The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-09-20

Mrs. Latour fired at him with the
Spencer. but he drew hastily behind a
tree and she missed Ihim.
Then, before she had time to draw
back and charge her rifle. he jumped
forward and discharged the burning
arrow at the house.
With inte1se anxiety the woman
watched the blazing missile as it flew
through the air, and her relief was
very great as she saw it carried by the
force Of the wind away to tie left
side of the house and fall among the
trees.
Again and again tie experiment
"as tried, but somehow without sue
cess and the Indians showed their
veNation by keeping {; continual show
er of bullets rafting against the house.
The shades Of night were now fall
ing.
1t WAS with a feeling Of the deepest
apprehension that Marian Latour saw
the darkness coming Oh.
Under cover OF the night the saw
ages could approach quite near to the
house without being discovered, and
her heart fell as she thought how lit
tie probability there was Of q weak
woman being able to keep them back
until morning. when She expected her
husband to return.
lie was only one man against at least
twenty. lie would have to ride back
to the settlements for help. and by
the time he again returned, if he was
fortunate enough to escape the say
ages, what might not have happened
Her reflections We're cut short by Il
yell Of savage eEultatiOn from the IL
dians.
She looked out: but could see
nothing unusual. What did it mean
Something must have occurred to
i've rise to that triumphant and de-
ciSeiye yell.
Strainlng every nerve. she listened
with the most intense anxiety. The
sound seemed to come from the ROOF
in one corner Of the building. \ few
the roof was on fire
Already the fire began to burn
through and a red glowing spark APP
peared in one corner of the roof. The
children began to CRY piteously. as if
aware OF the danger in which they
stood, and Mrs. LatOur>s heart almost
tailed her.
From the edge Of the woods she
could hear the discordant bowls of the
s:yages but they took care to keep
out OF the reflection Of the fire, 50 that
she had 10 chance for q shot. Eiercer
and tiercer grew the flames. The roof,
dry as finder, speedily caught every
where q spark dropped Oh it. The
heat was becoming to unbearahle
Was there no hope for them
Suddenly a strange sound mingled
with the cracking OF the fire.
What was it \ yell. but not from
an Indian throat.
| listened.
Again the yell. and then q rattle Of
rife shots, mingled with shouts Of tri-
umph and frantic hoWls Of terror and
lismay.
Running to the open window. she
looked out, and could see by the light
Of the burning roof the savages flying
in terror across the open lot. while
among them the forms Of white men
cutting and shooting at the flying
enemy.
Across toward the opposite woods
! they went, but there the Indians were
met by another body Of whites, anG
soon surrounded on all sides. after a
hard fight they all fell before the
deadly knives and pistols Of their ex-
; asperated and relentless foes.
| By this time Mrs. Latour and her
! children were out Of the house and in
the arms of the loving father and
husband.
After the excitement had subsidized.
and the fire been put out by the exec-
lions Of the neighboTs, Gabriel told
his wife how he had come to return 50
soon and SO opportunity.
| After leaving the house the day be-
fore, he rode q couple of miles, and
then finding that he had forgotten ore
of his pistols. rode back to get it.
On arriving near the house he found
Indian signs. Dismounting. he
craWled carefully up and saw them in
ambush.
Knowing that he could do no good
alone, he started as fast rs his horse
could go for Saline City. mustered q
party and got back just in time to save
| his loved ones from a horrible death.
Til" E"". -Four and a-IaIf Per Cent United