The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-04-11

voyager knew, an Indian might be
lurking, hoping for a victim. Some
times it almost touched the bank as
the river made curve, and the current
ran close to the edge of the stream;
then it would drift out into the middle
of the river again.
The moon rose by-and-by, and made
the scene almost as light as day.
Robert was sorry about that, for it
made his voyage seem more perilous, if
it really was not so. A very dark
night would have suited him best.
1t seemed to him that he had been
adrift for three or four hours before
he saw or heard any indications of life.
Suddenly figure rose up on the bank,
and stood there watching the river. 1t
was an Indian. lie was not twenty
feet away from Robert, and the boy
hardly dared breathe for fear of being
heard. 1t seemed to him as if the In
dians sharp eyes must see through the
branches and discover him.
But the Indian probably never
thought of such thing as persons
being hidden in the tree-top, and soon
Robert had left him behind. But there
were others skulking up and down the
river, and he saw several OF them
before he had gone much further. But
they, like the first one, did not seem to
think there was anything unusual or
suspicious in the floating of tree-top
down the river, and Robert passed
them safely.
Presently he heard the sound of a
paddle, and peering through the branch
es, he saw canoe coming toward him.
There were three Indians in it.
The canoe was being steered straight
for the tree-top. He believed that his
presence there had been discovered. 1t
was barely possible that it had not,
however; but if the Indians ran into
the tree-top, as it looked as if they in
tended, it certainly would be, if he re-
NAMED crouching on the tree. He
lowered himself noiselessly into the
water until only his head remained
above the surface.
The Indians raI the front of the
canoe upon the trunk Of the floating
top, and one Of them got out and stood
upon it. steadying himself by holding
on to the branches, while his comrades
made some changes in the blankets and
other articles in the bottom of the
canoe. The Indians feet were not a
foot from Roberts head. The extra
weight caused the tree-top to sink
lower in the water, and once or twice,
while the Indian stood there, Robert
came near strangling, for the water
rose to his mouth. But he managed
to lift himself little higher, and keep
above the threatened danger. 1t was
with such intense relief as only they
can imagine who have been in simi.
lar position that he saw the Indian get
| hack into the canoe.
After that Robert saw no more OF
the Indians, though he heard several
whoops and their answers little dis.
tance back from the banks.
By-and-by he knew from the trees
and some of the bluffs along the stream
that he was nearing the settlement
where his sister lived.
Half an hour later he padded his
leafy boat ashore, and climbed tht
bluff bank. Before him, peaceful ant
unsuspicious of danger, lay the little
settlement of "Armstrong's."
He hurried to the house where hi.
sister lived, and reused the owner O.
it. To him he told his story in a few
brief words. The place was in danger
The settlers must be got together, ant
that at once. The Indians nigh
come at any time.
The man started in one direction, ant
Robert in another. 1t did not tax,
long to visit all the houses, and rous,
their inmates. Armstrong; hous,
was the largest one in the settlement
and the most substantially built, ant
here the settlers gathered, bringin!
guns, pitchforks. scythes, and what
ever seemed likely to be of any possibl
use as a weapon. The house had
large cellar under it, and in it tn
women and children were placed.
In less than half an hour from tn
time of Roberts arrival they wer
ready for the Indians. And by-and-b
the Indians came They had ex
pected to find their victims asleer
but they found them very wild
awake. There were three or four gun
of the repeating kind in the littl
party, and as soon as the Indians wer
seen coming across the clearing, fir
was onened on them Tho cbota xyar
fired with such rapidity that tn
besiegers evidently thought the be
sieged to be much stronger in numbe
than they were. The surprise of tn
sudden and altogether unexpected at