Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1904-12-08
made for Just such emergencies,
would not WELD.

made for Just such emergencies,
would not yield.
Soon line Of dark forms were seen
approaching the door, bearing some
thing in their midst.
1--WE shall have to fire now" said
Smith. 'they have got a log which
they are going to use to batter in the
door,"
EYES," said Woodleigh quickly, 'you
fire at those on the right and will
take those on. the left. Mary will re-
load the extra guns while we fire the
others, and SO deceive them in regard
to our numbers; they are cowardly
ours and will not attack except they
think house is weakly guarded" he
added bitterly.
The reports of the two pieces were
almost simultaneous; this was followed
by furious yell, which swel1ed upon
the night air, arousing the sleeping
children, and thrilling through the
nerves of the little garrison like an
electric shock.
Again the two rifles rang out, and
when the smoke lifted it was seen that
the Indians had retreated to the cover
of the forest. leaving the log and three
of their number stretched by it, killed
by the discharges from the guns of the
white men.
All remained quiet about the clearing
for so long a time that the hope began
to be entertained that the savages had
retired from the attack; just then
Smiths rifle rang out, and he ex-
claimed:
''They are on the roof; be ready for
them as they come" He was inter-
rupted by a scratching and a scramb-
ling in the chimney, followed by the
appearance of huge savage, who fell.
shot through the heart by a shot from
Woodleigh's rifle. 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 fusillade, the bullets from the
Indian rifles making sharp, tipping
sounds as they buried themselves in
the logs, OR the stout timber of the
barricaded door.
The, two men fired in return as often
as they faEcied they detected dark
form skirting the clearing, or crawling
through the grass.
Il am getting short of bullets" said
Smith. 81 have but about two or three
charges left"
II have but four or five myself -
said Woodleigh. eff they should make
another sudden rush I am afraid we
could not keep them off, but we will
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 scrap of lead about the
house, said Mr.. Woodleigh, sadly.
Eyes, there is,'' quickly replied his
wife. "' You have forgotten my pewter
platters and plates. I think they will
make good bullets. I'll melt them and
| run some while you .wo keep watch
this hot fire is just tn, thing"
Suiting her actions to her words
| first the big and then the little platters
| were melted and run in the molds
! which were part of the equipment o
every settler in those times. These
were followed in the same order by thu
plates, until but two remained on th'
hearth, the two men. meanwhile frin:
as often as a redskin showed himself
| AS day began to breaE Mr.. Woodleigl
bade his wife cease her work, as fo
some little time ne sign of their foe
Aad been discernible-
Mrs Woodleigh was well nigh wOrl
out with anxiety, and the frightened
children were huddled together, havin!
| scarcely dared to breathe since tha
first wild yell aroused them.
Hope now revived as the daylight ad
vanced When the sun had risen, n
sign of lurking savage being in sight
Mr.. Woodleigh determined to go on
and reconnoiter a little Smith KEEP
watch through the loophole which com
manded the door, rifle in hand, Will
Mr.. Woodleigh took down the barri
cade and opened the door, all bein
I>careful to keep well out of range, les
shot come from some unseen sourc
among the trees. Mr.. Woodleigh the
carefully pushed forward a stick al
ranged with coat and hat to loo
1 like a half-hidden man peeping out
this was for the purpose Of DRAWN
the fire of the Indians, should any sti
remain in ambush. This dummy Pre-
ducing no effect, he went forth. !
was a moment of intense anxiety fo
all, but no sound of shot or whoop O
savage greeted his appearance. He 500
/ found a trail, leading northward, ind
eating that the band had become frigh
ened or discouraged and were return
ing toward Canada, whence they ha
come. He returned to the house, ani
after all had partaken of a hurrie
breakfast, they started for the bloc
house, Mr.. Woodleigh leading, rifle i
hand and one child upon his bacl
Mrs. Woodleigh followed, with th
; baby in her arms; next to her cane th
: two eldest children, one behind th
| otho~ x1,I;1o Cuoith cv,,o rdnd Tho MO,