Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1904-09-29

in the chimney, followed by the ap-
pearance of a huge savage, who fell,
shot through the heart by a shot from
Woodleigh's rife. Almost before his
feet reached the floor, Mrs. Woodleigh
Immediately piled up some light wood
in the spacious fireplace, making a
quick blaze to prevent further intru-
sion from that direction.
"a loud whoop was followed by a
sharp fusilade, the bullets from the In
dim rifles making sharp, tipping
sounds as they buried themselves In
the logs, or the stout timber of the
~barrica5ed door and window.
1.-THE two men fired in return as
often as they fancied they detected a
dark form skirting the clearing, or
crawling through the grass.
az am getting short of bullets said
Smith, 4 have but about two OF three
charges left
"I have but four or five myself
said Woodleigh. If they should make
another sudden rush | am afraid we
could not keep them off, but we will
do our best, and our dubbed rifles and
knives will do some execution he
bravely added.
"I 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.. Woodleigh, sadly.
"'Yes, there is quickly replied his
wife; you have forgotten my pewter
platters and plates. think they will
make good bullets. I'll melt them
and run some while you two keep
watch; this hot fire is just the thing
Shutting her actions to her words.
first the big and then the little plat
ters were melted and run in the
molds, which were a part of the equip
ment 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, mean
while, firing as often as a redskin
showed himself. AS the day began to
break, Mr.. Woodleigh babe his wife
cease her work, as for some little time
no sign of their foes had been discern
ible.
Mrs. Woodleigh was well-nigh
worn out with anxiety, and the fright
cred children were huddled together,
having scarcely dared to breathe since
tbat fret wild yo11 orp,1cnl thnro
Hope now revived as the daylight
advanced. When the sun had risen,
no sign Of lurking savage being in
sight, Mr.. Woodleigh determined to
go out and reconnoiter a little. Smith
kept watch through the loophole
which commanded the door, rife in
hand, while Mr.. Woodleigh took
down the barricade, and opened the
door, all being careful to keep we'll out
OF range lest a shot come from some
unseen source among the trees. Mr..
Woodleigh then carefully pushed for
ward a stick arranged with coat and
hat to look like a %half-hidden man
peeping out; this was for the purpose
of drawing the fire of the Indians,
should any still remain in ambush.
This dummy producing no effect, he
went forth. 1t was a moment of in
tense anxiety to all, but no sound of
shot or whoop or savage greeted his
appearance. He soon found a trail
leading northward, indicating that the
band had become frightened or dis
couraged and were returning toward
Canada. whence they had come. He
returned to the house, and after all
had partaken of a hurried breakfast
they started for the blockhouse, Mr..
Woodleigh leading, rifle in hand and
n child upon his back. Mrs. Wood
leigh 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
old, OF his back.
Upon their arrival at the block
house, the news of the attack and
massacre Of Mr.. Means and child and
the capture of Miss Motley Finney, a
few miles distant, during the preced-
ing night, by another band of savages,
probably a part of the same which had
attacked them, was told Them
."In a few days it was found that the
Indians had surely departed from that
region, for a 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 been the
pride Of her heart, among her few
cherished household goods; one of
those was melted at the side by the
heat from the hot fire. when on the
hearth that memorable night. But
she never regretted their loss. And
that is the story, a true one, of your
Aunt Emma's Pewter plate.-Portland
Transcript.