The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1904-03-11

I hiNIAA NNANAo ARf Tue lAnuL ilfnl tAt
, camp IRE was built after which ths
/ four horses were fed and otherwise
cared Tor. and the cow rllked Father
and Cyrus attended 10 these things
jonathan and I FED our two dogs. and
then helped mother and keturah get
supper. We were always hungry. nc
matter what our fare was. OF course
what cooking was done was over the
camp fire. Sometimes we we're sc
fortunate as 10 shoot a c-sr, and II
seems 10 me | can taste even now those
delicious thick steaks that We used 10
hroil over the Csbers Of our camp fire
When supper was ready. Keturah
waited. first, on grandfather. who was
feeble. after which she looked after
little Jacob You might have thought
she wasn't hungry if you'd seen how
patient she was; but IL one OF us boys
ever said so. she only laughed and
said: when / get old like grandpa
I'll want TO be waited on first, and
I'm sure when was little like Jacob
didn't want TO be left until the last
That was Keturah's way TO be think
ing of others.
After supper was over Cyrus ralled
up the camp fire and put on fresh logs.
and then We had prayers and went 10
bed Father never omitted prayers.
lie wouldn't have done that any sooner
than he'd have gone without supper
not ~ soon. But We didn't all go TO
bed at once. Father. Cyrus. Jonathan
and took turns in being senunels, for
no one could tell what moment a
prowling wolf might make US an IN
expected visit
'One day the caravan had TO stop in
the middle OF the afternoon. One Of
our horses had strained a leg and was
limping painfully. 1t would be cruelty
TO go on to-day father said. and so We
stopped on the edge of the wildwood.
After the swollen leg was bathed and
bandaged. father and Cyrus started
into the woods on an exploration tour,
expecting TO return in an hour or so.
Grandfather was not feeling well. and
being weary OF the continued journey
ing, fell asleep on his couch in the
back of one OF our big wagons. Little
Isaac and Jacob followed in grand
father. wake TO Sunderland. and
mother. having a severe headache, re-
tired TO a big armchair in the deserted
back wagon. Jonathan and / built a
camp fire, around which Moses and
Abraham played contentedly. After
a while | happened TO think Of the
sedges We had passed a little way Dacll
| suggested TO Jonathan that he and |
return and get some wild ducks for
supper.
We won't be gone isng.' said to
Keturah. besides, father and Cyrus
will be here soon
"'All right assented Keturah. so
on, I'll keep watch We laughed.
There's nothing 70 keep watch Of
We said; who'd be afraid in broad day
light?'
I'm not afraid was Keturahs an
swer. but don't stay long
We took our loaded rifles and ran
of in high glee We were soon at the
sedges. and il 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 a cry of dismay he began sink
ing in the marshy ground. In my en-
deavor to rescue him / sank, too.
With every movement to escape we
sank lower We laughed at first. but
our laughter soon died out as we real
lied our dilemma. We tried to cheer
each other as the afternoon wore on,
bus when the sun began TO set behind
the mountains We shiyered 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 a lantern. ! don't think Jona-
than and were ever before or since
so glad 10 see any one as we were to
sec our father and Cyrus. The shades
Of night were falling before we were
rescued The lasso was used, but il
was SLOW work to be drawn through
those horrible sedges 10 safe footing.
a. ANA mum ods Ou OuA way
home. We knew he was worried.
~ don't wonder you're angry, l n
said at last
Angry he exclaimed. in surprise,
I'm not angry. but am disappointed
thought YOU boys were old enough |
% know that yor were left in charge I;
lf mother and the children
We had the grace to be ashamed.
Walk fast urged father. 1t isn't |
safe for the folks TO he alone
why. it's early yet said Jonathan.
What is there to be afraid Off
Before father could answer our two |
logs who had followed father and /
cyrus began to bark furiously. Pres
'ntly there came in sight. running to-
ward us, one. two. three wolves. They /
we're yelping wildly. Father turned /
white. but he did not lose his head
lie said calmly: No time TO lose. I'll
axe the first one; Cyrus. you. the sec
md. Boys. both of you aim for the
bird Ready Aim, Fret
II don't believe a general in the army
ould lead his soldiers any more sue
essfully than father led us. We
'beyed him TO the letter. and in a mo-
rent the battle was over. The three
aunt wolves lay stretched out dying.
ffor thA fotlo~ 4 l