The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-10-27
ABIGAIL'S VISITORS.
ny HATTIE BRIGGS. u

from the place to-day and leave you 4
and the children alone" said Farmer
Slower, as he disposed Of his powder
flask and took down his rife from the
side Of the kitchen wall
oh, never mind Us. Daddy" said
Abigail, cheerfuIIy- "Of course II will
be lonesome with you and mother both
gone. but wen be safe enough Don't
worry one bit about US"
Il am not SO sure about It being
safe" replied her father. The In
dams are none too friendly nowadays.
and they are getting more restless
each week Even old Nakomis. who
has always been on good terms with
the settlers. avoided me a day OF two
ago when I went across the clearing.
and I'm afraid it all means trouble to
the whites"
But, father" went on Abigail. Mr.
Grey and ali the other neighbors have
been so kind when you needed help
that you can't stay away to-day when
they are to finish putting up the house
with this days work You know I'm
DA p4EALI EggA III LAo win DAA ~
neighbors- Why she added. laugh
ingly. Il can talk little Indian"
Jonathan Slower, in company with
a small party OF fasteners, their
wives and children. had come into the
wilderness OF Michigan seven months
before this. in the hope Of founding
homes in what was the furthest point
OF the known west After months Of
hardship and toll. the last house was
to be finished on this day. and on the
MORROW corn was to be planted in the
small patches which these brave men
had been able to clear
Now. children" said the elder sis
ter. after watching the father well out
OF sight. If you see an Indian coming
to-day 1 want you both to hide as fast
as your feet viii take you II I see
them first" she went on with her
arms about the small brother. I'll
rap on the fireplace three times. and
then you are TO get out of sight as
soon as possible. Don't go out OF
doors once. for we must stay close to-
gether all day" And with q few more
instructions. she was soon about her
work. trying TO forget the dangers of
hostile Indians
The Gay were on. and when the sun
Indicated that the time was drawing
On for the father TO return. Abigail
got out the kettles. hung them on the
crane and put on the water to heat
for the mush- The appearance OF that
article on the table usually called
forth some laughing remark from the
eastern-bred girl. who was making 2
brave effort To be happy in a wilder
ness. Just as the water commenced
10 bubble. three sharp blows were
struck upon the hearth. and at the
same instant the frightened little
forms dropped into the hole under the
floor. which was reserved for times OF
such peril. and the loose plank WIS
quietly put into place
The next moment a tail Indian
whose quick eye saw only young cir
quietly dropping handfuIs Of yellow
meal into the boiling water. appezree
at the door A nod was exchanged be.
tween the girl and the ehieTtaiu. whose
entrance was followed BY another anC
another. until six Indians stood il thc
room. each with painted face anC
decked in the traPpings OF var The
silence was unbr0Seu for several min
uyeS. save sor the steady movement
or TIA iron spoon. which was graspes
I IN Aaigail's QuiveTing fingers. A
length NakOmis. who had hitherto hi Z
I himself friendly toward the whites. ad
vaneed a step and said in a heavy
I cultural tone. White man home
Nakonis would have speech viii
/ him"
Nakoniis spoke little English an,
had taught Abigail the few Indian
words she knew.
Ny father replied the Young girl
looking the brave straight in the facu
is not far on He viii be here in
moment What do You want Will
himg"
NO tell little white face. returne;
the man. leering at her, she Trzid
{ She big coward White ran coward
I White man 80, and ne added wick
e6ly. 4 kiu him lniun gel al whit
mans scalp and going toward III
SRI. with his cruel eyes upon her facs
he laid one hand on his tOmanawk an
stretched the other toward her.
( With a wild CRY. born Of the des
perztiOn of the moment. AbssaI Sill
over raised the spOan filled With boil
ing niEsh. and as the Indian alnics
had her in his grasp. she dashed !
full into his face. AS he turned viii
howl of rage and pain. STE grabber
an iron dipper from its nail al the sid
OF. the hearth. filed it with the por
ridge and flung il st the red man
neck and head as he fed thrOGgh tn
door. The other Indians attempted 4
stop the now Infatuated girl. who kne,
she was fighting for her life. but 3
each turned toward her he receive
the scalding nush fun in his ewes. an
in 8 few seconds the last one Of m
six LEFT the door of the cabin. smart
ing with pain and rage. the content
of the kettle being about evenly dis
tributod over the bodies CT the hair
dozen ChippswaS Later on no on
was known 10 have died from the re
4