Year: 1877




me go way" walked slowly behind the
root and disappeared. The boy knew,
however, that it was only trick. and
kept his eyes and ears alert against sur
prise.


Immediately he detected the snakish
eyes of the savage cleaning at him from
among the dry leaves on the ground at
the corner of the root on the opposite
side of the fence, where the old rascal
had crept in order to watch the young.
ster unseen.


After lying in this position for two or
three minutes, only his head in sight
and that covered with leaves, he made
another dash around the root. But John
was too quick for him, and slipped safe
ly between the logs once more.


Failing again. the wicked red-skin re-
sorted to another ruse. He began to
parley, saying, "Me good IDjun-me NO
hurt Shake hand p And he thrust
his hand through the barricade. Of
course he did not succeed in cheating
the little fellow by such a shallow de-
vice, and SO again changed his tactics.


Presenting his gun he commanded
John to surrender or be shot; but the
lad preferred to die by bullet rather
than tomahawk, and so stood his
ground. Strangely enough, the Indian
did not shoot; but after looking across
the sights of his gun and making fear
full faces he placed the weapon behind a
tree some rods away, and resorted to the
dodge of parleying once more.


Injun hungry-good boy go home
get Injun bread"


But John did not think it best to
start for home on such an invitation.


The next effort was to kill the lad by
throwing his tomahawk at him between
the trees; but he miscalculated the
space, and struck the weapon against a
log. breaking out the handle, which,
falling at Johns feet, was Immediately
picked up by him as means of defense


One of the savage's devices, by which
perhaps he meant to frighten his victim,
was to place his hideous face at the
opening between the logs, and howl and
gnash at him like wolf.


But the boys courage had rallied,
and he began to pelt his enemy with
stones and Jumps of earth obtained from
the upturned soil, giving him many a
stinging hit. This so maddened the In
dian, that he drew his scalping knife
and gave chase for long time, perhaps
thinking to tire the youngster out by
constant lodging. But in this plan he
was mistaken, for resolute, hard-work-
ing frontier boy has vast fund of en-
durance. Once the cleaning knife,
thrust between the logs after him, came
near doing its bloody work; but john s
grit was aroused. and he struck the bru-
tai hand heavy blow with the toma.
hawk handle.


But the many turns and tides, tricks
and lodges, of that fearful struggle can
never be related. There are some scenes
too tragical for words; besides, the par.
ticulars are covered under the drifts Of
forgetfulness ever heaping above the
past.


of course, during all that terrible af.
ternoon Johns thoughts and eyes were
constantly turning in the direction Of
his home. He knew that his father
would seek him before night, and as the
hours wore on he began to look with
great anxiety for his coming. He had
the common faith of all children in par.
ents, and felt they would not leave him
!


to perish


At length he caught distant glimpse
of form coming up the path. Oh, how
his heart bounded


With renewed force he began again tt
hurl at his foe everything he could seize
raising such commotion as to attrac
his fathers notice, who, comprehendins
the whole scene at a glance, stole W
within gun shot of the unsuspecting rec
man.


The sequel is soon told. The cracl
: of the settlers rife signaled the Indian
fate.


The warriors weapons and trinket
were taken as trophies the gun, having
bullet but no powder in its chamber
could not be fired, thus explaining VIII
he had not shot the lad when he threat
ened to do So


These trophies are still treasured b.
the grandchildren of our hero. who ar,
justly proud of such an exploit.
In those early times American boy
were trained In a school that developed
a rugged and noble manhood. = Chris
than Union.


The BRAIN.-Our brains are seventy
year clocks. The Angel of Life wind
them up once for all, then closes tn
, case, and gives the key to the Angel o
the Resurrection. Tic-tac, tic-tac 60 tn
, wheels of thought; our wills canno
stop them; they cannot stop themselves
: sleep cannot stop them madness onl,
u II ~