The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1877-10-26
TED BY LIGHTNING.

r'It looks like a shower, don't it, Reu-
benz" said a young, fair looking maGron,
standing in the doorway of a cabin Just as
the sun was dropping behind the tree tops
to The west, in one of .he frontier settle
mems of Minnesota.
A young man, hardy and strong, was
coming up from the clearing" down By
the river, with the ak he had been welding
all through the day thrown over his shoul-
ders. These words from his wife saluted
his ears as he came near, and caused him
to turn his head and glance away to the
outward, where n great bank of sable
clouds was piled high against the evening
sky.
.'Yes, Ruth, it does look like it, he
answered. Il thought | heard it thunder
just before left work"
at looks as though it would be heavy
one,'' she said, little apprehensively. for.
to tell the truth, she was little cowardly
in this respect.
To this her husband made no reply but
playfully pushing her aside from the door
way, he entered the cabin, and at once
took down his rifle from the hooks where
it was hanging.
"What have you seen to shoot, Reuben p
she said. "Don't go out again to night,
for supper is waiting now.'
81 an not going" he answered quietly.
Il am only making sure that my rifle is ia
gDO0 OIOef-Dut Stttl L may nave OCCASION
to use it before morning"
The Young wife turned pale.
t'You cont mean to say that tie savages
are here again ?" she asked.
You may well know the truth at
once, Ruth said her husband, looking
her full i'll the face. ''Tliere are redskins
| hanging about here, and I'm afraid they
mean us mischief I've seen no less than
three at one time within an hour skulking
H. a 80.
tions Tell me that we had better be on our
guard tc~night-were they friendly they
would have come openly to me or 10 the
| cabin
oh Reuben what shall we do?'' and
| her eyes sought the bed, where a rosy
checked boy of some Two summers was ty
| lug fast asleep.
I'VE must do the best we can. The
| cabin is stout aud strong, and [ doubt
about their being able to break in should
] they try it. But you must have a lot of
courage, Ruth. May be it won't be needed,
| and | hope it won't. Now let us make
sure that the cabin is all tight, and then
we will have hat supper which you say is
waiting"
lie spoke cheerfully, bnt could not dis
| pei the fears that filed her heart, and made
| her face pale a. death.
The heavy caken shutters of the two
|
secure there, and then the door was closed
aid barred and large stick of timber that
| was kept Tor tina: pErpoSe was placed
| against it. When the preparations had
| been completed Reuben announced that he
was ready :ur his supper. This was soon
placed upon the table, and it must be con-
| fessed that the danger which hovered ovei
them did not ia the least diminish his appe-
tiie. But Ruth could hardly swallow a
| mouthful. and she wondered how it was
! that her husband could. She was thinking
| only of the danger that menaced them, and
| listening for the slg htest sound that came
| from without.
The darkness increased, and the sound
of distant thunder broke upon their ears
| Through chink in the shutter they saw
| .hat the cloud i'll .he south was fast rising
and spreading itself over the heavens, has
tening on the fast coming darkness.
''We shall get good shower" said
Reuben.
81 hope so,'' answered his wife. "I
there is it may keep the savages under
cover Of the forest tonight"
"Hark ~ said Reuben; ''what wa.
that ?''
Both were silent, and holding then
breath TO listen. In moment the sound
was repeated. 1t was a footstep without
! Ruth trembled with apprehension. Then
another and another was heard.
The redskins were about the cabin.
"They have come, " cried Ruth, in a low
tone.
Yes" said Reuben. CLARK let nj
see what they mean TO do
A minute later, and the door was shaker
violen ly. Then savage wi hout exclarn
ed, in broken English
''White man, open door. Injins want t.
come in."
To this appeal Reuben made no answer
He had no idea of granting the request an,
words he knew would do no good. AgaiI
the demand was made. But, as before, n,
answer was returned. Then there came
few moments of sil.-nce Of their part. Th
mutterngs of the thunder were nearer an,
deeper. The tempest was fast coming
Suddenly there came so fearful tlus