The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-05-17


hole and away down the shelving bank.
We listened anxiously for time, and
then there arose wild jabbering for a
minute; the next instant we detected
yelp of pain.
"My Godl" said 1, involuntarily,
"the Doctors speared."
"No, he ain't!' snapped Mat. -" He's
only touched an no more. He'll do
it."
L" He must be quick, them" said Mr..
s., "the black fiends have struck
light somewhere, and they are going to
burn us out. Look !"
Our eyes were now intently scanning
the movements of the savages through
the little loopholes, and we saw a fam
ing brand whizzing through the air and
scattering sparks in all directions. 1t
fell on the stringy bark roof over our
heads. Another and another came, but
it did not appear to us that any of them
had taken effect.
BY this time the black fellows had
gathered courage. Believing our am
unition was expended, many of them
had left the cover and might be seen fit
ting about like specters. They had kin
led fire some distance off, and across
| its glare shadows were constantly fall
ing.
The fire brands were thrown no
longer; some fresh mode of attack was
preparing. Our suspense continued
long period nearly half an hour), dur
ing which time not word was spoken
by any of US ; our sole dependence was
the Doctor, and if help did not soon
arrive it was certain that we could find
no escape from the demons who were
trying to compass our destruction.
" Now, look, Slick" whispered Mat.
81 see their game going to give us fits.
How's the moon well aback of the,
hut, guess. Bill, stick your cabbage
tree on pillow, and hold it at the open
out and bid them good evening Don't
bar the door after me, minister, but when
show them my heels, open it. You
see we can't spare ammunition"
While speaking Mat unbarred the
door. He slipped out noiselessly as he
concluded the sentence.
Through the slabs he said to me ::
"D'ye Sc that fellow with the blazing
log When he gets close to the wat
tie open the window. and prop up the
pillow. Take care of the spears your
self''
AS soon as the black fellow came to
the point indicated. I opened the long,
little shutter with some noise and held
up the dummy. In q moment dozen
spears passed through the aperture, and
L let the window fall as though one of
us was mortally wounded.
There was a wild shout without. At
this time the black fellow who carried
the log was within few yards of the
hut, and heard Mat preparing for his
move outside. Looking out as quickly
as could, had just time to see his tall
figure emerge beyond the shade as the
butt end of his gun fell crashing on the
head of the fire-bearer. The door was
opened az Mat turned it required but
one or two bounds to take him to the
door, but the savages were too quick
for him with their spears. He staggered
through the entrance and fell just as he
cleared the threshold.
Caught it in the thigh, guess,' he
exclaimed, as he slowly recovered him
self and painfully struggled to the win
dow. Don't mind the SPEAR" he re-
marked to me as L approached him,
It's better as it is till help comes"
6 If it ever does" thought 1.
The Americans sortie, believe, had
a disastrous effect, for the black fellows
seemed to conclude at once that our am
unition was expended and they throng-
ed around the hut without caring to
shelter themselves.
In short time the cracking of the
flames OH the roof put an end to our
trouble. The hut was on fire and there
was nothing left us but an attempt to
dash out and clear the aborigines.
proposed this, but Mr.. s. would
not try without Mat, and underneath
the blazing roof. with dubbed guns,
we grimly awaited the final attack
The Americans rifle rested in the loop
hole where he had first taken up his po-
sition.
"There's the worst of Them" Mat
said, looking along the weapon; "he's
coming up with a log to stave in the