The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-11-04

Smith. II have but about two Or tnrae
charges left"
Il have but four OF Ave myself"
said Woodleigh. "If they should make
another sudden rush am afraid we
could not keep them on. but we viii
do our best. and our dubbed rifles and
knives will do same execution" he
bravely added.
| II will make some bullets at once"
said Mrs. Woodleigh
What will you make them of
| There isn't a scrap Of lead about the
house." said Mr.. WOOdlelgh, sadly.
"Yes. there is,' quickly replied hl.
wife. You have forgotten my pewter
platters and plates. think they viii
make good bullets. III melt them and
run some while you -wo keep watch;
this hot fire is just III, thing"
Suiting her actions TO her words,
first the big and then the little platters
were melted and run in the mods.
which were n part OF the equipment OF
every settler In those times. These
were followed In the SAME order by the
plates, until but two remained on the
hearth, the two men, meanwhile firing
as often as redskln showed himself.
Az day began TO brear Mr.. Woodieigh
bade his wife cease her work. rs for
some little time no sign OF their foes
lad been discerniblc
Mrs. WOodleigh was we'll nigh worn
out with anxiety, and the frightened
children were buddled together. having
-, Ln eli baf
first wild yell aroused them.
Hope now revived as the daylight adj
vanced. When the sun had risen. no
sign OF lurking savage being IN sight,
Mr. Woodleigh determined TO 20 out
and reconnoiter little. Smith kept
watch through the loophole which COM
manded the door, rife in hand. while
Mr.. Woodleigh took down the barri-
cade ana opened the door, all being
careful to keep we'll out Of range, lest
a shot come from some unseen source
the trees. Mr.. Woodleigh then
carefully pushed forward a stick ar
ranged with coat and hat to look
like n half-hidden man pceping out;
this was for the purpose Of drawing
llf Z VI Allt llhlhhHf HAOhib hiis Sii''
remain in ambush This dummy pro-
ducinS no effect, he went forth. 1t
was moment OF intense anxiety for
all, but no sound Of shot or whOop OF
savage greeted his appearance. He soon
found a trail, leading northward, indi- |
,ating that the band had become fright
ened or discouraged and were return
10 LuH
come. lie returned to the house, and, |
after all had pGrtaken Of a hurried |
breakfast, they started for the block !
house, Mr.. WoOdleigh leading, life in !
hand and one child upon his back. |
Mrs. Woodleigh followed, with the |
baby in her arms, next to her came the !
two eldest children, one behind the |
other, while Smith guarded the rear.
rifle in hand, and a sturdy little chap, |
four years DID, on his back.
Upon their arrival at the block house.
the news OF the attack and massacre |
Of Mr.. Means and child and the cap !
ture Of Miss Molly Finney, few miles |
distant, during the preceding night, by !
another band of sayages, probably a
part OF the same Dahu WHICH udu at
tackled them, was told.
In few days it was found that
the Indians had surely departed from |
that region, for time, at least, and
the settlers, who had taken refuge at |
the garrison, returned to their homes. |
Mrs. Woodleigh had but two plates left /
Of her pewter dishes, which had beeH
the pride Of her heart, aCong her cher |
ishcd household goods; one Of these, !
was melted at the side Ivy the heat |
from the hot fire, when on the hearth, !
that memorable night. But she never
regretted their loss. And that is the
story, true one, Of your Aunt Emma's
pewter plate.-C. Nj. Reed, in Portland |
Transcript.