Ned in the Block-House

od on the right bank of the Licking river in Kentucky, and was

pper was two feet greater in each direction, for the builders followed the frontier fashion of projecting the second story over the first. This projection being pierced w

each side was a trap-door, intended for use in emergency. The roof itself was composed of thic

ckade. This consisted of logs split through the middle, one end sharpened and driven deep into the e

ide, which opened into the stockade or inclosure, were also a door and window. On the other two sides were two windows, but no door; the former were so narrow that no Indian warri

wn to be great, it lacked nothing which the rude frontier warfare could suggest. It

lets of the unerring Kentuckians behind the logs; while, if they secured a closer approach on in the

ed, and that was on the southern side. The wooden chimney was at the corner, entirely within the stockade, and the numerous a

the smoke from which found its vent up the wooden chimney. There were a bench, a table, and several rude chairs, while a barrel of

used more than the other by the defenders. It had the two trap-doors in the steep roof, and was liberally ventilated by means of the numerous loopholes which let

looked like a small parade-ground, to be used for the benefit of the garrison. It contained near the centre a well, to be appealed to in emergency, though it was not placed within the building itself, so as to shut off the possibilit

sils useful in a new settlement. Fort Bridgman at one time promised to become an important town in Kentucky; but a fierce raid by a band of red men, one

ce. These stood outside the stockade, and one was occupied by Colonel Hugh Preston

l occupied the other. The last two were brothers-in-law, and it was the intention of the latter to bring his wife and three ch

s, learned of the presence of a war party of Wyandots. It was by a pure accident, or rather providence

d other necessaries as they could get together. The doors of the building and the gates of the stockade were f

g along the bank of the Licking one hundred yards away. They were quick to note that, with all their secrecy of movement, their approach had been discovered;

nger, as he peered through a loophole, "for they h

sappointment that they will postpo

r shook his h

is not very large, they will be apt to give it up; but if there are as ma

el, with a flash of the eye; "this isn't the first time it h

success?" said

ng on the floor, something like a pang went to his heart. The sight caused him to feel more vividly than

onately on her shoulder; "do you regard it possible,

the end, but even that does not always avail: the bra

e could have felt more deeply than did she, that all she valued in the world was at that moment within the wooden

o hide a vague fear which was creeping over him; "and we can stand

you: I wish you would send word to your brother at Wild

ber of the garrison. Colonel Preston had asked himself whether it was not the

head in a way to signify

ng, Colonel, and I'

ns will be on the watch, and we are

s two years ago, when it looked as t

act; but was the ri

out. That time, I took three hours to get through the red skin lines; but

best, you may t

his earnestness. He had perilled his life many a time during the years spe

wanoe, Deerfoot, to the vicinity of the block-house. The garrison were sure to use the utmost vigilance until the all-important qu

Wild Oaks with a view of bringing help, he commended the plan and said he would gladly take his place. But Sting

e Mary and Susie talked in hushed voices of the wicked Indians on the outside, and wondered why they wished to harm those who had never harmed them. Wh

he elder, with the trusting belief of chil

nd their way through the loopholes; and, as she tucked the blankets around them and kissed them g

within the gloomy block-house, Colonel Preston lingered a few minutes beside his wife, w

and the means to defend ourselves? There are five rifles, one for each of us, including yourself; these walls are

ur part; but, at the best, there are only a very, very few of us, and you know accident

u obsarve it's so dark inside that we couldn't see each other's faces if it wasn't for that

" asked the Colonel, glad of excu

, without any bother; you know that every hour counts, and I shall have to put i

hrough the loopholes, first on one side of the block-house and then

sighing of the night-wind among the trees, but nowhere could he catch the glimmer of the Indian camp-fire, nor hear t

ently of the presence of the red man as

f waiting longer,"

Stinger following him. On the lower floor there was not the slightest ray

eld it in place, and the two listened for several minutes. Nothing was heard

spered the commandant, "give th

without any more words, the

amiliar whistle of Stinger a couple of hours later, at

d within the block-house shortly

couldn't creep through the lin