The National tribune., 1881-12-10
THE BOY SENTINEL.
Fred Myron Colby, in 6 solden Days.

Fred Myron Colby, in Golden Days.
One spring day, in the year 1745, the settlers
of old Londonderry, near the Merrimack, were
alarmed by the news, brought by friendly In
dian, that large body of French and savages
was advancing toward the neighborhood. The
alarm was somewhat strengthened by the addi-
tional information that the combined force of the
enemy was led by the Frenchman, Hortel du
Rouville, notorious even in that age of force and
cruelty for his ruthless and unsparing hate
toward the colonists.
The settlers were busy sowing their grain,
but at the dread information they left their har-
rows in the burrows and hastened to prepare as
well as they might for the attack of the French
partisan and his red and white warriors
Londonderry had been settled about twenty
years previous to the time of which we write by
a large body of Scottish emigrants-taH, stalwart
men, and stately women nearly as strong and
vigorous as the men. The larger part of them
had settled in the valley, and thirty cabins dot
ting the greensward made a pleasant picture in
the summer landscape A few had strayed away
from the village choosing a more retired neigh
borhood allured partly, no doubt, by the fertility
of the broad hillsides that stretched to the north
ward Among this latter number was Donald
Fraser.
Donald was man in the prime of life, a large,
angular Highlander, blunt and outspoken, but
an excellent man withal. He was the possessor
of means above most of his fellow-emigrants,
ample evidence of which was given by his broad,
welltilled fields and the superior architecture of
his dwelling.
of Jha 4hrift
regular block-house. 1t was large structure.
two stories and half high, the upper portion
protruding over the lower story. Upon the front
side there was singular feature, unique in early
colonial architecture. From the top of the second
story small balcony or gallery was built out
several feet from the main building A door
opened upon it from the attic, and it was sur
rounded by low paling. Here the Scotchman
and his family sat every Sunday, Donald con-
tentedly smoking his pipe, as he gazed upon his
spreading acres, the rest of the family amusing
themselves by singing Presbyterian hymns as
old as John Knox.
The Scotchmans family consisted of his wife,
Mysie, girl nearly grown to womanhood, named
Agnes, and young Douglas Fraser, boy about
fourteen years old. The household was larger,
embracing Gilbert and Andrew, the stout, freckle-
faced good-humored help and the buxom maid
of-all-work, Janet.
On the morning of the day upon which the
expected invasion of the French and Indians was
causing so much stir at the hamlet Donald
Fraser, wholly ignorant Of the threatened danger,
stood before his dwelling with his roam work
horse saddled and bridled, preparatory to going
to mill. The two hired men were in the field at
work but the rest of the household stood at The
door as stout Donald, with his pipe in his mouth,
mounted old Dobbin and shook the rein over his
grizzly name. He did not go moro than rod
before he halted.
aye aren't ane bite-worrit guide wife?" he
asked, looking backward.
5000 lang, Donald. What be ye stopping
fur9" said Mrs Frasox. aye won't be back to
lunch if We dinna mind. Have l not Douglas
here?"
"Od, Mysie, doo yer tongue is lOupin' like a
mill-hopper. 1 only asked ye proper question
but I'll say nae mair"
He rode away at quiet trot and the woods
shut him in speedily. The mill was at the ham
let, four miles distant, and the journey there and
back usually consumed half day. They had
no anxiety about his safety or their own, and after
the settlers departure work went on as usual al
the block-house.
1t was about ten O'Clock. Mrs. Fraser was in
the kitchen, clearing up after the churning
Agnes and Janet were in the yard, spreading th'
weeks washing upon the green; Douglas was il
the garret, decking himself in the brave array o
a Highland chiefain, when they were alarmed
by several musket-shots fired in close proximity
Dropping a huge claymore, which the eide
Fraser had borne gallantly in the long and ter
rible siege of Londonderry in Ireland the Lac
hastened to the balcony, and looked around TIT
clearing.
Upon distant hillside was the four-acr'
wheat-feld where Andrew and Gilbert had beer