The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-01-06

an arrow, with some mesquit grass
wrapped around it and set on fire, fly
into the air and fall short of the cabin,
where it burned fiercely. Another and
another were shot, until one struck the
mesquit thatch and went out. Before
such a move as this Helen was powerless.'
She could not see the Indians who were
shooting the arrows, and so could not fire
at them. She knew that she had no
means of putting the fire out if it once
caught. Another and another arrow,
with its blazing band of grass, went flying
through the air, and at last a triumphant
yell 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 errand was not foolish one. 1t was
Tuesday, and Helen had said that We'd
hesday, the 10th, would be the earliest
date at which she could return. Yet,
with the wild idea that she might be
there, Steenie had started for a ten-mile
ride, with the prospect of ten more, if the
cabin was empty. @'2'
The rapid change from daylight to
dark had taken place, and Steenie was
about mile from the cabin, when he
heard arifle-shot. Itbanished any idea
of useless errand from his mind in
stantly. Riding cautiously within a
quarter of a mile of the cabin, he dis
mounted, tied his horse, and secuted in
the direction of the shots. Reaching a
ledge about a 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 do their work. Steenie did
not hesitate moment. Climbing down
a crevice in the ledge he ran quickly
across the little space, being hidden from
the sayages 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
harmlessly over Steenie's head. To
open the heavy wooden shutter and
fairly drag Steenie into the house, was,
for the excited girl, but a 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. tt5 70
81 know it, Ed.
Q, Steenie, what must we do?" asked
Helen.
whats under the thatch?" said
Steenie. e
creed poles" answered Tom,
promptly, ....,
" We've got to git out of this, then.
The reds is on that side, an reckon if
we make a dash we'll get to the rocks
afore they kin see us. Here, Tom, go
and fire your rifle off 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, flashing them to a 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. g Tom,
you go first. Run to the cliff and get in
the crevice. Wait there for mel 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 so the first of the
rifles went off, only to bring loud yell
from the Indians, who naturally sup
posed the inmates of the cabin were
firing at them. By the greatest good
luck the bullet struck one of the red
skins, wounding him slightly, and the
party at once moved back some twenty
yards farther. l.#H au +,
Steenie and his little party reached the
cliff safely without being seen. and struck
down the rock to where the horse had
been left. Here Steenie put Helen and
Tom on the animal, and taking hold of
the saddle with one hand, ran alongside
AZ 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 stratagem
to waich' Steenie had resorted was doing
good work. Moving as rapidly as pos
sible for about mile, they met band
of men coming down with train of
wagons. Telling them the news, the
wagons were parked at once, forming
very good shelter behind which to fight
Leaving Tom and Helen in charge of
the men who remained with the wagons,
Steenie joined party of twelve and
struck out for the burning cabin once
more. He 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 a hand-to-hand fight took place,
which resulted, before long, in victory
for the whites. Steenie received 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 VIC
tory over the thirty warriors who had
it discouraged the rest of
the disconnected redskins, and they
stayed at home. Steenie and Helen were
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 Helen's defense of
the cabin became widely known, and as
it is an example of what American