The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-04-20

side door. She did not open it till both
the men were close behind her.
Don't you hear him breathe ?"
"Yes," returned both villains,
And they did hear a breathing, but IL
was of a child close at hand.
AS they thus answered her she threw
the door open-it opened inward. The
men saw dark void, but they pressed
forward. In an instant Polly Burnap
leaped back. Galius was in front. With
all her power, the noble woman threw
herself against the rear man, and the
next moment both the robbers lay
sprawling on the cellar bottom.
This had been the door opening to the
deep excavation, and the only means of
egress was by perpendicular ladder.
Could this have been moved, Polly
would have pulled it up Immediately;
but it was spiked to its place and she
must let it remain. To close the door
would be useless, for she had no ready
means to fasten it. So she did what
she had resolved upon from the first
she sprang to the fireplace and caught
the trusty rifle, and, cooking it, she
moved towards the open door. She
heard the curses of the villains as they
reached the ladder, and she soon knew
that one of them had found it.
Back ~ she cried, as she saw a head
above the threshold.
The candle upon the table threw but
dim light upon the spot, but it was
sufficient.
She saw the robber raise pistol. She
had husbands child-and had set
herself to save the carrier. With these
thoughts dashing through her mind,
she. e.pulled the trigger. A sharp report
went ringing through the house, aud its
echo was deep groan from the cellar
bottom.
Ere the second robber could show
himself, Morton came rushing into the
room with pistol in each hand.
"What is 2'' he cried.
"There there ~ gasped Polly, point
ing to the doorway, where a savage
looking face had just presented itself.
Liant Morton had been too much used
to danger to waste time in conjecture,
and Immediately shot the villain dead,
who fell with heavy sound upon the
cellar floor
In the morning, just as the carrier was
dressed, there was rap on the door, ac-
companied by a voice he knew full well.
He hastened to open the door, and gave
| euITduce 10 jacob buTuap. Inc nu0LeT
had met party of traders at Lewisburg,
and disposed Of all his skins to them,
thus finishing his journey six days
earlier than he anticipated.
Polly was soon upon her husbands
bosom, and when he had told them his
own story, Morton gave him the ad-
venture. Jacob was at first incredulous,
but when he had seen the bodies he was
satisfied.
"Polly, my jewel" he said, placing
his arm around her neck, 81 am proud
of you. l love you more and more, fol
every day find more to love-" And
then, turning to Morton, he added
"What do you think of such wife"
"Ahr returned the guest, with deer
feeling, "lf poor Liant Morton had such
wife, he wouldn't be mail-carrier. u
When Morton left he was directed tC
stop at the first settlement and state tC
the officers what had happened, and be
promised to do so. He once more
blessed the brave woman who saved his
life, then set out. Late in the afternoon
two officers arrived at the cabin, and
when they were shown the dead bodies
at once proceeded to remove them. And
ere week had passed, the whole settle.
ment blessed the border heroine for the
work she had ne.-NelO6urypOrt Her.
aid.