The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1877-07-13
DODGNG FOR LIFE.
BY REV. IRVING l.. BEAMAN.


John King was sent in haste on an er-
rand to his uncle's, mile distant. His
way led along a well-trudden path across a
belt of woods.
1t was in Western Pennsylvania in the
dark years Of Indian wars but the savages
had not been seen in that vicinity for some
time, SO that 10 danger was feared from
the lad on such a short trip. Indeed, he
had passed, over the same road almost
every day since his father moved into tie
Presque Isle country, two years before, and
had never met anything stranger than a
wild turkey or deer.
John was a brave. athletic boy of four
teen, quite noted in the settlement for his
punciuality, and as sure to return on time
as an express. AS he left the door he
noticed .hat it was one O'Clock, and said in a
jolly tone to his paren.s:
''Now, for a race with .he shadow; |
shall be back before it reaches the two
mark
So many years ago the pioneers Of the
borders measured the fight of time by a
sort of sun-dial on the cabin floor. A spot
was selcc'ed where, i'll clear days, the sun
shune full through the narrow window,
and when some officer having a watch was
present, the line of the shadow made at
noon by the perpendicular window casing
was drawn along the floor. Then the hours
side the noon mark for the forenoon and
afternoon. This kind of clock answered
very we'll when the skies were clear, but in
cloudy weather Il settlers family was sadly
adrift on the flood of time.
When the shadow had crept across the
two mark, the mother noted il, and sa id to
herself, "For once John is ouidone." When
half past two was reached she went to the
door and looked for him when the three
mark passed she felt very anxious about
him, and called to her husband who was in
the field near by. But their confidence in
the young fellows ability to take care Os
himself was such that they waited, though
uneasiiy, until after four, when the father
slung his gun across his shoulder aud
started up the path by which the absentee
was expected.
Mr. King was fine specimen of a border
man. tall, strong, steady nerved, brave and
intelligent. He was an experienced hunter
and successful Indian fighter.
But now, leaving him, as with a cat-Hke
step and watchfui eye he treads the belt
of woods, let us go with John and discover
the cause of his unusual delay.
He had done his erraud, his aunt had
stuffed his pockets with parched corn, and
on his return he had reached certain bend
i'll the path where he had sat down on a
mossy bank to tighten the strings of his
coarse shoes Just the matter was fin
isbed, a noise caused him to look sharply
among the trees, when he cspied within a
few rods, running towards him with up
lifted toma ha " K, an exceedingly large Iu-
dian glance was enough to start the
lad to his feet and prompt him to his best
speed for safety. But the warriors posi-
ton was such as TO ciIt him off from the
path to his home, or to his uncles, so that
no way was left him but to strike into .lIe un
trod forest and run FOR life. lie had gone
but a little distance when he heard the
steps of his pursuer rapidly overtaklng him,
and knew that he could not escape by
flight. And to aggravate bis case, lie saw
at This instant, just before him, large tree
upturned by the roots and lying directly
across his course.
His fate seemed sealed every instant he
! expected to feel the edge Of the battle-a
| and such horror Lad he of the knife, and
! of having his scalp stretched on hoop to
! dry that ne involuntarily put no his hand to
save his head, a fact about which, in after
| wears, he used to laugh heartily. The tree,
/ towards which desperation impelied the
boys feet, had grown in three parts, and
| as il fell the largest was uppermost, some
| six or seven feet high, aid the other two
! directly underneath like the rails OF a
| fence while the great flake of earth ad
! hearing TO its roots made a cross section oil
wall two feet thick, a rod long, and ten OF
| Twelve feet high. What trap!
! But as be came close to 1t he saw that
| the three prongs, as they lay one under
! another were far enough apart for him to
slim between. which he instantly did, Jus'
/ in time to dodge furious but fruitless
| blow from the tomahawk.
The Indian, perceving that the place
was 100 small to admit his huge body,
| swiftly sprang around the root. thinking
10 caich his victim on the other side
| But the keen-eyed lad was too wary fol
him. Detecting the red skins purpose
| like flash he slipped back between the
fallen trees. so that as his bloodthirsty
enemy dashed in sight with YELL the bar
! ricade was still between them. At thi'
the savage rushed to the fence, and plac
! ing his hands on the upper tree, attempted
! to Jump over, but he could not spring s'