The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1898-03-17

women and older girls. In our hous
only three could be depended npo
not to go to sleep; Sister Mary.-th
mother,-Dinah, the one slave. 9TH
only servant we had in those days
who was too much afraid of Indian
to be very sleepy. even after har
days work, and myself.
You probably think you could nc
sleep either, but after weeks Of COZ
slant anxiety one gets used to 1t, an
mercifully can forget long enough t
sleep.
In the course of time the two ar
mics moved about SO that our hous
was exactly between them, Genera
BurgJyne on one side, and Genera
Gates on the other Living then be-
came harder than ever, since the com
mon soldiers, and the Indians in tn,
pay of the British, considered tha
they had right to snything the,
chose to take, and helped themselve.
to whatever they liked, in the house
or out of it.
They would come in at any time
they could, night or day, without sc
much as asking leave, take our din
ner out Of the pot, or blankets off oul
beds, and walk out, even laughing at
our remOnstrance.
"Of course the Indians were worse
or we were more afraid of them
Many time we all stood trembling
around IN the corners, while some
great savage red man. with ugly
painted face, big rolling eyes. and
long black hair hanging down his
back, warmed himself at our fire. ate
our food, what little there was, and
looked through cupboards and chests
to see what we bad that pleased his
savage fancy. Once l remember a
real tragedy in my sonl, when big.
greasy Indian, half drunk and fright
full to look upon, spied among my
treasures doll.
81 had long ago ceased to play with
dolls. When life is SO serious and
full of dangers, young girls grow old
fast. But this was a precious relic
OF my childhood, and l valued it
more than all the rest of my poses
slons. 1t would look strange enough
beside your French wax dolls, but it
was very elegant then; scarcely any
girl bad anything better than a rag
doll. 1t had come to me from rela
tons IN England, and was carved of
wood, with a sweet face, painted, and
real hair.
1T was dressed in stiff brocade sa
-ln, with narrow skirt. very short
waist and sleeves, wide belt and white
zerchief over the shoulders. 1t had a
white muslin turban on the head
every detail of the dress as
we'll as if had seen it yesterday.
"W hen the Indians great eyes fell
lpon this treasure, ne was suddenly
Interested. He took it up in his dirty
1and, and with many grunts of ap
oroval, examined the dress, turning
t around and inspecting all sides
With great attention. Then with one
ound, which of course l could not
understand, he cruel.y tucked my be-
owed Polly into his belt.
How my heart sank. l instinct
vely sprang forward to rescue her,
'ut one glance of his wild eyes. as he
aid his hand Significantly upon his
omahawk, frightened me into silence.
covered my face, and when | looked
lp, he was gone, and my beloved doll
With him.
The next night it was my turn to
watch, and | was sitting down and
Of my doll and wondering
where she was at that moment, when
heard footsteps outside. In an in
tant l was on the alert, listening
nth all my powers. 1t soul ded like |
he guarded tramp of several men, |
nd my heart was In my mouth. as | |
hought of our household of women |
nd children, and onl one gnn to de
end ourselves.
Il slipped my feet out of my shoes.
tole to the door. and put my eur to
le peep hole provided.
~ es. they were plainly men, aud
ley were coming near the house
ut they were men in shoes, and not
le stealthy mocassined sect of sava-
es. Thank God for that! Any ci-
iized foe was preferable to them.
Il hastily and silently wakened
lister Mary, and then crept back to
" place at the door.
Il heard subdued voices, and at last
halt directly before the door. Then
'me gentle tap and a low Mary.
e you aWakeP
"A great sense of relief swept over
g.
1T was my brother! To make Ger
IN, and guard against tricks, how
'er, 1 answered back, through the
Die, N a whisper, Who are you?'
" 1T Is L, sister; open the door,
Yes, open it. said Sister Mary, as
hesltated, Il know his voice..
Il lifted the latch and opened the ,
'or slightly, while my brother and
ur soldiers filed in, and then closed
I'd fastened it rs before.
Soon we had light, and then nv .
other told us he had come with the .
en- to move us away, and we must 90 /,
e next day, because he could not be
'ay long, and besides there were
mors of an attack at any moment.
He said we had better Try to sleep .
e rest of the night. The soldiers
'etehed themselves before the fire
the floor. and We did try to sleep.
t we really spent the night in ex- :
ing talk over the events of the war, :
me news, and the future.
Early the next morning we were !;
and preparing to go. We had but !.
g wagon, the horses long ago given =
the army, and into that vehicle !.
lst be put all We should save of our :,
goods, for We we'll knew that '
house once abandoned would be
ne a stable, or whatever happened !,
be most convenient for the law!ess !.
diers. #,
Big Indian baskets were brought $
t, great round or square things, \
.de of birch bark with covers, and
pable OF holding a busheI. \
Now IN one corner of the house. to r