The National tribune., 1881-11-12


rear of the barn, slip the bride upon Old Gen
eral, and ride over rock and brush to his father,
and acquaint him of the attack. The colonel and
his dozen Indian fighters, the boy thought, would
easily drive the savages away.
1t was not hazardous undertaking. The In
dams We're busily employed in their siege of the
farmhouse the inmates of which were appar-
entity making good defense.
The large barn stood between him and the
cottage and he found Old General Eliminating
quietly. 1t was but the work of a few seconds to
put the bride upon the dOcile beast.
Then he found musket that was laid away in
the barn, and sprngng upon his horses back he
galloped away like the wind
Several Indians came out to see what the clat-
ter meant, but the boy was out of harms way,
and they returned to their comrades.
Berry kept on, never looking backward after
he had fairly started. 1t was not long distance
to the clearing where his father was at work and
he knew the way well.
Old General sackened his pace as he advanced
into the timbers, and before long he fell into
slow walk altogether. How still and slumber-
Gus the forest was! The drone of the insects
sounded lazily on the oppressive air.
Berry began to suspect that he was at fault, for
he had been thinking that he was getting near
where he knew his father had been telling tim
Der.
All. there was the sound of ringing axe-strokes,
and close at hand. Berty's face frightened, for
he saw that he was right among the fallen tim
Der, which lay in such manner as to impede
altogether Old Generals further advance.
He now dismounted and leaving his horse to
browse. sprang hastily over the network of tim
Der in the direction of the echoing axe-strokes
Presently he heard the voices of men-one
singing a merry sOng-and soon he was where he
saw them-a dozen strong settlers, heads bare.
jackets off, and sleeves rolled to the elbows labor
ing vigorously.
Among them was the tall form of his father,
with feet upon a fallen trunk, and plying an axe
with vigor.
The boy rushed forward and was about to cry
aloud, when beheld the dark figure of an In
dian upon the opposite side of the clearing in the
act of leveling his gun upon the unconscious
whites.
Quick as thought Berry raised his own weapon
to his shoulder and fired. He saw the savage fall
headlong, uttering his death-cry, and shouting,
Indians. Indians." the boy dropped down
among the fallen tree-trunks.
Instantly every brawny wood-chopper did the
same, where, grasping their arms, they were ready
to defend their lives as dearly as possible.
They were trained Indian fighters, and though
almost taken by surprise, would have repaired
their mistake by the most daring bravery.
A dozer husky now are seen crawling among
the undo u n ,nnskets of the pioneers
g-az1d forth s5G-it&6ouUslr. Several IL The Te5
.z5as fa1E dead tire others with h.a-5us wells
scattered Ike sheep.
Two or .hsee IS - whites >praag from cover
III order 10 pursue II refreshing =a-54as
,1olu men! cried Colonel Hilton at is not
wis to follow the maraude $ ] us hear what
Berry has to say"
They are besieging mother at the house." said
the boy I'VE must hurry and rescue her"
"Of course we must?" cried the settlers, in a
voice
How did you escape, Berry," asked the colo
mel.
u was down in the meadow, and the Indians
didn't see me. So l mounted Old General and
came like the wind"
and was Just in time to save your fathers
life. God bless you, Berry May we find your
mother safe!"
They at once started for the settlement Long
before they reached ii they saw the columns of
smoke rising toward the sky.
"Oh!" exclaimed the colonel, in agony. They
have burned mother out!
And he and his men fastened their steps to
run.
But it was not so bad as that. 1t was only the
smoke from the burning barn and out-houses
The great farmhouse stood safe, and frequent
musket-shots told that the inmates were still on
the alert. The Indians were unusually still and
by their very silence showed that they were plot
ting new mischief
Behind the dense clouds of smoke that rolled
from the burning barn the pioneers crept up
nearer the scene. AT last they could see what the
savages were doing.
They had filled hay-rack with some of the
clover from the meadow, and having set fire to
the combustible material were pushing it slowly
up to the front of the farmhouse
Wearied with their protracted siege, the red
men had resorted to This rrlse, which promised
success.
score of painted warriors were showing the
loaded rack toward the door, being themselves
safely protected from any shot from the house by
the intervening load
"We're just in time" whispered Colonel Hill
ton. "Creep up little nearer and each one of
Won select his man Well if we cant al