The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1883-01-27

wrapped around it and set on fire, fly
into the air and fall short of the cabin.
where it burned fercely. Another and
another were shot, until one struck the
mesquit thatch and went out Before
such move a. this Helen was powerless.
She could not see the Indians who were
shooting the arrows, and so could not fre
at them. She knew that she had no
means of putting the fire out il u once
caught. Another and another arrow,
with its blazing band of grass, verifying
through the air, and at last triumphant
veil from the Indians told the anxious
girl that the roof was on fire at last.
Steenie Burton loped slowly along the
trail towards the cabin where Helen
lived, divided in his own mind whether
his errandswas not foolish one. twas
Tuesday. and Helen had said that We'd
nesday, the 10Th, would be the earliest
date at which she could return. Yet,
with the wild idea that shs might be
there, Steenie had started for 4 ten-mile
ride, with the prospectof ten more, II the
cabin W. empty.
The fapid change. from daylight t.,
dark mad taken place, and Steenie was
about mile from the cabin. when he
heard ariie-shot. It banished any idea
of useless errand from his mind in
stantly. Riding Cautiously within .
quarter of mile Of the cabin. he dis
mounted, tied his horse, and secuted in
the direction Of the shots. Reaching q
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
flames to 90 their work. Steeuie did
not hesitate moment Climbing down
. crevice in the ledge he ran quickly
across the little space. being hidden from
the savages by the walls. On his way,
however, it was only Helen's quick eye
that saved him from being shot, for
Tom had leveled his rifle. and was just
about to pull the trigger. when the girl
struck the weapon and the bullet flew
over Steenie's head. To
open the heavy wooden shutter and
fairly drag Steenie into the house. was,
for the excited girl, but . moments
work. When he was inside, she. for .
second, lost her GOODNESS. but Steenie's
hasty kiss brought her to.
''Steenie, the roofs on fire" broke in
Tom.
II know it,
o. Steenie, what must we dog'' asked
Helen.
'.what's under the thatcha" said
Steenie.
s.Reed poles" answered Tom,
promptly.
" We've got to git out Of this. then.
The reds is on that side. an / reckon II
we make dash we'll get to the rocks
afore they kin see us. Here, Tom. 60
and fire your rifle OF on that side.
Tom did as he was bid. but the bullet
fell short OF the waiting group.
i" 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 spars
rides in position. lashing them to tsbls
which he dragged up to the side of this
cabin on which the Indians were. Taking
the slow match from Helen he wound Il
in succession around each ride over the
nipple. and then lighting the end, opened
the window on the cli1f side. "Tom,
You 20 first Run to the cliff and get in
the crevice. Wait there for ma" Put
ting the boy out he waited until he saw
him reach the cliff. and then getting out
himself. ran across as rapidly as 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 10 the first Of the