Year: 1864

When Kentucky was an infant State, and
before the foot of civilization had trodden her
giant forests, there lived upon branch of
the Green River an old hunter by the name
of Slater. His hut was upon the southern
bank of the stream, and save small patch
of some dozen acres that had been cleared by
his own axe, he was shutup 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.
His elder children had gone South His wife
was with him. but she had been for several
years an almost helpless cripple from the eff
fects of severe rheumatism.


1t was early in the spring, and the old
hunter had just returned from Columbia,
where he had been to carry the produce of
his winters labor, which consisted mostly of
furs He had received quite sum of mon
ey and had brought it home with him. The
old man had for several years been aceumu.
lating money, for civilization was rapidly ap
preaching him, and he meant that his chill.
dren should start on fair terms with the world.


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


He quickly quieted the dogs, and the
strangers approached the door. They asked
for something to eat, and also for lodging for
the night John Slater was not a man to re-
flse request of that kind, and he asked the
strangers in. They set their rifles behind
the door, unslung their pack, and room was
made for them at the supper table. They
represented themselves as travellers bound
further west, intending to cross the Missis-
sippi in search Of settlement.


The new comers were far from being agree
able or prepossessing in their looks, but Sla-
ter took no notice of the circumstances, for
he was not one to doubt any man. The boys
however, did not like their appearance at all
and 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 af-
ter a little while the talk dwindled into oc-
casional questions. Philip, the older of the
two, noticed that the men cast uneasy CLAN
ces about the room, and he watched them
narrowly. His fears had become excited. and
he could not rest. He knew his father had a
large sum of money in the house, and his
first thought was that these men were there
for the purpose of robbery.


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


g Daniel" said Philip. in low whisper
at the same time casting look over his
shoulder, " what do you think of these 'ere
men ?'


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


$50 am l. | believe they mean to steal
fathers money. Didn't you notice how they
look d round?'


Yes"


$50 did l. If we should tell father what
we think, he would only laugh at US. and tell
us we were perfect scare-crows.


9 But we can watch 'em."


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


The boys then he'd some further consulta-
ton, and then going to the dog house, they
set the small door back. so that the hounds
might spring forth if they were wanted. Ii
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. rC mtf


At length, however, the. old man signiiied
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. Tie old lady was asleep in
her chair.


NOW whispered Philip, "let's take
two Of father rifles up to our bed-we may
want them. We are as good as men with the
rifle.


Daniel sprang to obey. and quickly as pos
sible the boys slipped two rifles from their
closets behind the great stove chimney, and
then hastened back and emptied the priming
from the strangers rifles /; and when their fa-
ther and the strangers returned they had re-
sumed their seats


The hunters cabin was divided into two
apartments on the ground floor, one Of them
in the end of the building. being the old man s
sleeping room. and the other in which the
present company sat. Overhead there was
sort of scaffolding, reaching only half way
over the room below it, and in the opposite
end of the building from the little sleeping
apartment of the hunter. A rongh ladder
led up to the scaffold. and on it, close up to
the boys bed. There was no partition at the
edge Of the scafeld, but it was all opon to
the room below.


Spare bedding was spread upon the floor
Of the kitchen for the travellers. and after
everything had been arranged for their COM
tort, the boys Went up to their beds, and the
old man retired TO his little room.


The boys thought not Of sleep. or, if they
did, it was only to avoid it. Half an hour
had passed away, and then they could hear
their father snore. Then they heard move
ment from those below. Philip crawled 81
lently to where he could peep down through,
and saw one of the men open his pack. from
which he took several pieces of meat, by the
rays of the moon, and moving toward the
window, he showed the sash back and threw
the pieces of flesh to the dogs. Then be went
back TO his bed and laid down.


At first the boy thought this might bf
thrown to the dogs to distract their attention
but " hen the man laid down, the idea of poi
son flashed through Philips mind. He whis
perea ms thoughts to his brother. The frs
impulse Of li.tle Daniel, as be heard that hi.
poor dogs were to be poisoned. was to or,
out, but sudden pressure from the hand O