Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-08-23

dangling rome and started to swim
Win II down stream. Bang! went
musket from the promontory, ana a
hullet whistled overhead. A second
shot followed after an interval OF nall
2 minute. but now lad and canoe were
on the verge of the open passage
through the falls. They went plunging
down the slope of spray and waves, and
three minutes later Nathan skillfully
landed his prize on the other side OF the
cluster of rocks.
The lads safe return was a joyful
welcome. as they had given him up
when they heard the firing. In a few
words Nathan told the story OF MIS- ao-
venhurous swim, and some OF the TIL
butes to his bravery made him blush.
"Now let's be of while we've got the
chance" cried Barnabas. Il judge
from the sho0tin that part OF the var
mints are still lurkin above the falls.
So the canoe was turned r.ght-s-de
Nd. and the fugltives hurriedly got in
and embarked. They were a little
crowded, but that slight discomfort
they did not mind. Either the enemy's
weapons were empty or else they could
not see what was taking place; for no
shots were fired from the bank, and
presently a swifter current took the
canoe past the distant lights of North
cumberland and out into tho broad chan
mel OF the main river The two muskets
were reversed and used for paddles, and
an hour before midnight the fort at
ShamOkin was safely reached.
Here the weary fugutives were warm
ly welcomed and provided with supper
and lodging. B3rnabas extracted the
pocket of papers from his boot, and after
drying them~over 4 fire he restored them
to their hiding place. Much to Nathan 5
disappointment no news had been re-
cCiyed from Wash'ngton's army; but the
tidings Of the Wyoming massacre had
travelled quickly and great alarm was
felt lest the enemy should advance
down the Susnuehanna to raid the eX-
tensjva military stores at Carlisle, over
in the Cumberland valley.
Cato was unfit for travel. and Proud
and Cutbush. with the latter's family,
decided to remain at Siamokin fort FOR
a few days. McNicol also wished TO
stay so that he might visit married
sister who lived at the settlement Of
Northumberland.
SO a; dawn the next morning Barna-
has and the TWO lads said gO0d-by 10
their friends and resumed their jouTey
down The Ityor in The canoe, satisfied
that Simon Glass wouid give them no
further trouble. Indeed. they were by
no means sur that the ruti9n had es-
caped drowning
Below the point of junction Of the two
branches. tine current of the SusqUe-
hanna was very swift, and the little par
~ tdyelied rapidly They made brief
stops at Mex e's fort and the Halifax
fort. where they found jhc same ignor-
anCe TO Prevail concerning The seat Of
war Just as the sun was setting they
came in sight Of Fort Hunter, which
stood on u jujlng bluff half a mile
above the beautiful Ki-jochtinuy gap,
where the river filings itself over bar
rier Of rocks as il leaves the mountains
behind.
Barnabas hauled the canoe high and
dry under the stocEade and led his COM
pani0ns up the bank and around 10 the
gaze. A sentry was ON guard. and after
n little questioning he passed the party
through As they went across the yard
they observed q horse tied 10 a post; the
animal was saGdld and bridlc1. and
showed traces Of recent bard usage.
IN the middle room of the block house
something of a stirring nature seemed
10 be taking place The new arrivals
heard voices ra'sed in shrill and angry
d,sputing. and as they entered ,hcy saw
two soldiers roughly pushing a man to-
ward a door at one side OF The room.
The prisoner was strenUous,y resist
ing. and clamoring 70 be set free and
i'm his struggles he revealed his face TO
Nathan. WITH q thrill OF excitement
the lad recognized the last man he could
have expected to find here.
10 be Continued