The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-12-13

and the burning arrows which they
fire would be apt to slip loose and fall
to the ground without doing damage"
THAT might be a partial protection.
my son, but it would fail after a time"
I'VE have a much better safeguard
than that-one that for a time Is sure.
Mother and Agnes looked inquiringly
at the youth between them.
The timbers are so green" he eX-
planned, that by no possible means
could a flame be induced to take hold
The cabin, as it stands just now, is ad-
sOlutely fireproof"
How long will II continue so with the
hot summer sun beating down on the
roof"
THE roof must become seasoned be-
| fore long, I'll admit" replied the youth,
who was doing his best TO combat the
hard sense Of his mother and Agnes.
land then in time 1t will become so dry
/ that it will burn like finder, though II
of which the sides are made can be
] forced into a blaze"
IF they never become dry enough for
/ that" said the mother. ''it would help
us not the least if the roof could be
| fired; that would be sufficient to burn
us all to death without a chance to help
| ourselves
THE well inside would serve to post
pone the dreadful hour"
But only to postpone IL, for its COM
| ing would be inevitable"
! Just ten Mabel called to her mother
to help her arrange a doll house which
/ persisted in falling down the moment
/ she got the framework in shape. The
! kind-hearted parent hurried to her as
sistance, kneeling down with her back
J toward George Ashbridge and Alice Alt
man.
Alice" said the youth in low voice.
moving slightly nearer to her. so near
indeed that IL would have been difficult
| to lessen the space between them, and
taking her hand, do you think we have
made a mistaken"
Il do not know what 10 think" she
replied. seemingly unconscious that her
| delicate fingers were imprisoned by the
| youth. who fondled and pressed them,
( but l do think that If we knew so sad
| a condition of affairs were to meet us,
| your father and mine would have wait
| ed awhile before coming to Kentucky"
1--WE shall know the conclusion of the
matter before the day closes. No one
| is as wise as Kenton in the ways Of
| the woods, and he will do what is best
| for us all. He cares little Cor himself
and everything for us
From what you have been told. !
shall feel safe If we succeed in entering
| the house without harm coming to any
of us. There have been three shots fired
besides the one which came so near
hitting Kenton. 1 have been wondering
whether any help is likely to come from
the blockhouse."
II have not asked Kenton about that
but the blockhouse is so far off that it
seems to me we can count on nothing
from that source. Capt. Bushwick would
be glad to do what he can for us, for
he has "A number of brave men, but
how can he suspect we are in need of
help?"
He knows we have come down the
river, after his warning us not to do
so. and if the Indians are particularly
, hostile he may decide to look after US"
do you konw Alice nave imag-
ined ii might be the best thing that
could happen If the Indians should at
tack us while we are all in the cabin ?''
And why do you think that?"
IF Kenton stays with us we shall be
so strong that we can beat off any num-
Der of aSsailantS, / don't care how
many; the roof and timbers Of the build
ing are too green to take fire, and with
the well and our stock of provisions
10 draw upon, we can hold them off
for weeks"
And what then? ?"
The lesson will discourage the red
men and they will leave us alone"
! thoughtfully, but no one of us has been
hurt so far and | feel the good fortune
cannot last. If anything should befall
father or mother, or-you, it would kill
me-"
ana would give my lie rather than
have anything happen to you, Agnes,
! for" he added, with another gentle pres
sure of the imprisoned hand, Il love
YOU"
The sweet face bent lower and the
pink cheeks took on a more crimson hue.
She was silent, but the heart of the
youth gave a quicker, a more delicious
thrOb when he felt the dimpled hand
close impulsively around his own.
No word was spoken, but that gentle
soft pressure was the language of pure
affection and it came from the heart
Because you are with us, Alice" he
continued. Il shall fight the harder to
prevent even the cold breath of winter
or the hot rays of the sun from reach
ing you. 1 would give my life to save
father, mother, Mabel or you; do you
doubt me?"
NO dear George. I could not if I
wished to-
A rustling of the underground caused
| the two TO start and look up. Mr.. Alt
man and Jethro Juggens stood before
them. At the same moment Mrs Alt
man, having made the doll house keen
| It's legs, arose and approached the tree
where the lovers sat.
MY graciousH exclaimed the amused
George Ashbridge, where did you get
that thing you have on, Jethro?'
Oats a shirt dat / took away from dat
reumgade; 1t am mine; what you think
| OBJ it? Doesn't 1t fit boOtiful?'
Its flag of truce" said Mr.. Altman:
signal to kenton to come here without
| delay; the crisis is at hand"