Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1894-11-15
ognGE. 1884, srmsncm pRs,Esoumun

/ translating the conversation of the two
soldiers to Padre Gutierrez and the sis
tiers, and again the lieutenant explained
the situation to his companions. The
sisters fell at once to telling their beads
and muttering fearful prayers, but the
priest came forward with his rife
grasped in firm hand, and taking
long look at the log said:
keep up good heart, my daugh-
tiers. Something may happen to aid us,
and in the meantime we must try to aid
ourselves. Senior Raymer, / am soldier
under your orders. Command me.
"Thank you, father. 1 have no doubt
but you will give good account of
yourself should the Indians reach us.
You see these blocks and planks lean
ing against the wall?''
Eyes; they are the stops to the win
dows and doors, are they not?"
''They are. Should it become neces-
sary for us to quickly close the doors
and windows want you and your man
to stop those on the east side, and the
sergeant and will close these. Let US
practice closing few times now"
The practice was held, with good sue
cess, and the men gathered again ON the
western side.
''Do you think we can keep the In.
dians off until help arrives?" asked the
padre.
Perhaps. We must be ready to take
advantage of all possible accidents. The
prospect looks dubious, and the enemy
outnumbers us, but much may occur be-
fore that tree reaches our cabin
"We will make them pay good price
for our lives in any event.
The lieutenant took the priest by the
right hand, and the two men looked into
each others eyes with a confidence and
respect begot of the resolute spirit eacE
recognized in the other.
The priest rejoincd the sisters, and
dropping upon his knees joined them in
a prayer for aid. The lieutenant and
sergeant bowed reverently in the oppo-
slte doorways, and at the close uttered
audible amens.
The two soldiers and the priest again
gathered at the western door and win.
dow and silently and anxiously watched
the slowly rolling log as it came more
plainly into view. Not glimpse Of the
motive power could be obtained, but it
ground and crunched its way along
with ominous certainty straight toward
the cabin.
Raymer turned over in his mind many
projects for staying its progress and dis
missed them regularly as impractical
BILE. At the rate the log was moving the
men could hope for no assistance from
the valley in season to save their lives.
Just as the lieutenant had come to this
conclusion the log stopped. He looked
through his glass and saw tho cause.
Sergeant" he exclaimed, "the log
has struck rock. Draw bead on the
log! Don't let q man jump over it to re-
move the stonep'
The sergeant stood at the open door,
the barrel of his rifle pressed against the
right doorpost ready for movement of
the enemy above the tree, which had,
in fact, struck the only obstacle lying
between its starting place and the cabin.
All the efforts of the prostrate men be-
hind it had no effect upon the log eX-
cept to swing the end farthest from the
obstacle slightly ahead.
"There seems to be nothing for them
to do but to remove the stone. Keep a
sharp eye on the log, sergeant. "
Raymer had hardly spoken when a
sudden discharge Of rifles ran irregular
ly along the length of the log, and un-
der cover of the fire and smoke stall
wart warrior leaped over seized the
stone and had lifted it nearly to the top
when Sergeant Cunningham rife
spoke sharply.
The stone dropped on the side toward
the cabin. The Indian fell forward, with
his arms extended toward his friends.
A second warrior sprang upward topull
his dead brother over tho log, and ball
from the priests rife made him topple
backward. Hands then drew the first
Indian backward without exposing the
bodies to which they belonged. The fire
of the Navajoes did no harm.
Tho blaze Oh the roof was replenished
from time to time and the vigilant
watch maintained.
For long time the log remained mo-
tionless. At last the sergeant, who was
still looking from the doorway, ex-
claimed:
Lieutenant, the stone is movingl It.
sinking into the groundP
Raymer at the moment was looking
from the eastern window. By the time
he joined the sergeant there was no
stone to be seen in front of the log
''It is gone, and here comes the log, "
he said. "They must have dug under
meath with their knives and sunk the
stone.
Eyes, sir, and they're safe to move
that breastwork up to the cabin door
and make an end Of us, said Cunning
ham.
eff there were two or three more
stones in the way, sergeant, the delay
might serve us until help arrives -
Let's put them in the way, lieuten-
ant. "
"What do you mean?"
"If you and the padre will cover me
with your rifles, I'll run out there and
drop couple Of big stones in the way. "
"All right, sergeant, and when you
return I'll drop two more"
Explanations were made to the priest,
and preparations were begun to carry
out the plan. The sergeant replenished
the fire ON the roof and then selected
from the loose rubbish which had been
torn from the top Of the chimney two
good sized stones.
| Removing his shoes, the sergeant,
with the assistance Of the lieutenant,
raised the rocks into the hollow of his
elbows, holding them firmly against his
breast. The two others stood with their