Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-08-27
SAVED By woxAE WIT.

the land occupied by their fathers, while
others were exceedingly anxious to ex-l
terminate the paie-faced intruders.
Mr.. Bodweli's family consisted of him
| self, wife and three children. the Oldest,
Hannah being fifteen years Of age, and
the others, a boy and girl, ten and six,
| respectively A cabin had been built sew
eral acres cleared. and the seed sown.
Many of the nelghboring Indians had
called at the cabin, inquired after the
crops, and taken great interest in the
children; and although they had often re-
quested to take the smaller ones TO their
camp and as often been refused, they APP
peared friendly and willing to do what
| they could for the family.
Hannahs features were finely marked
her dark eyes and her beautiful brown
hair, generally hanging in tresses over
| her shoulders always called forth from
| the Indians expressions OF praise and adj
| miration.
After an acquaintance of several months
an Indian chief desired to take Hannah
| to his camp and make her one Of his own
| family.
To this proposition Mr.. Bodwell, of
| course, refused to aceede, giving as a rea-
son that his daughter was at that time
too young to be taken from her parents
| and placed in a harem, and suggested to
| the chief that while he felt 1t his duty as
| a father TO retain Hannah in the family
| he yet wished to live on terms of peace
| with hts (the chiers) tribe, and hoped
| that the refusal to comply with his re-
quest would not be considered mark of
| an unfriendly feeling between them.
The savage chief sat a few moments In
| silence, and then, heavng a sigh, re-
piled that he was sorry they would not
| do as he wished them to, and that he
should visit them but once more, yet
| there would be no trouble with them, and
none of hi. tribe should injure them.
After the chief had left the cabin Mrs.
| Bodwell said:
Jeremiah. 1 believe that Indian means
mischief
| why do you think so7' inquired her
| husband.
Because he said he should visit us but
| once more, and l feel though that
would be to kill us" she replied.
It guess not; he wouldn't do that"
| 81 hope not; but then 1t would be just
| like the Indians"
BE like some of them, l know; but
guess there's no danger"
TIL tell you one thing now" said Mrs.
| Bodwell, in a decided tone. IT shall not
go to bed tonight. IN going to be awake
| If they come providing round here. They'd
scalp US, and take Hannah and the other
! children off with them
1t was evident that Mr.. Bodwell was
somewhat alarmed himself; yet wishing
| to appear as cool as possible, he inquired:
Suppose they should come what would
| you do IL you were awake?"
I'D show fight some way"
"Yes. but there are lot of them, and
| only n few of us
There are guns in the house" ex-
claimed Mrs. Bodwell, "and we know how
to use them"
"I am aware of it; but we couldn't keep
the redskins off with them2"
Father" said Hannah, how much
powder is there In the house?"
"Quite lot"
81 know what to do, then
=. Yes, you women wolks always contrive
something" replied her father, In sar-
| castle tone.
81 know it'n work.
Then tell it,
"You know" said Hannah, that when
| an Indian wants to enter a house he goes
to the door and demands that it be
opened and those that come with him, If
any. stand Just behind him. Now. my
plan Is to put some powder under the
ground round the door, and then explode
II when they demand admittance."
Mr.. Bodwen shook his head as he ex-
claimed: 'Impossible!'
Il think that IL can be done," replied
the daughter.
Il know it can" said Mrs. Bodwer.
you can try it IL you wish" was Mr..
Bodwells reply, az he proceeded to get
the powder.
After digging and placing bark and
leaves they filed the earth with
powder and small stones, and laying
fuse so 1t could be lighted from the inside
the mine was pronounced dome and com
plete' by, Mr. Bodwell, who. though he
distrusted sthe scheme when 1t was first
suggested, was now almost in ecstacy
over it.
AS night approached the muskets were
loaded, the door barred and the lights ex-
tinguished Mr.. Bodwel took his station
at 1.-The lookout" as the orifice in the wall
was called.
Several new holes had been made to
fire through and it was understood that
after the explosion, if any human forms
| were seen, the muskets should be dis
| charged at once.
The evening hours passed slowly away,
and yet no visitors. Night was well adj
yanced When all nature seemed asleep
| the listening ear caught the sound of a
| footstep In the distance, then another,
and still another. Mrs. Bodwel1s fears
were about to be realized. form was
visible in the starlight. and then a second,
| and so on until between twenty and thirty
| Indians stood before the door. They were
near together, and most of them stood on
| the mine. The chief advanced and, pound
| ing on the door with his club, exclaimed:
| "Paleface, open door. Me break 1t
! All was still within the cabin"
| Again the Indian pounded, and deRhand-
| ed that the door be opened"
Mr.. Bodweil pointed his musket through
| the orifice in such manner that the mu1-
| gle was in line with the head of the chief.
Then, giving the signal for Hannah to
| touch the fuse, he aimed and fired, and as
| the victim fell. the magazine exploded,
| and twenty Indians met their fate while
| on a mission of cruelty and death.