Year: 1864

When Kentucky was an infant State, and
before the foot of civilization had trodden
her giant forests, there lived upon a branch
of the Green River an old hunter by the
name of Slater. His hut was upon the south
ern bank of the stream, and save a small
patch Of some dozen acres he was shut UP
by dense forests. Slater had two children
at home with him-twO sons, Philip and
Daniel-the former fourteen and the latter
twelve years OF age. Ills eluer children had
gone South His wife was with him, but
She had been for several years an almost
helpless cripple from the effects Of severe
rheumatism.


One evening just as the family were sitting
down to the frugal supper, they were at
tracted by the sudden bowling of the dogs,
and as Slater went to the door to see what
was the matter, he saw three men approach
ing.


He quickly quieted the dogs, and the stran-
gers approached the door. They asked for
something to eat, and also for lodging for
the night. John Slater was not man to
refuse request of that kind, and he asked
the strangers in. They set their rifles be-
hind the door, unslung their pack, and room
was made for them at thesupper table. They
represented themselves as travellers bound
further west, intending to cross the Mssis-
sippi in search of settlement.


The new corners were far from being
agreeable or prepossessing in their looks,
but Slater took no notice of tie crcumstan-
ces, for he was not one to doubt any man.
The boys, however, did not like their ap-
pearance at all, and the quick glances which
they gave at each other told their feelings.
The hunters wife was not at the table,
but she sat in her great easy chair by the
fire


Slater entered into conversation with the
guests, but they were not very free, and in a
little while the talk dwindled into occasional
questions Philip, the older of the two, no
ticed that the men cast uneasy glances about
the room, and he watched them narrowly.
His fears had become excited, and he could
not rest. He knew his father had large
sum of money in the house, and his first
thought was that these men were there for
the purpose of robbery.


After the supper was over, the boys quick
ly cleared offthe table, and then went out of
doors 1t bad become dark, or rather the
night had fairly set in, for there was a moon
two thirds full shining down upon the for
est.


Daniel, said Philip in low whisper, at
the same time casting look over his shoul-
der, what do you think Of these ere
men p


I'm afraid they are bad ones," returned
the younger one


So am l. believe they mean to steal
fathers money. Didn't you notice how they
looked round p


Yes


So did I. If we should tell father what
we think, be would only laugh at us, and
tell us we were perfect scare crows


But we can watch EN-


Yes, we will watch 'em, but don't let
them know it,


The boys then held some further consul
tation, and then going to the dog house, they
set the small door back, so that the hounds
might spring forth if they were wanted. If
they had desired to speak to their father
about their suspicious, they had no chance
for the strangers sat close by him all the
evening.


At length however the old man signifed
his intention of retiring, arose to go out of
doors, to see the state of affairs without. The
three followed him, but they did not take
their weapons. The old lady was asleep in
her chair.


Now whispered Philip, let's take two