Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1903-04-30
NEW SERIES--VOI. xxi M "a

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 East
ern-bred girl. who was making a brave
effort to be happy in a wilderness.
Just as the water commenced to bub-
Die, three sharp blows were struck
upon the hearth. and at the same in
stant the little frightened forrus
dropped into the hole under the fioor.-
Which was reserved for times Of such =
peril. and the loose plank was quietly
put into place The next moment 4
tall Indian, whose quick eye only saw
young girl quietly dropping handfuls
OF yellow meal into the boiling water,
appeared at the door. 4 nod was ex-
changed between the girl and the
chieftsin, whose entrance was followed
by another and another, until six In
dians stood in the room. each with
painted face and decked in the trap
pings Of war. The silence was 1n-
broken for several minutdes, save for
the steady movements Of the iron
spoon. which was grasped in Abigairs
quivering fingers. At length Nakomis,
who had hitherto held himself friendly
toward the whites, advanced a step
and said in heavy, cultural tone.
white man home? Nakomis would
have speech with him.
Nakomis spoke a little English, and
had taught Abigail the few Indian
words she knew.
'My father" replied the young girl
looking the brave straight in the face
lis not far of. He will be here in
moment. What do you want with
him?''
mo tell little white face" returned
the man, leering at her, "she 'fraid.
She big coward. White man coward.
White man co." and he added wick
edly, Il kill him. Injun get all white
| mans scalp" and going toward the
girl, with his cruel eyes upon her face.
he laid one hand on his tomahawk and
stretched the other toward her.
With wild cry, born Of the despera-
ton Of the moment. Abigail Slower
raised the spoon filed with boiling
mush, and as the Indian almost had
her in his grasp, she dashed it full into
his face. AS lie turned with howl Of
| rage and pain, she grabbed an iron
| dipper from it's nail at the side of the
hearth, filled it with the porridge and
| flung it at the red. mans neck and head
| as he fed through the door. The other
| Indians attempted to stop the now in
| furiated girl, who knew she was fight
| ing for her life. but as each turned
| toward her he received the scalding
mush full in his eyes, and in few
| seconds the last one of the six left the
! door Of the cabin, smarting with pain
| and rage, the contents Of the kettle be-
ing about evenly distributed over the
| bodies of the half dozen Chippewas.
Later on one was known to have died
| from the results Of his burns.
When Jonathan Slower returned 10
his home. accompanied by his neigh
bors, in response to the four shots from
! the rife, Abigail was lifting her little
! brothers out Of their places Of safety.
| and as she sank Imply into her faith
| ei's arms, she said With an attempt at
her old gaiety, Daddy. We can't have
| any mush for supper
This incident happened twenty miles
| from where Detroit now is: and by the
| spot where the Siloye. cabin then
| stood. an electric car sweeps through
the country. Free Press.