The National tribune., 1901-12-12
"Who told your"

"Who told your
'He did"
"Then We seen himT
''Yes; l have been hanging about here
for some time"
Say, George. won't the Sheriff git
youy"
Don't know, Abe. This amt no time
now to ask what the Sheriff'll do. When
the Indians are killing women and chill
dren, Wen have to forget La Boone and
the Sheriff"
''Yes; l don't think they orter do any
thing with feller, even if he had done
some crooked work, in time like this
Anybody but La Boone wouldn't, and
he's too big a coward to show his face in
this part Of the country until the last In
dams run out"
1t was now the middle Of the afternoon,
and the men had been running from place
to place without any special directing
head. Since the attack on the Ramsey
family all had been confusion. Each
frontierSman was most anxious to go
home and protect his own family; yet
Daniel Boone, who was looked upon as a
sort of general commander, had forbidden
them to scatter their forces. The only
hope of successfully resisting the savages
waste meet them in a body strong enough
to defeat them.
When George awoke to the danger to
his mother and the family, he urged the
men to a trot, and going in single file
along the path through the dense woods,
they ran over the ridge down the ravine
and crossed the brook on fallen tree.
They climbed the next hill and paused a
moment to listen.
Come on; we have really no time to
waste. Hurry up; we are burnin' day
light, and like expressions broke from
the impatient pioneers. Let US find the
red devils.'
Crossing a bit of level ground, they
came to the fence around the orchard.
George gaZed on the well-remembered
spot, and with a thousand misgivings
turned his eyes toward the gables of the
old, familiar house, expecting to see it in
flames. But it looked very peaceful, very
quiet as it nestled among the trees. He
heard no Indian war-hoop, and no sharp
rifle crack. Perhaps the red fiends had
done their deadly work and gone without
burning the house." he thought. Then he
quickened his pace to a run and his com
panions followed him.
When he came within sight of the old
building, he saw there was a great com
motion. Big Jack and the other negroes
were driving the cattle into the barn-yard.
The horses were crowded into the stables,
and the two hired men and the negroes
were loading guns, evidently preparing for
a siege.
With cry of joy, George burst into the
house, crying:
"Mothern
George Georger shouted the pale
fearful woman, clasping her son i'll her
arms. Where did you come frOm?"
Il have been keeping watch over you,
mother. Have you seen the Indians?'
mo, but they say Mr.. Ramsey's people
are murdered"
They shall be avenged; we have no
time to stop. Have the negroes and hired
men load their guns and keep close in the
houses, so you can defend yourselves"
Where are you going, George"
ITO hunt the Indians"
"Oh, do be careful"
DO, you suppose father will fall into
an Ambassador"
"Oh, Lord, | had not thought of him.
He is expected home at any time
But the Indians have not gone east.
We are close after them, and will soon
run them down."
My child, you will be killed"
Hope not, mother; 1 must take my
chance with these other men, and we will
kill every Indian we can come up with"
They decided after few moments de-
liberation to leave the school-maSter at
the house He might be able to do some
should be attacked, though he would be
utterly worthless in a pursuit of the In
dians.
he was given a gun and, notwithstand-
ing his financial loss had plunged him into
the deepest despair, prepared to defend
himself and the family of his friend
George whispered a word in the ear of
the school-master which would have
raised the dropping spirits of any other
save the proud and eccentric Van Loon.
He told him he had sufficient money to
make good his loss, and would cheerfully
do so. But Van Loon shook his head, and
a deeper, darker look of despair came
over his face. He was too proud to ac-
cept any prOffered aid, even as a loan
He must earn his way by his own effort. |
Besides, the decree of fate was against
him, and he could see nothing but ruin.
CTo be continued)