Year: 1873




which extended on that side of the house.
The man started out, and then waved his
handkerchief; he then drew from under
his Old ragged coat a long, broad knife,
examining carefully the point and blade.


What was to be done? That was the
question; but there was short time for the
poor young girl to consider about it.


She must be quick-she must act deci-
sively. Rescue from without was not to
be thought Of-sbe alone, by Gods help,
must save herself, and the property Of her
family


She took a hasty glance round the
room, and seeing a heavy axe which was
used for chopping wood, lying upon a
block, she quickly seized it. The coffee
was hot, but in the pot it would not serve
the plan which she had devised.


She poured the boiling liquid into a
small deep plate and, quite determined
what to do, she went up 10 the door of the
room, the plate with the smoking coffee
in her left hand, the heavy axe in her
right


II have both hands full" she cried,
standing before the door; "be so good as
to open the door for me''


Not suspecting what was about to hap
pen, the rObber quickly opened the door,





a moment the whole of the boiling coffee
few into his face With a furious excla-
nation of pain, he bent forward, and
rubbed, with both hands, the coffee from
his eyes.


Availing herself of this moment of his
helplessness, the brave girl, with the broad
| side of the axe, dealt him such violent
blow on his head, that he fell down sense
! less at her feet.
Quick as thought, pushing aside his
body, she sprang to the window, which
she had before opened herself, closed it
securely and put up the shutters. Then
she hastened back, took the key out of the
door, which was in the inside, called,
''Sultan, keep WATCH" and, pushing the
great dog into the dark room, where the
robber still lay senseless, she locked the
door from the outside. Then, after again
building up her wall of defense against
the house door, she hastened up to the
second story.


The dog was growing from Within and
trying to get out, and at the same moment
there was a violent knocking at the house
door.


The girl took her fathers doubled bar
relied gun down from the wall, and, open
ing the window, she inquired:


Who's there below?"


From the window she saw before the
door a man, with the appearance of a
huntsman, of savage and forbidding as
pect quite a stranger to her. He called
out to her, in commanding tone:


"Dpen the doort"


when I choose to do So" replied the
girl.


If you do not open it, I shall!'' cried
the huntsman, angrily. II shall break
open the door, and then you will see what
will happen"


I'VE are long way off from that yet"
was the girls reply.


1--WE shall see" cried the hunter, and,
taking his gun from his shoulder. he was
about to place it against the lock, and
fire


Kate saw that rapid action was neces-
sary. In a moment her fathers gun was
cooked and her aim taken, and before the
rascal below could turn round, there was
q loud report above, and bullet had shat
tered his right arm.


His gun dropped from his hand and he
fell to the ground. He uttered cry of
pain, and rolled over in the snow, which
he reddened with his blood. But, before
the girl could take up her fathers other
gun, he had risen and fled into the wood


Kate quickly loaded the gun again,
and prepared for a struggle Of life and
death; for she felt certain that these two
were not alone, but had companions in
Tie forest.


Her courage did not fail, but she threw
herself down upon her knees, and prayed
for help TO Him who alone is our defense
and shield. The courage which God
gives is the right courage. He makes the
soul strong for the most difficult things.


Now she heard a noise in the room be
low, where Sultan and the robber were.
She listened She heard the dogs growl-
ing and the mans cry of pain


The struggle between them lasted for
about ten minutes; and then the terrible
sounds were succeeded by an awful ST.
lence.


Poor Kate felt that if more enemies
came, her position was a desperate one.
How could she for any time defend her
self against number of robbers?


She could scarcely reckon upon the
dog, for she dared not let him out, as she
could not be certain whether the man in
the room below was dead or alive


And if they should attack the house
from before and behind at the same time,
she knew that she was lost, for no help
could come to her; for who, in such
severe weather, would be likely to be
passing on even the high road, which
went through the wood not far from the
house?


Once more she prayed earnestly for
help from above. She then looked round
the house to see if any fresh danger was
threatening, and perceiying nothing, she
went back 10 the room where her weapons
lay, to see what was going on before the
door, as the dog kept barking in the room
below.


Just as she got to the window, she saw
an armed, bad-looking fellow approach
the house At first he tried to be polite.
and inquired:


Have you seen an old man pass by
here@'


Yes" replied the girl.


"Where is he? Have you let him in 2"
These words were spoken in a fierce
and insolent tone.


II shall only answer civil questions" 5"
replied the girl.


"Where is he?" cried the robber, with
an oath. Have you murdered him?
Then commend your soul to God


Il have helper below, my fathers
wolfdog, who has fought with him, and
as you hear, the dog is the victor. More
than this | know nothing of him"


open the door, then, that | may see
after him-he is my brother!" cried the
rObbeT.


That may be-" replied the girl; "the
dog then will serve you as he did your