The Cairo bulletin., 1904-11-22
D'ri and l
BY IRVING BAcHELLER
Achoi "Ebsn Holden Da'rsl Of the Blessed Isles s''

BY IRVING BAcHELLER


threw over it lacy. shimmering,
cracking net of gold. Then suddenly
ii burst into red, leaping tower. A
few moments, and the cavern of the
woods, along the timber side, was
choked with fire. The little hamlet
had become spring of light in the
darkness. We could see the stumps
and houses far afield, as if 1t had been
MONDAY. Suddenly we all jumped TO
our feet. A wild yell came echoing
through the woods.
There they bel" said Asher East
man. as he cooked his gun Il toll
ye so.
As matter of fact, he had told US
nothing of the kind. He was the one
man who had said nothing.
AIRY Law stood erect, his pike-pole
poised in both hands. and we were all
ready for action. We could hear the
rattle of many hoofs on the road. AS
soon as the column showed in the fire.
light. Bill Foster up with his mus
ket and pulled the trigger. could hear
the shot scatter on stump and stone.
Every man had his gun to his eye.
Wait till they come nearer" said
Asher Eastman.
The Indians had halted. Far behind
them we could hear the wild hallooing
Of many voices In a moment we could
see those on horseback go galloping
off in the direction whence they had
come. Back in the house a number
of the women were praying. My
mother came out, her face whittier than
had ever seen it before and walked
TO my father and kissed him without
ever saying a word. Then she went
back into the house.
"Scairt?" inquired, turning to
Rose, who now stood beside me-
Il should think | was" she whis-
pered Il m all of a tremble."
IF anything happens. ia like
something to remember you by"
"What?" she whispered.
| looked at her beautiful red lips
She had never let me kiss them.
"A kiss, il nothing more" | an
Swered.
She gave me kiss then that told
me something of what was in her
heart, and went away into the house
Coin t. surround us" said Arv
Law-'thet S whut IS tn matter"
Mus be ready t. rassle EN- any
minute" said Asher Eastman, as he
sidled over to a little group
young man came out of the house
and took his place in line with big
squirt-gun and pail of steaming-hot
water
The night wore on; our fires burned
low. AS the approaching day began to
light the clearing, we heard a sound
that brought us all to our feet. A
burst of bugle notes went chasing
over. the timber-land to the tune of
Yankee Doodle" We looked at one
another in surprise. Then came a
thunder of hoofs in the distance, the
ragged outline of troop of cavalry
"Soldiers!" said AIRY, as he raised his
pike.
"The British?" somebody asked.
Dunno" said he. "Ain, no Injuns,
[ don't b'lieve."
A troop of cavalry was approaching
at gallop. They pulled up few rods
away ard iammed into a crescent of
rearing, trampling horses. We could
see they were American soldiers. We
all lowered our guns.
who are your" one of them shout.
ed.
Citizens" my father answered
why are you armed?"
"To fight Iniuns."
A chorus of laughter came from
he cavalry.
They loosed rein, letting their norses
advance.
MY dear man." said one Of them,
big shake on his head. there ain'i
an Indian tween here an ST. Regis.
We thought you were British, an it s
lucky we did MT charge in the dark;
we d have cut you all to pieces before
we knew who You were"
A body of infantry was marching
down the pike. They were the volun-
teers of Capt Darius Hawkins, on
their way to Ogdensburg, with an es-
eort of cavalry from Sacketts Harbor.
The scare was over. Women came out,
laughing and chattering. In few
moments they we're all in the road, go
ing home men. women, and children.
enlisted with Capt. Hawkins. and
hurried to the house and packed my
things, and babe them all good-by.