Year: 1862

At the end of the boys bed was dark
window, and small square door, and as II
was directly over the dogs house, Philip re-
solved 10 go down and save the dogs. The
undertaking was a dangerous one; for the
least noise would arouse the villains, and the
consequences might be fatal But Philip Sla-
ter found himself strong in heart and he deter
mined upon The trial. His fathers life might
be in his hands This thought was tower
of strength in ITSELF


Phillip opened the window without moving
from his bed and it was swung on its hinges
without noise. Then he threw off the sheet
and tied the corner of 1t to the staple by which
the window was hooked. The sheet was then
lowered on the outside, and carefully the boy
let himself out upon it. He enjoined his
brother not to move, and then slid noislessly
down. The hounds had just found the meat,
but they drew back at their young masters
beck, and Philip gathered the flesh all up.
He easily quieted the faithful brutes, and then
quickly tied the meat in the sheet.


There was light ladder standing near the
dog house, and setting it up against the build
ing, Phillip cautiously made his way back to
the little loft, aBd when once safely there, be
pulled the sheet in after him. The strangers
had not been aroused, and with beating heart
the boy thanked God, He had performed an
act, simple as it may appear, at which many
stout heart would have quailed The dogs
growled as they went back into their kennel,
and if the strangers heard them they thought
the poor animals were growing over the repast
they had found.


At length the hounds ceased their noise, and
all was quiet. An hour passed away, and so
did another. 1t must have been nearly mid
night when the men moved again, and the lad
Phillip saw the rays of candle flash up
through the cracks of the floor upon which
stood his bed. He would have moved to the
crack where be could peep down, but at that
moment be heard man upon the ladder.


He uttered quick whisper to his brother,
and they lay perfectly still. The fellow seem
ed to be perfectly satisfied that they were
asleep, for he soon returned to the ground floor,
and then Phillip crept to the crack. He saw
the men take knives and heard them whisper
ing


"We'll kill the old mau and woman frst,"I
said one Of them, and then we'll hunt the
money. Ifthose little brats up there (ponting
to the scafold) wake up, we can easily take
care of them


" But we must kill them ALL said another
of the villains.


Yes returned the speaker, but the old
ones first


Phillips heart beat with horror.


Down the ladder outside quick !" he
to his brother. down and start
up the dogs. Run for the front door and
throw it open-it isn't fastened. Oh, do let
the dogs into the house as quick as you can
III look out for father while you go,''


Daniel crawled quickly through the little
and Phillip seized rifle and crept to
the head of the scaffold Two of the villains
were just approaching the door of his fathers
room. They had set the candle down on the
floor, so that its light would fall into the bed
room as the door opened. Phillip drew the
hammer of his rife back, and rested the muzzle
upon the board.


One of the men had his hand upon the latch.
The boy uttered single word of heartfelt
prayer, and then he pulled the trigger. The
villain whose hand was on the latch uttered
one sharp, quick cry, and fe! upon the floor.
The bullet had passed clear through his brain.


For an instant the two remaining villains
were confounded, but they quickly compre-
hended the nature and position Of their enemy.
and they sprang for the ladder. They did not
reach it, however, for at that instant the outer
door was flung open, and the hounds-four in
number-sprang into the house. With deep,
wild yell, the animals leaped upon the villains,
and they had drawn them upon floor just as
the old hunter had rushed from his room.


Help US! help US! father ~ cried Phillip,
as be hurried down the ladder. 1--WE shot
one of them They are murderers robbers
Hold em, hold EN- ~ the boy continued, clap
ping his hands to the dogs.


Old Slater comprehended the nature of the
scene in an instant, and sprang to the spot
where the hounds had the two men on the floor.


The villains had both lost their knives, and
the dogs had so wounded them that they were
of resistance. With much difficulty
the animals were called of, and then the two
men were lifted to seat. There was DO need
of binding them, for they needed more restor-
ative agent, as the dogs had made extremely
quick work in disabling them.


After they had been looked to, the old man
cast his eyes about the room. They rested
moment on the body of him who had been
shot, and then turned upon the boys. Phillip
told him all that had transpired. 1t seemed
some time before the old hunter could crowd
the whole teeming truth through his mind