The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-09-01
kind-two-legged ones! I mean In
dians' and his clinched fist trembled as
u ---l.l - H. a.l-n. Ahnsn

uoeluI auo AeSCsS"iJ ooiAo5 ~
around.
"Mein Colt! What shall we do p
Herr Gewartsam exclaimed, when his
host had explained to him the danger IN
which they were from an immediate at
tack. And he continued: Zach! I'm
i lucky was the moment that told me to
put on mine hat and come and see your
daughter, the Fraulein Elsie! Would
that l were safe within the walls OF the
fort!" >,
"Would that we were all there" said
Herr Rosbach, gravely. but, mine
friend, whatever i'll betides us, let us
bear it manfully. Let the thought of
saving Elsie and the little children
sleeping now so sweetly make us
strong"
"If I get away NIT mine own scalp
on, it Will be all I'll ask" muttered the
other, rs they entered the mill.
When they were within, and the
heavy door bolted and barred, Herr
Rosbach inquired:
"Canst thou shoot well, LudwigF"
ell did kill a partridge once upon
q time" timidly cycling the musket his
host held out to him.
"Let me take it. father" said Elsie,
in decided tones.
Her father handed her the weapon,
locking considerably annoyed that his
favorite had not turned out the mar of
valor that he supposed him to be:
Had VIC not better hide?" said
Gewartsam.
"There is no place of safety except
the fort, and in order to reach that we
would have to run right in sight Of the
redskins. Oh, that I had not let Hans
20 away with the boat! If we only had
that, we might row up the river, and in
the darkness escape! But now the best
thing we can do is to secure the mill,
watch and wait. If an attack is made,
Elsie and I will shoot through the
loopholes. Still, it may be that no n
will modest US. / hope not"
But his hopes were not realized. A
little while before midnight there were
footsteps heard without, low whisper
ings, and then there came q loud knock
on the door.
"Wer list d.? ?" Herr Rosbach inquired.
"Open" was the stern command.
And Just here it was that the Dutch
mans regard for King George was
greatly diminished. That he, an honest,
highly-respected citizen, should be COM
PEELED to throw open his doors to a GER
tain enemy, and all In the name of the
king, was too much; and, as the saying
is, his Dutch was up, and ne retorted in
loud tones:
go to der tuffelp"
Just at this instant there was a COM
motion outside, q musket-shot, and i'm
mediately afferwarda childish shrek in
the room overhead.
With light feet but heavy heart, Elsie,
followed by her father, ran upstairs. A
startling sight met their eyes.
The two twins. three-year-old cousins
Bertha and Gretchen-whom Elsie
had safely tucked in bed three or four
hours previous, aroused by the noise,
had gone to the window, pushed open
the wooden blind and looked out.
They were much delighted with the
strangers whom they saw below; for
the moon, Shining brightly, revealed the
gay scarlet uniforms of the British Off
Gers, as well as the gorgeous paint and
fantastic feathers of the savages.
Their EXPLANATIONS attracted the at
tention of one of the Indians. He raised
his musket, aimed and fired, but some
angel arrested the ball, which only
slightly grazed Berrha's cheek and car
ried away one of her long Haxen braids.
She was much frightened, however,
and set up a loud wal, in which her Sis
ter, Gretchen, Joined her
Thankful that no greater calamity
had befallen them, Herr Rosbach closed
and fastened the window, while Elsie
proceeded to soothe the frightened
children and to dress them in case flight
should be necessary.
"Herr Rosbach! Herr Rosbach!
They be trying for to preak down de
door! They haf a pig peam and 60
bang against it! And de planks 60
cr-crackm tremblingly called Gewart-
sam, from tie foot of the stairs.
Herr Rosbach listened. He heard the
blows falling thick and heavy.
1T is true" be said, turning to Elsie.
"They will get in and perhaps kill u.s."
"What shall we do, fatherp"
"They cannot get in just yet my child.
The door is strong and will not give way
soon. I viii. hurry down, and with
Ludwig's aid will brace the table
against it. Then I will fire on them
whenever I can; but they have now got
under the shelter of the porch. And
now, Else, do you get my money-bag
and put the spoons and jewelry in it.
Tie it., shut and fasten a stone to it.
Then drag it to the little window in the
corn-room that opens out upon the
| river. Throw the bag into the water.
The stone will cause it to sink and stay
lust there, and | can get it again if it
| please Colt to spare our lives"
Elsie did as he babe her. Just as she
opened the little window to throw out
the bag, her heart almost ceased beat
ring, for q dark object glided between he
and the moonlight, and a heavy hand
was laid on hers.
Its Heinrichw said Gretchen, frs
to recognize her sisters lover. Helm
rich, hat you done brought me some
tings?"
"7Oh, dearest. is it you?" Elsie ex-
claimed, joyfu!ly.
"'Tis I, liebchen, and right glad am
I to be here to help you out Of your
trouble. But speak low; the enemy
may be nearer this side Of the mill than
we think. 1t was only by accident,
when 1 was out scouting, that l learned
of their coming here. Now we must
row up the river as quickly as We"
"But have you a boat" interrupted
Elsie. peering out into the darkness.
Eyes, right here. It's large enough
to hold you all. Your father viii
doubtless help row; there are FORUM
ately two pairs of oars" .
But Herr Gewartsam is also here
"What! that fat old pumpkin! Well
perhaps we can make room for him
But, dearest. hurry and tell your father
Let me first lift the children in the boat
Come, Bertha, come, Gretchen. Car
you both hold your tongue for III
hour? If you don't, a big Indian will
cut off your scalp; but if you keel
quiet, I'll see that he doesn't get you
and I'll give you some maple-sugar too.
Elsie ran into the other room wher'
she found Herr Gewartsam blubberin!
like a terrified baby. Her father wa
also frightened.
"Child," said the latter, in low tones
"the door will not last ten m ute
longer. Put on your cloak and get tn
children. We must 60 out the bacl
way and try to reach the fort. SIEVE.
!, miles with two children! May God hel