Year: 1868

before the foot of civilization had troddeI
her giant forests, there lived upon branch
of the Great River an old hunter by the
name of Slater. His hut was upon the
southern bank of the stream, and save a
small patch of some dozen acres that had
been cleared by his own axe, he was shut
off by dense forests. Slater had two chill
dren at home with him-two sons, Philip
and Daniel-the former fourteen and the
latter twelve Yeas of age. His elder chill
dren 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.


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
money and hud brought it home. The old
man had been for several years accumuNat'
ing money for civilization was fast 81.
preaching him, and he meant that his chill
dren should start on fair terms with the
world. -.-.-.- -,.. ....


One evening, just as the family were sit
ting down to the frugal supper they were
attracted 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 ordered off tho dogs, and the
strangers approached the door. They ask
ed for something to eat, and also for lodg-
ing for TIE night. John Slater was not
man to refuse request of that kind, and
asked the strangers in. They set their III
fes behind the door, unslung their packs,
and room was made for them at the table.
They represented themselves as travellers
| bound further west, intending to cross the
| Mississippi in search Of settlement.


The new comers were far from being
agreeable or preposscssing in their looks,
| but Slater took no notice Of the circum
stance, for he was not TO doubt any man.
The boys, however, did not like their ap
pearance at all, aud quick glaUces which
| they gave each other told their feelings -
| The hunter wife was not at he table, but
she sat in her great easy chair BY the fire
Slater entered into conversation with the
guests, but they were net very free, and af-
ter little while the talk dwinded into oc-
casionaI questions. Philip, the elder Of the
two, noticed that the men cast unnecessary
glances about the room, and be watched
them narrowly His fears had been cxcitN
ed, and he could not rest. He knew his
father had large sum Of money in the
house, and his first thought was that those
men were there for the purpose q! robbery.


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


'Daniel," said Philip. in low whisper,
at the same time casting a lock over his
shoulder, what do you think Of these ere
menu"


I'm afraid they are bad ones, returned


80 am |. believe they mean to steal
fathers money. Don't you notice how
earnestly they looked arourd?


Eyes "


80 did I. five should tell father what
we think he wouil only laugh 81 us, aud
tell us we were perfect scare crvws.


But we can watch 'em.


YES, but we can watch EN-, but don't
let them know it.'
They boys then held some other consul
tation, and then going to the dog-house
they set the small door back so that the
hounds might spring out if they we're want
ed. II they had desiled to, speak to their
father about their suspicious they had no
chance, for the strangers sat close to HIM
all the evening.


At length, however, the old man signifi-
ed his intention Of retiring, and arose to 90
out of doors to see the state OF affairs with
out. The three followed him, but they did
not take their weapons. The old lady was
asleep in her chair.


.'Now." whispered Philip, "let us take
two Of fathers rifles up to our bed-We
may want them. We are as good as men
with the rifle" Daniel sprang tc obey
and as quickly as possible the boys slipped
the two rifles from their closet behind the
great stone chimney, aud then fastened
back and emptied the priming from the
strangers rifles. When their father and
the strangers returned they had resumed
| their seats. -~~


The hunters cabin was divided into two
apartments on the ground floor, one Of them
in tie end of the building, being the old
mans sleeping room, and the other in
which the present company sat- Overhead
there was a sort. OF a 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 rough ladder led up to the scaffold, close
up to the boys bed. There was no parts
| tion at the end of the scafolding, but it
was all open to the room below.


Spare bedding was spread upon the floor
of the kitchen for the Travellers and every~
thing arranged for their comfort, then the
boys went up to their bed, 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
passed away, and then they could hear their
father snore. Then they heard a moves
ment from those below. Philip crawled ST.
lently to where. he could peep down through,
and saw one of them open his pack from
which he took several pieces of meat by the
moon, and moving towards the window he
showed the sash back and threw these piec-
es of flesh to the dogs. Then he went back
to his bed and laid down.


At first the boys thought this might be
thrown to the dogs to distract their atten,
tod; but when the men laid down the idea
of poison flashed through Phillips's mind.
He whispered his thought to his brother.
The first impulse of little Daniel as be
heard that his poor dogs were to be poison
ed, was to cry out but a sudden pressure
from the hand of his brother kept him ST.
lent.


At the end of the boys bed was dark
window, small square door and it was di>
rect,y over the dog house. Philip resolved
to go down and save the dogs. The under.
taking was dangerous one for the least
noise would arouse the villains and the con.
sequence might prove fatal. But Philir
Slater was strong in the heart and he de.
termined upon the trial. His fathers life
might be in his hondsl This thought wa:
tower Of strength in itself


pbilip opeped the window without NOV.