Year: 1876

kunnIng TO one of the loopholes in the
front OF the house, she saw four OF them
making rash with the evident intention
OF getting up to the door before she had
time to fire at them.


The shot guns were loaded with pistol
bullets. Running the muzzle of one OF
them through the loophole. she took aim
NJ the foremost Indian. A crack Of the
piece and he tell dead.


The others turned and ran, but it was
too late! Again the fatal crack of the
| gun, and another savage went to his
happy hunting grounds. The other two
succeeded in getting under cover before
the heroic woman could bring the second
gun to bear upon them.


y howl OF rage and dismay arose from
the edge of the timber as the savages
saw the fate of their companions, aud for
long time no apparent effort was made
by them TO continue the fight.
She knew by the stiffness that was kept
By the Indians that they were getting
ready some new plan for her capture.


Suddenly thought struck her. Should
they make an attack from behind the
house they would be upon he- before she
was aware. How was she to gaurd
against this She could not gaurd both
sides al once.


\ bright idea flashed across her mind.
The boy She would place him as SEN
try in the rear He was old enough 10
know what was wanted.


Gabriel she called, come here :"


The little fellow ran from his hiding
place in the corner OF the room and'came
up TO her.


MY boy, come here TO the window.
DO you see those woods there ?"


The child said he did.


In those woods. my boy, are bad men
who want 10 kill US. Will you watch
and let me know il they try to come near
the house ?"


The lille fellow promised obedience.
with look on hi, face that showed how
much he appreciated the honor and re-
sponsibiIity of his position.


Then the brave woman made her
preparations Tor what she feared would
be a desperate struggle Tor her own lite
and those OF her little ones.


Presently a movement on the part OF
her savage toes attracted her attention.


An Indian showed his head IRON be
hind one ot the large logs in front OF the
house. Waiting few moments, as it 10
see ii he was observed, he gradually
moved out until his whole body was Wis
ible.


What could be his object? p


Il was something unusual for an In
dian to expose himself thus.


The solution OF the puzzle came i'm
mediately.


"Mamms. cried little Gabriel.


What is it, child ?"


There is one of the men coming to
the house"


Then she saw at ouce that the ap-
pearence OF the ladisn 10 front was a
ruse to attract her attention while his
companions attacked the house from be-
hind.


Gabriel" she called hastily, "come
here"


The boy ran over to her.


she pushed The mazzle OF one of the
guns through the loop-hole, and the saw
age Immediately disappeared.


Now, Gabriel" she said, "%he never
that man shows himself you push the gun
so he can see it,"


The boy promised to do as be was bid.


Then the brave mother went to the
back OF the house.
Three Indians were slowly creeping
up towards it, taking advantage OF every
tree, rock, or inequality Of the ground.
| They evidently intended to take her by
surprise.


Determined that this time she would
make every shot tell. she waited until
they were within twenty yards. They
were close together. crawling up slowly.


Suddenly the muzzle of the shotgun
was produced from the loop-hole,


The savages saw their mistake and
turned to flee.


Too late TIE sharp crack OF the gun
was heard, and two OF them rolled over
10 the agonies of death.


Again the sharp crack, and the other
shot through the back as he was running
away bounded in the air ike q stricken
deer, and fell in his tracks.
A loud mournlul howl was raised by
the savages in the woods when they saw
their comrades fall. and for nearly an
hour afterward they were perfectly qniet.


Then they commenced another and a
more deyilish plan of operations.


Seeing that there was little hopes OF
getting possession OF the house by means
of an attack, without incurring fearful
loss OF numbers. they put in practice one
of the expedients of Indian warfare
which is the most dangerous because it
is the hardes. to combat.


An Indian suddenly appeared on the
edge of the wood. In his hands he held