Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1892-09-20

that, and tried to keep it out of my MIND
as much us could
Inc forenoon wore away aud dinner houI
was close at hand.
we thought that we would not have n
regular one until Reuben got back. as IL
would give us more time to work Wewould
eat some cold victuals we had already
cooked, and laying aside my work | rose
and taking the bucket from the bench on
which 1t sat started out for the sprino
which was hail way across the clearing
TO get some of the ice cold water. which
dubbed mp beneath large rock, to wash
our meal down with.
A big oak with mighty trunk over
Swallowed the spot.
For two reasons Reuben had SHARED it.
one for tn cooling shade that il cast about
the spring and the resting place it afforded
| ana the other because IL would be an i'm.
mense job to cut h down,
FOR few minutes stood in the cooling
shade and then went and bent down To
plunge the buckle: into the water.
But did not 90 Il.
Inc pool had been followed ont until
the basin was quite broad and deem. and
lts surface was now as Hnruf{ied rs glass
My own face was pictured there. and IN n
moment beside it beheId another. II was
the painted face Of savage. The SIGHT
caused me to remain motionless. as tbongb
had been turned to stone, There was a
hideous look upon his face, which told me
as well as words could have done that nv
life was trembling as in the balance.
lie must have been hidden behind the
trunk Of the tree or lain prone upon the
earth on the opposite side of the rock.
Although his movements made not the
slightest sound knew that he was creep. !
ing toward me. | could see his shoulders |
now, as well as his face, In the pool
HIS right arm WIS uplifted, and in his
hand he held a tomahawk Ny heart sank |
like lead in my breast,
| could expect only terrible death.
which would not be long DELAYED. There
was only one thing that might save me,
and that was 10 show no fear of him.
by mighty effort | brought myself 10
stoop down and I'll the bucket with water,
when each moment ! expected his toma.
hawk to crash into my brain.
Why he did not use his weapon then |
do not know. n
Trembling in every limb, but giving no
sign that ] was aware of his presence. |
rose up and turned and faced him. Then
gave start as though until that mo.
ment was unaware Of his being so near
White squaw make no noise or she {
Hep he said in broken English, while his
weapon was held menacingly toward me.
He need not have warned me in this
Mariner, for ! could not have uttered a
word TO have saved my life. Then he
pointed TO the cabin and made sign for
ne to move before him toward it. There
vas nothing for me TO do but obey. nj.
hough my limbs would hardly hold me
Up. | could hear Rachel singing at her
work, little dreaming Of the danger that
nenaced us. a few minutes brought us
lose TO the doorway,
WANTED to cry at the top Of my voice TO
warn Rachel Of her danger, but TO do so |
new would be instant death.
Another minute and we would be within
he cabin.
She saw us now, and at glance took in
be situation. Jumping TO her feet she
prung into the corner Of the room near 10
he door. The savage still kept me in ad.
anee, and | stepped again over my own
a glance TO where Rachel had
ed showed her 10 me with my husbands
< in her hands
The savage was close to my heels, little
&HhiHR Whdt Wte IN store FOR him.
winging the ak high in the air Rachel q
rought It down upon his head with all
er strength. His skull was crushed In ne
it had been an eggshell, and he fell dead
pom the foorof the cabin.
j turned quickly and closed and barred
lie door, for / knew not but that other
wages might be nigh.
Thank God. Rachel. we are saved for a
mel" cried as sank upon a seat. you
ave saved both our lives"
1T was Reuben's ak that did IL. Had
} not left it where he did, we could not ~,
I'VE saved ourselves from that bhieous .
ing lying tberei"
l shuddered IA gazed ON the dead cav
70 and realized how narrow an escape
Irs had been.
The hours were long ones before my hus-
md came, but be did at last, and we
ard him throw his burden upon the a
ound. opened the door and he hurried
, but started back when he saw the dead
wage lying there.
In few words we told him what had
opened to us, and to Rachel was given
the praise, for Il was sho that deserved
Arthur L. Meserve In Preside Com. |
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