Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-02-18

1t was with a feeling of gloomy de-
preston that Dan Riggsby on his way
to the Marmaton settlement. several
miles to the north, hurried onward
through the high grass, pausing now
and then to listen for sounds of any of
the enemy that might be lurking in his
course.
Keeping close to the edge of the woods
he made his way rapidly along the creek
for three or four miles. Presently the
timber grew more scattering as he ad-
vanced, and soon there was nothing to
mark the course of the creek save few
stunted dogWOods and plum bushes. He
had Just left these behind and com
menced his journey across the great
level prairie, when the outlines of a
cabin suddenly doomed up through tho
darkness.
The was no light visible about the
place and it was evident that the owner
was absent from home.
Dan approached and knocked upon the
door, but no answer came III response to
his knock,
Its Abe CrocEers cabin" said Dan,
recognizing the place. He must have
gone over to the settlers meeting at the
inn"
He again Knocked upon the door, and,
Receiving no answer, he opened it and
Nentin, The door was not fastened, as
was usual in those days, and lighting a
match Dan soon had "A candle burning.
Then going to a pine cupboard in the
corner OF the room he opened it and took
out some pieces Of bread and cold boiled
beef on which he made hearty lunch
When his frugal repast had been dis
patched, he drew pencil and notebook
from his pocket and wrote brief note
to his parents, stating that he had left
the settlement but would return in the
course Of week. This he left on the
table with a short note to Abe Crocker
telling Of his visit to the cabin. and ask
ing hln to deliver the accompanying
note TO his father
Then he eXtlngUished the light and
went ont closing the door after him. In
entering the cabin and procuring food,
Dan had only done what was customary
among the settlers Of the west at the
time Of which | write
Having satisfied mis- hunger IN
manner Dan now set out across the
pralne at brisk Wala. 1t was aIs i'll
tentlon to piSh forward to Drvwood
creek, some ten mile, to the nOrth where
he hoped to find some settlers cabin
where he could obtain lod gins till the
next morning.
After travelling for nearly three hours
he Suddenly discovered "A dim line of
timber close anead and knew he had at
last arrived al DTyWoud. But he knew
Nothing of that part of the country
scarcely ana he realized that he would
have great difficulty IN finding any set
tiers cabin, as there were few III that To-
cailty al that time.
But trusting TO luck. he continued his
course, travelling down the creek in IA
northeaNterly direction, Keeping near
the edge of the timber, he kept a sharp
lookout for amy signs of human habita-
hon.
He had travelled for a mile perhaps,
when he caught sight Of CLEAN of light
through an opening in the trees close to
the stream, and, hurrying forward. he
soon discovered that 1t proceeded from "A
rude log nut which was almost entirely
surrounded by "a dense growth of timber
and underbrual. The thinking had
fallen from between the logs IN several
places, and 1t was through these open-
ings that the light had proceeded winch
had first attracted Dams notice.
The sound OF mems voices within the