The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-09-25

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By violent effort she burst the spell
that was upon her, and sprlnging for
ward, she closed the door of the cabin
and threw across 1t the stout oaken bar,
which served to hold 1t still firmer In its
place.
"What is It, Susan p' cried the old
lady, startled from her seat.
"The savages, mother" she answer
ed.
What, SO soonY 1 knew that sign
was not meant for nothing. What shall
we do ?'
Keep them out of the cabin If we
can. We will not die so long as there Is
a chance left for us to make good our de-
fense."
There was the light of heroine in
her eyes now, and look of determina-
ton upon her face. The spell which
the omen had cast upon her was gone
If the worst was to come, she would sell
her life as dearly as possible.
"Oh, William, why did you leave
us ?" groaned the mother. eff you
were only here with your good rifle we
should be safe."
A moment more and the sound of
the savages' feet without fell upon their
ears. Whether their errand was of
friendship or of hate would soon be de-
termined.
A little later they tried the door, which
shook, but stirred not from its place.
You cannot,' answered Susan, in as
firm tone as she could assume. "Some
other time when the white hunter is at
home, we shall be glad to see you.'
White woman, open door, or Injin
break down and take her scalp" ex-
claimed the voice from without.
To this she returned no answer.
Again was the demand made for their
admittance, but profound silence on
the part of the women was their only
answer.
Again and again was the door shaken,
with all their strength, but to no pur-
pose. Bravely it withstood them.
That it might continue to do so until
her husbands return was the prayer of
the imperiled wife.
But then if the omen was true, and
her husband had fallenp Then, sooner
or later the savages must triumph.
With all their strength the Indians
threw themselves against the door. Still
it did not give away.
Then they attacked it with their
tomahawks. Blow after blow rained
upon it in quick succession. They were
attempting to cut hole through its
centre large enough for them to creep
through.
Increasingly they worked, and at last
the trembling women within saw the
edge of their tomahawks. A little
longer, and the aperture would be large
enough to give them admittance.
Grasping her husbands axe, Susan
Harding stood ready for the final con-
flict. One of the savages thrust hand
in to pull way portion of the wood
In an instant her weapon descended, and
the hand of the savage dropped to the
llOOl' n uoWl vi pain tlu lOlOW-
ed from without, and the success of her
blow gave her new courage.
Undismayed by the accident which
had befallen their companion, the other
savages worked on. AT last the hole
was large enough to admit of the body
of man passing through.
Not benefitting by the fate which had
befallen their companion, savage
thrust his head in through the opening.
In an instant the axe descended, and
the skull of the savage was Glove in
twain, while the blood and brains be-
spattered the floor.
"Couragel" cried old Mrs. Harding.
"May Heaven help you, Susan, to
triumph yet"
Hardly had the words left her lips
when the ringing report of rifle sound
ed in their ears, followed by triumph
ant shout, which told them that the son
and husband had returned.
The dead savage lay with his head
through the door until William Harding
removed it, so that he might gain an
entrance himself, as he did minute
later when the redskins were all dead or
put to flight.
The joy of the meeting we will leave
to the reader to imagine.
A little later Susan told him of the
sign which his mother had declared to
be an omen of evil. With O, smile the
settler removed the garment from the