The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1883-05-08

you here2 l thought you were twenty
miles down the valley"
II was yesterday morning. But never
mind now; I'll tell You all about it as
soon as l get to the house. Call your
father"
Father isn't there"
An expression of dlsmay overspread
Nicholas lace.
"What! Are you indeed alone1 ?"
"There are only the children. Father
will be home tonight, though"
Her lover grcaned.
"And then it win be too late. Those
red fends were to be here at sunset.
Even now they may be within stones
throw of u.s."
"Oh, Nicholas! Do you mean 1ndi-
ans2" and Elsie's face grew white.
Then we must get to the house as soon
as we can. "Here, take my hand and
I'll help you"
With a great effort Nicholas struggled
20 his feet-or rather one foot, for the
other was wholly disabled-and partly
hobbling and partly crawling he worked
his way along the path.
How long the distance seemed to Ell
sizes beating heart! Every instant she
expected to hear the yells of the enemy.
At last-oh heavens be thanked J.
they reached the house, but when scarce
ly inside the door Nicholas tainted from
PAIN and exhaustion.
Peterkin and Hans uttered shrill cries
OF terror al his pale face, PROSTATE form
and bloodstained garments; but Elsie
had no time to give way to her emo
tions Telling Peterkin to placera pill
low under Nicholas head. she immedi'
arely get TO work to secure the house in
case of On attack by the indians. The
two thick open doors were bolted and
barred, the shutters drawn to and fas-
tened, and then her fathers two mus.
kets taken down and the priming exam
ned.
Then after one peep through the loop.
hole to see that there was no enemy in
sight she brought a basin of water, q
soft towel and a flask of spirits, and
kneeling down beside her lover tried TO
restore him 10 consci 'usness again.
In q few minutes he revived and was
able to speak.
Now tell me your adventures" said
Elsie anxossly.
Briefly, then, for we must he thinking
of the danger that threaten us; the SOL
diers at the lower fort received orders
yesterday to 60 out and drive away 9
small party Of Indians who were prowl
ing about, destroying cattle and trying
to capture stray persons. Capt. Brown
with a dozen men, myself among the
numter, started opt. We anticipated
an easy victory, for our scout had said
that there we're not more than six or
eight of the enemy; but when we track
ed them we found double that number
Still, we would have conquered them,
had it not been for an accident While
crossing, single file, small stream span.
ned by huge fallen log the latter gave
way; for, unknown to US. the branches
fastening it to the other bank had beer
cut by the enemy, and we were suddenly
precipitated into the water. This occa-
stoned only merriment until we discov.
cred that our enemy, hidden in the BUSH
es, were pouring a deadly fire in our
midst. Struggling in the water, vainly
trying to keep our ammunition dry, and
at the same time help our wounded
companions, our position was not very
pleasant. 1t was everybody for himself
then. l scrambled up the bank and just
then stray shot struck my leg and !
tell backward into the water. caught
at the roots OF the tree, and as / drew
myself up / saw deep hollow in its
trunk. Wounded as I was and unable
10 help my companions, the best that
could do was to crawl into this hole,a
thus I escaped. But oh, Elsie w-and
Nicholas voice quivered-''it was horri-
BILE 10 hear the red fiends bu;chering my
friends and neighbors! After it was all
over they slaid there few minutes. talk
ing over their plans. They did not wish
to linger long in the vicinity of the fort,
and so concluded to move in a north
westerly direction up this way, you
know-and plunder and kill all they
could. The tory who led them spoke
about your father, Este, and what fine
booty they wosld find here. Their
words put new life into me. I deter
mined to hasten here and warn you.
Fortunately the Indians were to take
roundabout route, otherwise my attempt
would have. beer useless. AS soon as
they were out of sight l started, and
nearly all these ten miles / have -crawfed
on NY hands and knees A hundred
times sank down eXbaus' ed, then the
thought of you nerved me to start again
Had there been hot sun wond have
been overpowered by it; but the rain
cooled and refreshed me, though the
dampness made my limbs stiff. When
I reached the spring l think l must have
tainted, for" sas
.'Elsle! Elsie!" interrupted Peterkin,
"when was upstairs just now, looking
out of the loophole, l saw two or three
dark figures steal around the barn!'
just then loud knock resounded on
the front door. en
They've GOMEZ gasped Elsie, grasp
ing her lovers arm.
He stopped and kissed her. 4
"Be brave, sweetheart" he whisper
ed. God has helped me so far to-day,
and / doenot believe He will desert US
now. Courage, my Elsie, aud we will
make as brave defense as we can -
Help me upstairs, for if am placed by
loophole and have one of your fathers
muskets I can make some of the red
skins bite the dast! Hrrry!'
Again the loud knock resounded al
the door, a,:t
"I'll answ )" whispered Nicholas =
"They may nix that there is no man
in the house and elevating his voice
he called out Who's there ?"
"Friends to the kingw was the an.
swer, while Nicholas sturdily rejoined :
ave want none such herer'
Fortunately. the door was able to re-
sist all attacks made upon it, and at las,
the besiegers had to content themselves
with firing at the four windows in the
hopes that chance shot might bit some
OF the inmates. In return, Elsie and
Nicholas fred on the savages with con-
siderable success, although the trees in