The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-17
Published by Special Arrangement.
BY
MAGGIE SYMINGTON
copyright. 1901, by Maggie symington.l


and all the help you are disposed to give
hope you have come up with the intention
OF remaining?"
His grave face his unresponsiveness 10
the more jocular greeting of the boys I'M
pressed me seriously.
81 think you should make use of every
available means of defense that you
possess. Neglect no precaution that 1t Is
I'm YOUR power TO take These fellows get
the idea into their heads once in blue
moon that they can help themselves to
some of the white mans belongings. And
when they proceed to act upon this idea it
Is no Joke for us, / can assure you. They
are beggars to fight"
"As you know l responded, I'VE are
fairly well provided with means OF de-
Tense"
overhaul every one of them and make
sure they are in condition for use. This is
a bigger affair than has occurred for years.
unless my informant is. 1 can scarcely
think. deceived"
There was a caution and reserve in his
tone which impressed me almost more than
the words themselves. 1 began to realize
that we had an actual danger to face. and
that the deadly calm of our lives was like
ly to be broken with a vengeance.
Fred and Harry became as lively and
eager as If they were about to encounter
an adverse team at football; but Willie Bel
ton. who was barely seventeen years of
age. and was. moreover, somewhat nervous
and delicate. double reason for regarding
him as the baby clerk of the station, grew
pale about the lips
We lost no further time in elaboration.
hiIf al cot to work vigorously IN strengthen
our position. We closed the iron shutters.
which had musket holes in them, over the
three windows, barred. bolted and double
locked the doors, and then proceeded TO
erect a barricade of all the mattresses.
heavy furniture. blocks of wood, etc, we
could lay hands on. Next, the firearms and
placed in readiness.
After all this was accomplished l pressed
lunch on HamDden. Then we discovered
| that our servant. who had been missing
| from the beginning of the operations. had
| not yet returned
"Shall we waltz asked, cor set out the
| lunch ourselves in the best way cam
"A raid on the larder by all means"
cried Harry. Come along. Willie"
Hampdens lips curved; light flashed
| from his eyes.
do you suppose he means to come
| back?" he asked.
1T has not occurred to me to doubt
it, What is your opinion, Hampden?''
~ should say he has taken himself off to
| the hills and intends to stay there till all
| danger is over Some Of these fellows are
awful cowards.''
HE looked decidedly like being in funk
when he brought me your note,' 1 said,
musingly.
What beastly sneakr' from Fred.
A light touch was my arm, and 1
turned to find Willie's pale. eager face at
| my elbow.
| Don't you think. Mr.. Brownley, IL would
| be better for all ito go up to the hills.
| too? You see sir, we shall be killed IL We
stay here. We've made everything as safe
as we can. and we could come back after
the savages are gone Do let us go!''
Before could reply. Fred interposed in
| a voice of thunder:
| stop that. youngster. Don't insult us by
suggesting the white feather. Bolton. It's
pity you ever left your mothers apron
strings. Can't you see it's our duty to
stick by this placer
| Don't be hard on the boy, Fred" / in
| terposed- willie is only half a man at
present and I do not suppose the duty as
| pect OF the case has struck him."
Fred sobered down a little.
II suppose it's right enough to take as
| jolly good care of ourselves as possible, but
| when 1t comes to deserving the station,
that's an idea that I'm sure, sir, you would
| not entertain for one moment"
II have been placed here in charge OF it, "
/ returned. quietly, as 1 laid my hand on
Willie's shoulder. land 1t is certainly my
| duty TO defend 1t with my life If need be
| I also think it the duty of each and all
of you TO stand by me. Still, if Willie
| would like to take refuge in the hills
mo, oh, no! If you stay will stay, too
I wanted you all to be safe. / did not
| think of going alone"
Give US your flipper. old chap" cried
Harry. you'll fight with the best of US
1 know"