The Dickinson press., 1891-04-18
away a half.rotten slab from behind his

away a half-rottcn slab from behind his
bunk, thus making a hole sufficiently
large for BoYncer to creep through. He
then fastened the letter securely to his
collar, the noble animal giving now and
then u suppressed whine and trembling
from head to foot with anxiety. He had
smelt at Jerry's waistcoat, and quite I'M
derstood what was expected of him. l
could not bear to look at Long Peter at
this moment, his features were working
with emotion, and Icould have sworn that
there were teals in his eyes, bnt he said
nothing. Everything being now ready he
led Bouncert to the hole, held his muzzle
fora moment pressed hard between his
hands, while he gazed into the creatures
expressive eyes. "Now go, good dog" he
whispered; and squeezing himself through
the hole Bounce sped away on nOiseless
feet.
We listened intently for a few minutes;
oh, how we listened! our faces blanched
and our limbs trembling. Had Bouncer
escaped on his weighty errand without
being discovered? A sudden wild jab-
bering rose on the night air, a rush of
many feet, and the next instant we detect
ed ayelp of pain.
"They have surely speared himm whis-
pered Mr.. Ashby.
But Long Peter turned on him almost in
anger. "No, no, sir" he said; "he is Just
scratched. He'll do it yet, l know he
willy!
"Ie must be quick then,'' replied the
master, "for those cursed savages have
struck a light somehow; they mean to burn
us outlook!
Our eyes were 10Y intently watching
from the loopholes the movements of the
black fellows, and we had not watched
long till we saw a flaming brand wl.izzing
through the air, and falling upon the
stringy bark roof above our heads. An
other and another Immediately followed,
still it did not seem to us that any Of them
had taken effect.
Garry up a bucket of water through the
trap-door and pour it over the roof whis-
pcred the master to me; "but take care of
yourself. don't let them see YOU"
did as 1 was directed and thoroughly
drenched the roof, but while thus engaged
1 heard a shout from below. 1t was Mr.;
Ashby's voice.
Come down, Jem; come quickly" he
cried, and l ratified down the ladder with a
sinking heart. Long Peter lay Oh the floor
of the hut white and gasping; a spear had
entered one of the loopholes and pinned
him through the thigh. In response to my
groan of utter dismay, he struggled into a
sitting posture.
"Never mind me. Jem," he said; eight 1t
out to the last. Take my gun, there is one
charge in it yet; bur first drag me into that
corner"
L obeyed in silence, Landed him a panni-
kin of cold tea, and then took my place by
Mr.. Ashby's side. "Look out" he whls-
pered. 81 mean to fire at their ringleader-
that man with the blazing log in his hand
Il fear he has already fired the roof. l
hear it cracking; but it scarcely matters
now, the end is not far off. We are
doomed" AS he spoke these despairing
words Mr.. Ashby fired, his bullet bringing
down the man aimed at, who, with a wild
screech, fell to the ground.
There was a pause of CONSERVATION after
this, and hurried talk among.the savages
outside: then, with wild yells, the whole
force of the besiegers rushed on our little
garrison. A moments surging round the
door, then it gave way with q crash; Mr..
Ashby's gun swung on the crowd of say.
ages with terrific force, Telling two of them
like oxen. l can scarcely describe what
followed. There was a wild struggle with
our guns and our fists; then two black fcl.
lows forced me to the ground; one was
shortening his grasp of his spear to drive
it through my body, when he suddenly fell
on the top of me dead, felled by the butt
end of Mr.. Ashby's gun. But l knew little
more; dimly l seemed to hear a loud hur-
rah from outside. followed by the crack of
rifles; then every sound died away into ut
ter silence.
"Well, L declare, you have had a bit of a
scrimmage, and here's poor Jem about
done for!w 1t was the voice of Jerry, WHO
was dragging away the dead body of my
assailant from off my chest.
"No, l am not dead" l said feebly
enough, mot even wounded, though half
choked with blood that is not my own.
Where is the master ? and OH, go and look
for Long Peter! he is terribly hurt, l
Know.
The other chaps are attending to him."
said Jerry, land as for the master, he is all
right and won't own to a single scratch; he
is a game one, he is. Well have you all
carried to the home station afore breakfast
time, see if we don't. But you should have
seen that dog of Peters. Why, his feet
was all skinned and raw, and he had an
ugly spear wound in his shoulder, SO that
the letter was covered with blood. We
could scarcely make it out; but we guessed
quick enough that there was something
amiss, and came away at once. We were
just in time, Jem, my boy"
"Didn't l tell We as Bouncer would do
it% cried Long Peter, in rather a weak and
quavering voice; spoOr old chap" he add
ed, tenderly, as the faithful brute limped
across the hut at the sound of the shep-
herds voice and crept close to his side.
You and me will never part, Bouncer,
never as long as we live" And they never
did part till seven years later. when, in ex-
IRENE old age, Bouncer died and was
buried in a grave dug for him by Long
Peter himself. "Ah," he said, when the
ceremony was over, .why do them faithful
brutes die so soon? I'll never see his like
again; he was as wise as any Christian.
and a deal more faithful than many"
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TO TAP THE MISSOURI.
Col. Nettleton Talks About %Irrigating the