Ned in the Block-House

ive the information the reader needs in ord

ir only child being Ned, who has already been introduced to the reader. Beside him they had the bound boy Wildblossom Brown, a heavy-set, good-natured and sturdy negro lad,

han generally falls to the lot of boys placed in his circumstances. Besides this, Mr. Preston was one of the most noted hunters

hattered by the bullet of his rifle. The father quietly contemplated the work for a minute or so, and then, without a word, cut a hickory st

se me this time

ar with one hand and applied the stick with the other, during which the lad danced and shout

you shoot a squirrel you

was certain never to forget the ins

n, when we introduce him to the reader, there were none of his

e, and scarcely less unerring in the hands of a veteran than is the modern weapon. It was a flint-lock, and of course a muzzle-loader. The owner carried his

ather short, and it was buttoned from top to bottom with the old style horn button, over the short waistcoat beneath. The string of the powder-horn passed over one shoulder, and that of the game-bag over the other

me of which we are speaking, and was intended as a protection to a settlement begun at the same period; but, just as the fortification was finished, and before the settl

lock-house, which had resisted the fierce attack of the red men. The man who had charge of the fortification was Colonel Hugh Preston, a brother of Macaiah, and o

inconvenient, Ned Preston acted as messenger. He often carried papers sent down the Ohio to his fathe

at, a letter for his uncle, one for his aunt, and one each for two of the

Ned and Blossom had made this journey in one day in the month of June, but their custom was to encamp one night

ans who roamed over the Dark and Bloody Ground, and who held almost undisputed poss

actions of the war parties when they gathered near their villages and threw the tomahawk, daubed their faces with paint, and danced the war dance. These intrepid

-house and the settlement, for the runners who came in reported great danger in doing so. Then again it looked almos

tion of the wonderful territory, and the numerous scenes of violence that had taken plac

ither been overwhelmingly defeated by the combined forces of Indians, or had accom

of Kentucky of which we are speaking. When, therefore, the letters came down the Ohio in a flat-boat for Colonel Hugh Preston and

ssom were in the depths of the Kentucky forest when the autumn day was closing, and

singularly, although they had passed over the route so many t

nd it was wise to take more than usual precautions against surprise. When this Indian runner added that he was quite sure an assault wa

not be removed; for an attack on that post was contemplated, and knowing its precise d

he father of Ned to his wife, "for they will hav

f the attack intended, and he and t

d of the danger which threatened him. When informed that he had not, Mr. Preston insisted that Deerfoot, as the young Shawanoe was called, should make his way to

ion, and the anxious father asked him to bring the lads back, if he deemed it the safer course. Ned was

er it would be safe to let him wait until the lads were conducted back to Wild Oaks. Deerfoot was disposed to hurry to the Licking; but when a few miles f

of the journey together; but before long Deerfoot was surprised to discover that Ned and Blossom had strayed from the true course. He could not

without fatigue, when his wonderful instinct or reason told him he was in the vicinity of a lar

an abrupt turn, showing that Ned Preston had suddenly "located" himself, and had returned to the right course. Although the footprints of the Wyandots actually approached within a hundred yards of those of the

woods, his dusky face flushed when he looked to the groun

ceeding, for although the subtle Indian had done his utmost to keep secret from his own people his friendship and services for the whites (inasmuch as such a knowledge on the part of his race would have ended his

int. He saw there were twenty-three, and that they numbered the bravest and most daring of their tribe. The leader was the ch

en, for all knew what a splendid warrior the young Shawanoe was, and some of the

as possible to avoid; but all the friendship seemed genuine, and when Waughtauk told him it was his intention to attack the exposed cabins of the settlers, Deerfoot believed him. When he added that he meant also

sed situation seemed to invite such attack. Waughtauk answered that Colonel Preston ha

the first; but Deerfoot was too cunning to reveal anything of his thoughts. When he bade his friends good-by, they

airly away from the Wyandots, to shadow them un

separated them from the Shawanoe, when they changed to the left, turning again a short distance

hs to Deerfoot, and their purpose was to descend upon the stat

od a moment leaning thoughtfully on hi

herefore an enemy of his own race," was the thought of the Indi