Wilmington journal., 1876-01-28
THE BORDER HEROINE.

Arkansas was so densely populated as
now, aud when the mails from Little
Rock to the eastern borders were car
ried on horseback, there lived few
miles above Horse-head stout pion-
eer named Jacob Burnap. His wife
Polly aud one child nine years old,
made up his family. His chief bust
ness was hunting, and his unerring
rifle never failed to supply his board
and something over. His nearest
neighbor was fifteen miles of, SO he
was little troubled with prying visi-
| tors.
1t was in the early spring that Jacob
started down the river with Q boat-load
of furs and skins. He left Polly in
charge of the premises; and he left
, her, too, long rife and brace of
pistols. She knew how to use the rifle,
for never was she happier than when
her husband patted her on the shoul-
der and said 'Nob'y done, Polly, my
dear, I could not have made better
shot myself
And he had occasion to say this with
truth, too.
jacob Burnap had been gone four
days, when towards evening a horse
man rode up to the hunters door.
He was d small, muscular mau, some
fprty years of age. and seemed Injured
to all hardships, As he sprang from
his saddle, Polly made her appearance.
'Ah, Polly once more here the new
conner said, as he drew a well-filled
pair of saddle-bags from the back of
his fatigued beast.
Yes and am glad to see you. ia
cob 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
company of Liant Morton for one night
at least, so for the next twelve hours
you'll be safe
oh, 1 feel safe enough returned
the woman quickly-'only a little lone
some
Thus speaking, Morton threw his
saddle bags into the cabin and led his
horse around to low shed, whore he
| made the animal fast and fed him.
After this he returned to the dwell
ing aud entered, and was soon discuss
| ing the events of the time over an
/ ample supper, His hostess had told
him all that had transpired in the
neighborhood since his last visit, and
the visitor gave her all the news of the
Eastern valley.
Liant Morton had been mail carrier
upon that rout for several years, and
| not once had he passed to and fro with
out stopping a night at jacob Bur-
maps. In fact, he was about the only
regular visitor at the hunters cabin
and although the intervals between his
! he oil
a fixture to the place. Polly Barnap,
just in the bloom of womanhood, knew
his gentle, generous, noble character.
so she felt perfec ly free and at home
in his presence.
! 1T is not known on your route tha
your load is valuable 2 asked Polly
I think not-though it may be-
Still, I am we'll armed, and l fancy i
would be very tough job for any on
to tackle old Morton.
A man was robbed on the creek g
few days ago.
And the robbers have fed,' added
Morton, carelessly, as he drew his mai
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 neglec
ted it while talking to her guest; 81
when she had seen him safe at rest sh
drew her basket to little table wher
the candle Was, and went to work upo
some clothing for her child, who wa
Foundly sleeping in a corner.
The old German clock upon the wal
with its great weight and wind string
all exposed, had just struck ten er
Polly rose from her work. She ha
lust pushed the basket beneath the t.
ble when the front door opened An
two men entered. they were in thei
stockings, their shoes having bee
left outside.
Hush! uttered the foremost intrr
!; der.
Speak one word above a whisper
and you die!"
Polly recovered from her quick te
ror and lookedup. She saw two stou
wicked, ugly looking men, one {
whom held a cooked pistol toward
her. With q quickness of perceptio
natural to her, she knew the pist'
would not be fred if she held he
paace, as that would make more noii
than she could make; and further, sl
recognized in the foremost a notorioJ
villain who bore the name of Die
GaliIls.
She had never seen him before, bi
{ the pinute description her husban
, had given of this man, led her to kno
him-and positively, too, for one bl
scar on the left cheek was mark enougl
What do you want !? asked Poll.
, without betraying the least fear.
we have come to see the mail CO