The National tribune., 1881-11-12

than In staying" answered a sturdy SettleI IL
there are Indians, we have got our weapons and
fight; but it amt at all likely that they will
come near the settlement"
"You hear, mother?' observed the colonel to
his wife. "But if you fear the least for yourself,
we will stay"
/" 1t is not that; it is the risk you run that |
was thinking of. We women will take care OF
ourselves if we are molested, and there will be
Berry to help US"
The pioneer kissed his wife. Though they had
been married for fourteen years, they never yet
had left each other for any length Of time with
out that expression of endearment.
"Take care of her, Berry" he said, as he walked
away at the head of his men; "and if the hay
needs stirring in the afternoon, you might do
something about it,"
Mrs Hilton stood gazing from the threshold
after her husband until turn in the road hid him
from sight, then giving few directions to Berry,
she went to the kitchen to direct her help
1t was many years ago, in the old colonial
time and the place was old Exeter, New Hamp-
shire
Near the falls of the Swamscott little settle
ment had grown up which the inrOads Of the
aborigines had not left unmolested
More than once had the yells of Indians startled
the settlers and the blackened ruins of an old log
fort showed that at one time their visit had not
been boOtless.
These bloody forays were becoming less fire.
quent, however, and the pioneers were looking
forward to an early period of peace and undis-
turbed prosperity.
Colonel Winthrop Hilton was the most promi
A. zo1
leader He owned a wide territory of cultivated
land and a large tract of forest, had grist and
saw-mill on the Swamscott, and his house was
the largest in the little settlement. He employed
a large number of men out of DOORS and Mrs.
Hilton was at the head of domestic establish
ment of three or four stout, buxom maids.
Berry was their only child, a handsome, manly
little fellow of nearly fourteen Accustomed to
the hardy tolls of frontier life, he already
proficient in the Of the musket, and his father
had once told him that he bid fair to become as
good an Indian fighter as old John Chamberlain
himself. which flattering tribute had added as
much as two years to Berty's consequence
Upon this particular day the boy felt as though
he was the protector of the farmhouse and the
director of its interests, and he went about his
duties like a little man.
In the first place, he groomed Old General, and
turned him out to feed in the small Enclosure
back of the barn. Then he had brood of young
turkeys to feed, and when these important tasks
were completed, at his mothers direction he went
into the kitchen TO help Janet do the weeks
Betty Berty did not like this lat, Aployment as
well, distaste that he sha,d common with
most boys.
was sultTy, and the o, TX churn was rather
out of sorts, and Der. . glad enough when
the yellow particles h. assumed sufficient
consistency and he was / that he could have
his liberty.
He now went to the barn, where he amused
himself with his swing a few minutes, after
which he hunted for hens eggs in the great bay
and under the well-worn caves.
Remembering his fathers injunction regarding
the hay, about an hour before noon he went down
into the meadow, armed with the smallest fork
that he could find among the clumsy utensils of
the Toulouse.
There for awhile he was very busy shaking
out the sweet-scented clover that was crisping
rapidly in the hot sun. The small, boysh figure
dressed in homespun, with the ragged straw hat
surmounting the bright face and the golden
locks, was not an ungraceful adjunct to the beau
tiful summer landscape stretched around,
The wooded hills were misty under the soft,
violet haze. The waters of the Swamscott, flow
ing close at hand, sparkled as though every rip
pie diamond, and the leafy verdure of the
forests that walled in the little town looked
so emerald in the world before. 1t was scene
of peace, of beauty, Of rustic cheer
We said that Berry was busy long while, but
after spell he began to weary Of his sef-imposed
toll. He was only boy after all, and boys are
always fonder of play than work.
So he threw down his spreading-fork and wan
dered to the banks of the river directing his steps
TO certain deep pool, where he knew he would
see the fish at their gambols.
There they were, sure enough-great fellows,
too-chubs, pickerel, suckers, and perch, a tempt
ing sight for one possessing piscatOra tastes.
Berry, like all boys, born angler The
finny creatures looked as if they wanted to be
caught, and he could not resist the temptation to
try his skill; So turning his pockets inside out,
he found he had everything about him necessary
to make the implement of the angler, and seating
himself on the sward, he presently improvised,
from bent pin and snarl of Irvine, quite good
fshline.
The next thing was to cut a pole to which to
tie his string With knife in hand he advanced