The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-07-25
TED BkADY'S SHOT.

Among the families that crossed the
Alleghanies for settlement in western
Pennsylvania a few years ago before the
outbreak Of the famous Pontiac war was
one of the name of Brady
The head of the little household was a
stalwart Irishman, man absolutely with
out fear, and it was but natural that his
only child, son, should possess the same
bravery
Ted Brady from the first was a fearless
young rover of the woods, and, gun in
hand, he was often to be seen in the forest,
either in search of game or setting traps
for the smaller animals that abounded in
the locality.
During one of these excursions into the
woods the boy had the fortune to capture
very small bear cub, which he carried
home without trouble He raised the cub
by hand and had great deal of fun with
him as he grew older. At last he became
the pet of the household and often he
would follow Ted into the forest.
At the approach of night, no matter
where Jack was, he would turn his face
toward the cabin, and in one corner Of it
was sure to find sleeping place till morn
ing.
by Pontiac, the Ottawa chief, one of the
brayest and most relentless Indians of his
day. the whole frontier passed from the
sunshine of peace into the shadow of war;
Post after post fell before the strategy
of this red king of the forest, and at last
not one of the many forts along the lakes
with the single exception of Detroit, flew
the Britith flag.
Tn onSeouarca of tho ixUa7. tho frpy,tiar
of Pennsylvania was in danger of the
tomahawk, and the borders of Virginia
and Maryland were threatened.
The Bradys heard of the coming storm
some time before it reached them.
1t was reported that Indian spies were
abroad in the land, spying out the weak
nesses of the settlements preparatory to
a swoop upon them, and one day several
were seen in the vicinity of che Brady
cabin.
Ted had been trapping along little
stream near home for some time. The boy,
who was stout and quick for his 16 years.
though not vesy large, had become an ex-
pert in trapping the fur bearing animals
of forest and stream, and his stock of furs
was known to be the best and most valu-
able Of any IN the neighborhood On some
of his visits to the traps Jack, the bear
went along with him, but for the most
part the animal went where he pleased
and Ted did not see much of him.
Michael Brady, the father, thought that
the whole frontier should be made ac-
quainted with the true situation regarding
the Indian uprising, and as he had picked
up good deal of reliable Information he
deemed it his duty to spread the news
Therefore he set out on his mission one
day. intending to be gone nearly week
ssWatch the house well, - said the Celt
eKnow everything that approaches it, and
on no occasion open the door to anybody
but jack
'That's pretty sweeping, father said
Ted, looking up from the trap he was
mending on the floor.
II know it is, and I want my instruc-
tions carried out to the letter. These In
dams are the most cunning fellows on
earth, and they will play all sorts of tricks
on the whites to carry out their designs
Jack is all right, and SO are the near
neighbors, but don't open the door to any
one you do not know
For three days after the settlers depar-
ture nothing occurred to break the monot-
ony of forest life
Now and then rumors came to the set
Element Of Indian battles, but these were
reported to have taken place SO far away
that the people began to laugh at the
stories and to conclude that perhaps the
Pontiac uprising had. been greatly exag-
gerated.
Ted attended to his traps as usual, and
Jack, after roaming about the forest,
would come home at shutdown, and Mrs
Brady, if Ted was not in, would open the
door to him.
One evening the boy went out to his
traps. He had that morning carried them
to new trapping ground, and he thought
best to take another look before leaving
them for the night
The night promised to have the light OF
the full moon. The sky was perfectly
clear, and the crisp leaves that Uttered the
ground gave forth musical sounds as they
cracked underneath the boys feet
That very day Ted had taken the rife
apart to give it thorough overhauling,
and every part had been inspected and oil
ed. With the weapon slung over his shout
der the Irish boy tramped through the
woods, found the traps all right, and aft
er seeing that the triggers were well set
turned and began the homeward trip.