Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-01-12

do right by her. Marryin' Is mighty
good thing. but
Kenton had been peeping under the
low hanging scrub oak boughs while
Oncle Jazon was speaking these last
words. and now he suddenly interrupt
ed:
"The deuce! Look yonder!" he growl-
ed out in startling tone. "Injuns"
1t was sharp snap Of the conversa-
tons thread, and at the same time our
three friends realized that they had
been careless in not keeping better
lookout. They let fall the meat they
had not yet finished eating and seized
their guns.
Five or six dark forms were moving
toward them across little point Of the
prairie that cut into the wood quarter
of mile distant.
"Yander's more Of EN-" said Oncle
Jazon, as If not in the least concerned,
wagging his head in an opposite direc-
ton, from which another squad was
approaching.
That he duly appreciated the situa-
ton appeared only in the celebrity with
which he acted.
kenton at once assumed command
and his companions felt his perfect tit
ness. There was no doubt from the
first as to what the Indians meant. but
even If there had been il would have
soon vanished, for in less than three
minutes twenty-one savages were
swiftly and silently forming Il circle in
closing the spot where the three white
men. who had covered themselves as
best they could with trees, waited In
grim steadiness for the worst.
Quite beyond gunshot range, but near
enough for Oncle Jazon 10 recognize
Long Hair as their leader, the Indians
halted and began making signs To one
another all round the line. Evidently
they dreaded TO test the craftsmanship
of such ritemen as they knew most
border men to be. Indeed Long Hair
had personal knowledge Of what might
certainly he expected from both Ken
ton and Oncle JaZon. They were terri
bic when out for fight. The red war
riors from Georgia TO the great lakes
had heard Of them; their names smack
ed of tragedy. Nor was Beverley With
out fame among Long Hairs followers,
who had listened to the story of his
fighting qualities brought to Nincennes
by the two survivors Of the scouting
party so cleverly defeated by him.
"rhe liver cOlored towards. said
Kenton, "are afeared of US in shoot
in match. They know that lot OF
'em would have to die if they should
undertake an open fight with us. It's
some sort of Il sneakin' game they are
studyin' about just now
I'm a-gittin' mos too ole to shoot
wo'th a cent" said Oncle JaZon. hut
I'd give half O. my scalp ef tibet Long
Hair would come clost enough 70 me
to cit bead onto his lef' eye. It's toP-
bic plain tibet were gone s-oSiin I'll :
time, I'm thinkin'. Still it d be mighty
satisfyin' if | could plug out lcf eye
or two fore | CO."
Beverley was silent. The words OF
his companions were heard by h: p. III.
not noticed. Nothing interested him
save the thought of escaping ami max
Ing his way to Clark. To fail meant in
finitely more than death, of which he
had as small fear as most brave inen,
and to succeed meant everything that
life could offer. SO in the un!iini'ed
selfishness of love he did not take his
companions into account.
The three stood in Il close set clulnn
of four or five scrub oaks at the high
est point of Il thinly wooded knoll that
sloped down in all directions 10 the
prairie. Their view was wide. but In
places obstructed by the trees.
"Men," said Kenton after thought
full and watchful silence. 1.-The thing
looks kind O. squally for us. don't
see much Of chance to get out OF this
alive, but we've got to try"
He showed by the density OF his
voice and Il certain gray film in his
face that lie felt the awful gravity OF
the situation. but he was calm, and no,
a muscle quivered.
"They's jes' two chances for US,
said Oncle JaZon. 'an' them's as slim
rs broom straw. We've got To stan
here an fight it out or wait till night
an sneak through atween 'em an rur
for it,"
81 don't see any hope o sneakin
through the line" observed kenton
ITS not goin.to be dark tonight"
"Wa-a-l," Oncle JaZon drawled non
chalantly while he took III quid OF to
bacco, "Ive been into tighter squeeze'
an this many time. an ! got ou'
too"
Likely enough" said Kenton. still
rejecting while his eyes roameC
around the circle Of savages.
Il tit the skunks in Ferginny fore
YES thought of. 81 Kenton. an down
in Car'lina in them hills. If ye think
I'm a-goin' to be scalped where The!
amt no scalp 'ithout tryin' few
lodges. yer a dad dasteder fool an
used to think We was, an thet's maxim
a big compliment to ye."
well. we don't have to argy thi'
question. Oncle JaZOn. They're a-git
tin ready to run in upon us. and we'v
got to fight. | say, Beverley. are y
ready for fast shootin'? Have ye e.
a-plenty o. bullets"
"Yes; Roussillon gave me hundred
DO you think'-
He was interrupted by a yell tha
| leaped from savage mouth To moutl
| all round the circle. and then TN
charge began.
"Steady. nowr' growled Kentor
Lets not be In n hurry. Wait III
they come nigh enough TO hit 'em b,
| fore we shoot.
The time was short. for the Indian
came on nj almost race horse speed.
Oncle Jazon fred first, the long. kee
crack OF his small bore rifle splittin
the air with a suggestion OF yiciou
energy. and 1.-THE young warrior WI
was outstripping all his fellows leape
high and fell paralyzed.
| Cant shoot wo'th cent. mu
hred the old man. deftly beginning .
reload his gun the while. but ! Jes
happened to hit that buck He'll neve
sit my scalp. thet's sartin aud sure.
Beverley and kenton each likewis
dropped -. Indian. but the shots do
not even check the rush. Long Hat
| -. ..t......st A., ,..,.,uta his ursy M