St. Landry democrat., 1884-04-12

past the shores where, for all the young
| 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 cur
rent ran close by 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. Rob-
ert 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 a figure rose up on the bank,
and stood there watching the river. It
was an Indian. Hewa not twenty feet
away from Robert, and the boy hardly
dared breathe for fear of being heard.
1t seemed to him as if the Indians sharp
eyes must see through the branches and
discover him.
But the Indian probably never
thought of such a thing as PERSONS be-
ing hidden in tree-top, and soon Rob
ert had left him behind. But there
were others skulkin9 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 sus-
picious in the floating of a tree-top
down the river, and Robert passed them
safely.
Presently he heard the sound of a
IL AZ.
branches, 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 intend
ed to, it certainly would be, if he re-
manned crouching on the tree. He low
cred himself noiselessly into the water
until only his head remained above the
surface.
The Indians ran 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 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 foot from Rob-
ert's head. The extra weight caused
he tree-top to sink lower in the water,
md once or twice, while the Indian
stood there, Robert came near strane-
ing, for the water rose to his mouth.
But he managed to lift himself little
higher, and keep above the threatened
LANCER. 1t was with such intense relief
IS only they can imagine who have been
n similar position that he saw the In
tian get back into the canoe.
After that Robert saw no more of the
indians, though he heard several whoops
nd their answers little distance back
rom the banks.
By-and-by he knew from the trees and
ONE of the bluffs along the stream that
e was nearing the settlement where his
lister lived.
Half an hour later he padded his
eafy boat ashore, and climbed the bluff
ank. Before him, peaceful and unsus-
iclous OF danger, lay the little settle
lent of Armstrong;
He hurried to the house where his
ster lived, and reused the owner of it.
o him he told his story in a,few brief
'ords. The place was in danger. The
ettlers must be got together, and that
once. The Indians might come at
ny time.
The man started in one direction, and
ebert in another. 1t did not take long
} visit all the houses and rouse, their
mates. Armstrong; house was the
rgest one in the settlement, and the
ost substantially built, and here the
ttlers gathered, bringing guns, pitch
rks, scythes and whatever seemed
kelly to be of any possible use as a
eapon. The house had large cellar
lder it, and in it the women and chill
EN- were placed.
In less than half an hour from the
ne of Roberts arrival they were ready
r the Indians. And by-and-by the In
ans came. They had expected to find
cir victims asleep; but they found
EN- very wide awake. There were
rec or four guns Of the repeating kind
the little party, and as soon as the
dams were. seen coming across the
caring, fire was opened on them. The
OTIS were fired with such rapidity that
besiegers evidently thought the be-
'ged to be much stronger in number
an they We're The surprise of the
dden and altogether unexpected at
ok threw them into confusion, and
ey retreated after firing few harm
S shots.
The next day assistance came to the
tie towns along the river. But if
bert had not done what he did, it is
lite likely every soul at 9 Armstrong;"
uld have been butchered that night.
was hero among the thankful set
rs on acE0unt of his brave deed, and