Martinsburg gazette. (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1886-1887, 1886-11-15

The two men took the trunk md ran
with II TO the kara, and then as quickly
ran back to their team. Just then four
horse wagon loaded with men, women
and children was driven at frantic speed
past the house. There were shouts and
cries In the air. Above all rose q deep,
sullen roar--a something advancing
through the forest behind the town.
The road was filed with cattle as by
magic, believing and tossing their horns.
He heard child scream BY the gate,
and ran bare headed to see what it meant.
A child lay by the road. trampled upon
by the fleeing cattle. He took It up ten
derly in his arms, and ran for the brick
hut
The deluge had come. The ark was
ready. He laid the child down inside
hauled the trunk within, and with won
derfnl skill took up kind Of rough
shutter coated with clay and jammed it
into the one window, where it seemed to
lit tight; then plunging his hands ii a
tub that stood ready BY the window, he
took up wet clay and plastercd it all over
the crack round the shutter.
Before 1t was half done, dozen fran
l, tic men and women were at the door,
some with bundles, some with children
in their arms.
Help me n cried Silas. Rig up the
door and get the women inside. !"
Ready hands seemed to catch the
hint, and in moment the door was hung
and ready to close.
ssDon't be scarf. Keep outside as
long as We kin to save the air. Just
watch the thing half a minute"
Then he was gone. How he reached
the Landerfelts he never knew. Nina
stood By the door, supplied with horror.
They had no horse Whittier they could
fly before such sea of fiie2 Her father
seemed to have become utterly helpless,
and lay upon the bed and moaned. Nina
met him at the door. Not word was said
and Silas paused just for moment ir-
resolute. Gould he save both2
s4Iein fader.n
/ Eyes. I'll carry him, if4syou can
walk. 7
She did not understand. She did not
see how ne could save them and SUPP
posed be had come perhaps to die with
them.
mo, no! Go-you go--run--runln
1t was all she could say in English,
though she spoke yolubly in German.
He entered the house, and took the sick
man on his back, and then together they
started she blindly, being half crazed
with the red wonder all about them.
Half the town was on fire. All the sky
was an oven, the woods were furnace
It's hot breath was in their faces.
a. IL. ~ r. q
tightly closed. The people had selfshly
gone inside and left them to their fate.
"Open the doorl Open the door, or
will tear it down.
The heat was intolcrable, the smoke
binding. He laid his burden on the
ground and looked at Nina.
Nina, / built that for you agin this
day. These wretches have stole it; but
they shall die with us. I'll ruin it In
half a minute. Anyway, I can die with
you, and that's something. Open the
door, or I break the whole thing to
pieces!'
There was movement inside as If
some humanity was struggling with
brutal selfishness. Then the door was
opened slightly.
The man that done this deserves to
be killed, and I'll dot Open the door,
or I'll destroy We all together
It seemed almost too late. The door
was pried open, and Nina crept in, and
then her father, now quite senselcss, was
passed in.
"Wait q bit now till fix it all snug
He thrust both hands into the tub of
clay outside the door, and plastered it
over the cracks round the window as If
to make donbly sure.