The Portland daily press., 1894-01-16

boys, SITaln LnelF eyes dS Iney mlSnU, cOulu
see no sign of live enemy, but the dark
forms in the grass 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 sound like the note of bird, and Cap
tain Ned said to his nearest companion:
THAT was a 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 dark mass, which confirmed his
fears. 1t looked like more than so men
marching with cOmpactness, and when the
signal was repeated and answered by one OF
The hidden braves near the fort the new en-.
Gaay came to halt.
''Sae the moon shining on the buckles
end gunsr" cried one of the boys. "WewilI
have to meet the British now"
AT this moment an Indian sprang IN
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
tar as it had gone.
To their establishment, the soldiers and
Indians then marched to the left and van
lshed. 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 by their comrades.
Look The whole British armyr' sud-
denly exclaimed a boy at loophoole.
Sure enough, approaching the fort with
the bright light upon their equipments,
large force of redcoats were to be seen
marching in tolerable order.
On the tanks of the white army lowered
lot OF Indians half naked and willy as
foxes, and as the boys watched them they
felt that Fort Bobolink was soon to fall
On came the redcoats, and the defenders
saw three cannon planted where they could
demolish the cabin in jiffy
Having made his preparations, the Brit
ish commander rode forward with hand
some Indian chieftain at his side.
The savage also wore British uniform,
and this identified him at once.
st is Tecumseh in major generals uni
form,p 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.
IF white men will surrender, Tecumseb
promises to spare their lives, said the chief.
The people in the fort looked at one an
other. They had heard great deal about
Indian mercy" but they had also heard
how on one occasion Tecumseh 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 to mean death"
was the reply.
''That is true"
Captain Ned thrust handkerchief out OF
a 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 barricades from the
door and threw it open. They had placed
all the rifles in one corner and were ready
to march forth. M
Come" said Ned, who had placed him.
self at their head. Forward, marchp
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 statue, con-
tinued to gaze straight ahead without NOV
ing muscle.
Ned Talcot marched his company to
within 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 taste of British grapep' 4
The speaker was General Proctor him
self, and his harsh words were met by the
calm voice of Tecumseh:
1.-THE white boys shall go 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 their
dark looks BODIED the settlers no good But
Tecumseh stood between them and the tom
ahawks and pointed toward the settlement.
LII dHOGucT uluuCc tne llUGle company
turned and marched away.
When the settlement was reached, there
followed season of rejoicing, and soon
afterward the men who had helped de-
fend Fort Meigs came home.
Strange to say, this particular settle
ment was spared the ravages of war, as
if Tecumseh held back his tomahawkine
minions from its fair precincts.
The exploit of the seven boys passed into
local history, and for many years along the
frontiers the settlers repeated the story of
the defense of Fort Bobolink.-T. C. Har-
baugh in Washington News
Chinese Alligators.
1t seems strange, but it is fact never
theless, that the Chinese alligator, which has
long been supposed to be extinct, has been
rediscovered and specimens of it sent to the
Royal Geological gardens at London. Mar
co Polo was, believe, the last author to
describe it. In his description he mentions
curious superstition viz, that it's gall was
specific for the cure of hydrophobia.- ST.
Louis Republic.