Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1880-07-01

through a loop hole be espied a
savage with lighted fagot sknlk-
ing through the trees toward the
dwelling. This latter movement
on the part of the Iudian, as well
as the signal shout before spoken
of, were unusual for such willy ras
cals, but they were SO confident OF
victory that they forgot their Gun
ming t, eachery. The young man
grasped his rifle, and running il
through the aperture 6ted the shot
which killed tba.rascsally-srnut and
brought the IEdiaps around the
building.
Anxions to wreak vengence on
the devoted family for the death of
their compani"p, the savages com
menced to light fre-hrands aud
throw them about the house, bnt
these only served to reveal their
foes.
Robert" said the father. "aim
low and be sure Of your mark"
With this advice from bis par
ent, the son ran ont his gun and
fred again with fatal eff 'ct. as was
announced by m4ddened yclis of
the red devils which foated away
on the stilly night air.
Occasional firing was kept up for
a number of hours when suddenly
all became quiet.
The old settler knew that this
ominous Stiffness boded him and
his family no good and that the
indians were only waiting for the
light of day to aid them in the de-
struction of his family and home.
Arriving at this conclusion be o.
dered preparations to be made for
an imme,s,ate flight, if such a thing
was possible. He saw that unless
they buried that daylight would
be upon them, and their escape
would be impossible, indeed the
gray light OF dawn was already ap
pearipg. This last resort was de-
clded upon alter much mental tor
ture 10 the anxious parents.
10 flee to the river was thought
the best plan. but all what dangers
attend it !!
The red feDds were watching
every point of exit, but when the
hunler built his house he had rup
a kind Of subterranean passage
from the cellar several hundred
feet toward the river Gn anticipa-
tion Of such an exigency as this one)
and it was thought by following
this to the end they could reach the
liver and their canoes and from
thence get to the settlement below.
Having secured their most pl &C.
ious relics, the whole family cons
menceo their dangerous ret' eat.
The end of TIE passage was gained
in safety, and they were making
their way through the under brush
to the river, silently congratulatiDg
themselves upon their escape, when
a savage yell at no great distance
warned them that they were dis
covered.
Now was the supreme moment.
ln few seconds the whole band OF
blood-thirsty demons would be
upon them.
The poor man knew pow that
unless he reached the river all
would oe lost. Summing up bis
great strength, be caught his wife
up In his aims, while Robert lifted
bis sister aud both ran toward the
caEoes
The Indians came rushing on,
yelling like fends i..carnate, yes
happily they we've Several hundred
yards III the rear.
The race of life and death was
coutlnued in this IN tnner for some
MINUTES, but the father saw that
unless they made an extra dash
they would IaIl victims to their
fOes.
A few more seconds and the
boats would be reached. Could
they hold out they asked them.
selves.
Father and son did nobly and
as they rushed on the views in
their faceE stood ont like whip
cords and the perspira lou rolled
from their heated brows in great
drops.
The Indians were gaining upon
them perceptibiy, but the tried
hunter makes q Ilercnlean effcrt,
while his son follows closely after
with his charge aud with q desper-
ate strain the canoes are reached.
The women are laid in the bot
tom OF. the boats to shield them
from the arrows of the savages and
with the father iu one and the son
in the other the canoes are padded
rapidly out iuio the stream-iu st
in time to escape alshower of ar
rows which go wh;stlipg harmless>
ly overhead.
The baffied Indians stand aloEg
the shore venting their rage In
fearful blood-:urdling yells that
echo and le-ccho along the distant
bills. m