The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1877-08-30

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But as he came close 10 il he saw
that the prongs, ~ they lay one un-
der another, were far enough apart
for him to slip between, which he
instantly did, Just in time to dodge
q furious but fruitless blow from the
tomahawk.
The Indian perceiving that che
place was too small 10 admit his
huge body, swiftly sprung aro und
the root, thinking TO catch his victim
on the other side. But the keen ey-
cd lad was too wary for him. De-
tecting the red skins purpose like a
fash he slipped back between the
trees, so that when his bloodthirsty
enemy dashed in sight with yell,
the barricade was still between them
At this the savage rushed TO the
fence, and placing his hand upon Che
upper tree, attempted to jump over,
but the spnng was too high for him
Then he tried to crawl through
where John had just gone, but
found only room enough for his ugly
head.
After q little he turned ab out. and
saying in broken English, "Good bye
me go way walked slowly around
the root and disappeared. The boy
knew, however. that IL was only a
trick, and kept his eyes and carr
alert against surprise.
Immediately he detected the snak
ish eyes of the savage cleaning at
him from among the dry leaves on
the ground at the corner OF the root
on the opposite side Of the fence
where the old rascal had crept, iu
order to watch the youngster un-
seen.
After lying in this position for two
or three minutes-only his head in
sight and that covered with leaves
he made another dash around the
root. But John was too quick for
him, and slipped safely between the
logs.
Failing again the wicked redskin
resorted to another ruse. He began
to parley, saying: "Me good Injuu
me no hurt. Shake hands y And
he thrust his hand through the bar,
ricade. OF course he did not sue
ceed in cheating the little fellow by
such a shallow device, and 30 again
changed his tactics.
Presenting his gun he command
cd John to surrender or be shot; but
he preferred to die by q bullet rath
or than a tomahawk, and 80 stood
his ground. Strangely enough, the
Indian did not shoot but after
looking across the sights Of his gun
making fearful faces, he placed the
weapon behind tree some rods a.
way, and resorted to the dodge OF
parleying once more.
'Injun hunsry-good boy 60 home
get Injun bread
But john did not think it best tc
start for hone on such an invita-.
ton.
The next effort was to kill the lad
by throwing his tomahawk at him
between the trees but he miscalcu-
lated the space and struck the wes.
pom against the log, breaking ou,
the handle, which, falling at Johns
feet, was Immediately picked up BY
him as means of defense.
One Of the savsge's devices, by
which, perhaps, he meant to fright>
en- his victim, was to place his hide
ous face at the opening between the
logs, and howl and gnash at hin
like wolf.
But the boys courage had raj,
lied, and he began 10 pelt his enemy
with stones and Jumps of earth OBJ
tanned from the upturned soil, Civ.
ing him many q singing hit. This
30 maddened the Indian. that ht
drew his scalping knife and gave
chase for long time, perhaps think
ing to tire the youngster out BY
constant dodging. But in this plar
he was mistaken, for q resolute hard
working frontier boy has . vast fund
Of endurance. Once the cleaning
knife, thrust betw cen the logs aftel
him, came near doing its bloody
work but Johns grit was aroused,
aud he struck the brutal hand q
heavy blow with the tomahawk ham
die.
But the many turns and tides
tricks and lodges OF that fearful
struggle, can never be related
There are some scenes too tragical
for words beside the particular
are covered tnder the drift OF for
getfulness ever heaping above tn,
past.
Of course, during all that terrible
afternoon, Johns thoughts and eyes
were constantly turning in the di'
rection OF his home. He knew tha,
his father would seek him before
night, and as the hours wore on h
began to look with great anxiety fol
his coming. He had the common
faith OF all children, in parents, and
felt they would not leave him t.
perish.
At length he caught glimpse oI
Q form coming mp the path. Oh
how his heart bounded !
With renewed force he began tc
hurl at his foe everything he coult
seize, raising such . commotion o.
10 attract his fathers notice, who
comprehending the whole scene at I
glance, and stole up within gunshot
Of the unsuspecting red man.
Tho seqnel 10 soon told. Th'
~-..L ~ tta .ottla'a ria si0nala.