The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1883-04-03

81 saw one on the edge of the forest,

81 saw one on the edge OF the forest, &
she answered hesitatingly.
"I told you sol she cried triumph
an'ly ss though she was rather glad than
otherwise to think that danger vas st
hand, so that her words might come
true
"But they may mean us no harm after
all" said Susan hopefully; land Silas
NAV still be safe p"
The young wife turned away and care
fully examined the fastening Of the
oaken shutters to their two small win
dows.
Nearly an hour had gone past and the
night was fairly down.
Five, teu minutes more passed, and
then she ga a sudden start; the sound
of footstep came to her ear from with
out. 1t was low and s,ealthy, and unlike
that Of her husbands which she knew so
we'll. Nearer aud nearer it came, and a,
last approached the door, aud she held
her breath with apprehension.
The footsteps ceased and Tor q mo-
msnt a perfect silence reigned without ;
then it was broken by rap upon the
door followed by the voice Of savage
demanding admittance.
What do you waut2" asked Susan
in voice tremulous With the fear she
felt.
"Wni;e squaw open door; me wants
to come in," replied the voice Of the
savage, which she recognized as one
which she had often enter tanned at The
cabin.
"Silas is gone and he bade nae admi,
no one," she replied.
white squsw open door or Ingin
break it down. cried the savage in 8
menacing tone; and he followed up his
words by de,ling it violent blow with
what appeared to be billet OF wood
which he had picked up
"Is not nv word coming true p
croaked the old woman who seemed pos.
sessed of DO fear except that the warn
ing should not be literally interpreted
by her words
More footsteps now sounded about
the cabin, and Susan knew that the sav.
age had been Joined by others.
God help usn' cried Susan; "they
are really in earnest"
o ice more they made demand for
admittance, but a perfect silence was al
the answer they obtained. Fast and fu-
rious the blows now fell upon the door
and it trembled and shook IS though il
was about to fall from its place.
Another blow and TIE bar parted and
the door came down with crash. bul
mingled with it was another sound thai
sent a thrill of hope to the hearts filled
With despair. This was the report of 8
couple of ri'es in unison. and two of the
savages went down 10 the dust.
The other two that composed The par
ty sprang into the cabin with uplifted
tomshavks. and one Of them caught Su.
san by her long, luxurious hair, but a,
the self-same moment Silas Herod him.
self darted into the cabin and with the
bieech If his rife dashed the savage to
the earth. His companion engaged the
other. who was paying his attention to
the old dame, and had it not been fol
his timely aid in dispatching him, the
warning would have come true in bel
case at least.
Susan told her husband of the warn
ing they had received and which had sc
near came to ful6llment.
Silas said nothing, but stepping to the
spot where his frock was hanging he
took from pocket thereof bird o
gay plnmsge and held it toward her.
I'm telling tree this morning, Susan
l killed this bird, and thinking that the
children might like IT'S feathers brought
it in for them at noon, but forgot to take
1T out of my pocket. The blood, o.
course, came from that, for you can seq
that it has been bleeding at the bill
This, Susan, is all there is of warnings
Susan was convinced but the old dame
shook her head. Her faith in them was
as firm as ever.