The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1928-09-21

Llnk Wttu OtiC IOVl NNtIStnE uOWIt HUH
the caves and waiting for me to leave
the cabin, when he would drop down
upon me. The roof was formed Of
sapling-size poles covered with large
sections of thick bark. which in turn
was held in place by poles running
lengthwlse at regular intervals. |
drew my knife and gently inserted
1t between two of the poles. then. de-
sisted, as at the most would only
prick the fellow and put him on bic
guard.
Regaining the floor l moved rough
table, which Frazier used for dis
playing his trade.goods, close to the
chimney, and gave the girl an iron
prod and directed her to stand en- the
table and pretend to be making an
opening through the roof. She hest.
tated and asked:
"You're going out?"
.He'll be watching the chimney"
"There may be two Of 'ein."
L shook my head and held up a
finger and directed her to keep talk
ing In a loud voice as she assailed
the roof. Then taking the short rife
and loading It tipt0ed to the door
and noiselessly removed the bar and
waited.
I The girl began jabbing the iron rod
between two of the poles and calling
down to me to mount the table and
help her. She, made much noise and
{ get believed caught faint sound
from over the door. Lifting the door
so 1t would not sag and scrape the
floor, l worked II open wide enough
for me to pass out.
"The rods through the roof!" cried
the girl.
At the same time shout rose from
the forest. darted through the mar.
row opening and whirled about and
raised the rifle. One savage was
there and had been on the point OF
crawling to the ridge-paIe to investi-
gate the several inches of iron rod
showing through the bark when the
yell from the woods had warned him
to be on his guard. He must have
connected the eoutcry Of his friends
with the sudden appearance OF the
rod, for he was on all fOurs and
staring over his shoulder to where
his friends were In hiding.
When he saw me the rifle was at my
shoulder. He made c0nyuIsiye effort
to huri his ak and roll off the roof.
bnt he was dead before he could
throw It.
From the Indians point Of view
there should have been but one thing
for them to do-return at once with
their guns and endeavor to shoot us
through the ioopholes Luckily for
us. they.swere not inclined to risk any
more Of their men. | could hear their
leader shouting to them, but If he were
exhorting them to charge. they had no
heart for It. They renewed the attack
with fire-arrows. With loose hides,
| patched the bare spots as far as
could reach while the girl looped
skins together to 60 over the ridge
pole. had ignored their musket fire.
but when small bullet whined close
to my head ] knew some Indian or
Frenchman had arrived on the scene
with rife, and lost no time In tax
Ing cover.
''That sounds like cannon said the
girl as closed and made fast the
door.
."It was rife. We must be more
careful"
~ know rifle when hear It.
That's what j mean. mister"
listened and heard It II was
thunder beyond any doubt opened
the door a crack and scanned the
heavens. There was no storm-in sight
''It's up the Monongahela. l told her.
Its SO far of fear we won't get
even the skirt Of IT,
We needed much of It; not only to
drench the cabin but to cool the air
inside. With the door closed and the
stout shutter In place over the one
small opening that served as a win.
dow n was blood-hot In the cabin.