Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1894-01-19

silence followed tnaJ 0rSJ VOlley from
the loopholes Of Fort Boboink, and the
boys, strain their eyes as they might, could
see no sign of live enemy, but the dark
forms in the griss told them that at least
three braves would never more follow the
plume of the great Shawnee chief.
At last there came from beyond the clear
ing a sound like the note of bird, and Cap
tain Ned said to his nearest companion;
THAT was signal, Archie Now we
shall have more hot work"
IN truth we shall" was the reply.
look across the clearing to where the big
tree stands"
Captain Ned looked and saw moving
there a dark mass, which confirmed his
fears. 1t looked like more than 80 men
marching with compactness and when the
signal was repeated and answered by one of
the hidden braves near the fort the new en-
envy came to IA halt.
''See the moon shining on the buckles
and gunsl" cried one of the boys. 1--WE will
have to meet the British now"
At this moment an Indian sprang up
from behind stump and ran across the
clearing like deer.
He was not molested by those in the fort,
but was permitted to join those marching
forward and the boys imagined they could
hear him telling the story of the battle as
far as it had gone.
To their establishment, the soldiers and
Indians then marched to the left and van
ished In vain they waited for their reap
pearance.
1t was long night for the watchers with
in Fort Bobolink. They started at every
sound, and when the moon went down they
were more vigilant than ever.
At length daylight broke over the sleep
less little garrison, and then were anxious
eyes at the loopholes.
The bodies of the three Indians killed in
the night assault were no longer in the
grass. They had been removed during the
darkness 10y their comrades.
Look! The whole British army sud
denly exclaimed D boy at "A loophoole.
Sure enough, approaching the fort with
the bright light upon their equipments,
large force # redcOats were to be seen
marching in tolerable order
On the TANKS of the white army lowered
lot of Indians half naked and willy rs
foxes, and a. the boys watched them they
felt that Fort Bobolink was soon to fall.
On came the redcoats, aud the defenders
saw three cannon planted where they could
demolish the cabin in iilly.
Having made his preparations, the Brit
ish commander rode forward with IA hand
some Indian cheftain at his side.
The savage also wore British uniform
and this Identified him at once.
at Is Tecumseh in a major generals uni
form, said Captain Ned. zone shot would
rid the frontier Of its greatest curse, but we
will not fire it now"
Tecumseh halted before the fort and
raised his hand. He was looking straight
at the little cabin.
'sIf white mon will surrender TacuD1 sob
promises to spare their lives, said the chief
The people in the fort looked at one an
other. ley had heard a great deal about
Indian mercy but they had also heard
( how on one occasion Tocumseh had really
interfered TO save the lives of American
prisoners.
SHALL we surrender" asked Captain
Ned as he faced the little band.
Further resistance seems 10 mean death"
was the reply.
THAT is true"
Captain Ned thrust "A handkerchief out OF
portfolio The Indian turned to the Brit
ish general.
pile your arms up in one corner of the
cabin and march out single file" command
ed the officer.
The boys took the barrcades from the
door and threw it open. They had placed
all lne flUeS III one corner anu were ready
to march forth.
Come" said Ned, who had placed him
self at their head Forward, marchn
With the women and little children in the
middle, the little band left Fort Bobolink
The red coated officer looked at Tecumseh
and smiled.
But Tecumseh, as erect as a statue, con
tinued to gaze straight ahead without NOV
ing muscle.
Ned Talcot marched his company to
within a few feet of the pair; then he halted
and saluted.
Boys" said the British officer contemp-
tuously. IF had known this. would have
given you a taste of British grape!'
The speaker was General Proctor him
self, and his harsh words We're met by the
calm voice of Tecumseh:
The white boys shall 90 to their homes
They are as brave as their fathers. They
have defended their mothers and little
ones"
The redskins who had accompanied the
retreating army now came up, and theil
dark looks BODIED the settlers no good. But
, Tecumseh stood between them and the tom
, ahawks and pointed toward the settlement
In another minute the little company
. turned and marched away.
When the settlement was reached, there
, followed "A season of rejoicing, and soor
afterward the men who had helped de
fend Fort Aleigs came home.
Strange To say, this particular settle
ment was spared the ravages of war, a
: if Tecumseh held back his tomahawkin!
minions from its fair precincts.
f The exploit of the seven boys passed int
local history, and for many years along thu
f frontiers the settlers repeated the story o
the defense of Fort Bobolink-T. c. Har
baugh in Washington News
) Former Elephants.
The great northern elephant persisted a
species in the prime of life. 1t had live
-, under most prosperous conditions. It's en-
md Inn