The progress., 1904-04-09

| ucTc uOtulu6 " hCCP WoSSA VI,
we said; who'd be afraid in broad day.
light?'
I'm not afraid was Keturah's an
swer, but don't stay long,
I'VE took our loaded rifles and ran
of in high glee. We were soon at the
sedgss, and it didn't take long to shoot
our ducks. but getting our trophies
was another thing We had each shot
two fine ducks, and Jonathan started
for his through the sedges. Present.
ly with cry of dismay he began sink
ing in the marshy ground. In my en-
deavor, to rescue him l sank, too.
With every movement to escape we
sank lower. We laughed at first, but
our laughter soon died out as we real
ized our dilemma. We tried to cheer
each other as the afternoon wore on,
but when the sun began to set behind
the mountains we shivered with cold
and fear. Meanwhile father and Cyrus
had returned to camp and, finding us
gone, came to our rescue. Knowing
| that the sedges was a dangerous place,
they had brought a rope. Father car
ried q lantern. l don't think Jona-
than, and | were ever before or since
so glad to see any one as We were to
see our father and Cyrus. The shades
| of night were falling before we were
rescued. The lasso was used, but 1t
was slow work to be drawn through
| those horrible sedges to safe footing.
Father didn't say much on our way
home We knew he was worried.
81 don't wonder you're angry, l
said at last.
)" Apsry,' he exclaimed. in surprise,
TN not angry, but am disappointed.
thought YOU boys were old enough
to know that you were left in charge
of mother and the children
I'VE had the grace to be ashamed.
"'Walk fast urged father, it isn't
safe for the folks to be alone.
"'Why, it's early yet said Jonathan.
What is there to be afraid Off
Before father could answer our two
dogs who had followed father and
Cyrus began 10 bark furiously. Pres
emily there came in sight, running to-
ward us, one, two, three wolves. They
were yelpng wildly Father turned
white, but he did not lose his head.
He said calmly: No time to lose. I'll
take the first one; Cyrus, you, the Sec
ond Boys, both of you aim for the
third Ready! Aim! Fire!
Il don't believe general in the army
could lead his soldiers any more sue
cessfully than father led lis. We
obeyed him to the letter, and in a mo-
ment the battle was over. The three
gaunt wolves lay stretched out dying.
After the shooting, father staggered
as if he were about to fall, too.
"'Those wolves he said, they came
from the direction of our camp!
I'VE hurried on as fast as our legs
could carry us, great and awful fear
having taken possession of us. We
were nearing the camp when we heard
the sound of music.
Hush said father. raising an arm
appealingly, and.we listened with bated
breath, after which Jonathan cried out:
It's Keturah singing
Thank God, said father, reverent-
ly. 'all's well, or the dear child wouldn't
be singing
"'She's playing on the violin, too.'
! said. and don't you hear Moses with
the banjo and little Abe with his hornT
Poor father! 2 He laughed aloud
with relief.
What girl our little Keturah isl
T. cnt a nlx- hafc hox -tvu q.
concert out here on the edge of the |
wild woods SO as to cheer up the home |
folks. She has all Mother Nature, in |
Guiding old Cumberland tpointing to |
the mountain range) for an audience
III never forget the scene when We |
reached camp. With one accord we |
stood still in the shadows. There was |
great glowing camp fire, in front OF |
which Keturah stood with flushed face.
she was still singing at the top of her
voice and still fiddling. Moses was on
one side of her, Abe on the other, the
former playing on the banjo. the latter
on an old tin horn. Grandfather, who
was both aged and feeble, stood lit
tie apart, clapping two tin kettle
-, ,s,,,,s ,..,,. ~
eu.l - 30.
n.,, .,..,. o
"aeo"' no'n 'ns a"ay ny
~ ." DaD'
.o.s' ioaao anu 'a.oo. "o'nei iace
looked unearth1y white in the glare of
'he amp nle. one was ringing Dig
Wv oei mat we nae o,ouen' aiohe'
.ninhins 'ha' we might nave occasion
" use IL oh 'ne COW our party
SEEMED 10 pe STRUCK oumo ior minute
Sohatnah ana l knelt1 down with our
nahos over tne mouthsoi our Two dogs
10 keep 'hem from nowhng al tne nor
,iole NOISE, as tney were longing TO 40.