Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1893-09-13

found the heavens were black as
ink, and the rain falling fast. My
horse was put under the little shed,
with Brooks COW, and then we re-
turned to the hut. IL was now
about ten o'clock, and we prepared
to retire. The old man spread out
his buffalo robes, and ! had lain
down, when there came rap at
the door. He went and opened it,
and | heard him talking with some
one without. Soon he came to me,
and cought me by the arm.
Friend" he uttered, in quick,
husky voice, "you must get up;
there are two Crows at the door!
| cannot let them in, nor will |
drive them away in such storm as
this. One Of them is a woman.
Let them in, if you will"
but you will not kill them
here3" | said, fearing that his en-
nifty might overpower him.
mo, no. Bhilip Brock is no
coward! Go let them in"
So | arose and went to the door,
and there found two Indians. /
could not have told whether they
were Crows, Pawnees, Blackfoots or
what; but | told them to come IN.
They followed me into the hut, and
as soon as they had removed their
outer garments, | pulled up a bench
to the fire for them, for there was
yet some fire upon the hearth.
One of them was a woman, as the
scout had said, and the other was a
tall, stout man, whose face was
painted in many colors, they warm
ed themselves awhile, and then ask
ed for place in which to lie. |
showed them some spare robes, and
soon afterwards they were appar-
emily asleep.
Once more ] went'to my place of
rest, and as | lay down, | noticed
that Brock had got his pistol, but |
made no remark. l went to sleep
without fear, and | think | must
have slept hours, when a movement
OF my companion awoke me, and on
opening my eyes ! found him sit
ting up. He had his pistol in his
hands, and was gazing towards the
place where the Crows lay.
"What is it?" | asked.
Ssh he returned in whisper,
do you think / am blind? Sup
pose these catamounts came here
to slay me? To avenge the death
of so many of their tribe?"
Nonsense, Philip Brock" re-
piled. DO you suppose"
Ssh! See-they move now.
Ha! See that head come upr'
One of the redskins did raise his
head as he thus spoke. The storm
had passed over and the moon was
shining full and bright without, so
we conld see the motion Of the dark
sleepers. But soon all was still
again, and once more lay back.
Again l awoke, and it was hardly
yet daylight. The scout was still
awake, and | told him if he would
sleep now, l would watch.
VERY WE'LL" he replied. 1T is
near morning, and if you have a
mind to remain awake, / will catch
a nap"
l told him | would, and he ac-
cording lay back, and was soon
asleep. ! had no idea of such a
thing, but yet drowsy spell came
over me, and l closed my eyes. [
remembered afterwards now the
feeling came and how l gradually
gave way to it. When | awoke,
the daylight was streaming family
through the small window, and |
was sure some movement had
aroused me. cast my eyes to-
wards my companion, and a low
quick cry escaped my lips, as / saw
one Of the Indians kneeling direct
ly by his side. My cry awoke the
old man and he started up.
"Ho! my pistol!' he cried, grasp
ing the intruder by the throat, and
reaching his hand toward me.
"Shoot the demon" he grasped.
At this, the second Indian sprang
to his feet, and leaped toward the
spot where we lay, and just as
had cooked one of the pistols, the
woman (for it was a woman who
knelt by the scouts side, } spoke
"Philip! All, art thou not my
Philip"
With cry like a startled bird
Philip Brock started to his feet
and with the grasp of giant he
raised the woman up.
Speak again. he gasped.
| And aoain che snoke and again