The National tribune., 1901-12-19

which WIS spanncd by Il bridge built the
wear before. \ careful search of the
dusty road did not show any evidence OK
Indians.
They halted on the bridge for short
consultation. Should they cross the creek
or follow it up in its northwestern course
Il don't believe the Indians have
crossed the road" declared George.
Where are they, them
In the bushes up north
Lets find EN- soon as We KIN, de-
clared Noah Bernard.
That's what we all want to do, put
in George; but just which course we are
to take is what bothers MS
Suppose some of us go across the
creek always and see if the lnjuns have
hccn on that side?' suggested Abe.
1T might be well; but we must not get
separated"
Then lets alI 90 over
The proposition seemed to meet with
general favor, and George headed the
party to cross the bridge. They had got
about half way over when Il voice from
The other side called:
Say, yo'Uns better stop thar.
George looked up and saw Il man with
au old white hat slouching over his eyes,
sitting on stump, rifle dcross his
knees, and a pipe in his mouth. He was
a typical fronticrsman, with the drawing
accent of n SOutherner.
They paused in astOnishment and
stared 1T the man who had halted them.
Abe. who was close to George, whispered:
Its old Davy Myers, who's jist moved
here from Kaintucky."
'Whar yOU'nS gwine, any Way!" old
Davy demanded.
We are hunting the Indians
'Injuns: wall, l reckin they keep
mighty sca'cc round hyar. l war sent
hyar' t watch this brige'n let nome cross
il. so yOu'ns mustn't try"
They only meant you were not to let
the Indians cross il"
Didn't say SO. Said none war I cross
It. an I'm gwine t obey orders"
This is folly, sir; we are after the
indians; you know u.s.
Don't know what yer arter, nor l
don't know. ye. Reckin' | fit under Jack
son at Orleans, an stood gyard huff t
know what order is when | hear it.
Did you have orders to not let white
mer cross the crcekT'
Gross the creek all ye want ter, so ye
don't come over on tn bridge. l war set
t eyard that, an recllin' L m gwine t
dot too"
Perhaps you have no objections to
answering q few questions" said George.
setting the brtt Of his rifle on the bridge
beneath his feet.
No. L kin answer any questions We ak,
hut doggo my hide ef y'd better come
Il foot higher on the bridge"
Have you seen any lndiansF'
Ne"
Has any been on that side Of the
Nary red
Then we don't want TO come over:
Ne are after Indians" declared George
and, followed by his companions, went to
the other side OF the bridge I'm the
name Of reason, where did that lunatic
come fromT' he asked.
lie amt been here long" Abe Ber-
nsrd answered
If he sits on that stump smoking,
some Indian will slip up through the
bushes and shoot him.
lie don't seem TO be skeered o. any
one
Hes an old fool" Tom Wright de-
clarcd, ''Or he'd let US cross the creek"
They had gone about two miles ND the
east bank OF the creek, when George
discovered Il dark form fitting about
among the trees and thick bushes ahead
Of him. BY this time the sun had set and
IL was growing dusk
There came. Il fash and sharp report,
aud then another.
'iHjGnsi" cried Abe.
George dropped on one knee and fired
INTO Ihe hazel thicket where he had seen
the form disappear.
Two or three more did the same.
y mere are they, George: where nre
they asked Noah Bernard. crowding
forward with his rife cooked.
Right ahead
DO you see themY'
bushes
'Dern his liver III make him jump"
gFoWied Noah. George ordered charge
on the thicket.
With yells they dashed forward. and
after chase of n quarter OF a mile saw
three or four, Indians leap from the bank
lht. The creek and swim to the other side.
Rough half dozen shots were fired
NJ mem, they reached the opposite bank
ard disappeared into the thicket and
gathering gloom Of night
Living in the peace and security of the
2nuh century we are incapable OF appre,
eating the trials, dangers and hcartaches
Of the pioneers.
Not only was the land wild. stubborn
hnd difficult 10 cultivate. hut they were
never secure from the red scourge.
An Indian raid was often widespread,
aud 10 or 60, or even 100, miles was some.
times devastated.
Sunny peace had rciEned at the Roggs
h"fEr The deep, old forest glades of.
Tered inviting retreats from the suns ra Va
VIA howers nodded in their beauty and
perfume burdcned the air. Wild strow,
E.nnle(
and Sally Boggs spent many profitable
hour gathering the delicious fruit. which
furnished an excellent dessert for the pio
nccrs' dinner.
Sally Boggs was talkatiYe enough wLer
ohg became acquainted with her. Her De
cnhar retirement when strangers were
around was the result OF her life Of &c.
cluSion. Once the ice was broken with
Enhice' hhe became garrulous and heI
ldle iwaddie at times became ANNOYING,
Eunice had exhausted her nissionar,
efforts in teaching Sally TO read. ana
though she had met with some success
ihg progress OF Miss Boggs was slow,
he day was pleasant, and the girls hac
wandered two or three miles from th,
house. Their Tin buckets were filed witt
luscious Strawberries, and they paused +,
rest by great log from which the bari
had fallen, leaving the great trunk dry
hard and smooth.
Eunce sat npon the log, fannins he
face with her bF0ad-brimmed hat. and th
short. fat Sally 10y many a jerk and back
ward hitch mounted TO a place at he
SIDE, her legs dangling on the side of tn
log, swinging her quilted bonnet by tn
strings and kicking her heels.
Say, Ennice, that brother O. yourn (
awful nice" said Sally, looking down a
her bonnet.
Yes; George is n good boy"
"Gh, We 0ner seed him when the cal
ct up his britches, and he put on pap's
He looked awful funny"
mo doubt
Did he ever tell ye bout it?'
Hcs-oncc; he thought it very ridicu