundly sleep
ing in corner
The old German clock upon the wall, with
its weights and windstrings exposed, had
struck ten ere Polly rose from her work.
She had just pushed the basket beneath the
table, when the front door opened, and two
men entered They were in their stockings,
their shoes having been left outside.
"Hush!" uttered the foremost intruder.
"Speak but one word above your breath, and
you die in moment!"
Polly recovered from her quick terror and
looked up. She saw two stout wicked, ugly
looking men, one of whom held cooked pis-
tol toward her. With a quickness of percep.
tion natural to her, she knew the pistol would
not be fired if she held her peace, as that
would make more noise than she could make;
and further, she recognized in the foremost
a notorious villain who bore the name of Dick
Gallus.
She had never seen him BEFORE but the mi
mute description her husband had given of the
man, led her to know him-and positively,
too, for one big scar on the left cheek was
mark enough.
"What do you want ?" asked Polly, without
betraying the least fear.
"We have come to see the mail.carrier,"
one replied, in hoarse whisper; "where is
he? Don't speak too loud"
"He is long since asleep Would it not do
as we'll to see him in the morning? We can
find you room and lodging"
The fair hostess had said this for the pur-
pose of gaining time. She knew very we'll
that these men had come to rob the carrier,
and was equally sure that they would murder
him if they could, and would, in all proba-
bility, put her out of the way as we'll. They
had evidently heard Of the valuable load be
carried, and meant to carry it in his stead.
"Never mind his being asleep. Show US
where he is, at once," roughly replied Gallus,
in answer to Polly's last remark.
"But I can call him, good sirs," reasoned
the woman, calmly, though there was alarm
in her soul.
"Call hinp growled the villain with a
fierce oath. you call him, and you will be
called to another world. Quick show US
the way"
The mild eye that could aim an unerring
bullet at the forest beast did not even betray
the thoughts of the woman's SOUL nor did
look tell her meaning She was very pale,
but did not tremble.
"'Chis way, sirs," she whispered.
A. she spoke she turned towards a side
door. She did not open it until both men
were close behind her.
"Dont you hear him breathe ?"
eyes," returned both villains.
And they did hear breathing, but it was