Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1883-05-30

stantly. Riding cautiously within a
quarter OF mile of the cabin, he dis
mounted, tied his horse, and secuted in
the direction of the shots. Reaching a
ledge about hundred yards from the
back Of the house he saw the cabin with
the roof on fire, and the Indians gather
ed outside of rifle shot, waiting for the
llame' 10 10 their work. Steenie did
not hesitate moment. Climbing down
crcvico in the ledge he ran quickly
across the little space, being hidden from
the sayages by the walls. On his way,
however, il was only lIelen's quick eye
that saved him from being shot, for
Tom had leveled his rifle. an was jus,
about to pull the trigger when the girl
struck the weapon and the bullet flew
barmlessly over Steenie's head. To
open the heavy wooden shutter and
fairly drug Steene into the house, was,
for the excited girl, but moment
work. When he was inside, she, for a
second, lost her GOODNESS, but Stcenie's
hasty kiss brought her to.
"Steenie, the roofs on fire. broke in
| Tom.
IL know it,"
o, Steenie, what must we doPn asked
Helen.
Whats under the thatch?" said
| Steenie.
Reed poles" answered Tom,
promptly.
We've got to git out OF this, then.
The reds is on that side, an reckon il
we make n dash We'll get to the rocks
afore they kin see us. Here, Tom, go
az d fire your rifle of on that side. ~
Tom did as he was bid, but the bullet
fell short of the waiting group.
Now, then, Helen, get me some
slow match; an, Tom, you load up an
put your rifle out of that hole" SO say!
ing, Steenie hastily fixed two spare
rifles in position, lashng them to table
which he dragged up to the side of the
cabin on which the Indians were. Taking
the slow match from Helen he wound it
in succession around each rifle over the
nipple, and then lighting the end, opened
the window on the cliff side. tom,
you go first. Run to the cliff and get in
the crevice. Wait there for me-" Put
ting the boy out he waited until he saw
him reach the cliff, and then getting out
himself, ran across as rapidly Us posi-
BILE. He had scarcely reached the rocks
when he saw Helen climbing out of the
window and crossing the open space.
While she was doing so the first of the
rifles went of, only TO bring II loud yell
from the Indians, who naturally sup
posed the inmates of the cabin were
firing ut them. BY the greatest cool
luck the bullet struck one of the red
skins, woundng him slightly. and the
purity at once moved back some twenty
yards farther.
Steenie and his little party reached the
cliif safely without being seen. and struck
down the rock to where the horse had
been left. Here Steenie put Helen aud
Tom on the animal. and taking hold of
the saddle with one hand, ran alongside
as they made their way along the road.
Just as they started they heard another
rifle shot, and another yell from the
Huallapais, showing that the stratagcm
to wsich Stecnic had resorted was doini
good work. Moving as rapidly as pos
sible for about n mile, they met a band
of men coming down with train Of
wagons. Telling them the news, the
wagons were parked ut once, forming a
very good shelter behind which to Gght
Leaving Tom and Helen in chtrge Of
the men who remained with the wagons.
Steenie joined II party of twelve and
struck out for the burning cabin once
more. lie led the men to place behind
the Indians, from which they fired, kill
ing seven and wounding two or three
more. Then the white men dashed in,
and hand-to hand fight took pla'c,
which resulted, before long, in victory
for the whites. Steenie received a slight
wound in the shoulder from flying
knife. but was otherwise unhurt That
Indian raid ended within twenty -four
hours after it began, for the signal vie
tory over the thirty warriors who had
inaugurated it discouraged the rest oi
the disconnected redskins, and they
stayed at home. Steenie and Helen were
married within the week, and although
another trip to Los Angeles had to be
made before they could see their cabin
nicely fitted up, they were none the less
happy. The story of Hclen's defense of
the cabin became widely known, and as
il is an example of what American
women have done upon the border, it is
worth the telling. alfred Batch, in
~ y Ledger.