Mexico weekly ledger., 1878-01-17
SAVED BY

q cabin just a the III was droopiLg
behind the tree-tops to the west, in
enc of the frontier settlements of
Minnesota.
A yound man, hardy and strong,
was coming from the ''clearing"
down by the river, with the axhe had
been welding all through the day
thrown over his shoulders.-These
words from his wife saluted his ear
as he came near, and caused him to
turn his head and glance away to the
southwark, where a great bank of sa-
BILE clouds was piled high against the
sky.
Eyes, Ruth, it does look like it,
he answered. II thought 1 heard 1t
thunder just before l left work.
ssIt looked as though it would be a
heavy one," she said, a little appre-
hensively, for to tell the truth, she
was a little cowardly in this respect.
To this her husband made no re-
ply, but playfully pushing her aside
from the doorway, he entered the
cabin, and at once took down his
rifle from the hooks where it was
hanging.
ssWhat have you seen to shoot,
Reuben?" she said. Don't go out
again tonight, for supper is waiting
now"
Il am not going" he answered
quietly, Il am only making sure that
nv rifle is IN good order-but still l
NAV have occasion to use it before
morning."
The young wife turned pale.
ssYou don't mean to say that the
.savages are here again. she asked.
.sYou may as well know the truth
at once, Ruth" said her husband,
looking her full in the face. "There
are redskins hanging about here, and
I'm afraid they mean us mischief.
I've seen no less than three at once
within an hour skulking along in the
edoe of the wood. Their motions
tells ME that we had better be on our
guard to-night-were they friendly
they would come openly to me or to
the cabin"
ssOh. Reuben! what shall we dor
and her eyes sought the bed, where
n rosy-cheeked boy Of some two sum-
mers was lying fast asleep.
we must do the best we can
The cabin is stout and strong, and l
doubt about their being able to break
in. should they try it. But you must
have lots of courage, Ruth. Maybe
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 that supper which you say
is waiting"
He spoke checrfully, but could not
dispel the fears that filled her heart
and made her face as pale as death.
The heavy eaken shutters OF the
W small windows were put in place
and made secure there, and then the
door was closed and barred, and a
LARGE stick of timber that was kept
for that purpose was placed against
it. When the preparations had been
completed Reuben announced that he
was ready for his supper. Inns was
soon placed upon the table, and 1t
must he confessed that the danger
which lowered owe them did not III
the least diminish his appetite. But
Ruth could hardly swallow q mouth
ful. and she wondered how it was
hat her husband could. She was
thinking only of the danger that
menaced them, and listening for the
SLIGHTEST sound that came from with
out.
The darkness increased, and the
sound of distant thunder broke upon
their ears. Through a chink in the
shutters they saw that the cloud In
The south was fast rising and spread
inc itself over the Heavens, hasten
inc ON the fast-coming darkness.
..We shall get a good shower"
said Reuben.
81 hope 81" answered his wife
eff there is it may keep the savages
under cover of the forest tonight"
"Hark," said Reuben, "what was
that?'
Roth were silent, and holding their
breath TO listen. In o moment the
sound was repeated. 1t was a foot
sep without. Ruth tremnieo WIN
apprehension. Then another and an
other was heard.
The redskins were about the cabin.
"They have GOMEZ" cried Ruth, in
n low tone.
Eyes said Reuben. ''IIark! let
US see what they mean 20 do
A minute later, and the door Was
shaken violently. Then the savages
without exclaimed in broken Eng
lish.
siWhite man open door. 1niins
want to come"
To this appeal Reuben made no an
swer. He had no idea of granting
the request, and words he knew
would do no good. Again the de-
mand was made. But, as before, no
- Than fhnra