Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-12-19

sist her. But a. the country hare was
but sparsely settled shs realized that
she must ride like the wind.
"Come. old fellow. she said. bend
ing forward and patting the glossy neck
Of her steed; ''you must do your BEST
for me tonight
Then she drew . whip from the sad
die and piled Il 10 the animals Hanka
And now began that furious ride which
ID still preserved In the traditions Of
the region.
The gallant horss responded nobly 70
Polly's urging and dashed forward At
increased speed On. on they Hsw.
through forests. fields and swamp
landa up hill and down. trailing .
cloud Of dust behind and awaking the
echoes In the neighboring hills with the
sound Of hoof beata For mile after mile
this furious gait was maintained. and
yet not the sign Of human habitation
appeared along the way. Polly began
70 despair.
"Can Il b possible. she thought
"that no people inhabit this oountryf
Just then she arrived at Q turn In
the road and uttered little cry Of do
light For . few rods ahead could be
ssen cluster Of dwsllingA with smoke
curling up from their chimneys The
buildings were only log huts. but this
In itself was encouraging. Tor Il indi.
Gated that their owners were stout
hearted pioneera who would hasten 10
respond to her call
Al Polly galloped furiously into tho
settlement she aroused al the dogs TO
yelping. 90 that when she drew rein the
inhabitants came running from their
houses alarmed by the disturbance they
eaised
what IL IT, galf' cried . busly
ftontiersman excitedly. Have the In
iuns come over the mountainsf'
mo. not that. painted Polly. ''but
something far worsa Oh. II you be
true men arm yourselves and mount
your horses At once. for . neighbor
stands In need Of your aid
BY this time eight sturdy fellows
were gathered round hes. with Q circle
Of gaping women and children in the
background
"a neighbor In troublef' asked their
spokesman. "Then tell us bis plight
lass. and we'll stand by him.
Hes to be robbed and murdered.
cried Polly "Oh. make haste or Il will
be too Late
Then. seeing the men still looked
questioninsly st her. she added
'Claudius Smith and his gang are on
their way 70 Caleb shufher's to make
him surrender his hoard.
This announcement had an electrify-
ing effect upon the mon
"Claudius Smith on smother Of his
raids. dye sAyi The robberl The mur-
dererl"
And with these exclamations Of rage
they hurried away 70 prepare them
selves for action Accustomed a. they
were 70 respond 10 sudden alsrms the
men of this border settlement were not
long In making ready for the road.
Within q few minutes after the mes
senger's arrival they were prepared to
ride TO Caleb Shurker's rescue, and.
placing herself at their bead. Polly con-
timed her journey.
She had now eight men with which
to oppose 30 outlaws Conscious of the
inadequacy Of this force. she turned to
the leader OF the frontiersmep and
asked Us she galloped by his side;
do you know where we can hnd
other true men to join usf"
Let me think biti" he answered.
Knitting his browA There's Simon
Bevier. that lives three miles from here.
near the Goshen pike, and there's Luke
Harding. about mile further on, and
then yen 6nd NO living crsetur ontil ye
strikes Hasbrouck'a on the Minnisink
trail. whar thsr's old man Jones and
his sons. Tom and Isaac.
And do you think these men will
Join usi'' asked Polly eagerly.
ITO be sure they will. }" was the re-
sponse.
"Then do you lssd the way" she
cried. land ride at full speed. for time
Il pressing"
So the frontiersmsn placed himself
At the head Of the galloping troop and
called upon his comrades to quicken
their speed After following the road
for about mile they bsanched OF into
the woods and disappeared among the
trees By this time the night was far
advanced and they lost sight OF one an.
other In the darkness; but. with an in
stinct that was unerTing. the frontiers
men made their way rapidly along Q
winding bride path until they emerged
upon the Goshen turnpike close 70 the
house Of Simon Bsvief.
Having enlisted this stanch patriot
In their company. they dashed on once
more until they came 10 the log cabin
Of Luke Harding. While they were
awaiting his preparations TO join them
their leader called one Of the men TO
bis side and said:
ride over 10 Hasbgouck'a Seth, %
fast a 70 can and ten the old man
that he's wanted Tell him to fetch the
two lads along. and then take the short
out through The woods to the Shawan-
sunk road. whore yen And % awaiting
70 at the spring
Seth listened - these instructions
intently and then dashsd q upon HE
srrand ct furious oallon Shortly aft-
srward Luke Harding appeared upoa
The road mounted O. spirited mare
and armed 10 ths testh ~ b took his
place In ~ company thsif Isad~ cali
| q ont:
sNow. ny ladA iuwasdr
and. digging his hsals into ~ aonn
a III charges. - tuznsd hack along
he tuznpiks ard - ~ way towssd
~ place q rsndegvooa
Itwas fcetunats ts rb1ly thoe -
hoess niehard oUith ~ psovidsd ~
~ pcassnsd NJ gssst SpcvW = -
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