The National tribune., 1901-12-12

by something tney mad seen IN the dark,
mysterious woods.
With buckets and pans the frontiersman's
wife stopped at her-cow, and the steady
flow of milk IN stream caused the white
liquid to foam in the bottom and rise
quickly TO the top.
Suddenly there rang on the morning
air a sharp report. Crack! crack. bang.
bang! came others, and Mrs. Ramsey
dropped her milking pans and started up
with a shrek, holding her hand to her
face, from which the blood was stream
ing, The COW, with shot in her side,
ran believing away.
Mr. Ramsey started back and saw the
smoke rising from the thicket and a dozen
dark, half-naked forms coming across the
but. badly wounded as he was, his
thoughts were only of his wife.
Run, Lucy, run to the house" he
shouted. The dazed woman started
toward the house, when the Indians fired
again, and another shot struck her. In
his eagcrncss to defend his wounded wife,
the pioneer forgot his three children in
the front yard, who were Overtaken, tom
ahawked and scalped. Mrs. Ramsey
reached the house and fell, while her hus-
band seized his rifle and opened fire
through the cracks in the logs of the
house.
The two older boys saw what was go
ing on and took to their heels in the
woods. and ran toward Mr.. Van Looms
dollhouse. They came upon a young
hunter on the bank of the creek, who
seemed to have passed the night in the
woods.
whats the matter over there?'
George McNair asked, for it was he.
What was all that shooting about?'
'Injuns, Injunsr cried the boys.
"Thcy are KILN our folks"
Where are. you goin?'
For help"
An Indian raid was calculated to rouse
and unite the frOntiersmen for mutual
protection. The youth knew he would
now be in no danger from the Sheriff, and
went with the boys to Mrs. Bernards,
where three or four good rifles were Sc
ctrcd. \ runner was sent to the Salt
Works. where the Boone boys and their
rcdOubtable father, Daniel Boone, with
others, were, and in an hour 10 or 80
pioneers had mustered with rifles, each a
host in himself.
OF course, Mr. Van Loon dismissed his
school and sent the children scampering
home TO hunt place of safety and spread
the alarm.
Old Daniel Boone came with the party,
and was gwen command. They hastened
to the Ramsey house, where a scene of
horror awaited them. The three little
children were found dead in the front
yard, the wife lying on the bed fatally
wounded, the father still at his post,
though bleeding from two or three
wounds.
where are the Indians?" Where are
the red devils?" was the general cry as
they approached the house.
The Indians had gone. No doubt ap
prised of the advance of white hunters,
whose rifles they had come to dread, they
had taken to the woods.
Mr.. Ramsey WAS faint and bleeding.
Il have defended my home as well as
could, but the devils were too many for
me-" he said.
The veteran pioneer, Daniel Boone,
who was with the advance, carrying his
ong-barreled, unerring rife in his hand,
entered the house. He called for water
and soft linen, washed and dressed the
wounded woman, while her dead children
were gathered up and prepared for burial.
Say, amt you George McNair?' asked
Abe Bernard of George.
Yes" he answered, calamity making
him bold.
Where have you beenT'
Hunting, trapping, and boating.
Il heerd La Boone wanted you, but I
wouldn't a-told had | known where ye
were"
Il know it; whvre do you suppose those
Indians went?" a
II don't know"
They may be even now killing some of
our people; we had better be after them"
Good Lord, | hadn't thought of that
gasped Abe. Mother and Betsy Ann are
alone. Where's Newt and Noah? We
must go home right off"
Wait; it won't do to divide up now.
They'd kill us one at time" said George.
'Reckin' your right"
Horror, dread and fear had so com
pletely petrifed and unnamed the from
tersmen that they stood in groups, gazing
helplessly into each others faces Daniel
Boone and his SONS were the coolest of
any, but they were busy alleyiating the
of the others.
George McNair was first to awake into
like activity, and he began at
once to organize party for defense.
Daniel Boone, his sons and 10 men left
with the wounded man, George with 10
started to scOur the settlements on the
eastern side of the creek, and 20 under
Mr.. Bunce went to the southwest.
Before George had gone half a mile
with his command they came upon the
house, and followed them to that build
ing. Though the children had escaped,
they found the door of the school-house
broken in, and books and maps, pens and
ink thrown out of the window. 1t was
evident no one had been injured, for there
was no evidence OF struggle, ana no
shots had been fired.
Where did Mr. Van Loon go?" was
the question asked by all. The school
master had beyond doubt dismissed his
school in time for the little folks to run
home, but as the Indians were still in the
the keenest apprehensions
were felt.
From the school-house the trail of the |
sayages led off southwest; they followed
this for over half mile, when they came
upon singular sight. It was u small |
log pen or house about five feet high, eyi- |
IDENTIFY built as n stOrehouse. The door
had been broken open and the school |
master was lying near it, his face down.
At first it was thought he was dead, but
when George raised him to his feet he
saw that he was uninjured, though his
face was ghastly pale, and his form
quivered.
What is the matteri" asked George,
anXiOusly gazing upon the pale face and
quiycring lips. Did the Indians hurt
youE
Ne" he answered: mot my person."
Did you see them?'
mo. but they were here" he answered,
pointing toward his looted
Did they do that?'
''Hhey are gone"' he groaned. Every
fur, hide. and pelt is gone, and have lost
all. How can go home now?"
The youthful pioneer tried to console |
the unfortunate schoOl-master.
I'VE will recover the stolen furs and
punish the thieves" he declared Rut |