Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-12-24

doorways or at the windows eating and
watching
In order to husband the supply of
fuel against possible contingencies, the
lieutenant put off lighting the fire. upon
the roof as long rs II appeared 20 be
safe to do so. As evening fingered on
the borders Of night the watchers heard
a crushing and grinding sound, rs Of a
heavy wheel rolling over twigs and
gravel but We're unable TO guess its
meaning.
Fearing disaster might follow any
further delay to light the fire, tine lieu
tenant told the sergeant to kindle it.
Cunningham assembled the chimney,
lighted few splinters Of pitch pine and
placed them Oh the roof, and rs soon as
they were well afiame added to them
several billets Of wood which Father
Gutierrez passed up to him. Soon a
blaze was leaping upward, and, strongly
reflected by the white sandstone shelf
above, lighted the whole space about
| the cabin.
When the sergeant descended again to
the floor, the men made close observa-
ton from the windows. Everything was
plainly visible To their eyes, and they
felt sure their own movements could
not bc seen by the Indians To the east
all was silent, and for long time moth
ing had been seen Of the lurking foe.
To the west also the enemy seemed to
be- absent but for the strange grinding
sound which had not ceased since 1t first
began, and which showed the Navajoes
were intending mischief. What it could
mean and what il could threaten was
the serious question.
The lieutenant adjusted his iieldglass
and looked across tho dead level toward
the forest in the direction Of the mys-
terious sound, and on the edge of the
wood he saw big log, about feet in
diameter and 80 feet long, rolling slow
" in the direction of she cabin. pro-
pelled by al unseen force.
Passing the glass TO the sergeant, the
officer said: The Indians seem TO be
rolling log in this direction. See If
You can make out their purpose. "
II think it quite plain, sir, " replied
the sergeant after long look. When
we arrived there, our rifle range was
clear for 800 yards, and the Indians
could not approach without being ex-
posed to our fire for that distance. That
log seems To me 10 be movable breast
work, which can be rolled up 10 our
very door. There are probably 20 men
lying flat on their breasts pushing it,
and we cannot harm them.
"You are right, sergeant Rather
black prospect for us and our Mexican
friends if we cannot stop il. "
Again the maiden's voice was heard
iranslating the conversation of the two
soldiers 10 Padre Gutierrez and tho sis
tiers. and again the lieutenant explained
the situation 20 his companions. The
sisters fell at once to telling their beads
and muttering fearful prayers, but the
priest came forward with his rifle
grasped in a firm hand, and taking
long look ut the log said:
Keep up a good heart, my daugh-
ters. Something may happen 10 aid Us,
and in the meantime we must try 10 aid
ourselves. Senor Raymer, l am soldier
under your orders. Command me. "
THANK you, father l 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 wallf'
"Yes; 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
70 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.
1--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 each
recognized III the other.
The priest rejoined the sisters, and
dropping upon his knees joined them i'll
prayer for aid The lieutenant and
sergeant bowed reverently in the oppo-
site 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 IL
ground and crunched its way along
with ominous certainty straight toward
tho 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 10 assistance from
the valley in season 10 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 man jump over 1t to re-
move the stone!'
The sergeant stood at the open door.
the barrel of his rife pressed against the
right doorpost ready tor 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 PROSTATE 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 q
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 leapcd over, seized the
stone and had lifted it nearly to the top
when Sergeant Cunningham's rifle
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 spraDg upward topull